During the two years of my husband's terminal illness, death was never far from my mind. We had been told he was dying and even a time in which it was supposed to happen. We had no idea of how it would happen. I was loathe to let him out of my sight incase he should suddenly die and not return to me and woke each day fearing that he may have died during the night. Towards the end of his illness I sensed that death was near, waiting in the shadows to steal my love from me and wrote the following poem.
Death, it waits in the shadows
But it sneaks ever closer
I can sense it- almost smell it
Tangible- real- waiting
Death ? it waits like a vulture
Watching the once strong body falter
But it has no notion of will
The will to live which fights on
Refusing to see death even though
It stares him in the face
It does not honour courage
But I, witness to this brave struggle
Will forever hold my love in awe
His courage humbles me
His uncomplaining nature humbles me
His love un-changing and ever true
Holds me up
Despite his prognosis of three to nine months, Brian survived for two years. His courage never wavered and he fought a valiant battle to the end. Bed bound just three days prior to his death, he passed away at home surrounded by his loved ones. He was 54 years old.
Poem written by: Lorraine Kember ? Author of "Lean on Me" Cancer through a Carer's Eyes. Lorraine's book is written from her experience of caring for her dying husband in the hope of helping others. It includes insight and discussion on: Anticipatory Grief, Understanding and identifying pain, Pain Management and Symptom Control, Chemotherapy, Palliative Care, Quality of Life and Dying at home. It also features excerpts and poems from her personal diary. Highly recommended by the Cancer Council. "Lean on Me" is not available in bookstores - For detailed information, Doctor's recommendations, Reviews, Book Excerpts and Ordering Facility - visit her website http://www.cancerthroughacarerseyes.jkwh.com
The question of whether, say, a man should have the... Read More
Have you ever sat down and played a piano where... Read More
Over the years, I've heard many people voice their concerns... Read More
Have you ever lost the ability to laugh? I did.When... Read More
Are you spending this Mother's Day wondering if you are,... Read More
It was a couple of weeks after Christmas, and I... Read More
I opened the dishtowel drawer for about the sixth time,... Read More
I am an Angel artist and several weeks ago while... Read More
Angelo C, was a good man that never did any... Read More
In 1969, Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross published her famous book; On... Read More
The well-known pioneer researcher Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross identified five states... Read More
It was a moment I will never forget.On February 22,... Read More
When the death of a loved one occurs, regardless or... Read More
"Dad, I tried to wake Nana, I think she's dead."... Read More
Why We Fear Death"Men fear death as children fear to... Read More
When he looked at me, it was clear my father... Read More
What is it about Grief & Loss that upsets us... Read More
September 11, 2001, marked yet another significant turning point in... Read More
Coping with the death of a loved one is never... Read More
During the two years of my husband's terminal illness, death... Read More
I got an email recently from someone whose mother died.... Read More
Too many people are dying alone?The dying are one of... Read More
Few of us care to think about the inevitability of... Read More
The impatient tooting of a car horn startled us into... Read More
Remember the Eulogy projects we had to write back in... Read More
Pippin needed assistance from his owner to get to his... Read More
If tears are an indication of how special my relationship... Read More
My dearest Grandma, I will never forget you & sorry... Read More
I believe that major change and loss in our lives... Read More
I didn't know a heart could die before it stopped... Read More
If you have ever lost someone dear to you it... Read More
What is it about Grief & Loss that upsets us... Read More
October makes me think of Halloween, and Halloween makes me... Read More
The question of whether, say, a man should have the... Read More
Have you ever sat down and played a piano where... Read More
Over the years, I've heard many people voice their concerns... Read More
Have you ever lost the ability to laugh? I did.When... Read More
Are you spending this Mother's Day wondering if you are,... Read More
It was a couple of weeks after Christmas, and I... Read More
I opened the dishtowel drawer for about the sixth time,... Read More
I am an Angel artist and several weeks ago while... Read More
Angelo C, was a good man that never did any... Read More
In 1969, Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross published her famous book; On... Read More
The well-known pioneer researcher Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross identified five states... Read More
It was a moment I will never forget.On February 22,... Read More
When the death of a loved one occurs, regardless or... Read More
"Dad, I tried to wake Nana, I think she's dead."... Read More
Why We Fear Death"Men fear death as children fear to... Read More
When he looked at me, it was clear my father... Read More
What is it about Grief & Loss that upsets us... Read More
September 11, 2001, marked yet another significant turning point in... Read More
Coping with the death of a loved one is never... Read More
During the two years of my husband's terminal illness, death... Read More
I got an email recently from someone whose mother died.... Read More
Too many people are dying alone?The dying are one of... Read More
Few of us care to think about the inevitability of... Read More
The impatient tooting of a car horn startled us into... Read More
Remember the Eulogy projects we had to write back in... Read More
Pippin needed assistance from his owner to get to his... Read More
If tears are an indication of how special my relationship... Read More
My dearest Grandma, I will never forget you & sorry... Read More
I believe that major change and loss in our lives... Read More
I didn't know a heart could die before it stopped... Read More
If you have ever lost someone dear to you it... Read More
What is it about Grief & Loss that upsets us... Read More
October makes me think of Halloween, and Halloween makes me... Read More
Dealing with Grief & LossDealing with Grief & Loss |