Complicated Grief, Open to Hope, Special Topics

Acute Anticipatory Grief: What a Surprise!

Thursday, May 24, 2018

grief candles

Anticipatory grief isn’t new to me. I’ve studied it for years, written articles about it, and co-authored a book about it. That’s why I was surprised when I burst into tears sparked by anticipatory grief. The attack, if it can be called that, happened just before surgery. For three months I experienced odd symptoms. Because I’m my disabled husband’s caregiver, I paid no attention to the symptoms until they couldn’t be ignored. Fortunately, I was able to get an appointment with my doctor and undergo tests. The question: Did I have uterine cancer? The question alone was enough to cause anticipatory […]

Death of a Parent, Your Grief

How Adult Children Can Cope While Caretaking Parents

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

We of the baby-boomer generation are feeling the pressure as we provide care for our elderly parents. It is painful as we helplessly watch our loved ones experience the impact of failing health. We feel powerless against the ravages of deteriorating health and mourn our losses as our parents begin the descent involving their incapacity to live independently. Children undergo the process of grieving as one’s parents move closer to the end of their lives. Family dynamics may shift. The process of grieving hopefully brings healing and closure to children who care-take for elderly parents. However, more typically, it takes […]