Lost my Dad at 25

Hi,

My Dad was diagnosed with terminal terminal oesophageal cancer in Nov 2019. It was a shock as he was diagnosed and told it was terminal all in one sentence. We had been led to believe for some time it had been the start of a stomach ulcer. He was told that he had 3 months to live but made it to 11 months. He passed four weeks ago. He was just 55 and I had just turned 25.

I know it is a fact of life you lose your parents at some point, but it feels so cruel he's gone at such a young age and while I'm so young. It's so hard to think he won't see me graduate again (I'm completing a masters degree), qualify into my job and maybe one day get married. 

Dad's career took him round the world and when I suggested creating a bucket list back when he was diagnosed, he said he'd done everything he ever wanted to and more. I do take comfort in that. He was so so loved and was very popular. Even on the day of the funeral, as we were restricted in numbers due to Covid, people lined the street we passed.

Dad admitted to me in his last week he felt scared and I said I was too as I don't know what I'd do without him. His death was very peaceful and he'd been smiling at me and squeezing my hand all day before he passed late afternoon. 

I feel totally heartbroken. I have a great support network around me, but nothing seems to take the pain away. I don't yet feel ready for counselling as it still seems so raw. 
I just hate this pain and just wish I could have stopped him feeling scared. Dad would be telling me to stop crying and to get on with work as that was his attitude :) 

Just wondering if anyone has anything that helped them through the initial stages x

Parents
  • Hi Hannah, 

    I just wanted to welcome you to our community and offer my sincerest and heartfelt condolences for your loss.

    I can tell from your post how much your dad meant to you and I'm really sorry you've had to say goodbye to him at such a young age.

    I'm sure some of our members who have been on this journey will offer their support and advice to you soon but whilst you wait I just wanted to share some information we have on coping with grief.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Reply
  • Hi Hannah, 

    I just wanted to welcome you to our community and offer my sincerest and heartfelt condolences for your loss.

    I can tell from your post how much your dad meant to you and I'm really sorry you've had to say goodbye to him at such a young age.

    I'm sure some of our members who have been on this journey will offer their support and advice to you soon but whilst you wait I just wanted to share some information we have on coping with grief.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Children
  • Hey, hope your ok?! I lost my dad 3 days ago - when you created this post. 

    Totally devastated is an understatement... for 36 years he has been my hero, my lifeline, my king! 

    Not even sure he died of cancer, his lungs were in such a bad way he would not have survived a biopsy.

    We are awaiting a post mortem. My world has crumbled. I am no longer his little girl and that breaks my heart. I worried too that my dad was scared of what was going to happen, the unknown. I was scared for him and wished so bad I could take that away.

    Just before he passed, he asked to see my siblings and I and mustered all his being to talk with us and tell us he loved us. 

    I cannot imagine a world without him in in it!

    I lost my mum when I was 26 in very different circumstances but very painful non the less. Life is cruel. Please message me if you need to talk with someone. Maybe we can support each other x