It must be so hard. I have already considered that there will be many gaping holes in my life when I lose mum, and TP will be one of them. When you pour so much of your heart and soul out to virtual strangers (excuse the pun!), I don't know how I could just disappear. Because that's what it would feel like... Nobody would know what had happened to me, how I was coping, whether I was able to "move on" after losing mum, nobody would hear how my fine little children were doing, or whether I was ok or not.
I suppose in order for you to see your own place here, after loss, imagine a regular poster (like me!) just stopping. After you've learned so much about me as a person, and have possibly even formed a funny kind of friendship, or companionship with me (or the regular poster), then I just don't tell you anything more...because dementia no longer applies to me.
But it will...always. I have been affected by this illness, and that's that. When mum's illness comes to an end, the effects of it won't, and if people care as much about me as they show in their threads throughout my dementia journey, they will surely be the same people who want to stand by me on the next stage of the journey: Dealing with loss, after dementia.
You would. Wouldn't you?
I would have folded by now, without you all. I don't want to fold when the next stage comes. So, although I imagine it will feel strange & different to come onto TP, I know I will still need to talk to you all, and ask for plenty of hugs.
That's why there's not a separate forum for dealing with loss, after dementia...it's right here. With all the best people to hold you up.
So, on the point about not knowing if you have a place here anymore, may I please reassure you that we need to know how you're doing as much as you need to come to us for support. We're actually quite fond of you both...(Helen & Kassy!)
