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Brian-A final send off.

Christine13
Member
4 30 386

As some of you know already, my Forever man Brian passed away at 7:20 p.m. on January 1st, peacefully in his sleep with me and my oldest daughter Tara by his side.  He didn't want any heroic measures.  Took him to hospital Christmas Eve, he was very exhausted and had trouble breathing.  He was coughing and coughing and coughing.  Finally he asked me if I had any cough medicine, I gave his a tablespoon of Nyquil and that quieted his cough and he was able to sleep sitting up.  We had one final visit with our daughter Tara, grandson Caiden and husband Scott in the afternoon and it was a good one. After they left in the afternoon his breathing got worse and I called an ambulance.  They checked his oxygen and heart and everything was fine.  But when he tried to walk two steps to get on the commode it was evident to the paramedics he was in big trouble.  We got to the hospital shortly after.  He saw the clock strike midnight and he said he felt shitty and he didn't care about the New Year.  Tara (my daughter) and I came home to sleep.

When I went back to the ER in the morning they said they were very worried about him and put him on a BI-Pap machine which he hated because it made him claustrophobic.  They were going to transfer him and put him in intensive care.  He said to he doctor if he took the mask off he would die, and he ripped it off his head.  Then I said he doesn't want any heroic measures or intensive care.  For the next couple of hours he struggled with his breathing and he kept asking for help please.  They finally gave him comfort care, and hydro-morphene and scoplomine and then he was a lot easier but he couldn't speak.  They moved us into a beautiful private room, where after stroking his head and telling him we were meant to be and he was my forever man, and that his Mom and Dad were on the other side waiting for him, and I'll see you in my dreams, he passed peacefully.

Today I give the ulogy a celebration of his life.  It's suitable that the funeral today is on what we called Freedom Fridays because they were the days his pump was disconnected from his port for the weekend.  So it's Freedom Friday today for Brian and we will all go out and celebrate at our favorite restaurant our treat.

The funeral should be beautiful with the Song November Rain, Gun's and Roses, Wild Horses, the Rolling Stones, and Time In a bottle by Jim Croshe.  It will be hard, but I am prepared to start my new life by travelling to see friends and family, maybe joining a gym, and going back to Yoga.

Thank you all for your prayers, I will remain strong.  I had my first smoke free Christmas, but relapsed New Year's Eve.

I may start my Freedom 2018 today, but may wait a few days first.

Sending Love to all my EX family especially Ellen and Marilyn.

xoxoxo

Chrissie

30 Comments
susan_m
Member

Prayers for peace, comfort and strength today, Chrissie. May the love and support of this community lift you and hold you close as you navigate these new waters. 

You will be in my thoughts this Freedom Friday. 

RachelMB
Member

Sending prayers for comfort and strength today sweet Chrissie.  Remember how much you are loved here. xoxoxo

Rachel

Mandolinrain
Member

Dear Christine,

There are no words to express my sympathy. My heart breaks for you and with you. Please know how deeply we ALL here at EX care for you and we extend our support to you however we can. We continue to lift you up in prayer. Your Brian is resting in peace with our Lord now and will always be watching over you. May Gods love bless you with comfort and peace in this very difficult time. Your quit will come to you and remain when your heart tells you it's time. Meanwhile lean on us as much as you need to. We love you.

xoxo~Missy

MarilynH
Member

This post is a beautiful tribute to your forever man, my eyes are filled with tears sweet friend and I'm giving you the biggest hug that I can send to you xoxo, my thoughts and prayers are with you and will continue to be with you Christine, we're all holding your hand and have our arms around you and I know that you'll be starting your quit shortly and 2018 is your Freedom Year, love you my friend. 

TW517
Member

Oh Christine, I am so sorry for your loss.  What a blessed send off you were able to give Brian. Thank you for sharing a painful, but beautiful, memory.

kristen-9-7-15

What a beautiful blog for your husband. We are all thinking of you.

Thomas3.20.2010

Sincerest condolences, Christine! We are here for you! May 2018 bring you Peace and Comfort as you grieve and learn somehow to move forward. Give yourself the gift of self kindness!

Jennifer-Quit
Member

My sincere condolences Christine.

