I’m hoping to connect with someone in a similar position to me. I’m 32 years old and lost my mum 8 years ago suddenly due to a medical accident and my dad died in June this year after an 18 month battle with NSC lung cancer. I have 3 brothers (I am the only girl) and I feel very very lost in my life right now. I was extremely close to my dad. He had been unwell with other issues for many years so I took on the roll of carer from the age of 15. I am struggling to manage my emotions at the moment. I feel heavy, lost, angry and empty. I don’t know where I belong in this world without my parents and I don’t quite feel ready to step up to being the one to take the lead on life. Despite me caring for my dad, he was my everything and I turned to him always for support. At the moment, it doesn’t feel like this is going to get any easier
Hi Deli
Welcome to the Online Community.
I am really sorry to hear that you have lost both your parents at such a young age.
I understand that this is a really difficult time for you all and that it is natural to feel very lost in life at the moment. I know with my own family bereavement has bought a huge range of emotions and that these fluctuated over time. Sometimes there was sadness, sometimes anger and sometimes a sort of numbness.
The close relationship you had with your Dad along with your role as his carer for so long is bound to have an impact.
I know that you feel at the moment that things will not get easier and I felt like that for some time. The things that helped me were talking to others, going with the flow with my feelings and just accepted that it was normal to feel a bit all over the place, keeping routines helped- work, family, meals and bed times etc. I found also that when I had low days it helped to get out of the house and go for a walk in nature- it helped get my head straight. Many times I did not feel like doing things- but once I pushed myself to go out- I did feel better for doing so. Going for a walk would also help me feel more tired and would help me sleep better.
We do have the Support Line available from 8am-8pm daily if you feel that it would help to talk things through with someone. They can also have a look to see if there is any support in your local area that may help.
I will pop some links here as well.
Home - Cruse Bereavement Support I found Cruse really helpful and there are lots of good resources here.
Coping with bereavement and cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support
I hope this helps a bit. Please do get in touch if there is anything else you need.
Jane
