|
Julie, I'm seeing a psychiatrist who specialises in death and dying and living with chronic illness mainly with oncology patients. He says I don't really need to see him but I hold on to him as my crutch. I only see him in hospital and his visits are brief but just to know that there is someone non judgemental that I can talk to and share my real feelings with, without worrying that I'm burdening him is such a relief.
There are things you can say that you just can't say to family or friends without feeling as if you are adding to the load they are already feeling. I thoroughly recommend that you push for that psych referral after the holiday break. It's amazing how helpful it is even just to talk without considering other people's feelings all the time. I used to get so anxious I felt as if I couldn't breathe and I'd have to sit outside in the middle of the lawn at 3 in the morning to catch my breath....that's all gone now. AND....I don't need medicine to help me through it.
In the meantime...those oncology nurses should be pretty good at listening and understanding. I've not met a bad one yet. It takes a special type of person to want to do that type of work.
I hope you have a better day.
|