My counselor
Most of my life I have been fortunate not to have struggled with depression. However, since my cancer diagnosis I have experienced “situational depression” as my oncologist called it. It is debilitating. I am so grateful my oncologist referred me to a counselor. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center offers counselling for cancer patients and families! They understand that cancer and depression can go hand in hand. I think this should be the standard of care for ALL cancer patients. Some comprehensive cancer centers and research hospitals are recognizing it too and are doing a better job at addressing this often overlooked side effect. My counselor helps me navigate the roller coaster of emotions. She explained that depression is an often overlooked side effect that cancer patients experience. Here is an article with more information https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/center-news/2016/02/depression-invisible-cancer-side-effect.html?fbclid=IwAR1CgC9a6Ae7VbfWJ52TZiLYCuVFg66-9qvLcYt-43rgqsYyWJ1RpYnsL1w
Here is a link to a previous post with a picture of me and my counselor. She is an important part of my medical team. https://juliesnotdyingtoday.com/embracing-survivorship/
Palliative care
in addition to counselling, my Palliative care doctor helped me find the right kind and dose of antidepressant. I have severe nerve pain in my legs and we found an antidepressant that also helps with nerve pain! My doctor looked at my whole comprehensive physical and mental symptoms and was able to provide me with a custom treatment. What a difference. I used to cry EVERYDAY and it affected my ability to function. Now, I am able to live each day with purpose despite my physical disability and my stage 4 cancer. Of course I still experience sadness. I am not an emotionless zombie. My counselor helps keep me from “going down the rabbit hole.”
Perhaps the stigma is less for cancer patients, but there shouldn’t be a stigma for anyone seeking mental health treatment. No one should have to just “tough it out” when dealing with mental illness.