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my husband is critically ill, i am terrified

377 replies

lemontruffles · 01/01/2013 04:38

My husband has severe copd (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and yesterday had a severe exacerbation. This means he couldn't breathe properly and is now in hospital.

He is on a ventilator, and not responding well to this treatment after about 40 hours on the ventilator. I am utterly terrified.

I've come home to try to sleep, but can't.

He is only 61. He is terrified too. I simply can't think straight and am in a new and appalling world where nothing is right and everything is terrifying. I can't stop shaking with fear. Please hold my hand.

OP posts:
MrsWolowitz · 02/01/2013 03:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mulledandmerry · 02/01/2013 03:59

So very sorry lemontruffles. My thoughts are with you x

lemontruffles · 02/01/2013 04:11

I have just come to bed and read the astonishing number of posts to me, thank every one of you who has so kindly taken the time to write to me. I am really touched and very grateful. I am also very grateful to northern for outlining some practical things I will need to start tomorrow.

My family and friends are being amazing. I asked them for 24 hour help for the next few days, and they have made a rota between themselves. I couldn't ask for more or better support.

But I haven't got any meaningful words for today because words seem to have lost all meaning. I keep saying things which have no meaning. Like, my husband died this morning. I was there. In fact, I told him how wonderful he is, in every way, then told him it was time to sleep, he was tired so just sleep now, and that was it, he stopped breathing. It was utterly peaceful, just him and me and his daughter.

But I simply cannot connect that person in that hospital bed with the man who lives in our home. Where is my husband? The words, my husband died, are without meaning to me. I can't believe it even though I was there, its surreal.

Words just lose all their meaning.

Words cannot even start to express the feelings. Such a vast disconnect between what is coming out of my mouth and what is inside me, its so odd so terrible.

And yes, grief is like a vast silent inert stone inside your being. You can't think at all. Then its falling down through a bottomless space forever. Then lost in a tsunami of terror and panic and disbelief.

My husband is woven into a fabric with me. If he is gone, I am unravelled. I don't feel I exist now. He is part of me. He can't go, I ned him; he loves life, he was desperate to just get out of hospital and get home. So where is he? Why isn't he here?

Now I'm in bed, sooooo tired, but terrified to sleep and wake up and he's still not here and I have to start to understand that the bridge between my total disbelief that he's not alive, and the reality that he has died, might be breached. And I will be utterly alone, unravelled, bereft, terrified, desperate, grief itself, overwhelmed.

OP posts:
lemontruffles · 02/01/2013 04:14

You are all so kind to listen to me. These words are beyond hard to write down. But I must try to express something, who knows what or whether it will help, and knowing you are listening gives me some support, thank you all.

OP posts:
Astelia · 02/01/2013 04:19

I am so sorry lemon Sad xx

TanteRose · 02/01/2013 04:20

Oh sweetheart - your words are filled with love for your darling husband

I am so so sorry for your loss Sad

cafecito · 02/01/2013 04:21

Lemon I'm so sorry to read what has happened. My thoughts are with you.

cafecito · 02/01/2013 04:23

It will be very surreal for some time. Let other people do as much to help you as they can. Or do it all yourself if you want to be busy. Do not be hesitant to as for help from friends and family, reach out to them or they won't know how to help you. Keep posting xx

NuzzleandScratch · 02/01/2013 04:23

I am so sorry for your loss Lemon.

ChippingInLovesChristmasLights · 02/01/2013 04:24

Oh my love - I wish I could just hold you. I can barely see the screen for crying now, that raw feeling is just so intense.

I am pleased that you were there and that it was peaceful for him - it might not mean much to you now, but in time it will bring you a small measure of comfort x

The shock, the disconnect, the stone... you have described it so acurately :(

It is all consuming, overwhelming - I found it like a video playing in my head alongside all my thoughts.

The exhaustion, then not sleeping - not wanting to sleep because you don't want to wake up again... it is all so so so awful :(

I wish I could take the pain from you - no-one should have to go through this.

I can't remember the words exactly, but someone said something like 'The pain of grief is the price we pay for loving and being loved and it's a price I'd pay over & over again to have known that love'

You are not alone
x

cafecito · 02/01/2013 04:28

northern gives good advice. You will get through this crushing loss, as much as you may not want to at times. Like chipping says, the pain you are feeling (mixed undoubtedly with utter horror and complete disbelief) is testament to your love for him and that love will continue forever.

trulymadlydeeply · 02/01/2013 04:36

So very sorry, Lemon. You write beautifully and so accurately that I have tears in my eyes.

I do so feel for you. The numb disbelief will keep you going through the next few days and weeks.

Best wishes and much love for your journey into a new and fundamentally altered world. We are all here to offer support and hand holding.

Look after yourself.

TMD x

lemontruffles · 02/01/2013 04:37

Chipping, you are right, no one, anyone, should have to go through this.

My husband was ill but full of life, plans, a sense of joy about life itself, he always, always did everything possible to make life better for all of us - me and 3 children. He cried earlier his year because he wasn't well enough to stand up and iron any more because he wanted youngest ds to always go looking super smart - we are poor, but ds would always look very smart.

Are these words real? Am I really telling you silly stories about my husband as though he isn't here? Thus just doesn't make any sense to me at all.

OP posts:
lemontruffles · 02/01/2013 04:38

I am so lonely

OP posts:
ChippingInLovesChristmasLights · 02/01/2013 04:42

It is so huge that your brain just can not compute what it is being told.

It is impossible to make sense of it.

Are you cuddling something of his? A t-shirt/jumper - something that smells like him?

Sweetiesmum · 02/01/2013 04:42

Lemontruffles I'm so sorry for your loss
I feel your grief and the very painful reality you are facing

((HUGS SENT FOR YOU))

Susieloo · 02/01/2013 04:44

I'm thinking of you lemon, everything I want to say sounds trite in the face of your grief. It's truly heartbreaking for you xxx

WildEyedAndHairy · 02/01/2013 04:55

I am so sorry for your loss lemontruffles

Trousersrolled · 02/01/2013 05:33

I'm so sorry, lemon.

MelodyBaker · 02/01/2013 07:34

So sorry. Xx

madasa · 02/01/2013 07:37

Oh lemon I'm so sorry

I am no good at links but when you are ready there is a service called 'Tell us once'

I believe it is a local authority service. You ring them once and they then inform many of the other people that need to know saving you doing it.

I used it when my dad died recently and it was helpful.

Thinking of you x

SageBush · 02/01/2013 07:41

I'm so sorry for your loss. Wishing you and your family strength and peace.

ChasedByBees · 02/01/2013 07:48

I'm so sorry Lemontruffles. My thoughts are with you and your family x

RockPaperScissorsLizardSpock · 02/01/2013 08:38

Hope you got some rest Lemon.
Just came on to give you a big virtual hug xxxx

RatherBeOnThePiste · 02/01/2013 08:41

I am so, so sorry.

Sending you much love and keeping you in my thoughts X

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