I lost my dad to cancer on Sunday and I am absolutely devastated. I knew it was terminal but I never lost hope. I have always been a very positive person and I was determined to see a way forward right until the end. He had oesophageal cancer, diagnosed in July last year and it was awful what he had to go through. He lost so much weight at the end and was unable to eat or keep anything down. The death was awful to see too and I just can’t get the images out of my head. My mum and dad have been together since they were 14 and it’s so hard seeing her suffer so badly too. I’m 35 weeks pregnant with my first child and he wanted nothing more than to meet his grandchild. Now I feel I can’t do this, how do I find the strength to be a mother when I have lost my dad. We were so close, I feel like a part of me has died too
I'm so sorry you and your family are going through this. It is truly awful. I know we spoke briefly before about being pregnant whilst a loved one is nearing the end, one thing I can assure you of is you can do this. Even on the darkest of days, you will do what you need to do for your little one. You don't need to try and be superwoman, all these 'perfect' instagram mums aren't real anyway and you don't need to try and keep up with those expectations. You will give your baby love and thats all it needs.
Also, try to be kind to yourself. Whatever you can give is always enough. it certainly won't be easy but validate your own feelings and remember you're allowed to feel broken and lost. I'm so sorry, please reach out if you need a chat or a rant or anything x
Hi, I lost my dad also on Sunday and he had stomach cancer only diagnosed 6 weeks ago. I can relate to lots of what you went through and the horrible way he had to die not being able to eat or drink for weeks. I still can’t get those last few hours out of my head if him taking his last breath.
my mum and dad had separated but she was a pillar or support for him and I.
I cannot imagine the immensity of emotions coping with a pregnancy also. I do find comfort in people saying how proud he would be of me and they way things were done. I have bo doubt he wouldn’t want to see you lose hope. Try to take each day as it comes and just think what would he have wanted you to do to keep carrying on. The birth of your baby will give you strength. You can do this xxx
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