Diana I am sorry to hear of your loss. But i expect he is in a better place now. You have been such a good witness to me and others for the last few years. It is people like you that make this blog and Alz Message Bd so successful. Hope you don't leave us. My prayers are for you.
Oh, how very, very sad! Your loss was certainly unexpected, and our family will hold you in our prayers. Please find your strength in knowing that you were his comfort through all of this. Let his heavenly presence be your strength now. Hugs.
What is syncope? Syncope (pronounced "sin-ko-pea") is the brief loss of consciousness and posture caused by a temporary decrease in blood flow to the brain. Syncope may be associated with a sudden fall in blood pressure, a decrease in heart rate or changes in blood volume or distribution. The person usually regains consciousness and becomes alert right away, but may experience a brief period of confusion.
Syncope is a common condition, affecting 3 percent of men and 3.5 percent of women at some point in life. It becomes more prevalent with advancing age, occurring in as many as 6 percent of people over age 75. Syncope affects patients of all ages, both with and without other medical conditions.
Syncope is often the result of an underlying medical condition that could be related to your heart, nervous system or blood flow to the brain.
Diana, I mourn with you and your children. Your situation is so much different than mine because Hank would have been 84 and you have young children devistated by this disease. Peace and rest now and eventually time to enjoy the life you have.
Thank you all for your kind messages for the kids and I. It is 5 days now, but of course we are still numb. Realizations come in waves. What I think makes it more difficult to "realize/accept" is that we had not seen Paul for a full week, because he was admitted to a Gero-Psych unit for medication adjustment. It was 115 miles away and with school we couldn't go up during the week. We planned to see him Saturday, and head out early......but that final call came just after 4:35 a.m.
Paul wanted cremation, and felt funerals were for the living. He's right. Although I initially wanted just cremation, and have a private family celebration of life our two girls feel a small memorial now will help them with closure. They each wanted to see him privately, and then have a simple memorial after his cremation. To coordinate all of that his daughter will fly in next Thursday. We will have a viewing Friday morning. Cremation will be Friday afternoon, and his ashes will be ready for us to have a memorial service Saturday afternoon.
I am from Santa Barbara, and Paul lived and worked there for over 30 years. It's where all our kids were born (his, mine, and ours), and where we married and had our first home together. Everyone in the family says we know Santa Barbara is where he would want to be. I have ordered memento (tiny) urns for all of his children so they each will have a tiny bit of his ashes no matter where they live. Come summer we plan to caravan with some other family members and "Take him home." His urn is engraved with birds in flight, and the pattern is titled "GOING HOME."
No matter what, there's almost never time to "say goodbye" but I truly know how hard it is. It sounds like you're coping and going on. I know you'll survive! Our thoughts have been with you all along.
Dear Diana, I have thought about you all week....I feel as if I know you personally...I hope you have gained some strength from the number of posts your sad announcement generated. You are loved and we're mourning with you. Take a deep breath and when you get to the beach in Santa Barbara,...look toward the sea and breathe in the air. It's fresh and new. Love, N.
Dear Diana.....Thank you for taking the time to share with us how you and your family are doing. Tears fell when I read your words. You are so in my thoughts and prayers as we are all on the same train going in the same direction and we all know our time will come to depart the train just as you have had to do. As others have said here, you have a whole lot of friends who are mourning with you and know what you have been through. Take care dear friend and I too send my love and condolences.......Anita
New Realm, It's best to remember him from the times that you/family shared with him rather than his final week he would want that most. Cherish the times you had together and remember it's not goodbye, it's more like See you later! What a Beautiful place to "Take him home", I am from Ojai and went to school in Santa Barbara. it truly is a heavenly place.
New Realm, I wish you and your kids all the best-like the others said its time to take time to reflect and remember the good times now. my best to you-divvi
ps we also took dear brother in laws ashes to San Francisco golden gate park area last yr. its such a beautiful area and everytime i see the bridge on the news i think of him - divvi
Dear New Realm, I am sad to hear of your husband's death. Your plan of taking Paul's ashes to beautiful Santa Barbara where your family shares many cherished memories sounds very healing. My thoughts and prayers are with your family on your path to peace.