How do you cope with grief and cancer diagnosis at the same time?

Dealing with both profound grief and a cancer diagnosis creates an incredibly overwhelming burden that few people can truly comprehend. The pain of losing someone so deeply loved while facing your own health challenges requires tremendous support, and reaching out to grief counselors, support groups, or trusted friends can provide essential comfort during this unimaginably difficult time. If thoughts of wanting to pass away become strong, please reach out to the crisis hotline at 988 for immediate support.

I am so sorry for your loss. I can understand how you must feel when you say you don’t think about cancer with the recent passing of your soulmate. You have been hit with 2 life changing events; loosing your best friend, soulmate and love of your life, and the physical diagnosis of Cancer. May I ask what type of cancer and your prognosis if you’ve been given one? Your grieving process will have a big effect on your cancer prognosis. I am a Registered Nurse of 44 years and have cared for patients in situations such as yours. If you feel life is useless and you care nothing about yourself because your griefing process is overwhelming; then your healing process with the cancer will be poor. I will keep you in my prayers that your heart will heal and you will be able to overcome the cancer diagnosis. I was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma in December 2025. I am 67 years old still working full time in the Emergency Room. My symptoms came on suddenly and went on short term disability which has lead me now into long term disability. I was not ready to stop working. Lymphoma is curable and I’m glad of that but I’m not ready to go chemo, I’m currently doing radiation treatments, but they want me to do chemo next! I’m not ready to do that! I am vain and I do not want to loose my red hair which is to my waist. I’m usually a controlled person but I’m totally out of control now. So I am asking you to say a prayer for me as I will for you.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers and I am so praying for you and your recovery. I have an aggressive prostate cancer and they are giving me 2 years. 1 of doing ok and 1 of pain control and death. We are going to try another medication next week that could give me 5+years. I did 6 rounds of chemo and just finishing radiation next week and then starting the new medication. I did chemotherapy by myself and I don’t recommend it for anyone. If you live near me I would help you. It was another dark part of my life. You sound like a beautiful person and it would be great to meet you and help you. You have my prayers 😘