i met a 90yo woman with leukemia today who was admitted to my service for pneumonia and acute MI. this sweet, little old woman who actually looked much younger than her 90 years. she is quite sick -- but also very depressed. her husband died 5 weeks ago.
we were married 63 years.
we were married 63 years.
it was a very good marriage.
we were just right for each other.
just right.
poor, dear woman. i felt so sorry for her. my staff, who is not usually someone others would describe as a warm man, sat on her bed and held her hand as her eyes started to get all wet. she was saying that ever since she was diagnosed with leukemia - her and her husband both thought that she would be the one to die first. instead, he did.
poor, dear woman. i felt so sorry for her. my staff, who is not usually someone others would describe as a warm man, sat on her bed and held her hand as her eyes started to get all wet. she was saying that ever since she was diagnosed with leukemia - her and her husband both thought that she would be the one to die first. instead, he did.
we were walking back to the cancer center and my staff told me how he has noticed this scene many, many times --
husbands can't live without their wives. even though you think one has a worse prognosis and will die sooner, it's always the one who can't live without the other that will end up dying first.
husbands can't live without their wives. even though you think one has a worse prognosis and will die sooner, it's always the one who can't live without the other that will end up dying first.
i was thinking to myself that some people don't even live 63 years -- let alone be married for 63 years.
if you are lucky, you will find the person that is just right for you.
and maybe you will be lucky enough to spend 63 years or a lifetime together.
so sweet...
ReplyDeletewe were hit with this over the weekend as Kevin's dad was taken to the hospital Friday night - turned out to be a mini-stroke. He is fine now, but it shook everyone up a bit because his mom is the one fighting many illnesses. They have been married over 40 years, and the thoughts of loosing one first and what that would do to the other weighed heavy on our minds...
you never know...I guess you have to be grateful for every moment you have with loved ones.
kudos to you and your staff for being there for this lady... how sad she must be.
Wow. Heart breaking.
ReplyDeleteI cannot fathom the pain of that woman.
If life continues as it is now, And we live into our 90s, Jason and will have well over 60 years of marriage. Heck, after only 10 years, I think losing him could destroy me. I have always assumed I would go first. Which is weird, but true.
Love is a funny/scary/wonderful thing.
She is so sad, but man, she is so lucky.
Thanks for sharing this story Hien! Really makes me appreciate more what I have! You brought tears to my eyes!!
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