Ambiguous Loss: When Grief Threatens A Love Relationship

Source

[Reviewed and updated June 29, 2023]

A reader writes: My fiancée lost her 20 year old daughter 5 months ago from complications following a double lung transplant the year before due to cystic fibrosis. She went off without me after her daughter passed to grieve and deal with family as they have been through all of this for years. It was tough with her being gone for the month or so as I wanted to help comfort her. She said she would need me here at home when she got done to be there for her. Since that time she's had many bad days grieving over her daughter. She spends a lot of time with my 6-year-old son, helping get him to school or you name it. She is with him 24x7 at times and she loves him a lot.

Caregiving and Hospice, November 22 - November 28, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Outstanding: Mothering My Dying Friend, http://j.mp/1QIrEgY « The New York Times

Beyond the Bucket List, http://j.mp/1OrPbiF « The Unprepared Caregiver

A Peaceful Reconciliation, http://j.mp/1N75jD1 « Moments of Life

Understanding and Managing Grief, November 22 - November 28, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Inspiring: To the Boy Who Has My Daughter’s Heart, http://j.mp/1XrWsBE « Alive in Memory

Updated: Coping With The Holidays: Suggested Resources 2015, http://j.mp/1YcZLyP « Grief Healing

Updated: Tips for Coping with Sleeplessness in Grief, http://bit.ly/hkoXnZ « Grief Healing

Caregiving and Hospice, November 15 - November 21, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

On organ donation: Donating Our Love, http://j.mp/1PDeLnZ « Widower's Grief

Does Morphine Hasten Death? http://j.mp/216YH1E « Barbara Karnes, RN

Family Care Complications, http://j.mp/1OSIKsf « The Unprepared Caregiver

Understanding and Managing Grief, November 15 - November 21, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

What No One Told Me About Grief,  http://j.mp/1XgUYdp « HuffPost GPS for the Soul

DSM-V is psychiatry's maladaptation in the grey zone masquerading as science, http://j.mp/1NiSZpp
« Kevin MD

Widowed by suicide: Fighting The Stigma, http://j.mp/1LsA6J2 « Soaring Spirits International

Coping with Pet Loss, November 15 - November 21, 2015

Best selection from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Processing Grief After Losing a Pet, http://j.mp/1S7XVvr « Gentle Journey

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below.
If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Coping With The Holidays: Suggested Resources 2015

Source

[Most recent update: Friday, December 25, 2015]

I watch the happiness of others, quietly resenting the healthy intact families finding joy at their holiday table. A tinge of jealousy sneaks its way to the surface. The holidays present another level of grief.  ~ Julie Siri

In my daily travels around the Internet, I am always on the lookout for helpful articles and reliable resources that I can recommend and share with my readers. This is especially important during the holiday season, which for many mourners and caregivers can be a difficult and challenging time.

Caregiving and Hospice, November 8 - November 14, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Need Help? It’s There for the Asking, http://j.mp/1MGQRFU « Caregiving Cafe Blog

This App Will Help You Sort Through Your Views On Dying, http://j.mp/1kPiL7P « HuffPost Religion

Care{giving} Myths, http://j.mp/1kO9CfL « The Unprepared Caregiver

Understanding and Managing Grief, November 8 - November 14, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Talking to Kids about the Paris Attacks, http://j.mp/1MIvwfc « What's Your Grief?

Grief and Shame: An Unacceptable Combination, http://j.mp/1LdIuvV « The Adversity Within

Researchers call for hospitals to establish bereavement programs for families of deceased patients, http://j.mp/1HLDcI2 « Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Coping with Pet Loss, November 8 - November 14, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Grieving Our Pets, http://j.mp/1HCJmzu « Widower's Grief

The Challenge of Grieving for a Pet at Work, http://j.mp/1WSf90T « The Wall Street Journal

How to Know When It’s Time to Euthanize a Pet, http://j.mp/1ljnfUE « Gentle Journey

Veterans Day, 2015

We live in a time of conflict - external and internal - when we sometimes concentrate too much on what divides us. Today, fly the Stars and Stripes with pride and confidence that what unites is far stronger.  ~ Charlie Dent

Our country has established two holidays ~ Veterans Day and Memorial Day ~ to honor the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States. Unlike Memorial Day (the day we set aside to remember and honor military personnel who died in the service of our country), Veterans Day is intended to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military, in wartime or peacetime, as well as those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. Veterans Day is our opportunity to thank Veterans and their families for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served ~ not only those who died ~ have sacrificed and done their duty.

Caregiving and Hospice, November 1 - November 7, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Best of Intentions: "It's a shame what that doctor is doing to him..." http://j.mp/1Hz68D4 « Pulse

Lewy Body Website Crashes as Public Responds to Robin Williams Story, http://j.mp/1MCi3RL « Alzheimer's Reading Room

The Unrealistic Caregiving Ad: "I'm Keeping Mom Happy," http://j.mp/1QgKOsU « CareGiving.com

Understanding and Managing Grief, November 1 - November 7, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

The condolences end. Being a widow doesn't. http://wpo.st/Qell0 « The Washington Post

Using Cremated Remains to Make Portraits, http://j.mp/1WDMNHN « A Good Goodbye

Don’t Make Them Eat Cake, http://j.mp/1Pqti51 « Modern Loss

In Grief: Feeling Let Down By Closest Friends

Source

[Reviewed and updated December 15, 2023]

I can't tell you the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone. ~ Ed Sheeran

A reader writes: I've grown up as a people pleaser and a pretty much a doormat, taking care of others' needs always before my own. As one of my dad's primary caretakers, I became overwhelmed with burnout as I was given a great deal of the responsibility of taking care of him as he was bedridden as well as running errands, doing chores, etc.

Now my father's gone. I'm on the edge of depression and my closest friends are not only, NOT supporting me but also being judgmental and critical about how long I stayed to take care of family matters until I flew home.

Caregiving and Hospice, October 25 - October 31, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Demolishing the myths surrounding palliative care, http://j.mp/1Q1HKki « MedCityNews

Medicare to cover end-of-life counseling, http://j.mp/1RF8aH2 « U.S. News

Hospice Care for Pets is Becoming the New Norm, http://j.mp/1Mz6vor « petMD