Bereavement Support Group
Are you grieving the loss of a loved one? Whether you lost someone recently or it's been years, grief and its accompanying emotions can be complicated to cope with. Join our online support group to connect with a supportive group of people who really know how you feel. Help is right here.
Hello everyone.
Lost my dad on April 25th, 2021 after a 20 year battle with Parkinson's. I was his caregiver as my step-mother has end stage copd and was unable to. On March 10th I got a call that something was wrong. My dad was having seizures. Long story short his heart was only functioning at 30% and caused multiple strokes. He was sent home and I watched him struggle the last 45 days of his life. Sometimes not even realizing what had happened. He was in so much pain. Prior to the stroke he still had the ability to walk with a walker and at least verbalize what he needed. Not so when he was released. The last 45 days I didn't leave his side other than to sleep. 5 other siblings and not a single person to give me a break. I am dying inside. All I remember is the struggle, the pain that my dad dealt with. He was the most faithful man I have ever met. Through all of this he never lost it. I know in my head that his struggle is no more and I know he is happy. And believe me I am happy for him. So my tears and sorrow are not for him, it is pure selfishness. My life has a big hole in it that I can't fill. I spent 30-40 hours every week at his home for the last year and 24/7 for the last month and a half. Some days I really don't know what to do with myself. I feel like I don't have a purpose anymore. I am looking for a therapist to talk to but haven't had good luck with any in the past. So until I find one, here I am. Thank you for reading this.
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Hey All...I hope that you have a lovely, peaceful beginning of your weekI have a bunch of chores that need doing but may put them off til tomorrow and just hang out with my landlord/roomie todayWhat about you?...Anything special going on?Have a great day and take good care of you!!..Xo
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Once again I've had a fever today. I'm not going to the hospital because that's a huge waste of time but I did schedule a dr appointment for Wednesday afternoon.
Again, I'm really sorry for your loss. Prayers friend.
I agree wit SirGrits.... You are grieving and it is a process..... I would look for a therapist or group that specifically works with bereavement
You can write your dad a letter and read to him everything that you want to say
Another hug and a blessing....xo
I feel your pain. I feel you loss. I too sat by my sister for 7.5 years of her struggle with cancer, radiation, chemo, and the eventual hospice care I administered to her myself in her home. It was BRUTAL. My sis was a nurse, I'm the least nurse person you could meet... who was thrown into the middle of caring for her needs full time as I watched her die.
What I learned from all of it. They needed us! We provided something only few could ever do. It was the most sacrificial act of love and kindness for someone who had given us so much of themselves in their lifetime. I count it an honor to love on them in that way. Did it hurt me? YES!! Would I do it all again? YES!!
Y0ur job now is to discover a new normal. Your dad would want that for you. I found GREAT relief in helping others who are going or have gone through similar things that I had and I can come alongside them and offer encouragement, prayers and/or just a listening ear and an understanding demeaner because you have gone through hell and back and lived to tell about it. Invest in something or someone where you can give your story, give your time and you can be healing along the way.
Grief does take time. Don't get stuck, but feel, ache every moment for in those times it's healing and helpful in being able to move through it and move on. Not moving on to not remember or love him any less, but to experience grief that moves into healing and wholeness again as a new normal. It's okay to grieve and to miss and to lament, but try not to get stuck, that's when it can become unhealthy. Listen to your body. If you need to take a break for the day, do it. Write in a journal all the things you'd like to say to your dad as if he's right there beside you, because, truth be told, HE IS!! His cells are pulsing through YOU. He's with you every single day. Praying for you my friend.