I'm not coping with my grief

I suddenly lost my mum at the end of January 2019. She had withheld from all of us that she had breast cancer. I feel so guilty for not knowing. Then  less than 2 years later, I lost my Nan to breast cancer and skin cancer. My grief is overwhelming. I am completely lost and alone. I'm having a really hard time coping. I don't know what to do anymore.

Parents
  • Hi Lexe, how incredibly sad to read your post . I’m so sorry you are suffering in this way . To lose both your mum and your Nan is heartbreaking. I can understand why your mum kept it from you . I don’t know how old you are and don’t want to patronise you but when you have children you would do anything you can to protect and shield your children from any harm or anguish , so I think she was trying to protect you so please don’t feel guilty. I would suggest if I may to firstly go to your Gp and explain how you feel . Do you have any family members you can talk to? You could also ring Maggie’s , and ask to speak to someone . Maggie’s is a cancer charity for people who have cancer or have family members with cancer or who have had cancer . You can google them and find your nearest one . I really hope you get some help to make sense of what you are feeling. It’s very early days for you after losing your mum and then the added heartbreak of losing your man as well . There is also a bereavement charity called Cruise that you can contact. Sending you a hug x

  • Lexe, I am sorry and as LCR says your mum was just trying to protect you.  A charity you could contact is Cruse Bereavement Support, you will find all their details online. I am sure they will try and help you. 

Reply Children
  • Thank you Nettietoo for your message.

    I just feel heartbroken and alone.

  • Offline in reply to Lexe

    Hi Lexe, I’m sorry Cruise could not help you , I’m glad that you’ve seen your Gp . It will take a few weeks for the Citalooram to take effect , so I would suggest giving Maggie’s a ring. Also a lot of the cancer charities have helplines where you can ring for a chat. You’ve been through a hell of a time and I’m not surprised you feel like you do , but it does get easier to cope with in time . Keep posting and let us know how you are doing. Try to get out every day for a walk , to the park or beach x 

  • Offline in reply to LCR

    A big thank you LCR.

    This is the first time I've been able to talk about all this x

  • Offline in reply to Lexe

    You’re welcome , there is always someone on here if you need a chat or to let off steam x 

  • Offline in reply to LCR

    Thank you. I just feel a burden and don't want to be disturbing anyone x

  • Offline in reply to Lexe

    You are not a burden at all , we’re all here to help each other if we can x

  • Offline in reply to LCR

    I've been told that I'm being selfish for grieving, that I would forget and move on after my mum's funeral. I don't know what to do anymore x

  • Offline in reply to Lexe

    Whoever said that is very wrong and cruel . Grief is a very personal thing and you cannot put a timing on it . I’m still grieving my mum and it’s 33 years ago! As I said you never get over it , you just learn to live around it . Please give Maggie’s a ring today . Hard to think past this , but you will get better , it’s just time . Suppressing your feelings after a bereavement does no good , it always comes back and bites you on the bum ! But you have done the right thing reaching out on here and seeing your Gp . Sending a hug x

  • Offline in reply to LCR

    Because I was told this by 2 different people, I've been left to feel like I should keep quiet and just "Get on with things" I'm finding that impossible and have been left not knowing what to do x

  • Hi Lexe just get through each day one day at a time..there is no timescale for greif...I lost my daughter to a cancerous brain tumour and thought I was coping well then 6 months later my cousin also to cancer...that was the point where I broke..I tried coping without antidepressants but eventually started on them and now im a lot brighter..not every day is a good day but I don't allow it to bring me down I give myself some tlc and start again the next day etc...it will eventually ease..you just need to give yourself TLC...at the moment self care its not selfish its necessary...never feel guilty your mum wanted to try and spare you..xx have hope for the future and when you feel better do something anything that your mum would have approved of in her memory...she's not gone totally remember you are part of her and in your children n grandchildren