You have already gotten great advice. I just wanted to say I am sorry she is going through this - and you and the rest of the family, too.

Several depressed people can be rather high functioning, especially if they are self-medicating with work, religion, shopping, etc. That doesn't mean they don't benefit from help.

__________________
"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

I agree with some of the others about the depression. Some use alcohol, cocaine, other drugs, you name it. Some overeat and spend money. It can all be from the same issue of depression (or things the person is avoiding dealing with in their life). Eating feels damned good, so does the rush from buying things. I'm sorry your mom is going through this, and I hope it does turn out to be totally benign.

Just knowing that you have a mass, cancer or not is very depressing. I know that before i had mine removed, even though the dr said they were 95% sure that it was not cancer, i still got depressed and worried about it.

Everybody handles stress in their own way. Some over eat, some shop, some cry, some clam up, etc.......

I won't worry to much about it right now, just let her handle it the best way she can. And if eating or shopping is the way she is coping with it, that is ok too!

Just be there for her if and when she does want to talk about it!

I will keep her in my prayers, and you too!