n African Journal of Psychiatry - A piece of me died too... when the ones we love are taken from us : patients as partners - brought to you by The South African Depression and Anxiety Group

Abstract

"I don't think I'll ever truly forgive them," begins Claudette Peterson*. "He was only 22-years-old. He had such dreams. I think it's the thought of those dreams, unfulfilled, and how he had no choice in how he left this world. I mean, yes, do you ever really have a choice with how or when we die? I guess it's more about me now. I suppose it's the feelings I am left with. I can tell you one thing - no pill can take away this pain; or the empty hole in my heart that once was lit by the living, loving smile of my only son."