I am going to step back now and concentrate on me for a while. I joined in 2018 following my beloved hubby’s CABGX4 and following stroke. The forum has been a great support and source of information over the last 4+ years, and helped through the last 12 months following another HA, diagnosis of HF (no panic as I knew what it meant and made sure he never heard the ‘F’ word) and a second stroke this spring/summer.
His determination to get back to work in 2018 and to walk again following this years stroke was inspiring.
Sadly he passed away very, very suddenly last Monday and we have a huge hole in our hearts and our lives. He was sitting on the side of the bed one second and fell off with a huge crash the next - he had gone before he fell.
The other amazing person that I have cared for for the last 5 years, my 98 year old dad, also passed away this month, peacefully in his sleep. He has gifted his body to Dundee University for training purposes so for up to 3 years he will be helping to train our future doctors etc.
I wish all of you well whatever stage of your journey you have reached and thank you again for ‘ being here’.
Jane x
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Janma123
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So sorry to hear your sad news Janma and can understand your need for time for yourself.
If you ever feel like coming back to this forum, please do, as you can probably advise and support others with all that you have learnt re the heart and it's working.
I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am to hear your very sad news . Be kind to yourself & give yourself all the time you need to grieve and heal, the group will always be here if you need us. Much love to you xx
The wonders of medical science gave us many years together that we would maybe not have had without. In 2007 when Bob had his first HA, Aberdeen was one of the few hospitals able to do stents, he went down to the Cath Lab looking very grey with a heart that kept slowing right down and picking up again, he returned shortly afterwards with a normal “farmer”’ complexion.
Eleven years on, having worked hard and not really been particularly kind to himself, his heart was struggling and a trip to hospital for a blood test “just a precaution “, resulting in a month in hospital and a CABGx4. We had 4 more great years and he was able to work until this time last year.
He was able to see our “next but one generation “ grow from 1 to 9 and loved seeing his children and grandchildren. We celebrated 50 years together in the summer- we must have known we wouldn’t reach our Golden Wedding.
Medical science gave us a lot more than we could ever have hoped for.
I am so sorry to read your news this morning, as you know I lost my husband at the end of May so I can understand and feel just what you are going through. I am still working my way through my grief. Today is my birthday and the first without him, for you and I we will have lots of firsts!
All I can say is a day at a time, you get up in the morning and put one foot in front of the other.
Please come back to the forum if you feel like a blather!
Thank you Pauline, and best wishes for your birthday today. I thought of you when it happened as it was so similar to your experience.
I am grateful that Bob went so quickly and take huge comfort from knowing he didn’t suffer or linger as he would have hated that. He found it difficult being as dependent as he was following his last stroke.
I'm so sorry to hear of your losses. Take your time returning to 'normal daily things', be good to yourself (and no need to feel guilty for doing so after the super care you gave you dad and husband). Your contributions here will be missed and we hope you'll dip in at least now and then to say 'Hiya'!
Be sure to pack your: wellies, mac, brolly - we've been getting quite a lot of wet (and coldish) in my wee corner of the country, and some roads have been flooded to the point of causing lasting damage so you'll want to choose your route before leaving the house to come this way for a coffee
Tenacity and support are words that symbolise the support and encouragement I have received through these and the Couch to 5k pages of Health Unlocked following a stroke. It sounds to me they are apt, and I hope you can also capture the tenacity and strength to help you through this time of loss. Thank you for finding the words to close this chapter and sharing them with me, a complete stranger.
Hello Janma. I feel very sad after reading that Post. My Heart goes out to you! Sounds as though you have had a very tough time :(. A bit of time to grieve for your losses and to look after yourself is the best thing you can do. Take Care X
My condolences in your loss, and however hard that was for you, your husband was lucky to go like he did-far better than gradually getting worse before your eyes. My 84 yr old sister visited from the States last autumn with her family -she should never have come really as she had been in hospital in Memphis only a month before for an ablation which did not work. She was discharged with oxygen on a temp basis, decided that was the way to and flew here in sept. She was fine for a few days then started becoming vague and unable to concentrate and drifting off. After 5 days we called 999 as she was so poorly and the paramedics finally persuaded her to go to hospital, where she died five days later. She had her wish to come ‘home’ one last time and was repatriated back to the States. My reason for saying all this, is that a sudden death is far better for all concerned than hanging on can ever be. It might sound hard but that’s what I believe.
I agree with you wholeheartedly and it is because I know that he didn’t linger and wasn’t suffering that I am feeling ok. I still have our dog for company too!
Dear Janma123
I have followed your beloved husbands journey through your eyes, your love and your devotion.
I am so pleased that this forum was able to help you with that journey and my sincere condolences at its outcome.
What a magnificent hard fought for journey it has been and now indeed it is your time.
