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Currently living with cancer - 27th March 2024

ajhclarke24
Offline

I'm male 39, living with FND. Wanting to speak to someone about previous trauma over recent deaths in the family due to cancer.

Because of work, I also feel that I took could be living with cancer myself. Depression has set in over the past few months and return to work is causing me distress and upset.

Father died in May 2020. 2x Uncles died in 2020. Gran died in 2022.

Just looking to reach out to someone to talk to as I'm very low and stressed and worried.

If anyone could spend some time I'd be greatful talking.

  • Hello ajhclarke24

    I'm sorry to hear about your circumstances. It sounds like it's been a really difficult time with you having lost four family members in a relatively short period of time. Given your own health issues, along with the grief from losing loved ones, it's understandable that you're struggling. 

    We have many members who have posted here previously to share their experience of loss and hopefully, some of them will reply to offer their advice and support. 

    In the meantime, I'd really encourage you to talk to your GP about how you're feeling and about your own health concerns regarding cancer. Hopefully, they will be able to give you some reassurance regarding the latter and will be able to offer some support to help with your mood and anxiety. You may also want to consider getting in touch with a bereavement charity such as Cruse who can provide grief support both in a 1-1 setting as well as online and group settings. 

    I do hope that you're able to find the support you need. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Jenn

    Thanks for your reply Jenn.

    I have been in touch with my GP already. Apart from already being treated for depression and anxiety, I'm also on medication for anti-psychs as well as tablets for blood pressure issues and thyroid problems.

    So far this is proving challenging. While I have been on medication for 8 years, I'm still disturbed by work, still stressed and still concerned. I have sleep problems as well using a CPAP machine and still find myself struggling.

    I wouldn't go as far to say that I'm at my wits end with this all but I am very distressed and concerned about what's next.

    Work is a four letter word I avoid as they don't look after their own team let alone someone functioning with autism and FND. I've been diagnosed with depression and autism but this is as far as it goes. The "FND" is just research I've done because I've had to label what's going on with myself as something. I just don't know what at the moment.

    From here some guidance would be appreciated because I just feel like I'm at a loss now. I dunno what to do with myself and as each day goes by, I just feel like I'm a public menace to society.

    I hope someone's out there to talk to cuz at the moment I really don't know which way to turn.

    Thanks for any support / guidance you can give.

    Many thanks

    Kind regards

  • in reply to ajhclarke24

    Hello ajhclarke

    I'm glad to hear that you're already having support from your GP. Do talk to them again about your concerns regarding cancer and your mental health. Whilst it's good to hear that you're currently having some treatment for your mental health perhaps some talking therapy may help. This is potentially something your GP can arrange for you. You might also consider getting in touch with Anxiety UK for support and advice. 

    As I mentioned in my previous post, there are organisations such as Cruse that can help with bereavement counselling and support and you might want to contact them to help you process some of the losses that you've experienced. 

    I do hope that you're able to find the support you need to help improve your health and move forward. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

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