Personal Narrative: I Lost My Mother To Pancreatic Cancer
I lost my mother to pancreatic cancer in March, 2006. My father and I only had three months to prepare for life without her. This time period affected me deeply as I was only six years old.
My mother lived at the hospital in the weeks after her diagnosis. My dad was touring overseas with his band. I was told what was happening, but I don’t think it truly sunk in for me at that age. Since my dad was away, and my mother was sick, I lived with my friend’s family for a month.
Living without both parents was difficult for me. I often had nightmares and could not sleep. I was lonely and sad. The only things that kept me grounded were my friends at school and my friend’s family who were understanding and supportive.
A few days before my mother’s death, she came home because she was doing better. I was with her on the last night she was awake. I fell asleep in the same room as her until I woke up to the sounds of the ambulance. I was put into a dark room downstairs and left alone the whole night. I still remember that night as the longest night I …show more content…
I had to learn to accept difficult situations. I had to accept that there are some things I can’t change. But I was only able to cope with this overwhelming experience because of the support of everyone else, especially my friend’s family. They were patient with me and never forgot how old I was. They gave me the familial support system that I needed. I needed people to talk to me, bring stability in my life, and pull me out of my isolation.
I learned how devastating a loss of a loved one is. That one night I was alone is a nightmare I never want to experience ever again. It is a feeling I never want anyone to ever have to go through. I refuse to leave someone alone during difficult times.
I learned how important it was to live. Death is inevitable, but we can’t let it dominate our lives. Instead of allowing a loss to split people apart, it should bring people
My mother lived at the hospital in the weeks after her diagnosis. My dad was touring overseas with his band. I was told what was happening, but I don’t think it truly sunk in for me at that age. Since my dad was away, and my mother was sick, I lived with my friend’s family for a month.
Living without both parents was difficult for me. I often had nightmares and could not sleep. I was lonely and sad. The only things that kept me grounded were my friends at school and my friend’s family who were understanding and supportive.
A few days before my mother’s death, she came home because she was doing better. I was with her on the last night she was awake. I fell asleep in the same room as her until I woke up to the sounds of the ambulance. I was put into a dark room downstairs and left alone the whole night. I still remember that night as the longest night I …show more content…
I had to learn to accept difficult situations. I had to accept that there are some things I can’t change. But I was only able to cope with this overwhelming experience because of the support of everyone else, especially my friend’s family. They were patient with me and never forgot how old I was. They gave me the familial support system that I needed. I needed people to talk to me, bring stability in my life, and pull me out of my isolation.
I learned how devastating a loss of a loved one is. That one night I was alone is a nightmare I never want to experience ever again. It is a feeling I never want anyone to ever have to go through. I refuse to leave someone alone during difficult times.
I learned how important it was to live. Death is inevitable, but we can’t let it dominate our lives. Instead of allowing a loss to split people apart, it should bring people