Dealing with Grief

Watch BAF Executive Director hosts Michael Shanahan and Anna Aeschlimann from Maria Droste Counseling Services. Some topics to be discussed will include the stages of grief, ways to cope, and the value of grief support groups.
For more information, click here, bafound.org

[@GeraldineMazza]

Thank you so much. So helpful!

[@wyomingadventures]

I grieved my life before having a ruptured brain aneurysm to what my life is now. And I've found losing my dad 2 years ago was very hard. My family talks about the good memories we have of him. I do see a therapist occasionally. He's been amazing for me. Having the right therapist is key. If you don't like the first one you tried try another one until you are comfortable. Keeping myself busy helps too. Grieving has no time limits.

[@SomeBuddy777]

Oh my word, this is me too.

[@wyomingadventures]

My mom had a hard time with how i was after my ruptured brain aneurysm. My therapist who specializes in brain injuries had her come with me to a session. She asking him questions and he answered them. That really helped my mother to understand.

[@SomeBuddy777]

This was right on time for me. Coming to terms with my grief. Seeing that it is a very big part of what happened to me on "that day". It is more disabling now than the actual injury was. The grief is not visable. It doesn't leave scars or bruises as it should. But it is as devasting as being attacked and beaten up. The cane I use, along with the foot drop and awkwardness in my shuffling, my speech -- that's the giveaway. Something happened, and the outward impression is that I am healing, I'm in recovery, that it is temporary. But this is as good as it gets. And I can't accept it. My anger cannot be directed outwardly towards anyone -- I cannot accept that fact either. Because it was my own body that did this to itself. Depression sets in when I am honest and tell myself that "it is what it is". I used to hate that phrase. I used to think, "It is but it doesn't have to be that way". Do something. Change it. Make it better. But I can't. Everything that was my life "before that day" is no more. My life flipped 180 degrees. Nothing is the same. The things I used to do, I cant do now. All the things I enjoyed doing, I cannot do or enjoy. What I did for employment, I am no longer physically able to do. Taking care of myself is extremely difficult or impossible. I hate having to ask someone to do tasks involving my personal care. And even though they say they dont mind, I know they do. My entire being was lost in a matter of minutes. So now what? I get angry, I get sad, I become despondent, a slip into deep deep depression. I sit here, day after day. Nothing in my life, my body, my abilities, will ever be what I used be.