Coping With The Loss of a Loved One
- Actor Patrick Duffy lost his wife to cancer in 2017, but found love again with Linda Purl from “Happy Days,” who he has joined him on another trip to Budapest, to promote Duffy’s new film called “Lepattanó.”
- Duffy’s late wife Carlyn Rosser, who he married in 1974, passed away in January 2017 after a battle with cancer at 77. The couple had two sons together.
- Grief is a difficult, truly personal process, something Duffy 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. 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.
Purl, took to social media this week to share a sweet photo of her and Duffy sitting in their seats on a plane to Europe, captioning the post, “Off to Budapest.”
Read MoreAs per the Hungarian news outlet, a Hungarian tabloid called Blikk, said Duffy’s 2024 trip is consisting of eating famous Hungarian cuisine at the iconic Végállomás Bistro & Wine restaurant in Miskolc.View this post on Instagram
Daily News Hungary also noted how Duffy was a guest of honor at the 20th CineFest International Film Festival in Miskolc, further explaining, “We previously reported that ‘Lepattanó’ is a romantic comedy starring Péter Scherer.
“It was producer Csaba Vékes who had the idea to approach Patrick Duffy with an offer to play a Hungarian billionaire patron who amassed his wealth abroad. The producers wrote him a lengthy letter explaining how much Hungarians loved ‘Dallas’ and his character. Since Duffy liked the screenplay and the character, he agreed, even though he had never been to the former Eastern Bloc before.”
The Hungarian news outlet said the filming began in September 2023 and is set to premiere on Sept. 26.
Additionally, there will be a “pre-premiere screening on 14th September at Budapest’s Cinema City Arena,” where Duffy will be doing a meet and greet.
It’s wonderful to see Purl and Duffy going on adventures together, and its certainly something their fans admire.
One fan of theirs commented on Purl’s recent Instagram post, ” My favorite couple too. safe travels you gorgeous pair.”
While another wrote, ” Wishing 1 of my favorite couples very safe travels and tons of fun!!”
Duffy and Purl have also continued to promote their Duffy’s Dough business, which is shutting down for the winter but then starting up again next summer, as they are anticipating some “exciting” news ahead.
Regardless of what their plans are, where delighted they are continuing to do things together and support each other through all of life’s endeavors.
View this post on Instagram
Expert Resources On Coping With Loss
- Mental Health and Cancer — The Fight, Flight or Freeze Response
- Dealing With Grief Related to Health Problems
- Mental Health: Understanding the Three Wellsprings of Vitality
- How to Be Realistically Optimistic: Coping With Mental Health Long-Term
- How to Handle the Emotional Toll of Caring for a Loved One With Cancer: Prioritizing Your Mental Health
Love After Loss
Patrick Duffy, who often shares entertaining videos with Purl promoting his “Duffys Dough” products, previously shared a fortunate life with his late wife Rosser, whom he married back in 1974.
The actor, who shares two sons with Rosser, was heartbroken when she passed away at age 77 from cancer in January 2017– so much so that he couldn’t fathom the thought of finding love after her.
In an earlier interview with Closer magazine, Duffy revealed he knew it [Rosser and his relationship] was forever from the time they met.
Duffy told the celeb news outlet, “I was an immature college graduate touring as narrator with this dance production, and she was a beautiful ballerina 10 years older. We met on the tour bus and that was it– for life.”
After Rosser passed away, Duffy was open regarding how he was affected by the loss, telling Closer, “I know what she would expect of me, and I try and live up to that. I feel close to her all the time, [but] what I miss most is her touch.”
“I still consider myself a married man,” Duffy said in 2019, showing us how grieving is an ongoing process, and that it’s best to have patience within yourself as you process your emotions after losing a loved one to cancer.
However, at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Duffy and Purl’s mutual friends initiated a group text to bring to stay in touch throughout the new times of social distancing.
It was that group chat that initiated the reconnection of Duffy and Purl.
Once Duffy felt that and Purl had established more than just a friendly connection, he drove to visit her, where they quarantined together.
“I loaded up my car and drove 20 hours and ended up on her doorstep just to see if it was real. We haven’t been apart since,” he told People magazine.
“I never thought I’d feel this way again,” Duffy admitted, noting that he thinks his wife would be happy for him.I feel quite honestly, that it is keeping with the desires of my wife, the fact that we are intended to be happy.”
He concluded, “So when it’s offered, think about it, do whatever you do, but don’tt let it pass you up if it’s the right thing.”
Dating After Cancer; Getting Intimate with the New You
If you are dealing with the loss of a loved one, or from any other mental health-related issue, check out SurvivorNet’s resources on taking care of yourself.
How Support Makes a Difference
In the aftermath of Patrick Duffy’s wife’s death, the actor took to Twitter to remember his wife, writing, “On this day 6 months ago my heart stopped yet I live on as she wishes We will be together eternally.”
On this day 6 months ago my heart stopped yet I live on as she wishes We will be together eternally Thank you for the love and concern ❤️🙏💃🍀
— Patrick Duffy (@therealpduffy) June 23, 2017
When asked by a fan on what they could do to help, Duffy said, “Keep her in your hearts.”
Whether you’re in the midst of a cancer battle, fulfilling the duties of being a caretaker or coping with the loss of a loved one, it’s important that everyone involved in a cancer journey gets the support they need.
RELATED: The Toughest Conversations: Losing a Spouse to Cancer
Support groups, or connecting with just one other person, can make a major difference in helping someone feel less alone during a tough time. Even religious support, like the Buddhist faith, something can help with the feelings that come with loss.
Doug Wendt, Who Lost His Wife To Ovarian Cancer, Shares How He Coped With Her Passing
Making connections with those who have gone through shared experiences can really make an impact on how you cope as well as move forward with your life. In the case of Doug Wendt, who lost his wife Alice to ovarian cancer, he learned an important lesson in the difference between “moving on” and “moving forward” after losing a spouse to cancer.
“We’re never gonna move on, I don’t even think I want to move on, but I do want to move forward,” Doug told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview.
The Toughest Conversations: Losing a Spouse to Cancer
“That’s an important distinction and I encourage anybody who goes through this journey as a caregiver and then has to face loss, to think very carefully about how to move forward.”
Tips for Dealing With Cancer in Your Relationship
Cancer can place a huge strain on any relationship. The state of your relationship with your significant other before a cancer diagnosis can influence how you both endure the cancer journey.
Psychologist Susan McDaniel said in an earlie that cancer can either strengthen healthy relationships or widen the divide for couples already facing conflict.
So when you’re faced with a diagnosis or treatment, it can help to lean on the bond you’ve built with your partner.
For healthy couples confronted with cancer, “They recognize how they feel about each other, the petty stuff drifts away. There’s a certain kind of intimacy in having to face something really serious,” Dr. McDaniel said.
“For couples where there’s already significant difficulties that haven’t been resolved, and if the illness hits at some of that, then it’s really hard,” Dr. McDaniel added.
Dealing With Grief After a Cancer Diagnosis
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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