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Bereavement

My husband suddenly left me

(27 Posts)
Mackir Thu 12-Feb-26 03:18:59

I have been trying to cope but it seems i am getting weaker and weaker. I no longer want to be alive without him. Yet I am. How do you go on? Just pretend eeverything is okay? Or do you just curl up in your bed and never get up? I have family but they all live so far away. It has been three months and still I cannot eat a thing. But i feed my dog. She is my only comfort.

Mackir Thu 12-Feb-26 03:20:25

He had a seizure and died in my arms

fancyflowers Thu 12-Feb-26 03:58:38

I am so sorry that you are dealing with this. Three months is hardly any time to stop grieving, your feelings are completely normal.
Things will get better over time and you will be able to live with it. Sending love to you.

Grammaretto Thu 12-Feb-26 04:55:11

I am so sorry. It's very early days. I don't know how I got through those weeks as I have little memory of them. It's been 5 years now and I have survived. I am only now able to sort through his things and think about moving house.

The sudden death will be traumatic.
Dog walks are good. I had a few close friends who somehow knew how to help.
It was during the pandemic so there was a strange quietness and none of the usual demands. The children were grieving too.

Our doctor at the time was understanding.
I think the old cliché that time is the healer is true.
You never get over it but you get used to it.
I talk to him and get cross with him for not being here.

I also found these forums supportive. Some wonderful people are on here.

BlueBelle Thu 12-Feb-26 06:57:59

A hug for you, as others said 3 months is a whisper in time.

Have you considered some bereavement counselling ? It does help to have a whole hour, talking it through to someone who understands, you can laugh over the good times and explain your feelings. You really shouldn’t keep them locked inside of your head . Getting them out does really help
I haven’t experienced losing a husband as I m divorced and it really did nt effect me a lot when he died but I went through a difficult year when mum and dad died six months apart.

You are at the very start of the grieving process and there are many steps to take You husband would not want this
You are still in shock
I wish you well

Greyduster Thu 12-Feb-26 07:05:07

I am so sorry for your loss, which is very recent. You must give yourself time. There is no handbook for grief. Be kind to yourself. It is coming up for four years since I lost my DH and I still have times when that loss is visceral, but little by little you will learn to adjust to it and move forward. Don’t be afraid to talk about him; and to talk to him. And I know it’s difficult but do try and eat. Even small amounts of food are better than nothing.
People on here are always willing to listen and to help.

fancythat Thu 12-Feb-26 07:46:12

Are you able to move nearer to your family? Even if only for a short while?

silverlining48 Thu 12-Feb-26 10:40:28

I am sorry Makir, 3 months is no time at all, take things a day at a time. Talk to your family, or visit if possible.
Bereavement counselling can help. flowers

Fallingstar Thu 12-Feb-26 10:48:03

Oh my, I am so sorry. But as others have said it is very much early days. Your grief is raw and unrelenting, could you perhaps go to stay with family for a little while?
You need support right now, try CRUSE, I know they are pretty good with helping the bereaved.
I understand that with a sudden unexpected death there is the shock and trauma to deal with as well. Reaching out to agencies that deal with bereavement counselling sounds like a good plan to me.
Also as has been said there will be support on here.
Thinking of you.
💐

Granmarderby10 Thu 12-Feb-26 10:49:18

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Fallingstar Thu 12-Feb-26 10:51:12

Granmarderby10

The title of this thread is misleading.

I think it sums up how the OP feels.
And I hardly think this is the time to split hairs.

aonk Thu 12-Feb-26 11:38:39

I was widowed at the age of 40. I’ve since re married. For me the worst aspect was the terrible sense of shock. Luckily I had a very good GP who gave me a small dose of an antidepressant which helped me to eat and sleep. It’s important to look after yourself and it’s what your dear husband would have wanted I’m sure. Please seek help wherever you can find it. Some funeral directors can give details of counselling and groups for widowed people. I wish you the best at this very sad time.

crazyH Thu 12-Feb-26 11:51:52

I too thought differently.
But regardless, I am so sorry for your loss. He wouldn’t want you to curl up in a ball, and shut the world out. You have to relive all those lovely memories and keep you near him. Talk about him with your close family and friends. All the best flowers

butterandjam Thu 12-Feb-26 12:23:27

I'm sorry to hear that.

You can't see ahead, or answer any of your own questions, so just focus on now. Very simple stuff is enough to cope with just now.

Get up in the morning, feed the dog, then take it out for a walk. On the walk:

If you can't think at all just walk in a haze.

If you need distraction from thinking, focus on your breathing.. Or count your steps to 100 then start again.

When you come back home, try to eat something. Make a hot drink.

It helps to keep some food in the house that needs no preparation ( cereal, yoghurt, cheese and biscuits, fruit, ready protein like salami or tinned fish). If your appetite is really
poor, a tiny selection on a small side plate will do.

