In the midst of losing a spouse, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of emotions and responsibilities. As a single parent, the pressure to fill both parental roles can be overwhelming. But through my own journey, I discovered three valuable lessons that I wish I had learned earlier. These lessons have not only helped me navigate the challenges of being a single parent, but have also taught me the importance of self-care and the power of allowing myself time to grieve. So, if you find yourself in a similar situation, here are three lessons that I hope will bring you comfort and guidance.
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I am a firm believer in removing toxins from my body products, cleaning products and environment as much as possible and also being frugal with my money. I am an avid DIY-er and am constantly on the prowl for hacks and recipes for all things skin care and cleaning related. I hadn't done much of this prior to Jon's passing, but I found a need to be very careful with my finances in my new stage of life. What started as a need to trim expenses became a love of creating useful things that support our wellness. This post isn’t so much a DIY as it is a hack.
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Losing a loved one is an incredibly challenging experience, both emotionally and mentally. During these moments of grief, it can often feel overwhelming to know how best to support those who are experiencing such profound loss. In these times, finding the right words or actions may seem impossible.
No need to worry. I have simple tips you can implement, which will guide you to provide immeasurable comfort to those who are grieving and make a significant impact in their healing journey.
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On July 23, 2009 Jon had a bronchoscopy that punctured his right lung – his good lung. The doctor intubated him immediately to give him a fighting chance. The doctors then realized his body had rejected the donor cells from his second transplant, resulting in graft vs. host disease, and that disease had caused his lungs to become very brittle and stiff, which was the cause of his cough and breathing challenges. There wasn't any treatment or cure for that, and there was no way we could have known. As the doctor was leading me to see Jon in the Critical Care Unit, I collapsed from the shock. I knew I was going to lose my husband.
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Jon's stem cell transplant was rough, and after 21 days in the hospital, he was discharged in early December. After the new year in 2007, radiation began, which came with its own complications. He developed a severe case of shingles which required hospitalization. After completing radiation, he had a scan that showed his Hodgkins Lymphoma was gone! We were overjoyed! There was something else on the scan that needed a biopsy, but the doctors weren't concerned. That “something else” turned out to be Non Hodgkin's-Lymphoma, and some of this new cancer was in his lungs. He had to start treatments right away, and there was talk of a possible second stem cell transplant. We left the doctor's office devastated once again.
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