LIZBRAD

My darling Geoff died on Sunday 14th November 2010

2010-11-20T03:00:17Z

After fighting mesothelioma for 2 years without one word of anger or complaint with the greatest sense of humour imaginable, my darling Geoff died in my arms surrounded by our much loved family at 2.30pm on Sunday 14th November 2010.

I was able to nurse him at home apart from 2 spells in St Oswalds hospice in Gosforth,for pain control. Our hospice is amazing and helped us survive many times along with our Mac nurse and Marie curie, Our Gp and district nurses where with us all over the weekend of Geoffs death and we were supported continuously.

Because of high dose of a particaular steriod near the end Geoff was unable to follow his wish to donate his corneas so instead he became a Multiple organ and tissue donor for research and teaching. Because of other illness, chemo, etc his corneas were the only thing he could have donated to a live person. This was very dissapointing for us although by being able to agree to research donation we know his life will still help hundreds of people in the future. We live in Northumberland and he had to be taken down to St. James hospital in Leeds to have this donation carried out. We received Geoff back in our chapel of rest yesturday and were able to see him again. It gives me greatcomfort knowing he helped so much after his death as that was just the sort of person he was.

I have not been on the site for a good few months as I needed to spend all my time being with Geoff, so have not caught up with anyone for ages. I hope for all of you that your fight has continued and you are in my thoughts and prayers. Lizbrad xx

Just an update

2010-05-29T19:26:32Z

Hi everyone and old friends on the site. I have not been posting for ages as I want to spend as much time as possible with Geoff while we still have this time together. For those who don`t know about me, my husband was diagnoised Oct. 2008 with a few months to a year prognoisis. Well whoever is watching over us (most likley the God I have always believed in) is doing a great job. Geoff although obviously very poorly this far down the line of meso is still on a good day (like today) is still able to go out for a couple of hours.He still stays positive and his sense of humour is amazing and still has never complained about being ill. He did have a terrible period a few months ago where he became very depressed and slept most of the time. This was changed once he was given a mask for sleep apnea which we know he was tested for and medication changes. We have had some very worrying periods of total confussion which time varies in length. The cancer is more in the lunng than it was but has only spread slowly. Luckily at present he is having a very good spell although does tire very easily, though pushes himself to still go out on good days for our lunch. He attends a Hospice one day a week which means I can catch up with friends and it does him good to have a change of scene. The hospice is such a wonderful place full of laughter and never dull, he silk paints there and has just brought me silk painted cushion he made. The staff do the sewing parts of it. We still continue to have excellant support from our G.P surgery our hospital consultant and lung nurse specialist not forgetting our district nurse and mac. nurse. We have a carer to help with the bathroom on a morning. We have a hospital bed at home and just this week had an air matress provided which does prevent any pressure sores. As you all know that the weight just drops away. He is waiting to go into the hospice to have his pain control meds changed yet again. all in all things could be worse. Each day is a blessing.

old friends on site I send my love and hope things are still ok with you all. Even though I don`t come on line very often I do still think and prayer for you all. Love LIZBRAD xx

Trial and Error

2009-09-30T19:27:55Z

I am sending this not even knowing what I`m doing. Is this the same as our old Share site posting? I have sent email to Help section as I am tottally confused with this new site. I have only been learning the computor since husband was ill (October 2008) and felt as if I`d mastered the Share site but now!!!!!!! I`m totally useless please advise!!!! LIZBRAD