When your thoughts are scrambled and overwhelming, try scribbling them out onto paper. Back of an envelope, pen, off you go . Anything at all, it doesn't matter what. Messages to yourself; to your husband. Memories. All your worst fears . Lists. Just let out what's in there.

If you find scribbling helps, get yourself an excercise book and have a daily scribble to comfort yourself.

butterandjam Thu 12-Feb-26 12:31:48

Granmarderby10

The title of this thread is misleading.

Its how she's feeling right now.

AGAA4 Thu 12-Feb-26 13:14:49

So sorry Mackir. Grief can be overwhelming for a time but it does get better.
For now look after yourself and your dog. Perhaps speak to your doctor who may be able to help.
As others have said try to eat even if it's just small things at a time or get something like Complan which is a drink that will give you nourishment if you really can't eat.
You love your dog so need to look after yourself for him. 💐

fancythat Thu 12-Feb-26 13:24:23

Granmarderby10

The title of this thread is misleading.

Gosh.
I dont normally comment on a posters' rudeness.
But my gosh.

BrandyGran Thu 12-Feb-26 13:55:46

So sorry . There are no words. Sending you a comforting hug. X

Norah Thu 12-Feb-26 14:14:50

I'm so sorry. flowers

1960srelic Thu 12-Feb-26 14:24:46

flowers

Opal Thu 12-Feb-26 14:32:19

Sending a hug and condolences Mackir. Sudden loss is traumatic. Three months is still very early, but I know how it feels to struggle through the next hour, let alone try to get through a day. Please try to eat little and often - even if it's just a mouthful - and sip fluids. I have found that using my hands for any type of craft is therapeutic - even just a colouring book and pens or pencils. Something simple to distract, but that doesn't take too much concentration - my concentration was shot to pieces when I was at my worst. If you've never tried handcrafts, tapestry or cross stitch are very easy to learn and crafting a picture or design from scratch is very calming and therapeutic.

Keep walking your dog and take it one day (or hour) at a time. One foot in front of the other. Wishing you strength and peace,

flump Thu 12-Feb-26 14:41:43

Mackir, please get in touch with SUDEP # or The Epilepsy Society. They will be able to help.

When someone dies after having a seizure it's like someone has reached into your body and pulled out your heart, especially if you don't know death can happen.

What would your husband want you to do?
Think of the happy times you have spent with him.
As time goes by there will be moments when you cry but, hopefully, there will also be moments that will make you smile.

You must take things day by day and it's hard.
You must try to eat and drink something and start to take care of yourself, otherwise who will take care of your dog?

There is a life for you to lead, even though you may not feel like it now. Please try to persevere.

I wish you well.

# SUDEP = Sudden Unexpected(or Unexplained) Death in Epilepsy

AuntieE Thu 12-Feb-26 15:14:39

Dear Mackir, I am so sorry for your loss, and the dreadful shock it must have been.

I too say that three months is not long. I lost my husband two years ago three months after he had been diagnosed with cancer. We at least had time to say the most important things to each other, but that didn't really help.

I am so glad you have the dog to feed, walk and cuddle- I have two cats and cried all over them for weeks. But like your dog, they needed to be fed, played with, and consoled for they were missing their master.

As to eating, perhaps you can do as I did. I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted it. No fussing around with what was healthy or fattening. After all not eating is definitely not healthy and I felt made me less able to cope. And no attempting to eat the right meal at the right time, either.

The cats thought it a little odd that I got up at three in the morning to make something or other that I had wakened up fancying or had dreamed of. Their expressions quite plainly said that no sensible person eats toasted cheese, or baked beans and fried eggs at that time of day!

And the same too dear pets knew I was daft when I scrubbed the kitchen floor in the middle of the night - but I could not sleep - the empty half of the bed was making itself horribly obvious! And the kitchen floor was dirty!

Sometimes cleaning helps, other times you just have to sit and weep. Do try to eat - perhaps something you like, but haven't had for years because your husband did not care for it? I worked my way through a short list of things he would never eat, and it has taken me the better part of the two years that have passed to want to eat soup again, as latterly that was all he could eat. (And I used to love soup).

And keep in touch with us - I received such a lot of help and support on the bereavement thread, either openly or in private messages. PM me if you want.

There is no right or wrong way to grieve, only your way of doing it, as we are all different, and our marriages cannot be compared either, but the feeling of being lost, and of the loss are perhaps more alike.

pably15 Thu 12-Feb-26 15:26:45

So very sorry Mackir, it's something we all dread, friends and family can be there for you but it takes time, just do what you feel like doing. I'm glad you have your wee dog, they can sense how we're feeling. Please try to eat and drink something, perhaps your GP could prescribe something ..sending you cuddles,,x

Madgran77 Thu 12-Feb-26 19:08:59

Pleaae do consider Bereavement Counselling. It truly does help to see a way through the awful fog and pain x