Walking through grief – Sue takes on the South West Coast Path

In May 2022, Sue lost her husband, Richard, to prostate cancer. They had managed Richard’s condition for many years, but in the last days of his life Dorothy House’s Hospice at Home team was there to support them both, allowing Richard the comfort of dying at home. Dorothy House provided all the equipment needed for Sue to support Richard until the end.

Sue’s Incredible Walking Challenge

Here we hand over to Sue to tell her story:

“This story came about as a consequence of the devastating loss of my brave husband to prostate cancer in May 2022. My grief these last 8-months has been the toughest thing I’ve ever had to endure in my life; it still is, but my one major saviour is to walk. It’s my sanctuary, it’s where nature does its work. It’s where in difficult times, I try to make sense of the world and my place within it, especially now as memories of us together drift back and forth, leaving their mark and lead me on to wonder who I may become without him.

I always knew that when Richard was no longer with us, I would at some point walk the South West Coastal Path (SWCP) with his dog Abi. He knew it too and we talked about it in those last few precious days together. He thought it was a mad idea and worried for my safety – he also knew of course that I’d do it anyway!

And that time has arrived – after months of difficult planning and preparing for this wonderful challenge and discovery of a lifetime, we two girls were almost ready for the ‘starting line’, or so I thought. But, over these last few weeks Abi has been unwell and receiving treatment from our vet. I have therefore had to make the heart-breaking decision to ‘go it alone’ and leave her at home to rest with friends.

So, on Monday, 17 April I am setting off alone to walk 320 miles from Minehead to Falmouth to raise funds for the charity PROSTATE CANCER UK. I’m feeling both terrified and excited in equal measure and I suspect if Abi could talk she’d be saying the same as Richard – ‘You’re barking mad you are!’”

Walking through grief

Since Richard died, Sue has been supported by the Dorothy House bereavement counselling team, with one-to-one sessions. She has found the grief support she has received so helpful that she is considering undertaking bereavement counselling training herself in the future, to help others with similar experiences.

As a keen walker, she has also taken part in the Dorothy House bereavement ‘Walking through Grief’ group. Each walk is supported by two experienced volunteer walk leaders from the Bereavement Team. They meet at various locations, and offer a variety of gentle guided walks through the Wiltshire countryside. Alongside the therapeutic benefits of walking, there is the opportunity for conversation and sharing with others who are also bereaved.

Along the way, Sue will be keeping a journal of her thoughts and feelings as she walks through her grief. Journaling can be a helpful tool when processing grief, promoting wellbeing and positive mental health. ‘Writing Hour’ is a journaling group offered by Dorothy House where a theme is offered each week in a relaxed group setting, with time to chat and reflect. This group focuses on the process of writing, not creating a polished end product.

We talked to Sue about how Dorothy House has supported her

“Some time after Richard died Dorothy House contacted me to suggest that if I, or anyone else in the family actually, needed any counselling, then they would be there to provide that service. I was unsure at first but in fact I decided that it might be nice to talk to someone. Once I was in the room I found that the words just tumbled out and I came away feeling somehow uplifted and as each session progressed I became more comforted.

As I have always really enjoyed walking I joined the walking bereavement group which was a perfect opportunity to meet others who were also dealing with grief.”

One Woman and His Dog

On Monday 17 April, Sue sets off on her incredible 320-mile journey to walk through her grief. You can follow Sue’s story on Instagram at @onewomanandhisdog or visit her Just Giving page here to find out more.