Hi,

Welcome to this friendly forum. You ask how do people cope. I think we all do because we have to and it's what our loved ones would want us to do. It is so hard but I think you will surprise yourself as you will find an inner strength from somewhere like most of us have. It far from easy but trust me you will cope. I and my wife have lost a total of ten family members to cancer over the years including my mother to breast cancer several years ago the my father just before Christmas last year. 

A lot of people find it far easier to talk openly and honestly about their feelings on here than it is with family or freinds for there is no danger of upsetting or worrying other family members. Plus people on here understand how we are feeling for often they have gone throug something similar.

Take care, and I am sending kind thoughts and best wishes your way. Please keep in contact, Brian

Hi, welcome to the forum though sorry to read why you are here. To be quite honest I am not sure anyone who faces losing a loved one really knows how to cope but as Brian has already said, somehow we do.

I lost my Dad over 8 years ago(prostate and lung cancer) and nothing can change how sad that was, though to be fair it was my Mum who instilled the coping into the rest of us as she showed the way despite years of herself suffering from bi polar depression.  I suppose I learn't by trial and error what to do and when and I had the support of my own family.  Then at the beginning of last year I lost my hubby to cancer after a three year struggle with incurable Mesothelioma.  This time I very much coped on a day to day basis and also found this wonderful forum where the understanding and support was and still is pretty amazing.

Everyone's experience is very personal but sharing here helped give me focus as to what was important and that I need not 'travel alone' with my fears, frustrations and lack of understanding/knowledge. As a family we continued with day to day living/planning and adjusted things as and when necessary. I hope your Dad, you and the family take all the support that is offered (medical and friends) to help and do come and chat as and when you would like to. I won't deny it's hard and none of us want it to be this way but talking through thoughts helped me cope. Sending a virtual hug.  Jules54