Time to fit yourself into this incredible life without your husband and your dear Dad.
Their memories and love will guide you through this bad part then onto the joy you will have with the rest of your family and friends.
My thoughts are with you,
Thank you for sharing your questions, fears and love.
But most of all thank you for giving us an inside to how the both of you were affected by this illness.
Thank you Blue 1958. It has been a journey but a very inspiring one and I take a lot of comfort in that although it was a shock to us when Bob went so suddenly, for him it was instant.
I will come back it the future to see how everyone is doing.
Jane I am so sorry for your loss of both your dad and beloved husband.
There is no doubt the suddenness of husband's death has made the loss even harder to deal with.
He sounded as if he was a very determined man which must have made you all proud.
You deal with your grief however you need and I hope you can feel some kind of peace in the future.
I hope at some time you feel able to pop into this community as you have a lot of experience to share with other spouses in the same situation as well as getting any support you need.
Take care of yourself Jane time to recharge your own batteries.
Dear Janma123, I'm sorry for your loss. Your husband was obviously a great man. And to lose your dad too in the same period must be very hard for you. Best wishes, Steve x
I was really sad when I read your news this morning Jane. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all the family at this time. May all the happy memories you have help you through the coming months and years.
Hello Janma123 I am so sorry that you have lost both your husband and dad in such a short spell. It’s simply a dreadful and sad time for you but I echo everyone’s kind words to you, thoughts and prayers and wish you well for your future along with lots of happiness once again. Treasure your time with the rest of your family, good friends and of course your little dog. Talk about how you feel to those close to you and never stop talking about those you’ve lost. They may have left this world but they will never leave your heart. Stay strong, sending love to you ❤️🧚🏼♀️
Oh Jane, I'm so sorry to hear this. What a lot you have had to contend with. Yes time for YOU now. Make sure you look after yourself, I hope that you have some support to help you through the months ahead. X
Oh my goodness. So much for you to take in losing 2 precious people so close together. I really hope the love and support of friends and family see you through this extremely sad and difficult time. Special thoughts for you from me xxxxx
Jane you are amazingly strong. My deepest sympathies for both your losses. I too lost my husband this February suddenly from a brain haemorrhage. Still struggling with the grief.
Condolences to you and your family. You do need to concentrate on yourself now. Just do what you want to do and whatever gets you through.
6 years since my beloved husband died the same way as yours he sat on the bed fell back and was gone. So it is a big shock no matter how Ill he had been. My dad died 45 years ago and I still think of him every day. Like your dad I have left my body to St Andrews medical school in the hope that my conditions will provide some help with research.
Take time to process your grief. Play all the songs and music you both enjoyed and visit the places you loved. I wish you all the best and peace.
Dear Jane. Just to say heartfelt condolences in the loss of your dear husband and dad. I am so glad you celebrated 50 years together. Look after yourself x
You all sound and amazing family and towers of strength to each other. What your dad has done for others is amazing and so are his 98 years. Your husband clearly a fighter may he and your dad be at peace
Now you, I’m glad you say it’s focus on you now and wish you love and luck for the future x
My condolences, such a hard time.Don't forget every one is still here for you , even if you just want a chat or a friendly word , no matter when you need it. Everyone will still be hear for you.
So sorry to hear of your losses. I'm glad the forum helped you get through the bad times previously. You could stay and lurk in the background - you may be able to still help others xx
How awful for you. This has clearly been an emotional 4 year struggle for you. None of us ever know the minute and, of course, that's just as well. At least his final struggle against all of his trials is now run, and he is at peace. Hopefully you too can find some relief and release from the burdens you have carried when the grief starts to abate a little and you remember the good times that went before. Good luck and good health. I hope that you will rediscover some leisure time in your life.
Im so so sorry to hear your sad news. My heartfelt sympathy to you. Please be assured of love and support from all here. Be gentle with yourself and take all the time you need. May your beloved hubby and dad rest peacefully. Hugs and prayers for you and your family.💕🙏🙏🙏
So sorry for you and your family. I have lost loved ones but they always "live" in my memories ... sometimes quite vividly. So they often pop in in my head, sometimes everyday. Hope that that this thought might help you. Do take care
so sad to read this and my heart goes out to you ❤️ please do make sure to spend lots of times focusing on you and your needs now and enjoy every moment ❤️
So sorry to hear your news and that sounds very understandable to take time out. Hope you get that space for yourself. Sounds like you've had quite the time of it, culminating in such a sad shock. One step at a time now.Your post is inspiring despite the obvious sadness. It's good to hear someone making a positive decision for themselves. 🌸🌸🌸
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Thank you for advice 
Thank you everyone 
THANK YOU TO MY HF Nurse Helen. 
Thank you Donation to the British Heart Foundation
