newbie
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2008
- Messages
- 30
- Reason
- CALS
- Diagnosis
- 06/2008
- Country
- US
- State
- wa
- City
- Lynnwood
My beloved husband Jim (age 64) passed away on 10/4/09, seventeen months after diagnosis. It drove me mad taking care of him, the relentless escalation of his care needs. Now, it's a very strange world without him in it. He struggled with Bulbar onset and progressive weakness that finallly, two weeks ago, left him unable to move; then he came down with pneumonia. We'd discussed his wishes about not going "heroic" but did treat with antibiotics through the PEG tube in hopes he would recover enough to attend his retirement party after 40 years of service. He got significantly worse over the next two days and was unable to go to the party, but some co-workers brought the party to him. By that time, we'd had to increase meds for his breathing and comfort to the point that he was not conscious. But, I do hope he heard all the nice things they had to say. It's not a shock, but it is a blow... his death. We had 23 great years before the struggle with this disease began. He passed away two months short of our 25th wedding anniversary. It's hard to be grateful for what you've had when you liked it so much you wanted more - like wanting to go back to your favorite beach! I wish him God Speed, though I will always yearn for him... his laughter, encouragement, forgiveness, support, kisses, teasing, work ethic, loyalty, tender heart, fortitude, gentleness and strength. He had a really "green thumb" and a friend gave him a sign that said a garden is a little piece of heaven fallen to earth. I expect that heavenly garden will be spectacular with Jim tending it!
