I am so sorry to hear about your uncle and his difficult struggles with his health. He is so young, and really does sound like he is depressed and feeling hopeless; helpless.
I was shocked to read that he is still smoking, even with all he's been through (and is still mentally and physically going through!). It makes sense, in a way, though: the nicotine that he is getting into his system from smoking is providing him with what he needs most right now: some "feel good" chemicals as a type of "self-medication".
How have you or your uncle's parents (or others?) been helping him with his depression? Have his oncologists or other medical doctors recommended any mental health practitioners or support groups for your uncle?
There is a free book, called "Facing Forward: Life After Cancer", available online by the American Cancer Society: http://www.acscsn.org/books/
There are other resources for Cancer Survivors (I'm sure you already know about these!). Has he looked into any of these resources?
The caregivers and loved ones of patients also need to take care of themselves, which is often difficult to do. How are his 87 year old parents coping with their adult son's illness (both his cancer and depression)?
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has a listing of support groups and other organizations, as well as literature and websites, for families and loved ones who are caregivers or just concerned and wanting to help. You can search for resources in your area: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/support
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I am so sorry to hear about your uncle and his difficult struggles with his health. He is so young, and really does sound like he is depressed and feeling hopeless; helpless.
I was shocked to read that he is still smoking, even with all he's been through (and is still mentally and physically going through!). It makes sense, in a way, though: the nicotine that he is getting into his system from smoking is providing him with what he needs most right now: some "feel good" chemicals as a type of "self-medication".
I wrote about the effects of nicotine and the brain, as it is often confusing to us non-smokers why smokers don't just quit, especially after all your uncle has been through: https://www.empowher.com/community/blog/alison-b/08/04/29/cigarettes%3A-...
How have you or your uncle's parents (or others?) been helping him with his depression? Have his oncologists or other medical doctors recommended any mental health practitioners or support groups for your uncle?
There is a free book, called "Facing Forward: Life After Cancer", available online by the American Cancer Society:
http://www.acscsn.org/books/
There are other resources for Cancer Survivors (I'm sure you already know about these!). Has he looked into any of these resources?
International Association of Laryngectomees (IAL)
http://www.larynxlink.com
Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC)
http://www.spohnc.org
Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF)
http://www.livestrong.org
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS)
http://www.canceradvocacy.org
The caregivers and loved ones of patients also need to take care of themselves, which is often difficult to do. How are his 87 year old parents coping with their adult son's illness (both his cancer and depression)?
Here is an article from the Academy of Family Physicians on the "hidden patients" (the caregivers), called "Caring for the Caregivers"
http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/media/releases/2002/caring-for-caregi...
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has a listing of support groups and other organizations, as well as literature and websites, for families and loved ones who are caregivers or just concerned and wanting to help. You can search for resources in your area:
May 27, 2008 - 2:06pmhttp://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/support
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