Purvis welcomed her late son Weston while filming the MTV reality show.
16 and Pregnant star Whitney Purvis is trying to cope in the wake of her teen son Weston's tragic death this week.
In her first interview since Weston's death at 16, Purvis told PEOPLE, "When I'm not crying, I'm just staring at the ceiling. I never wanted to go through something like this. I mean, I know no one does, but you never think it'll happen to you, and I just can't even imagine a future now. I can't imagine going on after this."
Purvis shared the news that Weston, the son she welcomed while filming the MTV reality series 16 and Pregnant, had died in a heartfelt Facebook post Monday. "My beautiful son, Weston, has passed away," she wrote. "He was only 16 years old. Life is so cruel and unfair. I just don't understand. Oh my baby is gone and I don't know what to do with myself. He was so perfect. This is really my worst nightmare come true."
Purvis told PEOPLE she got a call from Weston's father, Weston Gosa Sr., while pulling into the parking lot en route to a class she's taking. Due to a recent disagreement, she initially ignored the call, but she realized something was amiss when Gosa sent her a "911" text.
"When I answered the phone, I could hear him crying before he spoke, and I knew it was going to be bad," she recalled. Purvis said Gosa "told me everything he knew at that time, and that he would call me back, and I just pulled out of the parking lot and drove home and just screamed in my car, just screamed to the top of my lungs."
Purvis said the family has not yet ascertained the cause of Weston's death, and she has requested that an autopsy be performed.
Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.The former reality star was one of six pregnant teenagers featured on the MTV series in 2008, including Farrah Abraham, Maci Bookout, Amber Portwood, and Catelynn Lowell, all of whom went on to star on Teen Mom. Purvis and Gosa broke up after welcoming their son, but got back together and welcomed a second son, River, in 2014. They have since split up again.
Purvis said that "River doesn't understand" his brother's death yet. "River has autism, and I don't think he quite understands what's happening."
Purvis is grateful for the support she's received since announcing her son's death, some of which has come in the form of donations to a Spotfund set up by Weston's stepmother, Amy Gosa. "It's nice to see people care and care about him," Purvis said.
In an emotional Instagram post Tuesday, Purivs wrote, "I will always cherish our memories together, the songs you use to love, your laugh, the phases you would go through, the little dolphin noise you use to do when you were younger, your smile, your jokes, the first day of school, playing with you, your first time swimming, making crafts."
She continued, "I love you, Weston more than words could ever describe. Rest in peace, my beautiful boy."