Brianairb2
Member

I remember the first comment that you left a comment on one of my blogs, you told me that your husband and I shared the same name.  I'm so humbled by the devotion you showed to him, and all you shared here.  Please accept my condolences.  You are gently on my mind today. xo ~Brian

bonniebee
Member

Thank you for sharing your very personal story with us Christine .I am so very sorry for your loss but I am glad your Brian is out if pain and at rest with the Lord .God bless you Chris.

elvan
Member

Christine13‌ I am so glad that you were able to be at Brian's side as he passed from this life to the next one...just as you were by his side through most of his life.  Your relationship is truly the kind that movies and books are written about.  Your love and devotion always astounded me...you really were with him through every step of this horrific disease.  I am so sorry for your loss but I know that this year will be YOUR year, your chance to take care of yourself, I know that won't come very naturally to you but you CAN do it and as MarilynH‌ says, we are all here, reaching out to you and wanting you to lean on us.  I am sure that your eulogy will be heartfelt and beautiful.  My heart is with you and you and Brian and your family remain in my prayers.

Much love,

Ellen

JonesCarpeDiem

Hugs.

Wishing you peace and the knowledge that smoking doesn't let you go, you let it go.

Sandy-9-17-17
Member

Thinking of you today Christine!  Very sorry to hear of your loss!  

NeedToBe
Member

Will keep good thoughts for you and yours.

God  bless.

Mon2
Member

Praying for you

KMC56
Member

Much heart felt sympathy for you and your family.  My God wrap his arms around you and comfort you.

~Kathy

MichelleDiane
Member

So so sorry for your loss.  I am having trouble finding the words to say.  Warm regards, Michelle.

tjanddj
Member

Dearest Christine how my heart aches for you. May you feel my arms wrapped around you holding you close to my heart as I weep with you. May you be filled with the peace and comfort from our Lord as you go through your new self discovery journey. May you let your tears flow and remember to always reach out for help when you need it. I will be thinking of you. 

Trudy

freeneasy
Member

Thoughts and prayers and wishes for comfort and peace.

Giulia
Member

Here's to Freedom Friday and Brian's forever freedom.  I am sad for you and your children and my heart sends love to you all. 

YoungAtHeart
Member

You gave our Brian your all - even allowing him to make his final decision which I know must have been difficult for you.  One final gift from you to your Forever Man.  What a brave and caring thing for you to do.

He WILL live on in your heart forever.  I hope that memories of the good times you shared will comfort you.

Now for the next chapter for you.  I wish that it is filled with love, laughter and good health.

Nancy

maryfreecig
Member

Saying goodbye is so hard. Thank you for sharing that here. Sending prayers for peace to you.

dwwms
Member

Thoughts and prayers for you, Christie. If it comforts - it sounds like he passed peacefully and now is truly free!

Strudel
Member

Christine - I am so very sorry for your loss. Please take good care of you during this very difficult time. 

indingrl
Member

So sorry Chrissie and congrats on your quit in Jesus name amen I love you Chrissie keep on keeping on WE will stay quit TOGETHER no matter what in Jesus name amen

JACKIE1-25-15
Member

May the Peace of God's Holy Spirit comfort you as you go through the grief of losing your loved one. 

JonesCarpeDiem

Thinking of you Christine

Roller831
Member

My deepest sympathies, Christine.  I am comforted knowing you were by his side and can celebrate his life.

c2q
Member

The funeral sounds as if it was a beautiful, fitting celebration of a man so well loved. You are in my heart throughout this time of loss. Be well.

sld2
Member

My deepest sympathy to you and your family.  I will keep all of you in my prayers for comfort and strength during this difficult time. 

About the Author
I'm a widow now, my husband passed away January 1, 2018 He died of COPD, and pre leukemia and the flu. He quit smoking 15 years ago which gave him extra time. I am a mother, and grandmother. I have smoked for 47 years. I am going to have my forever quit and I'm doing it for me and my two daughters so I can live longer and be with them. I like to read, swim, garden, crochet, paint and doodle. I also enjoy walking and visiting with friends and family. I am 100% making this my last quit. I have been in denial about what smoking has done to me and my kids. I must make a new life for myself and it doesn't include cigarettes. I may already have COPD, but have not been officially diagnosed.