Hope In The Storm

: In 2011 I lost my youngest son to cancer. I wrote Hope In The Storm: 10 Steps To Care For Yourself While Grieving for anyone who has lost a loved one.

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Grief Brain: Grief Affects Memory And Thinking

"My brain tends to take the scenic route. Things come to the forefront of my mind sooner or later, it just takes time." - Richelle E. Goodrich When my son started chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia we were warned of the many side effects that he would face. Some were to be expected...like weakness and nausea but one we didn't know about until his diagnosis. Cancer treatment is so toxic that it can cause a side effect called Chemo Brain. Chemo Brain is a phenomenon that affects the cognitive function of a patient during and after cancer treatment. Although the exact cause of it is unknown it can cause memory loss, concentration difficulties, inability to multi-task or taking longer to do something, trouble finishing a task or learning something new, disorganization and trouble finding your words or easily forgetting what you are talking about. Whoa now, wait a minute! Since my son's death I have experienced these same symptoms, which has me asking

Goals And Grieving: Why They Should Coexist.

"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals." - Henry David Thoreau So where have I been for the last few weeks? I was set on a task to reach a goal that I have been working towards for several years. And by several, I mean several, several. In order to complete the final steps, learn all I could from it and set new goals, I had to give this one my full focus. I started a project to write a fictional novel before my son was diagnosed with cancer. I spent late nights tapping away at the computer, getting my ideas on paper and dreaming of a bestselling novel. This all took a back burner on March, 26th when I learned my youngest son had leukemia. Fast-forward a year and I find myself in the throes of grieving my child, trying to make sense of a world without him in it and still my goals sat in cold pots on cold back burners. I had all but given up on the idea, forgotten about it as my heart ached and sorrow consu

6 Things To Do When The Bereaved Talk About Their Loss.

"Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak whispers the o'er-fraught heart and bids it break. " - William Shakespeare I talk about my son every day. He is still a major part of my life and identity. To not mention him would feel unnatural and stifled. A concerted effort would have to be made on my part to avoid his name. Yet I see you stiffen uncomfortably and shift in your chair. I see you look away. I hear you change the subject. I need you to stay and listen. I need you to be understanding and brave. The bereaved need to talk about their loss to process and accept it. Avoiding the topic can lead to physical and emotional problems. It can damage relationships, destroy careers and finances. So how can you help? What should you say? Should you say anything at all? What should you do if they cry? What should you do if you do? Do not change the subject . For the bereaved triggers are everywhere. A song, commercial, place, saying, color, food, and t

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2010 Jen Lynn Arnold