Mother's life, post-diagnosis

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping to get some advice from either people in a similar situation to me, or someone who has faced a similar diagnosis and gotten through the issues my mother and our family are dealing with.

My mother had a cancerous tumor (approx 1.7 cm in diameter) removed from her left breast in May (no lymph node evidence, though there were some cancerous cells discovered in the lymphatic channels and blood vessels of the breast). She’s since recovered from the surgery and is doing radiation therapy for six weeks. The doctor has also advised her to lose weight to lessen her chances of recurrence. I have been trying to get her to work out with me, to no avail. She tells me that she is scared of the cancer coming back, and “just doesn’t care about anything anymore.” When she says things like that, I get really upset and try to reason with her, but I know she’s afraid and depressed.

Anyone who’s had cancer, did you feel like this? If so, how did you deal with those feelings?

Thanks to anyone for any help they can offer!

I an in very same situation. Same patho, 1.3 CM tumor. 33 rad tx then Arimidex. Had partial mastectomy. Had real hard time coping. Paxil is helping me immensely. Prayers her way.