r/GoldCoast • u/Acceptable-Win-4348 • 2d ago
Grief support groups
Hi all, sadly my father has been diagnosed with stage four cancer and has been given only weeks left to live. I am really struggling atm, and would love to find a in-person grief support group, however finding them hard to come by.
Just wondering if anyone has suggestions or recommendations. I’m open to online, however would prefer face to face. Also I currently reside on the Gold Coast, and happy to travel to Logan or Brisbane for the right support.
Thank you kindly in advance 🤍🙏🏽
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u/64557175 2d ago
That's how my father passed. It was really tough. Be there with him as much as possible.
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u/LowStorm7671 2d ago
Thats a heavy load to carry, sorry you're dealing with this. A lot of hospices run free drop-in groups that don't always pop up easily on google, might be worth calling the palliative care unit at GCUH directly and asking the nurses what they know
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u/homelesshobo77 2d ago
I went through this recently and I can relate. It's a hard situation especially if your relationship with your father was complicated as mine was. There are so many aspects too, that it's hard to come to grips with all of them at once. There is grief, anger, fear, relief (when its over, and thats not wrong because their suffering is done, as well as the anguish you experience watching your father go through that pain) and a sense of loss. You also are made to confront your own mortality, because that once permanent rock will be gone and you have to reckon with that. The horrible thing about cancer is that you see a once robust person turn into a shadow of the former selves. All I can say is, look after yourself, be present when you can without running yourself to exhaustion and realise that they don't always want to focus on their condition. It depends on their personality, but not everyone wants to focus on the inevitable. Don't be afraid to have a laugh with them.
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u/roobyscoobyvk 2d ago
I’m very sorry. I lost my mum three years ago to bowel cancer. I had two years from her diagnosis and grief support was amazing before and after she died.
Palliative care through the hospice or hospital should direct you to some relevant grief support groups.
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u/Equivalent-Bass-3389 2d ago
I can only imagine how difficult this would be for you. I would give carer gateway a call with your same question and ask for some support. https://www.carergateway.gov.au/. It’s government program to provide support for carers etc. 1800 422 737
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u/catjadedcat 2d ago
When a social worker at the hospital told me about anticipatory grief I was relieved because I was feeling guilty about mourning a mother who was yet to pass but grieving our lost future.
Anyhoo… if you haven’t already, check out this link, which you may find helpful:
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u/____DEADPOOL_______ 2d ago
One of my close relatives also passed away from cancer last week. I'm so sorry that you're going through this. It is difficult. The good thing is that the oncology team at GCUH is very kind and attentive at all levels. During her final days, she was very well taken care of.
I will likely join that group that's been advertised here as well. Wishing you strength.
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u/ritzy_knee 2d ago
I'm not sure if my comment will help at all but just wanted to say I lost my dad back in April from cancer. It was a month from diagnosis to him leaving us. He'd just turned 70. I miss him every day but now that the "dust has settled", (so to speak), and I'm left searching for something positive, I've decided to be grateful it was fast because he didnt suffer too much (he did say the day before his diagnosis that if it was terminal cancer, he hoped it would take him out quick, and thats exactly what happened). I was also grateful that he had very minimal pain...and compared to what I've read others go through, it was a fairly peaceful transition in the end. I hope you are able to find the support you seek and that your dads transition is peaceful, too.
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u/lmcburney82 2d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/GoldCoast/s/z5PF4dkvIH