I need some medical advice...concerning my mother

Stingray89 · #1 05-26-2010, 08:32 PM

Hey everyone, this is a serious question that I'm trying to get answers to but have no idea where to start. To give you some background, my mother is a very private person concerning her health problems and I havn't seen her in the past 6 months until tonight when we met for dinner. She has said she has been very sick and moved out of state for awhile but now is back. She looks healthy but I'm very concerned about her. I asked her some questions and the only thing I could get out of her was that she has "female problems" that are life threatening. She told me she has been taking steroids and I asked the question that noone wants to hear the answer too, if she had cancer. She said she wouldn't deny it nor confirm it. So I don't know what to do, thats why I'm asking for anyone who can give me some ideas of what is going on with her.

Thanks,
Steve

becker4567 · #2 05-26-2010, 08:35 PM

I know how you feel mate. My mother was the exact same way....a very, very private person. I can't give you advice except be a good son and be there when she needs you. Try to invade her privacy, and you'll just make her angry. Good luck!

bongomania · #3 05-26-2010, 08:38 PM

This is going to sound weird, but I think you should guilt-trip her into seeing a doctor pronto. Hint about how wounded and abandoned you would feel if she essentially took her own life by refusing to see a doctor.

If she is in fact already getting medical treatment and just isn't telling you the details, then there's not much you can (or should) do about that.

i_got_a_mohawk · #4 05-26-2010, 08:39 PM

Is it maybe worthwhile having more of a one to one with your mother or just being there for her instead of prying? Let her come to terms with sharing that information on her own grounds?

While some cancer suffers are perscribed steroids like cortisone or whatnot, there are also a million and one other things that are treated/aided by steroids too.

Stingray89 · #5 05-26-2010, 08:45 PM

She said she has gone to the doctor, and I've told her time after time that I'm here for her no matter what happens or is going on. I only asked her once what was going on with her health wise, as much I want to know I know that when the time is right she will tell me.

Pilgrim · #6 05-26-2010, 09:14 PM

There's a limit to what you can do in this case. Some people are simply NOT going to share information - it's not what they do. You can certainly level with her and encourage her to inform you - and lay out the situation and what may happen is she doesn't share info. The rest is up to her. Iv you've laid out the situation honestly and clearly, and stick with that approach, you've done about all you can do.