a widows pursuit

Everyone will grieve in a different way. Some losses are especially great, and the grieving period will last a long time. As long as the feelings are acknowledged, dealt with in a healthy manner and do not interfere with a person’s normal responsibilities, this is not a problem. Each person will reach acceptance in their own time.

During this time, cancer patients and their loved ones may turn to support groups, meditation and journaling as coping mechanisms for their grief. Other helpful techniques include:

·        Relaxation exercises

·        Physical activity

·        Pet therapy

·        Respite care (for caregivers)

·        Volunteer work

·        Art therapy (or other creative outlets)

These options can help people avoid social withdrawal, negative attention-getting behaviors and other emotional complications that can occur when grief is not properly managed.

In some cases, the grief is too much to bear alone. For these incidences, professional support may be necessary.

Professional Support for Grief

As isolating as the experience can be, it’s crucial for families to remember that they are not going through this alone. Professional support is available, and it can make the grieving process a little bit easier.

Many hospitals employ grief counselors or therapists. These professionals are specially trained help patients and their families navigate through difficult post-diagnosis emotions.

Hospice organizations also provide access to counselors, social workers and volunteer clergy members. Hopsice programs typically extend their emotional support services to family members; in many cases, loved ones are welcome to participate in grief counseling for up to a year after the patient passes away. Some families even stay in touch with their Hospice providers after they have officially left the program.

Author bio: Faith Franz has spent nearly two years researching and writing for The Mesothelioma Center. As an advocate for alternative medicine, she encourages patients to explore all of the treatment options that could potentially save their life.

This post came to me from Jasmine McCarthy who is the Awareness Coordinator for the Mesothelioma Center (Asbestos.com). The site also offers informaion on lung cancer (types, treatments, tests, etc.). Mesothelioma is a terminal disease and grief unfortunately strikes many mesothelioma patients’ families. This prompted the center to create a section on the website purely devoted to the grieving process.