Faith Wilcox

I had a journey from shock and fear at my young daughter’s cancer diagnosis to anguish and despair at her death just a year later, and finally to peace and acceptance of my new life. When my thirteen-year-old Elizabeth was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer, I was in awe of my courageous child, who faced her plight straight on and inspired all who met her. Despite an army of medical professionals who provided innovative care for Elizabeth, she died, and I and my surviving daughter, Olivia, were thrown into a maelstrom of grief, yet we found unexpected comfort in the arms of our family, friends, and community. I faced another shock when I had my own cancer diagnosis while navigating the uncharted waters of a life I never expected. In time, I discovered moments and places of comfort and peace, and I slowly changed from a mother in despair to a woman with hope for the future. At turns, heartbreaking and heartwarming, my story reveals how abiding love can heal a family. To learn more about my story go to www.faithwilcoxnarratives.com.

Articles:

Writing Through Grief

We each have a story to tell, and sharing it is vital to our emotional wellbeing. Some of us choose to express our stories through art, music, dance. I chose writing through my grief. I wanted to capture the maelstrom of emotions that swirled within me each time I remembered when my 13-year-old daughter Elizabeth was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. Writing Through Grief I began to write one day following her first surgery. I wrote of my shock, fear of the unknown future, and feeling like an alien in a medical world that I didn’t understand. Slowly, I […]

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8 Ways to Find Comfort When Grieving

Find Comfort When Grieving Have you ever thought you’d find comfort again when grieving the death of a child? Has grief left you bereft, feeling that relief is beyond your grasp? I felt this way after my fourteen-year-old daughter Elizabeth died from a rare pediatric bone cancer. Grieving left me weak. I was almost paralyzed, barely able to do simple activities like grocery shopping, making meals, or reading. It was as though the way that my mind and body functioned was overtaken by a debilitating force too strong for me to resist. I simply collapsed, unable to find needed strength. […]

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Discovering Lifelines While Grieving

Lifelines can rescue you after the death of a loved one. I understand this firsthand. Why? Because my thirteen-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, was treated for one year for a rare pediatric bone cancer, and despite her valiant battle, she died in my arms 365 days after her diagnosis. After Elizabeth’s death, I nearly drowned in grief. My first lifeline was tossed out to me by family and friends. They held me, comforted me, brought me meals, and sometimes simply sat by my side listening to my keening cries. They drove me to appointments when I was too weak to drive, walked […]

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