Helen Bouchami

My #memoir 'Am I Still a Mother?' released 28 October 2020 by @matadorbooks #grief #childloss #survival #WritingCommunity Recounts the loss of my two adult sons and how I have rebuilt my life

I found this latest Brevity blog on story structure really helpful - @GuerillaMemoir is always good value. brevity.wordpress.com/2024/09/26/dra… #amwriting #WritingCommunity #memoir

@LoveGrowingVeg So desperately sorry Mark. Yes, the mortuary ID - I've been there. Sending love, hugs and understanding from another bereaved parent. The Compassionate Friends is a good source of support @TCFcharityUK

Gave my son James his last hug and kiss today at the coroners and told him I love him very much. The rest of the day I’ve been swearing at him 😊. Collected all of his things from 2 different police stations (eventually). Coming home from a very difficult day. ❤️❤️ to you all

@2StefanMoore 💔

One of the most devastating moments was when my 13 year old Daughter said: “Dad, I can’t write my name anymore.” #BrainCancer took away her motor skills & eventually, my Ashley was no longer able to speak, swallow, eat or move her limbs by herself. 💔 If you have a healthy Child, say your blessings, hug them & tell them that you love them every single day. I would do anything for this. Please follow, remember my Ashley & show all the love you possibly can to our #ChildhoodCancer community.

Last year on #GMB Dr Amir Khan brilliantly explained in just over a minute how using the private sector undermines the NHS & hastens its demise.

@2StefanMoore My son had just celebrated his 30th birthday when he was diagnosed with ALL. 💔

The absolute worst sentence you can hear… 💔 #ChildhoodCancer 💔

amazon.co.uk/Am-Still-Mothe……Feedback from readers includes those who find my memoir helpful as they navigate trauma and challenges in their own lives - but also those who simply find it a good read - a 'page turner' #grief #childloss

Cut, burn, poison. Cancer treatment is brutal. One day, I hope, science will develop a treatment that is kinder on the body #cancer #grief

@2StefanMoore I lost both of my sons. I have no difficulty saying so, but often others have difficulty hearing it. I move the conversation on to 'rescue' them. Sometimes they ask how they died. How I wish they'd ask how they lived.

After my 13 year old Daughter died from #BrainCancer one of the most difficult question you seem to get asked often… “How many children do you have?” “Here we go again” is my thinking & my head starts going a million miles an hour bc I know, any second now, I will be reliving my precious Daughters cancer battle. My answer is always “I have four Children and one of them is in Heaven.” It’s an answer that used to be difficult to answer because most likely, I will get a follow up question. “What happened to your Child?” One thing is for sure. I will never leave my Ashley out! I’m proud of my Ashley, love talking about her amazing life & all that she is still accomplishing. If you have a Child that died, always include them, even if it’s difficult to be reminded. They lived & had a purpose. Please Follow Cancer Response Team (@Nonprofit4Kids), Repost & do whatever you can to fight for justice for those who do not have a voice. 🎗️

@CruseSupport It's normal to feel utterly exhausted. Grief takes its toll on your body - be gentle with yourself.

Grief can feel overwhelming. You are not alone. What do you wish you'd known about grieving, that might be able to help somebody else?

'It gets better but even that has its own hurt.' I feel guilty when I enjoy a life denied to my sons. #grief #childloss

@JDaviesPhD I wrote a book

What helped you through a period of severe mental/emotional distress, and was not a drug, a therapist, or an act of consumption?

The expectation……… #grief #bereavedparent #timeisntahealer #iwillnevergetoverit #childloss #childhoodcancerawareness #rememberingCallum💙

Latest review of my book: This is a brilliantly written story....a fantastic account of Helen's amazing battles with tragedy and adversity. I found it very inspiring ... A must read... amazon.co.uk/Am-Still-Mothe… #greif #childloss #memoir

@ThebestFigen No different to climbers being roped together - where there's risk, better to stay safe

@yogaTres My older son, Mounir, was cremated. His ashes stayed with his then partner, as we couldn't decide where they should go. When his brother died 5 years later, he had an earth burial, in a natural woodland, so finally we knew - he's with his brother

Bereaved parents, if your child was cremated, how long did you home on to his/her ashes? We are 4 years after the loss of our 22 year old daughter and I can’t seem to get rid of them all, even though I know she would want to be part of the life cycle of earth. #grief

A message from amazon: 'We found something your might like' A book: 'Am I Still a Mother?' Written by... ME! 🙄 #WritingCommunity #memoir

@Andy_Wheatley Beautiful child - painful memory. Sending love and understanding. X

In loving memory of our son, Edward, who died in our arms 11 years ago this morning. He left us as the sun rose & the birds began to sing. Sending love to everyone but especially all other bereaved parents who are missing their beautiful children. x

@2StefanMoore Cut, burn, poison - it's brutal

When Children w/ cancer finish treatment, nearly EVERY single one of them who survived will have a plethora of life long & life altering side effects CAUSED by the treatment that saved their life. Read that again. Caused by the treatment! We need better, less toxic treatments or a whole new way to treat cancer.

@TraceyR64968698 I am so sorry, Tracey. 💔 Those memories, those triggers, continue to ambush us, though over time they become less frequent. Sending love and understanding from another bereaved mother xx

@KimPlasket I published my first book - a memoir - four years ago at 74. Still writing

How many older Authors are out there? I feel so old with all the younger Authors that are introducing themselves. Im not bashing them I'm just feeling old LOL