I lost my Nan 12 weeks ago on Saturday. She passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 71. I received a phone call from my Mum 3 days before my Nan passed to tell me that she was in hospital but she was ok. I live 200 miles away from my family and I felt that I needed to be with them so I drove the next day straight to the hospital. My Nan called me whilst I was driving home and I got to talk to her but she sounded very poorly. I thought I would be home for the weekend and she would be back in her home by Monday after antibiotics and fluids but that didn’t happen. I stayed by my Nan’s side until she passed on the Saturday.
I was exceptionally close with my Nan since being a little girl which carried on into my adult life. She was my biggest cheerleader and the person I could call up at 2 in the morning if I needed her. I am really struggling with losing her. This is the first time I’ve dealt with grief so strong and lost someone that was such a big part of my life.
Living 200 miles away from my support system is really difficult and I am struggling with being alone with no friends or family. I am currently signed off work because I’m not coping well. I know that I need to be with my family and have made the decision to move back to my hometown but I can’t do this straight away due to my job.
I don’t know whether I should ask for an extension of my sick note and take another week with my family or if I should just get on with it and go back to work. I feel really guilty for having the time off but I also know I should put myself first.
If anyone has any advice on coping with grief, particularly living alone and being so far away from your family or about what I should do in terms of work, I would really appreciate it.