While the grieving process that occurs after a death is a concept that is familiar to most people, the anticipatory grief that arises upon the diagnosis of terminal illness of a loved one is often undiscussed and unaddressed.
It can be a challenge to juggle the professional demands of work while coping with the life changes that occur when a loved one has a terminal illness, including the struggle to draw the boundaries between personal and professional matters and financial considerations when it comes to having to take unpaid leave.
As part of the Tapestries of Grief festival, Chia Lingyi, a medical doctor who volunteers with the Singapore Hospice Council, shares her experience of losing her mother to cancer while balancing her career ambitions.
Tapestries of Grief is organised by Grief Matters, a movement by Montfort Care, and is a collaborative effort with 20 healthcare organisations and social service agencies. The festival is held in conjunction with the 2021 Grief and Bereavement Conference organised by Singapore Hospice Council.