Mum has died aged 44 and I can’t cope

I don’t really know what else to do other than to try and reach out to people who understand what what I am going through. My Mum died a week ago today of cancer aged 44. I am only 26 and never in a million years did I think this would happen to our family. I was by her side every day for the weeks leading to her death and it was horrific.

The first few days I was numb but had to be practical as we needed to sort her funeral out. Since I have returned home (200 miles from where she lives) all I have done is cry and cry and cry. For days. I can’t sleep I can’t eat I don’t want to talk to anyone. I feel empty. My mum was my best friend, we had the most special connection. How do I go on like this? Is it normal to be this grief stricken a week later. If I get up out of bed or off the sofa I just cry and pace the house in silence. 

My my heart has been ripped out and I don’t understand how I am meant to get through it. Her funeral is next week and I am completely terrified. I don’t really know what I’m looking for by writing this, I guess I just want reassurance that this is normal and it’ll get easier? :( 

  • So so sorry, you have lost your mum, who is the same age as my son ... I read your threads .. and you know there is no right or wrong way to feel or grieve ... l think the first year is a raw year, like a wound that won't heal .... you are feeling like this, because your brain is desperate to make some sort of sense of it all .. when there is none ...

    Letting your emotions out now, is better in the long run, because those that try to hold it in, are overwhelmed when it all poor out, and it does come out .. l held a scream in for years, and one day some long time later, drove to a quiet place and screamed it out ... 

    I believe we don't loose them, they stay safely in our hearts forever ... we take them with us on this journey through life .. and remember, you are her, she made you ... 

    I've felt my mum close since I got my cancer diagnosis... and she's been gone nearly 30 years ... and as for me, l did get used to not having her around, but I never stopped missing her ... I've just tried to live my life to make her proud ... she was my best buddy too ... this pain is so hard because we were blessed to have had them in our lives ... sending you a big hug ..

  • I’m so sorry for your loss.  My mum died a few hours ago.  Please look after yourself.  Xx 

  • I am so sorry for your loss. Please don’t condemn yourself or think you are grieving wrongly or that there must be another way, there isn’t a right or wrong way to grieve, I won’t even tell you it will pass but it will change and you will find your way of coping, things you did together and talked about, advice given to you by Mum will all act as a comfort, photos, memories, talk about them as a family, it’s comforting, I have photos of my Mam and Dad all over, we talk about them as a family and I smile at the photos everyday, I lost my Dad 17 months ago to bladder cancer and the one thing  I would say to you, is never stop remembering or talking about them, they are and always will be an important part of who you are. Grieving is natural, anyway you do it, it’s just hard, but together you’ll do it. X.

  • I’m so sorry.  I lost my mum early this morning after nursing her through cancer.  All I can say or do is offer an ear if you want it.  I had the same relationship with my mum as you did and I’m utterly devastated.  

    I hope things get easier for both of us.  X 

  • I’m so sorry for your loss. My mum passed away in March. The first couple of weeks were the worst but know that how you’re feeling is completely normal and you will get through it. I know it won’t feel like it just now but you will learn to cope. I did find it really hard in the week or so after the funeral when you’re no longer focussing on the arrangements for the service so don’t worry if you feel worse for a while. Do go to your doctor if time passes and you’re still not coping. And take time off work if you need to. Take time full stop to grieve but try and remember the happy times. 

     

    You will I’ll get through it, I promise you. 

     

    Sending hugs

    xxx

  • Ah bless you, So Sorry to hear about your mum. I lost my sister end of May, Funeral was 11th June, and I’m finding now it seems to be more unbearable, after every thing seems to go back to some sort of normality.it’s the missing part I’m really struggling with now my heart bleeds for her,  I did go back to work after few weeks, But I found it too much and was crying like every second, so had to be with my mum and I am still staying with my mum now, I feel so empty and lost. The pain is just so unbearable every day.  They say you have to give it time, time is a healer so they say as hard and as difficult it is. Like you I just feel so broken at the minute. They say time is a healer, I do hope things get bit easier soon. Sending you a hug.