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Anticipated Death, Death of a Father, Emotional Challenges, The Mary Mac Show

The Mary Mac Show | Death of Dory’s Father II

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The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 140, I continued my discussion with Dory Fier of Indianapolis, IN, a pediatric social worker, who shares with us the terminal diagnosis her father received and his nine-month battle with an inoperable brain tumor.

In this second of two episodes, Dory and I delve deeply into how she dealt with the aftermath of his death and the physical symptoms that appeared for her.

We discuss how she wished she had taken advantage of the support system that wanted to help her and was grateful for those who did offer her assistance.

We also spoke about the difference between grieving an anticipatory death vs. a sudden death and her thoughts on that.

I am so grateful for the time Dory spent with me and I believe her courage to share this experience will benefit and bless you whether you are going through this struggle now or may in the future.

Much Love to Dory and her family!

xoxo

Additional Notes:

If you are ill or grieving a loved one’s death, take the time to research a hotline with trained counselors to speak with.

The very best individuals to connect with are those who are suffering your exact type of death. Go here.

Anticipated Death, Death of a Father, Emotional Challenges, The Mary Mac Show

The Mary Mac Show | Death of Dory’s Father I

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The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 139, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dory Fier of Indianapolis, IN, a pediatric social worker, who shares with us the terminal diagnosis her father received and his nine-month battle with an inoperable brain tumor.

In this first of two episodes, Dory and I delve deeply into all aspects of her father’s battle with glioblastoma, his original stroke misdiagnosis and dealing with paralysis for the remainder of his life.

She speaks candidly about how she, her sister and mother rallied around her Dad and cared for him during those nine months, moving him back to Indianapolis where they lived, from his then home in New Mexico.

She also discusses the toll it took on herself mentally, physically and how she juggled it all with her personal and professional life.

I am so grateful for the time Dory spent with me and I believe her courage to share this experience will benefit and bless you whether you are going through this struggle now or may in the future.

Listen in next Sunday to hear Part II of our interview.

Much Love to Dory and her family!

xoxo

Additional Notes:

If you are ill or grieving a loved one’s death, take the time to research a hotline with trained counselors to speak with.

The very best individuals to connect with are those who are suffering your exact type of death. Go here.

Anticipated Death, Emotional Challenges, The Mary Mac Show, Wisdom

The Mary Mac Show | Considering End of Life Choices

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The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 138, we discuss the courageous act of developing an end-of-life plan for what we would like to happen should we become ill, unable to care for ourselves, or die and the decisions that need to be made so our families know of our desires.

It is not easy to speak with our loved ones about death and dying.

It can be even harder when we need to speak about the specifics of what each individual wants for their end-of-life choices.

Often times, it can be something sudden and dramatic that has taken place which makes us realize now is the time.

But please be wise and not wait until it’s so late that you don’t know what their wishes are.

Perhaps an serious diagnosis or accident wakes us up.

Yet I encourage you to do is draw up the courage and speak about it now.

Would they want to be resusitated if they were at death’s door?

Would they not want to be resusitated and allowed to die as natural a death as possible?

If they are in hospice, do they want to die at home or in the hospital?

Do they want to be cremated or buried and where?

Has a resting place already been chosen and paid for?

Do they want a wake and, if so, for how long?

Would they want a church funeral and, if so, where?

And have they developed a will? Who has possession of it and who has been named as an executor/executrix?

There are so many things that need to be considered for our end-of-life situation.

And the sooner they can be arranged and let others in the family know their wishes, the smoother their death will be for all concerned.

No, it is not easy getting these things in writing, but it is vital for a less drama-filled event after their death.

Gather your courage and have those conversations now.

Bless you!
xoxo

Additional Notes:

If you are ill or grieving a loved one’s death, take the time to research a hotline with trained counselors to speak with.

The very best individuals to connect with are those who are suffering your exact type of death. Go here.

