At 3.18pm yesterday on the 31st January 2014, my dear sweet gorgeous husband passed on. The only relief is that by him passing, that feckin tumour lost its blood supply too.... so I am very happy about that. ************ I am going to blog today about death, if you are reading this but not in the right headspace to deal with the death part, please stop reading now. I know 1 yr ago, I couldn't read about what was going to happened to Ben, it was just to heartbreaking********** Ben requested many months ago (and also confirmed recently) that he would like to die at home, as long as the girls were not disturbed. So on Thursday night it became apparent that the end was getting nearer. I called his parents to come over & advised them they were more than welcome to sleep here. He had what sounded like pneumonia and was coughing & choaking, his lungs were giving up. He was given more morphine by the amazing silverchain nurse, and discussed that tomorrow his pain pump would be increased substantially. We sat, talked, watched, cuddled & kissed him all night until about 1am. His dad went home to sleep, & his mum stay here. He slept peacefully (and I managed a couple of hours sleep) until he started to get restless again. I managed this with clonazpam until the silverchain day nurse arrived at 11 to increase the pump. The family came back together to his bedside vigil, I pointed out that his breathing was now all abdomen as his swallow & gag reflexes had gone, and his hands were very very cold. We knew it wasn't long. His bestfriend called me, and I told him, if he wanted to come, the time would be now. He arrived just after lunch. Ben struggled, and had laboured breathe for hours, until 3pm came. It was then he started to change his breathing, he was like a mechanical pump- in and out in and out- all timed perfectly, had you closed your eyes you would have thought it was mechanical. Then in and out and a little hicc, every couple of minutes, then that little hicc increased and increased and increased. I layed across his chest (which is were I always landed when upset) playing with the hair on his chest, and holding his hand till the end. He took his last breath, and I felt a wave of energy wash over me. Almost like his spirit kissed me on the way up. I sat with him for hours, I washed him, I kissed him, I cuddled him. The girls came & went for the entire time, they kissed him and I talked about how he looked as he started to change colour. She then stood up, and demanded we take down all her & her sisters drawings & paintings that were stuck up for him and demanded that they must go with him, as they were his treasures. Even when the funeral directors came, I watched them wrap him up and place him on the trolley. By this time friends & family had all arrived to say goodbye, and my dearest husband, my best friend, my soul mate was pushed through the alley of people including his two daughters. The girls called out as the shut the door, "Bye bye daddy, Bye Bye" I love Ben to the moon & back. I'm am so devasted to have lost my soul mate. I know in time I will be ok. I'm kinda ok now. But shit..Robbed of the most important person in our house.
6 Comments
maddie86
Contributor
Im so sorry Melanie. Ive not been on here for a year and a half but just started reading your story... Im just so so sorry.... X my husband died pretty much the same way from colon cancer. He was 25 and we had no kids. You will find now, you will feel ever so sad but relieved. I felt guilty at feeling relief but i did. I missed him Like crazy, still do but didn't miss the cancer!! As i write to u now I'm writing while my lovely boyfriend is beside me asleep... My life now is wonderful and my partner has helped my grief. I know you still must be in shock, i was like that for weeks i even ended up in hospital. His family were a pack of as***les so i have no contact with them now. I miss him every single day but I'm a lot happier than i was... Life seems how it should.., please feel free to message me anytime, i will help you anyway i can! My condolences to you and your family..... Maddie xxxooo
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SILLY
Super Contributor
My condolences to you ,your girls and the rest of the family .
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tatsoi
Contributor
melanie...how sad 😞 and a beautiful story also my father had gbm also and i was fortunate to be nearby during his death...i sat with him during his last hours and just after he passed away. it was such a special time. what amazing daughters you have! glad you have them and they you look after each other xx
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Not applicable
My condolences to you and family
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Jill_CCNSW
Cancer Council NSW
Hi Melanie, This is a tough time for you, I hope that you are coping with everything presented to you in the last few days and that your girls are also OK. Your blog took me back 22 years to when I was 30, with two young boys and also witnessing my soul mate passing.....your words gave me goosebumps, reminding me of those final moments with my husband.......a rough patch of life. You are correct, in time it will be OK, however the presence of one so close to you never seems to leave you. I still love my husband (even though I have remarried). I hope you understand where I'm coming from!! Wishing you and your family comfort at this time. Jill.
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Minx
Contributor
Oh Hun So familiar, and fresh in my mind. Take care of your girls they truly will be what helps you get through each day. Screw cancer taking our soulmates and dads away from their kids. Min
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