My husband died a week ago

I was so pleased to see this site and to read that I am not the only one to cry a lot! My husband was diagnosed with lung cancer at the beginning of this year and was told radical treatment of chemo and radiation would hopefully sort him out. Michael sailed through the treatment and was very positive. Things started to go wrong about 2 months ago, he was falling over, fell down the stairs once, it was thought he may have a brain tumour. His scan date was brought forward and we were told on November 9th that the lung tumour had shrunk, he did not have a brain tumor but the cancer had gone to his liver, he could have had chemo but was so weak by then, had lost so much weight that he couldn't have it. We got a hospital bed installed in the lounge and there he passed away on 26th November. I cannot believe that it was so quick. I to have guilt feelings that I cared for him all year and could not help him at the end. My son came over from Australia but arrived too late, my other son was with me when Michael passed. My family and friends have been brilliant and so supportive, I feel so lucky to have them. I never realised how much I would miss him, the house seems so empty without him.

  • Oh Kazzie - life can be so terryfing and when you think that you have experienced all that it can throw at you = we realise that actually absence and death are the most difficult.  And there are no answers - no rule books, no time lines, no certainty.

     

    Cry when you need to - and I was told recently to be compassionate to myself.  Can you be compassionate to yourself tomorrow for half an hour.......or more?  Sending you my thoughts.  Sian

  • Hello, i am so sorry for your loss, i am trying to prepare myself to lose my mum. I really share your grief, i just don't have the words. 

  • Hi kazzie20

    Sorry for the loss of your husband. I am so pleased to see you have received a warm welcome from Sian Jane and Bcam.

    Please come and chat whenever you find it helpful. There are others here who will understand how you are feeling now.

    Best wishes to you,

    Jane

  • Thankyou for your kind words Sian Jane, you are right about death and absence, never knew the house could seem so empty, try to fill it with music and then the Christmas songs start! Still trying to fill my time with all the paperwork and phone calls, I do find the TV a great help. We have the funeral on Monday another bridge to cross, seem to have had a lot of those. Funny how one day you can't bear to look at their photo without crying and the next day you can look at the same photo and chat to him, the mind/brain is a peculiar thing!

  • Hi Bcam, thankyou for your response, I still have my Mum she is 83, she has been a great help don't know what I would do without her, I do feel for you.

  • I am so very sorry to hear of your darling Michael's passing - it is just heartbreaking. You are in my thoughts - I have no words. X

  • Hi my love. I've not posted on any site before, but felt that I had to reply to you. Everything you have written is exactly how I am feeling. My precious husband Kevin passed away on August 1st at home with me and our two sons. He was diagnosed with liver and bile duct cancer in February and a few sessions into his chemo was told it had spread to his spine. He deteriorated quickly at the end and part of me feels relieve that he is out of pain,but I miss him terribly. I'm just trying to get through each day and have the television on permanently, to fill the empty void in the house. I have brilliant girlfriends and family, but silly things like looking at a photo or hearing some song can leave me a complete sobbing mess. My sons live in newcastle and Bristol and call and text all the time, but it's the closeness I had with him that I miss so much. Christmas will be all the family at mine, but I'm dreading it really. I've a special birthday on 15th too.....60th and friends are taking me out for a meal, but all I can think is, I should be having a cosy meal with Kev. Sorry that I'm wittering on, but I really understand how you are feeling. Sending big hugs x

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Hello peach, Isn't it awful, it has only been two weeks since Michael passed but it seems like a lifetime. I have tried so hard with everything hoping that the crying will stop but like you just something small will start me off again. I managed the funeral on Monday quite well, I thought, it was a lovely service, my two boys did an amazing eulogy between them and there were so many of Michael's friends etc at the church. Today I did my weekly shop by myself for the first time, it was very hard and was in tears by the time I got back to the car. I know exactly what you mean by the closeness, no one else can replace that can they. I am not looking forward to Christmas at all it was Michael's favourite time of year, he used to fill the house with fairy lights, but I shall make sure that nothing spoils the grandchildrens Christmas. You witter on all you like, I drive my family mad with mine I think. Do you talk to Kev? I know they can't answer as such but I do ask Michael        things and tell him things. I too have the television on a lot, too many Christmas songs on the radio. I am sure it will get better, think how strong we will be eventually! With you all the way peach! x

     

  • Hello Kazzie, thankyou so much for getting intouch. I know exactly how you feel about the shopping. I pick things up in the supermarket and then remember that i'm cooking for one and then I feel overwhelmed again. I try to prepare meals and eat sensibly, but even the process of cooking for one feels sad.I do go out for lunch more now with my sister and friends, so I don't have to bother quite so much on an evening. I'm glad you talk to Michael. I talk all the time to Kevin ...asking his opinion, telling him about my day and any gossip.I mentioned to my sons that I still talk and include their Dad in my conversations and eldest son thought I was going alittle mad...but it gets me through the day and makes me feel close to him, so talk I will!!! As for the fairy lights my love. Fill the house with beautiful twinkling lights...i have! My girlfriends came for supper and Christmas card giving out last night and thought my home looked gorgeous and said Kevin would have approved...and that made me smile. I'm crying again Kazzie whilst I write this and this is how I am at the moment...laughing and crying in equal measures. We will get there my love...i'm learning skills I never knew I had every day, but it's small steps, one day at a time. Sending big hugs . XXX