Jessica (Part 2) | Defining Grief as a Medical Mom

Merriam-Webster defines grief as “deep and poignant distress caused by or as if by bereavement” or “trouble, annoyance”. The American Psychological Association goes further to include, “Grief often includes physiological distress, separation anxiety, confusion, yearning, obsessive dwelling on the past, and apprehension about the future. Intense grief can become life-threatening through disruption of the immune system, self-neglect, and suicidal thoughts”. Some of us have studied the stages of grief, denial,anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. We are no grief experts; but, with all of these definitions of grief, it is safe to say that everyone’s grief experience is uniquely their own.  Today, Jessica and Susan have a chat about their personal experiences with grief. They discuss ambiguous grief, which is grief without closure. We hear about anticipatory grief, or grief before a loss. Jessica gives us insight into secondary losses which flow from the primary loss that is grieved.  This episode is not all doom and gloom. Yes, grief is hard. Grief is painful. Grief is not something that we sign up for. But, in grief, there is hope. And we might just finally get the answer to the question Jessica evaded last week-what gives Jessica hope.  “When we are able to name something, it becomes a little bit less scary.” -Jessica Here’s what Jessica and Suz chatted about that you do not want to miss: Grief  Ambiguous grief vs anticipatory grief  Secondary loss  Help in grief  Unexpected grief triggers What gives Jessica hope  Grief is nonlinear and everyone’s grief story is unique. Do you have a story you’d like to share?  Come visit us in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to hear from you. Be sure to get your name on the list for our upcoming retreats for medical mamas and check out our BRING HOPE HOME campaign as The Apricity Hope Project moves forward with a headquarters and retreat house!    Catch up with Suz: Instagram Catch up with Jessica:  Jessica's website Facebook  I Don’t Know How You Do It Psychology Today article on secondary losses   When Autumn Comes: WAC Instagram WAC Facebook Page WAC Society Facebook Page WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project   Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.  If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more 4 am moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.