Getting Reacquainted

[Vi Schorpp]

I was diagnosed on 4/4/03 and became familiar with this board shortly thereafter...I would post once in a blue moon, but mostly read the posts. I will shortly have more time to get involved. After a lengthy illness, my husband passed away on April 9, 2006.

My husband wanted to be at home, and we had hospice for 11 days. Gut-wrenching and beautiful. My daughter was incredible and I could not have done it without her. In addition, I'm one of 10 siblings and my siblings all shared in the last few intense weeks. When I talked to them about my thanks, one sister sobbed and said please don't thank me. It was a privilege and an honor to help take care of Cliff. My other sister and brother-in-law came home from Melbourne, Australia, three days before he passed. My family always treated my husband like a brother. They did no less for him than they would for me and I am so grateful. Exactly one week before he died he called me over to the edge of the bed where he was sitting and gave me a big kiss and a big hug. He said he's never met a family to do so much for one person as my family. This was not new to him, he was just restating it for the one millionth time. They loved him dearly. My siblings put together a video of my husband's life from his birth pictures through the end of his life. It was beautiful. He was a beautiful baby, pictures with his siblings, his parents, our wedding (we would have been married 32 years 5/18th), our two kids, and two grandkids. My son picked the song Hero by Foo Fighters for Cliff's early years through his two tours of duty through Vietnam. So fitting. I picked Over the Rainbow by Israel K. and Bring Him Home from Les Mis for my selections. My daugher picked I Will Remember You and In the Arms of the Angels. All of us thougt we couldn't have picked music more personal for the accompanying pictures. It was fabulous.

While we are so sad, we are so proud and grateful that we had the resources and support to let him die at home. It was a gift, because that's what he wanted. No one will ever love me like my husband did for 34 years. I willl miss his hugs...when he hugged you, you knew you were hugged!

Thanks for listening. Vi

[DeborahNC]

((Darling Vi))

Holding you close. Your post was sorrowful and beautiful at once. What a truly awesome family you have and sweet memories of a so very beloved husband. Your relationship sounds like two souls entwined and I am so sorry for you that it ended all too soon.

[Barbara H.]

Dear Vi,
Thank you for sharing your story. It sounds as if you both have wonderful families and support. We all have to go though loss, and it helps to hear how one can get through it.
At the same time I'm so sorry for your loss.
Barbara H.

[saleboat]

Dear Vi,

I am very sorry to hear of your loss, and very moved by the experience that you shared.

Jen

[chrislmelb]

My sympathies to you and your family Vi.

Christine

[TriciaK]

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful, moving story! It is inspirational and especially touching as we all mourn with Al and his beloved Linda. Thank you again taking time to share this with all of us. Hugs, Tricia

[Ginagce]

for sharing your experience. I am truly sorry for your loss.

Several years ago I too brought my husband home to die with the loving care of family and hospice.

I will pray that your journey forward is one of healing, and hope that you are comforted by the fact that you took such good care of your husband and he was surrounded by so much love at the end.

God Bless

Ginagce

[Ginagce]

And thank you for reminding me of something I hadn't thought about in awhile, my husband's fierce hugs. I do miss them and still consider myself the luckiest girl alive to have had them.

[Kim in CA]

Dear Vi,

Your story was so touching and sad. My husband and I will celebrate 33 years of marriage this Sept. He has been my biggest supporter and I don't know what I'd do without him. I'm glad that Hospice was such a help for you. I know that both my husband and myself would want to be at home when the time comes.

Love to you and your family, Kim