Taking a break

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

RE: Taking a break

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
JonH comes home wrote:
steven wrote:
SC reports that she thinks her health may have turned a corner but it's too early to be sure, so relatively good news.

She'll have the Brits' AO draws to wake up to on her phone too (albeit only the singles draws)
Hi Steven - just wondering if youd heard anything further re SC?
I swapped a couple of messages with Steven last night. He is still in contact with SC who's health is slowly improving. Steven mentioned he might come on here at some stage with an update so I will leave it to him to say any more.

thanks Bob for the update ! Good to hear SC is moving in the right direction

the addict · Tennis legend

We have had no power or internet for 24 hours courtesy of a fallen tree which has taken out half our village- and no signs of them fixing it today. So only checking in occasionally when I can get my tablet charged up in the car !

Jan · Hall of fame

Oh dear, poor you. Hope it's not too long before they fix it.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

the addict wrote:
We have had no power or internet for 24 hours courtesy of a fallen tree which has taken out half our village- and no signs of them fixing it today. So only checking in occasionally when I can get my tablet charged up in the car !

Oh heck TA! Hope it gets fixed soon. Which part of the country are you in?

the addict · Tennis legend

Rural Essex, with single track lanes and lots of trees

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

the addict wrote:
Rural Essex, with single track lanes and lots of trees

Lovely ! But eye of the storm I guess !

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Today has been just a god awful day.

I got a call at 10am this morning saying one of my neighbours had taken a fall getting out of the shower and could I go with his wife to the hospital as translator. I knew Alan quite well from many years back when he lived here with his first wife (who died of cancer over 10 years ago) but had only met his current wife once before as they have not long moved over from the UK.

Soon after we arrived at the hospital, it was clear things were much more serious than just a fall. The doctors were telling us that the 'indigestion' he had been suffering yesterday was in fact a heart attack and that 70% of his heart had stopped working.

Alan died about 2 hours later and I was left trying to comfort his naturally distraught wife. She was understandably inconsolable and completely dazed. I am not good in these situations but did what I could. It was a horrible experience, but insignificant compared to her suffering. Later she had to ring Alan's two daughters in the UK and break the news.

Someone please tell me how a poor woman can be having breakfast with her husband at 9am on what was a normal day and by 4pm she is leaving the hospital with a list of local funeral directors in her hand.

Sometimes life just sucks big time. I'm off to bed.

Strongbow · All-time great

Bob in Spain wrote:
Today has been just a god awful day.

I got a call at 10am this morning saying one of my neighbours had taken a fall getting out of the shower and could I go with his wife to the hospital as translator. I knew Alan quite well from many years back when he lived here with his first wife (who died of cancer over 10 years ago) but had only met his current wife once before as they have not long moved over from the UK.

Soon after we arrived at the hospital, it was clear things were much more serious than just a fall. The doctors were telling us that the 'indigestion' he had been suffering yesterday was in fact a heart attack and that 70% of his heart had stopped working.

Alan died about 2 hours later and I was left trying to comfort his naturally distraught wife. She was understandably inconsolable and completely dazed. I am not good in these situations but did what I could. It was a horrible experience, but insignificant compared to her suffering. Later she had to ring Alan's two daughters in the UK and break the news.

Someone please tell me how a poor woman can be having breakfast with her husband at 9am on what was a normal day and by 4pm she is leaving the hospital with a list of local funeral directors in her hand.

Sometimes life just sucks big time. I'm off to bed.

cry cry cry

Miriambee · Futures level

Bob, that is such a difficult situation. She will be grateful for you just being there even if she is too distressed and distracted to thank you for that.

DF · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
Today has been just a god awful day.

I got a call at 10am this morning saying one of my neighbours had taken a fall getting out of the shower and could I go with his wife to the hospital as translator. I knew Alan quite well from many years back when he lived here with his first wife (who died of cancer over 10 years ago) but had only met his current wife once before as they have not long moved over from the UK.

Soon after we arrived at the hospital, it was clear things were much more serious than just a fall. The doctors were telling us that the 'indigestion' he had been suffering yesterday was in fact a heart attack and that 70% of his heart had stopped working.

Alan died about 2 hours later and I was left trying to comfort his naturally distraught wife. She was understandably inconsolable and completely dazed. I am not good in these situations but did what I could. It was a horrible experience, but insignificant compared to her suffering. Later she had to ring Alan's two daughters in the UK and break the news.

Someone please tell me how a poor woman can be having breakfast with her husband at 9am on what was a normal day and by 4pm she is leaving the hospital with a list of local funeral directors in her hand.

Sometimes life just sucks big time. I'm off to bed.

One never knows what will happen next. disbelief

Jan · Hall of fame

Oh Bob, how absolutely dreadful. Death at any time is hard, but when there's been no time to prepare for it, it is extra shocking and hard-hitting. I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. I'm sure that his wife appreciated your help and presence. It's amazing how even our "small" efforts can make such a difference. My thoughts and prayers for you and Alan's family.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Miriambee wrote:
Bob, that is such a difficult situation. She will be grateful for you just being there even if she is too distressed and distracted to thank you for that.

Well said.

Bob, you were there for her.

You can't 'make it better'. You're not a trained counsellor. You're maybe not even a particular friend.

But, at the most difficult time, you were there for her when she needed you.

Shhh · Challenger level

I can only echo what others have said, what a horrible experience. Nobody would want to be alone for something like that and she was not because you were there Bob. I am sure that you did not know what to say or do, because nobody does. I dont know you at all but going from your personality on here, I am sure you were actually a pretty good choice of person for that moment even if it did not feel that way to you.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Shhh wrote:
I can only echo what others have said, what a horrible experience. Nobody would want to be alone for something like that and she was not because you were there Bob. I am sure that you did not know what to say or do, because nobody does. I dont know you at all but going from your personality on here, I am sure you were actually a pretty good choice of person for that moment even if it did not feel that way to you.

Thank you for those kind words Shhh and thank you to everyone else as well for their comments too. They are very much appreciated.