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Katy66

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Everything posted by Katy66

  1. Katy66

    Sad day today...

    Haven't been on the site in a long time, just haven't been able to bring myself to visit much since Gene passed away. Just happened to drop in today and saw your post. Thoughts are prayers are with you as you face this sad anniversary!
  2. Co-survivor and still here occasionally. I like co-survivor much better than widow as well. Of course I went nuts at my daughter's dentist office this week because they only had married, single or divorced to choose from. When I told them I was none of those but a widow they said I should just pick single. "But I'm not single, I'm a WIDOW" I felt really strange fighting to use that term when I hate it so badly but darn it I'm not single. Sorry, I'm going a little nuts with it again
  3. And isn't it great to have those friends and family who don't say "let me know what I can do" but they just come and they do? Never once did I have to say to my sister and brother in law, I need "this". They just did things they knew I needed and left me to take care of what I needed to focus on. Oh and there were the dear friends that made sure I had few meals to cook in the 19 months of Gene's treatments.
  4. Judy, I'm so sorry, my heart goes out to you all. You always hear people say that God doesn't give us more than we can bear but sometimes I just have to wonder, this seems like more than anyone can bear. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Katy
  5. Oncologist should be able to provide you with a script for duragesic patches. If there is a palliative care provider in your area you might want to check into that. Most are associated with a hospice but they provide a different level of care, mainly pain management and chronic disease management.
  6. Sounds like a great trip! I'm so proud of you for your committment to raise awareness for Lung Cancer.
  7. I bet Deb will let you know when it is someone she approves of!
  8. Randy, Gene actually gave me the okay before he died. At dinner one night he told me he didn't "want me acting like his Mom". His Dad died when she was in her early 50's and she never dated anyone. Gene worried alot about her being lonely. Of course I wasn't ready to hear that then but it does help to know that he feels that way. I also think he wanted to have the discussion then because Cassie was with us. I think he wanted her to know that he would be okay with me meeting someone. His brother and sister very much against his mother dating, and he felt that was why she didn't
  9. I'm so proud of me, I said yesterday I was going to start checking this thread and here I am. 80 degrees in Asheville, NC today and sunny. Like you Bud we had bad storms last night and possiblity for some this evening. I'm hoping they miss us tonight. Between my 8 year old joining me in bed because she is scared and the dog pacing around the room because of thunder I didn't get a lot of sleep. Annette, it sounds like our jobs are similar, only mine in healthcare. You're right fun some days but others not so! Eric, congrats on your retirement. When are you coming to America? I can't imagine what you are going through with Sally, so sorry you are dealing with this. I should be working on this mountain of a project so I should say bye for now!
  10. Ry, It has been 6 short months since my husband died, I'm not even close to thinking about dating yet. But what you said about the guilt and not feeling single really resonates with me. I've had those well meaning friends say "Oh you'll meet someone" and when they do, I can't help but think how can I date, I'm married? So what you said doesn't sound weird at all.
  11. Good Afternoon, What a great thread of posts! I need to start coming here more. All is nice in the mountains of NC today, beautiful weather! Still at work right now but headed out a little early to pick up my new TV. The other just crashed on me and I moved the bedroom TV into the living room. Just too darn small and I had gotten so used to a TV in bedroom on those sleepless nights that I'm treating myself to a brand new one. Cassie is going with me and we are having dinner out tonight. Different for a school night but we have to treat ourselves occassionally Hope you all have a great rest of the day!
  12. Eric, How right you are! There are those people with an MD after their name who think they can hand out timelines. Gene's pulmonary doc told us 3 months, what a jerk and how wrong he was!!! I might add that he said that with a huge wad of bubble gum in his mouth. How utterly disrespectful and unprofessional. Thankfully we found a wonderful oncologist who was positive and practically refused to talk the "stats" with us. He believed everyone is different! Bambinokid, sounds like your Dad has that same kind of oncologist, consider your lucky to have found that an MD like that. Focus on making today the best it can be!
  13. Katy66

    Six Months

    Annette you're right, she is a good friend and I do know that she was trying to help me through that day, that circumstance. That's the other part of this process I don't like, things or comments I wouldn't have given a second thought stick in my mind and can make me so angry or sad. Thanks Ronnie, yes we all have to try to be happy sometimes. KatieB, I sometimes wish I was one of those people that dates and times didn't stick in my mind but on the other hand we wouldn't remember those good times either. You are all such great support, thank you!!!!!
  14. Katy66

