Thursday 2 January 2014

New Beginnings

Happy New Year to all my followers and apologies for my extended absence.

Some of you, but not all of you, will know that my life changed dramatically at the end of November when my husband David died.

He was admitted to hospital on 29th October suffering from pneumonia. Two days later he was transferred from the JR to the Churchill Hospital in Oxford to a specialist respiratory ward.

A week later he was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer and plans were made for him to come home and attend chemo/radio therapy as an outpatient. Unfortunately he caught a second bout of pneumonia in hospital and was judged too ill to withstand any treatment.

He came home on 20th November and was receiving palliative care until he died six days later.

To say that Nick and I were unprepared for this is an understatement...we thought we'd have a few months with him...

Nick was amazing..he organised the funeral, registered the death and cooked for me so that he knew I was eating.

Christmas and New Year were seriously unsettling....I've been numb since it happened and it's only now starting to sink in.

I also have to deal with paperwork...tons of it...and have no idea what my situation (financially or otherwise) is going to be...so 2014 is going to be a steep learning curve for me.

It's also a big change for Max...he's missing David and has a new addition to the family to cope with....Princess Peanut....

A rescue dog from Romania, I originally fostered her so that she wouldn't have to spend Christmas in kennels.....no way could I give her up so I have officially adopted her...she even has her own passport .


9 comments:

Joanna said...

That must have been such a difficult post to write, dear Susie. You have been going through a dreadful time, thank goodness you had Nick to support you when he could.

Princess Peanut is so adorable. You have such a big heart to welcome her into your life - hopefully you will be able to comfort each other at this time of upheaval when both of your worlds have changed forever.

xxxxx

Valerie-Jael said...

Sue, ths has been an awful time for you. I know how awful such a situation is, and that it pulls the ground from under your feet. I can just say, things will get better, but it will take time, and you must allow yourself time. Glad your son wa such a help for you, and that you have a new four footed friend to look after you. I was pleased to see you on my blog again today. Hugs, Valerie

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for your loss, and hope 2014 is kind to you and that all your good memories sustain you. My husband is quite sick at the moment; I can't imagine what it would feel like to go from this to a loss like yours...
BTW got here via cjs14; I hope you enjoy the ride.

Unknown said...

Please know that many are thinking of you - I cannot imagine how difficult this has been and will continue to be. Much love and light to you as you move forward in your journey. You are not alone.
Jacquelin

Jewels said...

I was so sorry to hear your news - thank you for sharing as I know that had to have been very hard to do. All I can say (and I am sure you have heard it before) is give yourself time - take each day as it comes - and hopefully doing artsy things will help - your new girl truly is a Princess...we are all sending good wishes your way...

K said...

(((huge hugs)))
Nick is a credit to you hun. If you need help with the paper work or/& finances the CAB were extremely helpful when my Dad passed away.

Gina said...

New year, new life. Keeping looking forwards babe...your memories will hold you strong <3 XXX

Lee-Anne said...

Hi Susan. I'm so sorry for your loss. May 2014 be gentle on you. I signed up for Creative Jump Start 2014 and saw your blog link so thought I would come and say hi. It will be good to see you in the forum and hopefully this will help in your healing. xx

Carmen said...

Huge, HUGE hugs Sue.

If you need any help with the financial side I would also recommend CAB or you can bung me an email - Craig's Mum found herself in a similar situation when Mick passed away so suddenly. She didn't even know how to use a cash machine so if we can offer any advice or even just a shoulder to rage against. We're here x x x