Loss 16/101: Loss of self through parenting a young child with cancer: Diana Tohar

#021. What losses and emotions are involved when you're parenting a young child going through cancer? This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around loss and grief and to see if hope can be found in 101 different types of loss.Loss #16 of 101 - Loss of self through parenting a young child with cancer.In this episode we chat to Diana Tohar, who lives in beautiful Calgary, Alberta, in view of The Rocky Mountains. Diana is originally from Israel, but moved to Canada (for a second time) with her family in 2018. Sadly, not long after their move their youngest child, Dean, was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer, Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis. He was only 17 months old.Diana’s world and sense of identity was thrown upside down as she was plunged into the world of childhood cancer. Over the last three years she has been grieving the loss of the person she once was, and the faith she once had.When she came across our podcast she bravely reached out to share to her experience for the first time and help others who will also be experiencing feelings of the loss of self.Even though 4-year-old Dean is in remission right now, the loss and grief stay fresh, as the family live with the constant fear of another relapse and endless scans. It’s stories and bravery like Diana’s that made us want to start this podcast in the first place. To share conversations of those grieving that others might find hard to understand, hear, or know about. Diana hasn’t had time beyond her loss to reflect, so this chat is full of the immediate realities of grief and the complexities of processing and walking through it.Yet through all the pain, Diana is cultivating a coping mechanism of thankfulness and hope.  She shares where she grieves, how she grieves, and how being creative through her art has been one of the things that’s saved her. To see her amazing artwork follow: https://www.instagram.com/oridea_creates/ To find out more about Diana visit: https://www.instagram.com/writer213/ Send us Fan MailSupport the show-----thesilentwhy.com  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  LinkedIn What's a Herman? / Buy a Herman - thehermancompany.comSupport the show: buymeacoffee.com/thesilentwhySign-up to my mailing list (only used for sharing news occasionally!): thesilentwhy.com/newsletterHow to talk to the grieving:  thesilentwhy.com/post/howtotalktothegrievingReview the show: Apple Podcasts  |  Spotify  |  GoodpodsEpisode transcripts: thesilentwhy.buzzsprout.comThank you for listening.