I was married to the same woman for over 33 years, lived in the same house for 12 years and my taxes were paid. My wife and I raised two sons who are both college graduates and doing well. The last 37 months of her life I was a full-time caregiver for a wife who was unfortunately diagnosed with an incurable, anaplastic astrocytoma (malignant brain tumor). After a three-year struggle, she passed away on May 5th, 2003 and I will miss her terribly. Taking my marriage vows seriously, I gave up my career and I considered it an honor to care for my wife. In the past three years I have lost virtually everything, my wife[1], my career, most of my net worth, my medical insurance, my freedom and most of my friends.
Here is an article I wrote about my life experiences with this ordeal. It is self-explanatory. [patheos.com]
7
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Your wife was very lucky to have had you to take care of her. Unlike religious people, I cannot promise you a seat in heaven or the joy of meeting her again. I can however tell you that your devotion and care for her is inspiring. I am truly sorry you lost so much from the ordeal.
Lorajay
Level 9
June 30, 2018
2
Heartbreaking.
Betty
Level 8
June 29, 2018
2
Thank you. Sometimes, terrible things happen. Just hope it never happens to you.
The last five years of my husband's life were filled with surgery, procedures, tests, and appointments. Nearly two years before he passed the doctors informed me that another attack would kill him and that could happen anytime, they didn't think he would make it more than a few months at most.
Sleeping was a challenge as I would constantly reach over to make sure he was breathing. His doctor was amazed at his strength and will as he survived another attack. Then one morning he was gone and my heart broke. He had been feeling so good in the last few months and I had almost convinced myself that he was going to prove the doctors wrong.
WOW.... caring for an ailing spouse, does take it's toll on the survivors, I can identify with virtually ever point you mention. Cashed in all the insurance, am now renting out my home to save it, living in my RV to survive. It is sad in the greatest country in the history of mankind, that I am in an rv after paying years and years of premiums, and the President of BCBS lives in a mansion with over a million dollars a year income...just sayin'
NormCastle
Level 7
June 29, 2018
3
I hear you, man. After the insurance runs out there is NO MERCY. In Tennessee, if you had over $3,000 in assets, you could not get help from TennCare (Tennessee's failed Medicaid). Hell, I've bought baseball cards that were worth more than that.
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