As some of you know my wife died March 5 (the day before my Dad’s birthday) at the age of 46 from pneumonia, and in combination with a heart attack she had two months earlier that no one even knew she had - exactly one week after an operation on her esophagus. She wasn’t in the best shape having systematic lupus (an inflammatory autoimmune disorder); a horrible disease that only gets worse as time goes by, but can’t help think that if they just would have kept her for a couple more days after the operation (Feb 26, and discharged Feb 28) for observation knowing she had lupus – I think they would have caught it before it progressed.
We called the doctor on Thursday 4th because she wasn’t breathing quite right, and they said it was “normal” after that type of surgery, and to call back if it got worse. She was starting to feel really bad Friday 5th so I called the hospital, and told them we were on our way. As we were getting into the car she collapsed, and I called 911. She died in my arms before the paramedics got here – I started CPR till they got there, but they couldn’t bring her back, and took her to the hospital. I got there just in time to hear them pronounce her dead at about 4:30 pm 3/5.
It’s hard to imagine this level of pain/shock after knowing her 22 years, and married a little over 20 years (Aug 19, 1989); then in the next day or two having to choose a cemetery, the burial plot, and the worst part – having to pick a casket. I couldn’t do it, and didn’t even want to see it so my brother and sister did that for me. I could not bear to see her dead in a box so she was buried, and we had a memorial service for her. I couldn’t handle a memory of her lifeless body in a box. My sister helped me with the obituary and eulogy I also had to write.
We are both believers so I know where she’s at, and I know her main concern would be the animals; her kitty she rescued after almost dying, 2 dogs, and 8 rabbits.
I haven’t touched my basses since, but I’m sure it will come back after time.
Thank you all for the nice comments/support in the original thread I posted. I miss being here at TB - my favorite site, but I just don’t have much to say right now. It will take time.
Guys – love your wives with all your heart because you’ll never know when something could go drastically wrong, and in the blink of an eye - your whole world has ended as you know it, and you’re forced down a different road you never wanted to travel.
David Lee
Obituary plus more info on April >
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tri...&pid=140702325
Here are some pictures from some of her birthday parties at Moms a few years back:
