My big brother has stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma and is depressed and is struggling to get help from his gp

My big brother was diagnosed 13 months ago with stage 4 mantle cell lymphoma and has recently been released from hospital after being in for 12 weeks after having a bad reaction to CAR-T Stem Cell treatment, which has reduced his cancer spread and has hopefully given him more time. He was given two months to live before having this treatment. The CAR-T treatment caused him to have two strokes which has left him with brain damage and is unable to walk or do all the things that we take for granted. He was released from hospital last week and lives with my 76 year old Mum who gave up her home to move 200 miles away to live with him. I spoke to my Mum today who said that my brother is depressed and has been trying to get help via his go surgery but after days of trying are still unable to get an appointment for him, it’s makes it harder before the go would have to do a home visit as my brother can’t live his flat and has no transport as he and my mum are unable to drive. To be honest if it had been easier for him to get an appointment at the times when he was feeling ill before his diagnosis then the cancer wouldn’t have got to the severity that it unfortunately has. His spleen ended up exploding and being on life support for weeks for the doctors to do anything. It should never have had to get this bad, but could never get a GP appointment and the emergency doctor phone lines never take you seriously. I just wondered if anyone has had a similar experience and could advise me on how to get him help

  • Hi Locket1985, 

    Thank you for coming here and sharing your story though I am so sorry to hear about what your brother has been through and that he has been feeling so depressed. Our website has useful information on mental health and cancer which I suggest you have a look at and perhaps you could take a look at our section on where to get support for mental health

    It's shocking that they have not managed to get a GP appointment and I can understand it is harder if they can't get to the appointment because they don't drive. It might be worth asking the GP surgery whether they do phone appointments so that they can start by having a preliminary phone call, set things in motion and discuss his mental health and decide on the next steps to take.  

    There will be many members of our community who have been in a similar place and they may have some useful tips for you based on their personal experiences. I hope that they will be along shortly and share their insights with you. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator