Getting support

Hi,

I am just trying to find out best path to get support in the way of counselling or something similar as I am really struggling. My Nan had lung cancer for the last two years and passed away this Jan and then my Grandad passed a week later due to Covid. My poor Dad has Leukemia and has now been told he probably stage four lung cancer. We are currently waiting for further tests and a treatment plan. Up until now I have coped ok but now it is all feeling too much to deal with. 

I want to try and get some help as I know there is going to be a tough journey ahead and want to be to be in the best place mentally to support my Dad in the best way I can. I also have a 12 year old who has really struggled with events over the last few months and I need to be able to be there for her too. 

I would be very grateful for any advice.

Many thanks

Jenny x

  • Hi there ...

    So so sorry your going through this heartbraking time at the moment.... cancer and life has been really crule ... I've lost 7 family members in the last 13 months ... the last being my beautiful brave granddaughter to acute myeloid leukaemia a few months ago... she was just 18 ...

    So I know what it feels like getting knocked down every time we try and get up ... l also have a lot of young ones and teenagers who have been through loss and grief ... and they do it differently from us adults ... we just need to give them gentle honesty and hold their hands and tell them if they want to talk, well listen ... and it's a good thing to show your emotion to them sometimes ... it gives them permission to feel things to ... and to know it's o.k to share tears ... and and feel angry and even to laugh sometimes too ... 

    There's no right or wrong way to get through this ... it's like being on a scary rollercoaster ride... up and positive one minute ... crashing down the next ... and the tears or emotions come poring out ... I can only tell you how I cope with those I've lost .. and someone very dear to me who's cancer isn't curable .... live in the day ... don't look ahead ... don't look at the whole picture... coz then it looks overwhelming... and the panic sets in ... so stay in the moment ... deal with things as and when it comes up.... one thing at a time ..

    Make every day count for those who have a shorter outlook ... make everyday a memory day with them .. share tears .. admit your all scared ... spend time to ask about his life growing up ... bet there's lots you don't know... watch a film .. go for a car ride ... look through albums ... 

    No one knows if we have tomorrow... any one of us could be taken ... so all we can do is make today count ... sending you a vertual hug.... Chrissie x 

  • Hello [@Jenn24]‍ 

    Im so sorry to read your story, and I think it's really amazing you're trying to get help to be there as much as you can for your dad, he will appreciate so so much.

    Cruise bereavement have counselling available, and they are truly so kind. Maybe worth giving them a call, as I think it really does help.

    Good luck with your dad results. Sending you lots of love XX

  • Thanks so much for your kind words Chrissie. I'm so sorry to hear of your losses and especially of your poor Grandadaughter. That is just heartbreaking, my condolences to you and your family.

    You are an incredibly strong person and I take alot of strength from your words of advice.

    Sending you a big hug back. Jenny x

     

  • Hi Newlife101,

    Many thanks for replying and recommending Cruse. I really appreciate that and will definitely take a look at them.

    Jenny x