"My husband passing away"

My husband passed away in The North Devon District Hospital 2 weeks ago today. He had had a number of serious episodes of illness since 2003, including 3 strokes and an episode of heart failure. In the past, he has always been patched up, sent home and has come out fighting. So it was a tremendous shock when he was admitted to the hospital at Barnstaple with breathing difficulties, while we were on holiday, to be told that this time he had just days to live. Further serious complications were found on an X-ray, which, together with his heart failure meant there was no hope.

I cannot praise the staff at this hospital highly enough. We have had many experiences of hospitals over the years and this is by far the best hospital we have been to. We have had quite negative experiences in some hospitals. The staff on Resus, HDU Lundy Ward, and Tarka Ward were the most compassionate and caring we have encountered. They treated my husband with great compassion, allowing him the dignity we all deserve in dying. They treated me likewise, force feeding me tea, toast and sympathy, always ready to listen when I needed a friendly ear. Sadly, my story has no happy ending but I cannot thank the staff enough for what they did for my husband and for me. I hope we all get similar treatment when our time comes.