Coping with Loss of Wife,Best Friend and Soul Mate

Hi, 

I have been with my beautiful wife for 30 years, and we have 3 beautiful teenage daughters.

My wife has been fighting breast cancer since 2009, with numerous Chemotherapies, natural rememdies, surgery and radiotheraphy - after 4/5 years she was in reammission, and then 9 months later in 2015 it came back harder and faster - she has daily lung drains, and was put on various chemotheraphy drugs and in April 2017 she was deemed stage 4 as it had spread to her spine, liver, kidney, both breasts, neck etc - We thought the worse.

I took 9 months off from work to care for my wife, and in that time I studied Chemotherapy treatments, wrote to Pharmecetical firms, and went through weekly blood results in order to do anything I could to save my beloved wifes life.

With my research I was also able to push the Oncologists and talk to them on a 1-2-1 level (even my wife said it was like 2 Oncologists where in the room !) - and I was the one who discovered why my wife had rejected the Chemotherapy in the first place due to her Albumin levels where very low.

Armed with Blood results every week, checking white cells, B12, Albumin I was able to tailor my wifes diet and she was able to have the chemotheraphy week on week.

Working together we managed to keep her alive for another 9 months, however sadly it caught up with her and she died in December 2017 just after Christmas.

Althought this is still very raw, I miss her every day, and have 3-4 breakdowns a day, constant crying, longing, and yearning for my wife - I wear her perfume and jewellery and still sleep with her dressing gown and have kept the house exactly as she left it so ther are no changes "when she returns home"

In 30 years we were together, we were only away from each other for 2 weeks, and we were more than Husband and Wife, she was my soul mate, best friend, we were a unit, we held hands, told each other we loved each other everyday, and I wanted no one else - she was my everything and the only thing in my life I was ever afraid of losing.

I still cry in pain that this could happen to someone so beautiful, and I have had the phases of grief doubt, and anger.

I hate the cliches, "be strong for the children" but how can I when I am not strong for myself, and the girls are teenagers, they are in their rooms talking to their friends, or boyfriends, and I am left on my own - the girls will grow up and I will walk the rest of my time on this earth without my beloved.

I particularly like the "it will get better after the funeral" this I can tell you is ********* ! it has got worse - I have more crying breakdowns, even when I go to places that me and my wife visited I hyper ventilate and freeze on the spot.

Yes I have couselling, but everyday the pain intesifies as does the emptiness and hollowness inside.

I am told I did all I could for my beautiful wife, and I would give everything I own just to have her back with me again.

I wanted to share my story, with others and I read a statistic once that said "75 men a day under the age of 50 are made widowers" and now I am in that statistic.

I am finding it hard to cope everyday, and it feels like my head is caving in with all the tears and emotions - I assume I am not alone

Simon 

Parents
  • Hi Simon

    Your experience informs and confirms my state.

    My wife has just had her first chemo for Breast cancer.

    It has found its way to the lung and bones.  We have been together since school.  I am 57 and cannot conceive not being with my partner.  I am in tears throughout the day.  When I think of a future without her I am emotionally and physically demolished and can't believe life without her is possible.

    I have adult children 36 & 37 and grandchildren in their teens.

    I consider the thought that I want to leave this world with her.

Reply
  • Hi Simon

    Your experience informs and confirms my state.

    My wife has just had her first chemo for Breast cancer.

    It has found its way to the lung and bones.  We have been together since school.  I am 57 and cannot conceive not being with my partner.  I am in tears throughout the day.  When I think of a future without her I am emotionally and physically demolished and can't believe life without her is possible.

    I have adult children 36 & 37 and grandchildren in their teens.

    I consider the thought that I want to leave this world with her.

Children
  • Hi JohnmcD,

    I just wanted to post a reply to say I'm very sorry to hear about everything that's going on with your wife at the moment and what you are both going through. I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you. Please know we are always here for support on this forum should you need it - I know there will be many people here who have gone through, or are going through, something similar. If you would like to find others then you can always browse or search the forum for other relevant discussions.

    It is a big cliche but try to take things one day at a time, and most importantly also remember to take care of yourself as well. This includes speaking to others where helpful - whether it is those around you, us here on this forum, or organisations such as Macmillan or Maggie's. The support offered by organisations like these can be invaluable.

    As I say, we're always here for help if you need it - or even if you just want a safe space to write down your thoughts or feelings.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator