Bob passed away 10/10/2015. I am not sure how to change my status to a widow. I haven't been here for quite some time. Bob fell last July and broke his humerus bone. Luckily he didn't need surgery and it healed pretty much on it's own. He had had eating issues for a couple of years. After the fall, he was in a hospital bed in our bedroom the next 4 months. We watched 100 episodes of Friends, the birds outside and had a good goodbye. He was his sweet self right to the very end. He lost 30 lbs during that time period and at the end nothing we could do to get him to eat. He just couldn't. I was blessed to receive a portrait of us that AARP commissioned being selected MN Caregiver from a story I wrote on their web page. It was like a message from God and Bob and gives me comfort every day.
I am now a facilitor for ALZ support group in my little town. I think each day - I have a choice between Grief or Gratitude. Grief is about me. Gratitude is about Bob and the wonderful life we shared. I hope to help others during this difficult journey. I am trying to choose gratitude each day.
Jill, changing your status to widow on this message board is easy, but lots of folks seem to be finding it really hard in real life. It's good to hear how well you're seemingly doing, choosing gratitude and trying to help others navigate this AD journey rather than just wallowing in grief.
To change your status, go to the top of the page and click on "Account", then once on your personal account you'll need to click on "personal information" at the top left, then edit your username by adding an asterisk followed by the date of Bob's death, and that's all there is to it. But you'll need to remember to use the new username in order to log on afterwards -- you can't just do Lakegirl anymore.
Condolences on your loss, Jill, and love being sent your way. It isn't easy for any of us, but you hung in like a trooper. Time now for you to recover.
So sorry to hear about the loss of Bob. It sounds like you did a wonderful job of taking care of him, and I hope you are getting some peace and some rest now.
Good for you, Jill. You have a wonderful attitude. By helping others, you are helping yourself get through the sad grieving process and give yourself a feeling of value. Bob would be proud of you.
My deepest condolences to you on the loss of your dear husband. Your attitude of choosing gratitude over grief is remarkable. It will help you through this next phase of your life.