Partner anxious and stage 4

Hi , here I am back again after just over 7 years , I was diagnosed with breast cancer stage 3 gone to lymph may 2013 , anyway to cut a long story short , surgery , chemo and Rads and I'm still here . However just after this my partner and best friend, soulmate was them diagnosed with ampullary /pancreatic ca , after a massive surgery , chemo and rads we were told sept 2019 it was back . 
I fell apart , he didn't but recently he is having the most terrible anxiety attacks ( his cancer is there at the original site , growing and his tumour markers are increasing every blood test ) but so far they can't see it anywhere else . ( however the onc has recently told us no one survives over 2 years at his stage , Thankyou onc !!! I'm a nurse so I don't know where to turn ) anyway any suggestions with how to right now help him .?? He's contacted gp so on antidepressants which she has assured him will help anxiety within 14 days . But he is a wreck and my heart is breaking , he's 56 and is the kindest man I have ever met , my best friend a beautiful human being . I can't cope anyone we have dealt with cancer since 2013 I'm sick of it plus a close friend 45 died last Thursday from cancer xx how can I help him I've  tried so hard ?

 

  • Hello Tydu

    I'm so sorry to hear about the struggles that both you and your partner are dealing with at the moment. It's good that he has spoken with his GP and hopefully, over the coming weeks, the medication will begin to help. 

    It's certainly worth speaking to the team responsible for your partners care to see if they have access to a psychologist or counsellor that he could talk to. Many hospitals will have a specialist who supports cancer patients. However, I'd also suggest getting in touch with your local Maggie's centre. They have a number of support workers who will be able to support both you and your partner and many centres also have a clinical psychologist on the team. 

    It may also be worth checking in work what counselling services are available to support you. You are juggling so many things at the moment it's easy to forget to look after yourself sometimes. It's understandable that you're feeling tired and that you're unable to cope any longer so please do reach out for support as well. 

    I hope this helps. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator