It's been a month
My wife of 24 years (together 26) passed on April 20, 2026. The fact that it was on 4/20 would have pissed her off.......lol.
She turned 57 on April 4. On April 13 I was awakened at 3:30 am to her in deep distress and struggling to breathe. In my mind, she died that morning in our bedroom. There was nothing that I, the EMT's, or the doctors could do to reverse anything that happened at that time.
She took that last breath you always hear about, we all know the one. Her heart stopped. Her eyes rolled back in head, her bladder fully let loose, she went fully limp. I called 911, got her off the bed to the floor and began CPR until EMS arrived. (I don't wish that on anyone) EMT's were at our house around 5 minutes later. (seemed like 2 hours)
EMT's were able to regain a pulse and loaded her into the ambulance within a half hour. On the way to the hospital, she flatlined again. It was determined she had a stroke that triggered a heart attack. She never regained consciousness. She coded in the hospital the second day also.
Medical establishment did their due diligence, over 75% of her brain had been damaged and was seen on scans as black (never good).
She was in ICU 4 days while they tested everything.
Her wishes were to not live via machines, which she was, and that in the event of her death, all organs that could be donated, would.
On the morning of day 5 we signed the paperwork and placed her in the organ donor program, which would take another 3 days while they ensured viability and found recipients.
We removed her from the machines around noon on 4/20.
She made it 22 minutes. Her donation has helped more that 10 people receive a second chance at life. A small bright spot in this maelstrom.
This hit completely out of the blue. We were working in the yard on Sunday prior to this happening. She was carrying 5 gallons buckets of water to water newly planted trees. Never complained about anything feeling off (we had a pact because we are of "that age")
4 kids (all adults), 6 grandkids that she absolutely adored.
Always smiling, willing to help anyone. And selfless.
I miss her dearly. My faith is the only thing holding me together at the moment. I don't understand the 'why' and never will, but when it is your time, we don't get to argue.