"The loss of my very dear wife June"

Her illness was unexpected and unexplained. She was a very beautiful woman.

She was extremely healthy and active, aged 78 she looked many years younger!

The illness was inflammation of the brain-stem, possible to cure and survive in some cases. The treatment was massive doses of steroids, the effect of this medication was distressing. She collapsed in the Wessex Neurological Centre, was taken into intensive-care and died 5 days later. I was at her side holding her hand all night, she died 20 minutes after I left the bedside.

I refused to believe she would die. I was told her illness was not recoverable. The WNC were very good, and I do not apportion blame.

I would advise others who are faced with this situation, to keep an open mind. If I could go back, I would have taken her home to die in her own bed. The breathing tube made communication impossible.

Others should not allow this situation to occur, communication with my wife would have improved  the situation greatly.