Bereavement - blaming myself for husband's death

My husband died Tuesday 8th February after a long battle with cancer. 
Before he was admitted to the Hospice he kept on saying to me once he is in the hospice he won't come out. He was concerned that they would give him medication that would encourage him to die quicker. I tried to explain to him the medication is to control his pain. But he was adamant that was not true. 
He did have two Syringe drivers for pain control. He became agitated so they added a two sedatives to the syringe driver. He then was in a deep coma like sleep for three days, then he died.

 I am now confused, did I do the right thing in agreeing to sedation. 
I am now blaming myself for his death. I miss him so much, and we will nevever have those last three days back.

  • Hi Teressa1, my husband died 24th January after many years of lung cancer, he came home on the 19th from hospital and was in agony for the next five days but no one would put the driver in as they said he had longer left to live.  Those days were awful for him and my two daughters and me as I was left alone with him begging to be allowed to die.  So please don't blame yourself, I wish I had begged harder for him to be sedated but it really is a guessing game near the end, no one knows really what or how it will happen.  Like me I'm sure you did everything you could and we are suffering and grieving and should no way blame ourselves for the death of our wonderful husbands.  If you want to message me privately please do, it's an awful time and I'm totally lost and alone without him. Sending my thoughts and condolences, Carol x

  • Hi Teressa1

    I am so sorry for the loss of your Husband.  Please please do not blame yourself.

    I lost my husband just over 5 years ago to Junctional Oesophagus cancer.  My husband was admitted into our Hospice for pain control as he was suffering so badly,  The plan was for him to come home but he deteriated so quickly from the cancer,  It was going to his brain,  I also fell ill with a stomach bug so the weekend my husbnd was going to come home I was not well and didn't want him to suffer that on top of all he was going through.  His deteriation was so quick.  I still cannot forgive myself for him not coming home but I know in my heart he was in th best place.  Our hospice was wonderful.  I was with my husband and our family for which i am enternally grateful.  I also know my husband would not want me to blame my self,  

    I know its so so hard but please take comfort from what Dor06 says too.  You did the absolute best for your Husband and Im sure he knows that. Please be kind to yourself.  I am so so sorry for your sad loss.  

    I don't think you ever get over such a profound loss but we find waus of coping slowly and when I have a bad day I go with it and let it out.  I truly believe my husband is looking down.  I miss him every day and every night.

    Take care and be kind to yourself xx

  • Hello Dor06

    I am so very sorry for the sad loss of your husband and your daughters dad and for all you have arnd are going through.

    You take care of yourselves too xx

     

     

  • Thanks for the lovely words. Carol x 

  • Hi Martin, it's good that you're communicating more with others, that's a good step, I've accepted your friend request, so just when you feel up to it, I'm here.  Carol