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.
