In this first episode of Losing a Child: Always Andy’s Mom, Marcy interviews her husband Eric, and they discuss the death of their son, Andy, who died tragically in a car accident in August 2018. They discuss how they have been working to cope with their grief and help their family start the long journey back from devastating loss. They share their experiences while on this emotional rollercoaster. Eric and Marcy also offer feedback to others about what loved ones can do to support mourning families, and what things they should avoid.
Eric is the host of the Paradocs Podcast where he interviews another doctor to talk about the US medical system. They discuss problems in medicine and the ways physicians work to solve them.
Very moving, and helpful to this mom who lost a child.
Found this very helpful.. Thank You
https://today.duke.edu/2009/05/holloway_oped.html
Here is a link for an article my daughter found me when I complained there was no word for a parent who has lost a child
Thanks. That is a great article!
Sending you both so much love. Thank you so much for your vulnerability. I lost my daughter January 24th 2018, this podcast is definitely needed in the loss parent world.
Thank you for sharing, Marcy and Eric. I resonate so much with you both. My husband and I lost our son 1 week before Andy passed. Our son Austin was 23 and although he battled cancer for almost a year and a half, his death was unexpected as he had come through 6 previous surgeries and we thought we would be bringing him home, as usual.
We also live in Grand Rapids and I vaguely remember someone telling me of your tragedy, but of course I was deep in fog at that time.
Austin was our middle child too … also silly and full of life. We have a older son, Zack, and twin daughters Emma and Claire who are 4 1-2 years younger.
My husband and I listened to this podcast together and so much of what you both have experienced is exactly how we feel. We also went to a grief meeting and left feeling so depressed in seeing others who had lost their children 9, 10, 15 years ago and still had so much anger and grief. It was frightening.
Thank you for having the courage to speak from the heart about the most devastating year of your lives.
We certainly understand all you have been through and continue to go through.
I hope this podcast and blog are somewhat cathartic for you both. Just know there are people like Scott and I who appreciate your candor, honesty and sincerity.
Austin’s golden birthday is this Wednesday, the 25th. I hope he has met Andy and they will celebrate on the golden paths of Heaven.
All our best,
Shelley and Scott Volkert
This is pure courage. I can’t imagine what it takes to dig deep into those tragic memories yet in your storytelling there is such fondness and light for all Andy was and will continue to be. Thank you.
Listening to your story brings me a sense of connection, I to lost my child last year and can completely understand the rollercoaster of emotions that come with the loss of a child.
Andy is an Angel that will continue to touch the life of other’s. His light will shine forever. Hugs to both of you, and thank you for sharing your journey with us…❤.
Absolutely moving! My heart is full knowing how much Andy was loved by all. God Bless
I lost my son April 10, 2019 to a MVA. Listening to this, I felt like I wrote it. It’s exactly how I feel.
Thank you for having the courage to share your story & may Andy’s light always shine.
This is what grieving parents need. Thank you Marcy & Eric for your honesty & openness.
After losing my 17 year old daughter to suicide in late 2015, my entire life exploded. Our family had several other deaths within a five year period, which we’ve now come to refer to as the “Death Storm”. Lots of therapy and grief groups later, i have finally found a way to live again. I would love to talk to you more about this, whether it becomes a podcast or not.
I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter and family tragedy. I would love to talk more about it. You can email me at marcy@andysmom.com and give me your phone number.
I am terribly sorry for your loss. Although I know there aren’t words to comfort you. I’ve learned so much during my grief which still continues each and every day!!! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!! May he fly high with the Angels!
My daughter and unborn grandchild were killed in an automobile accident in August 12, 2010.
We lost our son Anthony on November 2 2019, he was an 8 yrs old special needs child trapped in a 32 yrs old body. A seizure patient since he was born.
The Pain and grief is almost too much to handle and Thank God that Jason Stapleton and your husband Eric steered me to this podcast.
I cried, cry and weep through most of this episode and my hope is that (in time) my wife Tracey will feel open enough to listen and share her grief.
Thank You for this podcast
Thank you for sharing your story in podcast form. Our daughter, Ruth was still born, one day after her due date, August 14th, 2018. Heaven gained two beautiful souls those two dark days for our families in Grand Rapids.
I appreciated your comment about a child loss parent doesn’t have a word to describe it, other than ‘a sad parent’.
– Darin Nicholls
Thank you so much for this podcast. I lost my beloved son, John, from a Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (rare form) at the age of 36 in November of 2015. I have been looking for a podcast and you have filled a void that I was searching for these past few years. I found there are so many people that don’t know what to say….well, don’t say anything, give a hug, a smile, be there…be present. My son had 3 children and a wife, who we love dearly, and they are processing their own grief. My youngest granddaughter was 2 when she lost her dad and she talks wants to talk about him all the time. She doesn’t have memories, but she loves when we talk about him when he was little and growing up. I find solace and happiness in talking about my son to everyone. Thank you.
Thank you for your honesty. Just listening to many of your shows helps because you are expressing so many emotions I feel.