    Six Months

    Thanks everyone. Sometimes knowing that I'm normal helps, at least as normal as someone who just lost their spouse can be:) I know 6 months isn't a long time but I'm just so tired. I've always been the positive one, the glass half full is my way of thinking and that is gone. I guess if I'm being honest one of my big issues at 6 months was that not a single family member or friend acknowledged it. Don't get me wrong, I didn't expect our 8 year old daughter to think about the date but it just seems like someone else would. I even saw his mother that day and she didn't say a word. When I did mention it to a friend she was supportive but then had to throw in "You'll get through this". I really don't think I will. This is not a cold or the flu that you get over. Losing your spouse is with you forever. I mean I know it won't always be this consuming but it will always be there. Ronnie, I've not been strong enough to go through any of Gene's things yet. I walk in his shop with all his woodworking tools, things I don't need and will never use, but I can't part with them yet. I feel closest to him when I'm there in his spot. I moved his clothes to the back of the closet but they are still there. The only thing I've done anything with was his medications and I trashed them the day after the funeral, he hated all the medicine so much I felt like I was doing that for him. Wow, things are just spilling out here... sorry for the rambling. Good thing I've got an appointment with my bereavement counselor this afternoon. Again, thank you all for your kind words. Sorry we have to be here finding our way!
  15. Katy66

    Six Months

    It is so hard for me to believe that last Friday marked six months since Gene passed away. I still feel as if I'm on a roller coaster of emotions. I go through the motions of my life and everyone tells me how amazingly strong I am..well, I don't feel very strong. Don't get me wrong, I have some days that are better than others but then for some unknown reason I have a day or two or five where I crash. Usually I hold it in until I'm alone or with my family but then I cry at the drop of a hat, my body aches with the sadness, the loss just becomes so prevalent again in my thoughts.
  16. It is not too soon! You have given yourself time and space to grieve the physical loss of your husband. You hold him in your heart as you continue with your life. I think it is wonderful that you have found a friend that can support you and makes you happy. Everyone is right, your husband wants you to be happy!
  17. Katy66

    Made it..........

    Saturday was a wonderful celebration of Gene's life and though difficult, very healing for me. I'm grateful for my family who shared in such a beautiful day.
  18. Katy66

    Barb

    So sorry for your loss.
  19. Katy66

    Made it..........

    through another first. My dear husband's birthday was yesterday, he would have been 55. I took the day off from work and my daughter stayed home from school. We took new spring flowers to the cemetary and talked to each other and Gene; lit a candle at home; and just spent a lot of time remembering. I'm glad to say that the vast majority of the memories were of happier times, not more recent illness and struggle. Saturday is the official celebration of his life with family and a few close friends. My 8 year old daughter's idea that I've been struggling with it until this week. Gene always said that after his funeral he wanted a party and I just wasn't able to do that in November. Saturday is the party he wanted. All his favorite foods, toasts made to his favorite beer and a few balloons with messages released. Only tears of happy memories!!!!
  20. Katy66

    Three years

    Laurie, You can't imagine how encouraging your post is to me dealing with my husband's death only 5 months ago. Thank you!
  21. Katy66

    Another Chapter

    Ronnie, I applaud you for the very loving way that you went through Pat's things. Carefully selecting those items that are most important and meaningful to you and allowing her other belongings to go for the benefit of others is truly wonderful. Such a hard task that I'm not quite ready to do yet. It weighs on my mind that the day will evenutally come. Katy
  22. Katy66

    Spring Sadness

    Thanks Katie and Randy, Gene was the gardener in our family. There is a beautiful weeping cherry in full bloom right in my front yard. I cry every time I see it!
  23. Katy66

    Spring Sadness

    Does anyone else seem to feel particularly sad with the onset of spring? Things are turning green and beginning to bloom here in NC and while beautiful, the cold and dark days of winter matched my mood so much better. It has been 5 months since Gene died and I just had a birthday, the first since his passing, and his birthday is coming up in early April. So many "anniversaries" too, both good and bad. Spring is when Gene and I met, when I lost my mother 23 years ago, when he was diagnosed with lung cancer.... I just feel so overwhelmed with emotion.
  24. Reading through this trail of posts is comforting, that I'm not the only one, and scary that it is going to continue to be so hard for so long. What a hard and unwelcome journey we are all on! I've become so good at hiding behind my mask. My work friends and aquantances tell me all the time they are amazed at my strength... well if they only knew! I know each of you understands. My bereavement counselor tells me you have to do the "work of grieving" and that I should "allow myself to feel the pain". Sending you all many blessings.
  25. How sweet and comforting for you to see your Mom in your daughter. That is beautiful! My daughter has asked me if I see her Dad when I look at her, and yes I do. I see her wonderful uniqueness but I see him so clearly.
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