I'll be 82 in October. Although brought up in the UK (Torquay) I spent several years in Germany (where I'm now living in a town near Dueren) and many years in Texas and Florida (USA). In mid July 2024 in the evening while eating supper my wife Karin suddenly couldnt talk properly. At first I thought she was joking around but then I realized this was serious and guided her to our bedroom and helped her into bed. I called the emergency doctor and ambulance. After a thorough examination he determined that she should be taken to the nearby hospital which had a neurologicad/stroke specialty. The next day I was told that she had 3 brain tumors - glioblatoma grade IV. The neurologist requested her transfer to the hospital's hospiz. (I'd never even heard of 'hospiz' and didn't know what that really meant. She was visited by her best friend and they played cards together nearly every day. The hospiz offered me free meals so I spent each day from early morning to early evening with her. Karin enjoyed being pushed around the hospital grounds and having an ice cream in the cafeteria. On her birthady August 23rd she lost interest in getting out of bed. On August 27 at 01:00 she passed away. I still have great difficulty coming to terms with this. I live alone in an apartment in a house which she owned. I cry a lot and I talk to a large framed photo of her very frequently during the day. I have learnt quitye a lot about glioblastomas and have come to the conlusion that her suffering must have been quite a lot shorter than other people who suffered much longer than she did. I also read a great book on my Amazon Kindle written by a long term survivor. Unfortunately there is not really any support/group near me. So I was happy to find this group on the internet. Sorry for the lenght of my 'introduction'.
HI FlyBoy
a warm welcome to the community. Thank you for sharing your story. So very sorry for your loss. A Glioblastoma journey is a tough one.
I supported my late husband through the 3 years of his GBM journey. He was 50 when he was first diagnosed. We had been together for 35 years and married for 28 of those so I can empathise with a lot of what you have said.
Grief is a strange journey and one that at times I feel I am still navigating. (G passed away peacefully in Oct 2023) I wrote a community blog for MacMillan that gave my take on grief. Here's the link
“Grief comes in waves”: Coping with the loss of a partner - Macmillan Online Community
Within the online community there is a support group for bereaved spouses that might offer you some comfort. Here's the link (+) Bereaved spouses and partners forum | Macmillan Cancer Support
This is a safe and supportive space so please reach out here anytime. There's always someone about to listen who gets it, someone to hold your hand and to offer a virtual hug when its needed. You're not alone. We've got you.
It’s always good to talk so please remember that you can also call the Macmillan Support Services on 0808 808 00 00 - most services are open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week Clicking here to see what is available. This service provides lots of cancer information, emotional support, benefit and financial guidance or just a listening ear.
love and light and hugs
Wee Me xx
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
