Helen became weaker as time progressed and continued to suffer at the hands of NHS England who seemed intent on ending her career. In reality they achieved what all the ill health never did. To break her spirit.
In July 2015 we were supposed to go to La Gomera but Helen was very unwell and we didn't travel. It was later revealed that Helen had suffered a stroke although we didn't know that until the autumn. We did get away to Majorca on what turned out to be our last holiday together as a family.
In September Helen and I managed a weekend away which was our last time... although we weren't to know it..
Helen was slowing down and developing other symptoms and had fallen a couple of times. The medics at Aintree and Walton were unable to get to the bottom of what was gping on. She was really struggling towards the end of 2015 bit was determined to produce a Christmas dinner for the family. This was a massive effort for her but she was going to do it and through sheer force of will she did so.. she was incredibly single minded and stubborn when she wanted to be...
The new year was a low key affair and it was approached with trepidation although I don't think anyone could forsee how future events would pan out and that she actually had so little time left.
Tom passed his driving test on 16th February 2016 and took Helen to the dentist. She had a fall and ended up with a head injury and was very shaken up. Poor Tom, he didn't know what to do.
A few days later Helen was very unwell... it was a Sunday evening and she couldn't climb the stairs. I called an ambulance and she was taken to University Hospital Aintree where she was diagnosed with pneumonia and sepsis. She was placed on a ventilator in ITU there and sedated. Her body just couldn't cope anymore and despite best efforts of all she passed away peacefully at 6pm on Sunday 28th February 2016 with Jill and I at her side..
As I write this we are a yea down the line from that dreadful day. We are coping and moving on with life as Helen would have wanted us to. The boys are doing well and I know Helen would be proud of them.
All I can say is that I was so lucky to have had Helen in my life for the best part of 25 years. She was a wonderful wife, mum, daughter, sister and friend. A brilliant doctor who was much loved by patients and colleagues wherever she went.
She is very much missed and forever loved by a great many people. Testament to this was her funeral where it was standing room only in church. In 2011 she told me what she wanted her funeral to be if she didn't get through the surgery so I knew exactly what to do. So we delivered that for her.
It was difficult for me but also a privilege to deliver Helens eulogy in the church we were married in on that day. It was the final thing I could do for her and I was determined to get through it.
She also told me to get on with life. Not to grieve for her for too long and to take care of the boys and support them in building their lives which I will always do. I did all I could for her. We had a special bond which although now severed will live on in my heart. I think of her every single day. I know a lot of people reading this do too..
Helens life was one dedicated to her family and the service of her patients. She was a committed doctor who loved her work and had a genuine concern for patients and colleagues. If you were really unwell you couldn't have a better person to look after you than Helen.
She lived a full life and achieved many of her personal goals. To be a doctor. To be happily married and raise a family.
Although cut short way too soon her life was a life well lived and she will always be remembered by those who knew and loved her.
So rest in peace Helen. Your struggle is over and your work is done. No more pain and suffering. Just rest and eternal peace.... we will never forget you xxxx