Ideas to help bring some hope and happiness to a newly diagnosed and bedridden cancer patient

[Anonymous]

I’m very concerned for my mothers mental health, she has been bedridden due to pain for about 2 months and was diagnosed with cancer. She is in her late 60s and was very healthy and active until just recently. She is getting treated for the cancer and treatment is working so far but I’m very concerned about her mental well-being. She is now in much less pain but has become weak due to the inactivity. Does anyone have any ideas on how to help? She won’t watch the good shows and comedy specials I’ve saved on her iPad, she won’t text back her friends and doesn’t want to see her grandkids on FaceTime, she doesn’t seem to be doing much. She is in a rehab facility and a family member is with her most of the time every day. The situation is devastating but I want to figure out how to bring her some joy and try to get her out of this (understandable) funk.

[Anonymous]

She needs antidepressants.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been going through something similar. Just make sure she is getting up regularly and walking even a little bit. Little chores will help a lot. Even just walking around the room or down the hall and back.

Does she read? If she has a computer, she can reserve books at the library that you can bring to her. She might like that sense of choice/control.

Those little things go a long way. They are lot more effective than meditations for this type of depression.

[Anonymous]

Medication (autocorrect)

[Anonymous]

Is she doing physical therapy? Does she see a social worker?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She needs antidepressants.

This

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is she doing physical therapy? Does she see a social worker?

This right here.

[Anonymous]

Time may not feel the same to her. It's possible. That's a good thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is she doing physical therapy? Does she see a social worker?

Yes, the rehab place has PT and OT daily but yesterday she tried to stand up with the PT and got nauseous and just went back to bed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been going through something similar. Just make sure she is getting up regularly and walking even a little bit. Little chores will help a lot. Even just walking around the room or down the hall and back.

Does she read? If she has a computer, she can reserve books at the library that you can bring to her. She might like that sense of choice/control.

Those little things go a long way. They are lot more effective than meditations for this type of depression.

Unfortunately she can’t walk, that’s why she’s in the rehab place.

[Anonymous]

This doesn’t address your mobility concerns, but I have a serious diagnosis and I have withdrawn inwardly from friends and family. I simply don’t want to talk about it or tell people I’m fine when everyone knows I am not. I think for introverts that is normal.

[Anonymous]

Chair Yoga.

[Anonymous]

Antidepressants may be a good idea, but she has a very legitimate reason to be depressed. Her life has been turned upside down. The functioning of her brain and body are no longer in sync. Speak with her doctor, but also maybe surround her with tiny comforts that don’t require her to do much of anything or to focus. Food treats, a soft blanket or comfy slippers, play music for her that she’s previously enjoyed, do her nails for her if she likes that, bring some nice massage oil and massage her feet, brush her hair (not necessarily to style it but because many people find the sensation soothing), make sure she has some photos of family to look at. If she knits or crochets, see if she’s up for it, but fidget toys might give her something to do that’s not physically taxing, doesn’t require concentration, isn’t intended to accomplish anything, and doesn’t include any measurement of progress.

[Anonymous]

op what is her prognosis? I think that's prob at the root of the depression. so sorry you are dealing with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been going through something similar. Just make sure she is getting up regularly and walking even a little bit. Little chores will help a lot. Even just walking around the room or down the hall and back.

Does she read? If she has a computer, she can reserve books at the library that you can bring to her. She might like that sense of choice/control.

Those little things go a long way. They are lot more effective than meditations for this type of depression.

Unfortunately she can’t walk, that’s why she’s in the rehab place.

Is there a garden, woods or birfeeder she can look at? I agree she needs antidepressants if she isn't able to go home soon. Viewing nature, even a birdfeeder in a small green space, can be comforting and evoke joy. Even if it's just squirrels. I hope she can return home soon.