An honest insight into daily life. Past and present highs and lows as a family of 9. Where we've been and where we are going. A place to organise thoughts and stories as we muddle through, this is the Von Tatchenstine's family blog.

I've been avoiding you.

I'm sorry I've been hiding, avoiding words feelings and you. I've made it 531 days without Dex so far but nothing much has changed from...

Tatty Von Tatchenstine

Jan 10, 20249 min read

I've not been writing at all in the last three months. Not in my grief journal or here and barely at work. I have to make myself write...

Tatty Von Tatchenstine

Jul 2, 20239 min read

March has been unbearably painful, full of firsts and a stark reminder that life continues even with the deepest wounds. Dexter's legacy...

Tatty Von Tatchenstine

Apr 3, 20239 min read

Looking back at treatment and care when you're not in the thick of a living nightmare, is a nightmare itself when it all comes into...

Tatty Von Tatchenstine

Feb 6, 202310 min read

This week, on Friday was my first experience of bereavement counselling. It was an hour all about me (or not, but my voice as the one I...

Tatty Von Tatchenstine

Jan 30, 202312 min read

VOCALISING PAIN IS SOMETHING MOTHERS DO SO WELL, BUT THE MEN WHO STAND BESIDE US ARE AS BROKEN AND WOUNDED, YET SILENCED BY THEIR BELIEF...

Tatty Von Tatchenstine

Jan 23, 20238 min read

WITCHES AND SPIRITS ARE RUMOURED TO CIRCLE AT THIS HOUR, BUT ITS YOUR OWN THOUGHTS YOU SHOULD GUARD YOURSELF FROM. Those that know me and...

Tatty Von Tatchenstine

Jan 13, 202314 min read

WITH EVERY DAY THAT ENDS, ITS ONE STEP FURTHER FROM THE DAYS WE ONCE SPENT TOGETHER. 2023 has begun, we all make resolutions....

Tatty Von Tatchenstine

Jan 3, 20234 min read

Our wonderful Dexter died on the 27th of July, 2022. It was harrowing and hard, nothing like Jack and I had ever expected or experienced...

Tatty Von Tatchenstine

Aug 25, 202211 min read

I can't tell you how painful it is to be told that your child has a matter of weeks to live. The closest I can possibly describe is...

Tatty Von Tatchenstine

Jul 15, 20225 min read

It's been some time since I've written anything, I love to write but finding the energy is increasingly hard this year, and last year we...

Tatty Von Tatchenstine

Jun 15, 20226 min read