Coping With Grief After Loss
- Soap opera star and kidney cancer survivor Cameron Mathison, who lost his mom to brain cancer a few years back, has taken to social media to express how much he’s been missing his late mom Loretta.
- Mathison’s loss of his beloved mom reminds us that grief is a difficult, truly personal process. Some find solace in vulnerability and sharing how they feel with others.
- While working through grief and vulnerable tackling of the emotions that accompany it, some find tools like therapy to be helpful. Support groups can also be a benefit for those who are feeling isolated in their feelings of grief. Faith can also be a powerful coping mechanism for some.
- Whichever methods of support you look for after cancer loss, you should know that there is no correct way to grieve. There is no perfect timeline for grieving, either.
Mathison, who is not only coping with grief after the death of his mom, but also from the “devastating” loss of his California home just last month, shared some heartfelt words his Instagram story on February 3, 2025, to acknowledge her birthday.
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In the wake of his mom’s passing about four years ago, Mathison wrote alongside a handful of family photos, “Mom, you left this world a better place.
“You were the center of our family with so much love and devotion for all of us. You were there for me in my absolute toughest times, and celebrated all my successes with so much love and enthusiasm.”
He added, “I have so many beautiful and incredible memories I don’t even know where to start. You will always be with me in my heart.
“I love you and miss you so much I can’t put into words.”
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Mathison’s post about his mom comes just weeks after he lost his family home in the recent wildfires that took place in Los Angeles County, California.
He captioned a heartfelt tribute post to his lost home, on Jan. 22, “It’s been 14 days since we lost our home. We are still in shock and disbelief.
“The grief of losing our home is devastating and crushing. Our home was not just walls and things.. it was the physical representation of the deep love we have for our children. It was the house where our children grew up.
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He continued, “It held memories of birthday celebrations, Christmas, baking, tamale making, best friend sleep-overs, teenage hangouts, family and friend gatherings, and quiet movie nights.
“It was music at all times… Lucas on his drums, Leila on her piano. We had hard times, as well as the most loving and meaningful experiences of our life in this home. The loss of irreplaceable items hurts the most… the kid’s baby photos, their yearly school photos, elementary school art projects the kids gave to us for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, portraits we took when both kids were 5 days old.”
His unfeigned post continued, “The journals we all wrote during our family vacations, Leila’s song writing journal she’s been working on since 7th grade, and every single beautifully written card Lucas and Leila ever gave us was lost…and each day we remember more things that are gone.
“We have come together as a family to heal. As our son, Lucas, said four days after the fire… ‘We’re going to be ok.'”
Cameron Mathison’s Cancer Journey
Cameron Mathison’s cancer journey began in 2019 when he was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, common symptoms of kidney cancer include blood in the urine, persistent pain in your side, unexplained weight loss, or a lump in your abdomen.
Mathison underwent surgery to rid himself of the cancerous tumor.
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In 2023, he told Entertainment Tonight that he was “feeling strong” and healthy after his cancer.
“I think I’m as strong as I was in my mid-20s. I have more energy than I had 20 years ago,” Mathison said.
‘General Hospital’ Star Cameron Mathison, 52, Beats Kidney Cancer Possibly Tied to Heartburn Medication: ‘I’m On an Ongoing Health Journey’
He also said his experience with cancer changed his outlook on life, explaining, “If you go through a cancer journey, where I didn’t know if I was going to die or not or what, you can’t go through something like that without it moving you.
“My willingness and desire to help others have really increased my gratitude for enjoying life. I think maybe it’s also influenced my decision to have more balance in my life and not work nonstop.”
Mathison still undergoes health checks to ensure the cancer has not returned.
“I’m back here at USC Keck for my CT scan, chest X-rays, and bloodwork to make sure I can say three years cancer-free,” Mathison wrote in a previous Instagram post.
More recently, Mathison took to Instagram to share some photos of himself at the gym, offering some words of inspiration to his fans, captioning the post, “Coming back stronger. Mind and body: meditate, eat clean, lift weights, drink water, sleep, long walks, pray, help others.”
Fans replied with kind words, with one commenting, “You are SO strong, inside and out! Keep the faith and that WINNING mindset and I know you’ll overcome these challenges… so inspiring, Cameron! Praying for you and your family.”
Another wrote, “I admire your resilience, faith, love and kindness. Definitely an inspiration to everyone. Hugs and blessings.”
“We can work on best health for our mind and bodies and that helps us understand and empathize with the rest of the world & tragedies that happen good for you,” commented a third.
Moving Through Grief
Grief is a difficult, truly personal process, something Cameron Mathison has shown. Some find solace in vulnerability and sharing how they feel with others.
While working through grief and vulnerable tackling of the emotions that accompany it, some find tools like therapy to be helpful. Support groups can also be a benefit for those who are feeling isolated in their feelings of grief, as can turning to faith.
Whichever methods of support you look for after cancer loss, you should know that there is no correct way to grieve. There is no perfect timeline for grieving, either.
Dealing With Grief After a Cancer Diagnosis
It’s important to remember that anxiety and fear are also totally normal reactions to the news of cancer, or the loss of a loved one, and acknowledging these emotions can be therapeutic and important to the healing process.
“I think the most important advice I would give to someone who has just received a cancer diagnosis is to find people whom they find as a source of support. To allow themselves to go through all of the different emotional reactions to that news,” said Dr. Susan Parsons, Director of the Center for Health Solutions/Center on Child and Family Outcomes at Tufts Medical Center, in a prior interview with SurvivorNet.
Fear, Anger, Anxiety You’re Entitled To Your Emotions
“The anger, the frustration, the fear. The disappointment. Whatever those emotions are, figure out what’s important to you and find those people that can help you realize that,” Dr. Parsons explained.
In times of frustration, it can be useful to a little bit of direction on specific ways to deal with it. A few of the most common ways to deal with fear and anxiety after a cancer diagnosis, that have helped people in the SurvivorNet community in the past, include:
1. Let your family and close friends know and let them help. So many cancer survivors tell us they want and need support but are often too preoccupied to make specific requests. Urge those close to you to jump in with whatever practical help they can offer.
2. Keep a journal. It can be extremely cathartic to let those feelings loose on paper. Grab a pen and a nice journal and chronicle your different thoughts throughout the day.
3. Join a cancer support group. There are groups in nearly every community offering opportunities to connect with others going through a similar journey. You’ll learn incredibly helpful insight from others who can tell you about what to expect and how to stay strong on tough days.
4. Consider seeing a therapist. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist so you can discuss your fears and concerns in a safe space. Often, vocalizing your thoughts and feelings rather than internalizing them can provide relief.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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