Gransnet forums

Bereavement

RIP Himself đź’™

(239 Posts)
FriedGreenTomatoes2 Sun 22-Feb-26 17:30:02

My darling husband of 52 years died in the hospice yesterday afternoon.

My heart is broken today.

This bravest of men suffered dreadfully with progression of his oesophageal cancer these last 10 months I can’t begin to tell you what he had to endure.

He was admitted to the Christie early in January and thence by ambulance to hospice for his last two weeks of life. I stayed by his side for this past month, sleeping in a recliner chair by his bedside.

My overwhelming emotion at present is relief that he has been released from his struggle. He had 3 oesophageal stents in situ. I am glad that he wasn’t in any pain at the end of his life.

That was always his biggest fear and I’m so grateful he was at least spared that fate.

He once promised me, months ago now, that when he died he was going to “take all this sadness with me and leave you to the joy of living”.

I’m holding you to that promise my most brave and valiant man. My life will never be the same, I will miss you so very much, but I will try my very best to stay strong ~ as you urged me be. 💕

Thank you to all who have kept us in your hearts and prayers during this pilgrimage. I’ve read GN most days and know how blessed I have been to have so much outpouring of friendship and love. I’ve been quite humbled to be honest. Xxx

nanna8 Tue 24-Feb-26 08:15:28

Love and Best Wishes to you FGT. ❤️

Naughtyneine Tue 24-Feb-26 08:24:25

Oh FGT....the love you and your darling man had for one another shone through your words. May the memory of that love stay with you forever, bring you comfort on the dark days and joy as you fulfil his wish for you. Sending you and your beautiful family love and prayers....xxxx

HAZBEEN Tue 24-Feb-26 18:58:30

Although I havent posted for a long time I still read GN. I remember how kind you were to me and I am sure to a lot of other posters when we needed support. I am so sorry to hear your very sad news. Himself almost felt like part of the GN family through your posts, the love you had for one another shone through. Please know that the Grans (and Grandads) here are all thinking of you and sending hugs and handholds. Love also to your family, I am thinking of their pain too. Please look after yourself my dear Urms.

TillyTrotter Wed 25-Feb-26 20:07:04

One day at a time fgt you will be kept busy with all you need to do right now.
You are held in high esteem by so many on GN and no doubt in real life too.
Lean on friends, they will be your mainstay in the months to come.
Your family is such a close one and you must be so thankful. Mourn together and reminisce the memories you have of your Special man.

Iam64 Wed 25-Feb-26 21:28:29

Such a loss, such a big space where Himself would be if he could. You will be busy with all kinds of practicalities , that, the love he leaves with you and shared with famiky and friends will help sustain you
Do take care of yourself x

Kandinsky Thu 26-Feb-26 07:10:24

So sorry for your loss.
xx

Gracey Thu 05-Mar-26 03:46:54

Dear FGT, in the wee small hours of the morning I am thinking of you. You were Urns when I last posted and back then, you wrote about you and Himself sharing some wonderful times.
How great it is to have a love like that.

I know from my own experience that watching a loved one slowly lose their life to illness is so painfully difficult.
The world and life is in limbo at times like this. I wondered why the earth kept turning,
and how people could go about their daily business when my world had just caved in.

Your grief must be overwhelming. Himself is free from suffering. You don't have to wear that brave face any longer, the one you've worn to support your man and your family all these past months.

That's no consolation as you start your life without him, but I do hope in the sad and difficult days, weeks, months ahead, memories of the happy times you shared will ease your sorrow a little.
My sincere condolences FGT. Sending love and hugs through the airwaves. You had a
great love, and he had your love too, right until the end, and for ever more. Love never dies

Thinking of you, and wishing you and your family strength for the days to come. flowers

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Thu 05-Mar-26 20:23:47

I’ve just read the posts subsequent to my last one.
Thank you everyone from the bottom of my heart.

You are all such an utterly splendid group and I feel blessed to be so well supported by you and so well thought of. I feel quite humbled by much of what has been said ~ about Himself, our small but loving family and from reading about what you think of me personally.

This thread surely illustrates GN at its very best.
It’s what we do.
xx

Iam64 Thu 05-Mar-26 20:38:19

Good to see you FGT xxx

Allira Thu 05-Mar-26 20:52:43

FGT2 Lovely to hear from you.
xx

Winniewit Thu 05-Mar-26 21:01:50

FriedGreenTomatoes2..I'm so sorry to see your news.
You are a strong lady. and I'm thinking of you. I know how you will be feeling. Be kind to yourself and take time with everything. Remember all those lovely times you shared and all those golden memories you have We all move through this at our own pace

TerriBull Thu 05-Mar-26 21:41:07

I echo everyone else's thoughts. It's good to see you posting again FGT, small steps. You were missed in your very understandable absence flowers

1960srelic Mon 09-Mar-26 16:24:27

flowersFGT at this awful time.