Stage 5/6 straight to Stage 8

Pam BH

Ed, I'm absolutely stunned and heartbroken for you. I'm grateful she was able to express her love for you and that you and your children were there when she passed. You were an amazing caregiver, doing everything through love, and you can take comfort that you made all the right decisions. Many prayers for you and your children as you grieve your dear Carole.

Colt99

Ed, let this wall of posts be a tribute to you and how much your insight and advise is appreciated. 

Sharing this journey is difficult and be sure that this community can appreciate all the emotions you must be feeling.

White Crane

 Dear Ed, I hardly know what to say. The sudden loss of  your dear wife brought tears to my eyes.  I am so very sorry and I’m holding you and your family in prayer. As so many others have said, I am glad you had those final moments when she could express her love for you once again.  God bless you.

Brenda 

Just Bill

My condolences Ed, I don't know about anyone else but Victoria2020's poem turned me into a blubbering mess.

jfkoc

I waited until today to write, hopeing to find  conforting words to share but they have not come. Maybe there are  none so I send my love to you and your children and then tuck all of you in my pocket over my heart.

Lynne D

My condolences to you, our warrior friend.

Mgsr04

Ed, I'm so sorry for your loss. Saying a prayer for you and family, and sending my condolences.

Mark

Rescue mom

The suddenness is breathtaking. Hope you and your family find strength and comfort from each other and the support of your many friends, and from knowing you did so much for her while she was here.

David J

Ed, I am shocked and saddened by your loss of Carole. It happened so fast, and so dramatically, but you were together at the end and shared your love one last time. Love tou you and your family, and to Carole. Her struggle is done.

Marie58

Ed, I am in shock and immediately teared up at your post. You have been such a loving caregiver to Carole, always wanting what's best for her. What a blessing that she knew you and expressed her love for you! I'm so glad most of your family was there as well. You are all in my prayers. May God give you strength, peace and comfort in the days ahead. Again, I'm so sorry for your loss.

Nowhere

Ed,

The things we worry might happen, and then something no one could have foreseen happens! This! I’m so very sorry for the passing of your wife and all you’ve both been through with this disease. May she Rest In Peace and you continue to feel her love and realize what an amazing husband you have been to her throughout her life, especially these past tough years. 

JJAz

Ed, I am so sorry for your loss.  My heart just hurt when I saw the title of your post.  Wishing you comfort and peace.

storycrafter

Dear Ed,

Thank you for generously sharing your story with us. Such stunning events and you rose to it with such grace. That she shared words of love with you before passing is a joy to hear and I hope you can take much comfort in that. Wishing you peace and strength as you navigate this new journey of grief.

Helen

billS

Ed I am so sorry. I can't imagine the shock of this happening so suddenly. I am glad you at least had the chance to hear her words of love.

Faith1520

Ed, I am so sorry for your loss. I have been following your posts because it sounded like your wife and my husband, whom I placed about a week after your wife was placed, were at the same place with this horrible disease. Thoughts and prayers.

Sligo177

Ed,

I am so sorry.  Words can't do justice.  Just so sorry.  God bless you, and your family.

Sligo177

Dear Ed,

I am so sorry - words cannot do justice - just so sorry.  God bless you and your family.

Love&Light

Mayor Ed,

My heart goes out to you and your family on the loss of your beloved wife. You sharing your experience has served as a model for me and many of us here in this forum. Thank you for leading by example. Your wife and your family are so fortunate to have you. Peace.

L&L

Daughter of a Marine

Ed, you are someone I have come to know over the past 2 years I have been visiting and learning from this site.  Your love for and commitment to your DW has been a constant and my heart aches for your loss.  You created for her a world of love and tender kindness that I can only hope and pray that I can provide for my DH.  I pray you can focus on your healing at this time and know that you have been the difference.  May God bless and comfort you and your family.

Joe C.

Ed, I am so sorry for your loss! I will keep you and your family in my thoughts & prayers. You have been such a great caregiver and advocate for your wife. May you find peace in the days to come.

Doityourselfer

Ed,  I am so sorry for your loss.  Take good care of yourself.

caberr

Ed, I am so sorry.  Keeping you and your family in my prayers.  You were such a good caregiver and I've learned a lot from you.  Please take care of yourself.

French

Dear Ed

I feel so sorry for your loss.

Hugs from France

Boxerlover53

Ed, I am shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of your dear wife Carole. I'm grateful that she had moments of clarity and spoke of her deep love for you.  Hopefully that message will bring you some peace and comfort.  You cared for her so tenderly.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

John1965

You have my sympathy. Words fail.

Jeff86

Ed, 

I was shocked and dismayed to read your post, so I can’t imagine how shocked you must have been by the turn of events you so articulately and generously documented.   You have been a most extraordinary caregiver as you advocated for your DW and demonstrated amazing ingenuity and inquisitiveness as you searched for solutions to the many and various issues that arose on your caregiving journey.  

Your dear Carole’s suffering is ended, and now it is time, in time, for you to heal.  We grieve for you and with you as you navigate through the Stage 8 seas.  Hopefully you’ll allow us to continue to be fellow travelers with you, supporting you as you have supported so many.

Jeff

Dio

Ed, please find comfort in knowing that your wife is now free of suffering! And what best way to leave this realm than having been surrounded by her loved ones?! I am of the camp who is torn between keeping our LO alive for as long as we can or is it not more merciful to let them go peacefully? I don't know. Anyhow, please start taking care of yourself now. Sending you love and peace.

DrinaJGB

I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved DW.

There is no space wider than that of grief.

ladyzetta

((((Dear Mayor Ed))))

As you can see there are many people out here that care about you. Please when you get a few minutes, let us how you're doing.  We Care. Big Hugs, Zetta 

Ed1937

Thank you, dear friends for the kind words. It really does make a difference.  

Dio wrote:

I am of the camp who is torn between keeping our LO alive for as long as we can or is it not more merciful to let them go peacefully? 

I knew she wanted her life to end without taking any extraordinary efforts, if there was little chance of survival. But she was always concerned that I would make all efforts to keep her alive if the choice had to be made. When I was asked how I wanted to handle this, I immediately told them to let her go. It wasn't even a hard decision for me, like I thought it would be. I honored her wishes, not mine.

I always said I hoped she would go before me because I didn't want her to go through what I'm going through now.