Coping with loss - My mum passed away from lung cancer 2 years ago. I'm struggling and still haunted by bad memories of that time

I was a carer for 18 months from my mums lung cancer diagnosis, 2 years ago , until her final breath. She fought a valiant battle, but I’m haunted by the bad memories and struggling to remember the good memories, I don’t even know how to move on. I realised I was drinking a lot more but have realised that , and cut back a lot but I’m struggling. The void of her not being here is like a black hole that’s sucked the old me into an abyss of not being able to recognise who I am. I am a cancer sufferer too even if it’s not literally speaking, my mums cancer turned my life into a cancer

i know she would have not wanted me to feel this way, and to be strong but, I had another one of my nightmares that I have sometimes about the morning of 17th of April 2023, and this one was vivid beyond imagination to the point I had a take a me day today from work. I’ve just been sitting here on my own while my sister is at work and thought I’d just unload on this page, I’m sure someone out there is going through a similar thing. 

  • Welcome to the Cancer Chat community Sean_boy although I'm so sorry to hear your lost your mum to lung cancer. You have my sincerest and most heartfelt condolences for your loss.

    No matter how much time has passed, coping with grief is always difficult and I'm really sorry to hear how tough life has been for you since your mum's passing. 

    Many of our members who were carers for their loved ones in the latter stages of their cancer journeys will completely understand what you are going through at the moment Sean_boy, so you are not alone with all this, and I'm sure some of those members will be along soon to offer you their support and advice.

    Speaking of our members, quite a few of them have found bereavement counselling to be really useful when working through their grief so if you feel that this is something that could help you at this time, do be sure to have a look at the services offered by Cruse Bereavement Support and Sue Ryder.

    If you haven't done so already, it may be time to reach out to your GP as they will also be able to help you and make you aware of any other services in your local area that can offer you further support and advice. 

    I really do hope some of the information I've provided will be useful Sean_boy, and knowing that we are here for you can offer you some strength, and comfort, at this very challenging time.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator