Illness, Car Accident, Cancer...It all kept hitting one after the other

[Bellann J Kravetz]

I considered my husband and I to be your "regular" middle aged couple. We both had worked for many years and earned our way to manager positions. Our kids were grown and beginning their own lives, marriages and careers (he had 2 from a prior marriage and I had 1). We were "health conscious" about our diet and did not smoke or drink more than the occasional glass of wine. My husband was in perfect health working out at the gym, jogging and playing tennis; I walked the dog and did yoga. Life was very good and we were planning our future. Then it started "raining". In our last 6 months together we experienced more adversity than the prior 19 years all put together. First an ER visit for me where a heart condition was diagnosed and I was placed on medication. Then another ER visit. This time for my husband when he developed blood clots in his leg and lung (out of nowhere). He was placed on blood thinners for the clots and a few weeks later a scan to ensure the clots were dissolving  found a "spot" on his. liver. I was then in a car accident sustaining back injuries that are still being treated today. A follow up on the liver "spot" found a rare incurable cancer with a 1-3 month prognosis. We had it confirmed with a 2nd opinion. Then our dog died and finally in December, my husband died. I know this sounds like a soap opera or bad movie; it felt like one to us. It couldn't possibly be real, could it? We had no time to recover/absorb one blow before another happened. I am now going through the grief process as best I can. I have a grief counselor and am signed up for a Grief Share workshop at a nearby church. I know this is not much of a discussion; it's my story, and it helps to put it out there. Anything can happen; no matter how good or honest you may be. It's true, life can turn on a dime. I get through each day asking God for the strength needed for that one day. Thank you for allowing me to post this.

[Judy Davidson]

Hi Bellan.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings; it's the first step toward healing.  I'm so sorry to hear about your husband and the other issues you have dealt with the past year.  I too have felt like the bible character, Job in the past.  It sounds like your husband may have had a similar diagnosis to mine; small cell cancer.  We found out he had cancer in his liver and he died 2 weeks later.  Grief sucks, huh?  

But it sounds like you're taking all the right steps toward healing by having a counselor and going to Grief Share groups.  I've been a long time member of Saddleback CHurch and have posted several videos of my pastor Rick Warren sharing his story of grief recovery about a year ago. 

I pray this site provides you with Help for Today & Hope for Tomorrow.

God bless,

Judy

Founding member

[Lulu]

Hi Bellann

I had the honor of talking to you in chat and you are one lady to be admired. All though  you are going through extreme grieving and hard times you found the time to comfort me in my time of pain and I really appreciated it helped me so much talking to you I felt better the next day. Thank you for that . I too attend a grief group with griefshare and its helped me plenty not to feel so alone. The process is so much easier with God by our side and good people like you. take care.