Anticipated Death, Dying, Emotional Challenges, The Mary Mac Show

The Mary Mac Show | Opening the Conversation About Death and Dying

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The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 137, we discuss the importance of speaking about death and dying long before imminent death is upon us, our relatives and other loved ones.

In this day and age, we have no idea when terminal illness and death will visit ourselves or our family.

It is true that if we didn’t have to deal with this, we wouldn’t.

It is uncomfortable.

But there are many family members whose deaths might be after a long illness, in the case of cancer or an immune disorder.

It might be from a tragic accident, or sudden illness such as a stroke or heart attack that ends their life.

Many people find it hard to talk about death and dying.

We’d rather leave it up to someone else.

But don’t let fear stop you from truly connecting with someone you love either long before their final days, or leading up to them.

Sometimes death comes very quickly and maybe even tragically and it would be sad if you hadn’t had a conversation around death long before it ever occurred in your relationship with them.

If you had this conversation when they were well, or when they were diagnosed with an illness, you would capture a very wonderful connection with them.

There would be no regrets.

You would have said all you’d like to say to someone who meant so much to you.

We don’t know what the future holds these days. Life is so fragile now and we are about to encounter a very difficult time in the world; very uncertain times.

Take the time to think about this.

If it’s too sensitive to speak all you want to say aloud, do so in writing.

Either way, your soul will be at peace and no matter what happens in the future, you are settled.

Personally, I am thinking about writing out letters to the most important people in my life to acknowledge those who have helped me, loved me and let them know how grateful I feel to have them in my life.

With all that’s happening in this world, we could leave this life in an instant.

Use the time you have to make a difference.

Loving you.
xoxo

Additional Notes:

If you are ill or grieving a loved one’s death, take the time to research a hotline with trained counselors to speak with.

The very best individuals to connect with are those who are suffering your exact type of death. Go here.

Emotional Challenges, Emotional Freedom Technique | EFT, Grieving Children, The Mary Mac Show

The Mary Mac Show | Helping Children and Teens Cope with Grief

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The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 134, we discuss what children and teens experience when dealing with their grief after a loved one’s death and how to help them navigate through this pain.

Many adults believe that if we just put children and teens back into their regular routine, they will be fine.

But this is not the case.

Children and teens need to be supported emotionally, just as you do. They deal with all the pain and physical symptoms that you do.

They need our love, time and especially our attention and understanding as they move through their own grieving process.

Unfortunately, most adults don’t know what young people are going through after a loved one’s death, unless the adult had had this experience when they were young.

Adults are usually so focused on their own grief and the organization of a funeral as well as considering the finances of the household, that they don’t pay as close attention to the young people who look to them for comfort and guidance.

It is important for adults to spend more time with their children and even young adults because it may be the first time they have experience a death and they need our love and attention.

Young children don’t have the language skills to describe what they are feeling and teens, often, don’t want to express themselves.

Listen in to Episode 134 to learn more about how children and teens deal with such a painful time in their lives.

Much Love,
xoxo

Additional Notes:

Visit Crisis Connections at my website to telephone a trained counselor to speak with whenever you are feeling overwhelmed, confused, frightened, fearful or any host of emotions.

Learn the Emotional Freedom Technique here for Moving Forward in Grief. It will soothe you and calm you physically and emotionally.

You can watch Marissa Peer’s “I Am Enough” meditation.

Visit the author’s website for all books on The 5 Love Languages. Always best to purchase books directly from the author. They worked hard to write and publish these wonderful works!

Treat yourself to a lovely gift from our Heart of Gold “I Remember” Products from The Mary Mac Store.

Remember, a portion of all proceeds help fund The Foundation for Grieving Children, Inc., the first national non-profit public charity which benefits children, teens, young adults after a loved one’s death which I established many years ago.

And remember to pick up my free ebook 21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process, and you’ll automatically be signed up for my private email list so we can always stay in touch, since social media is no longer reliable.