Marilyn, I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my husband a year ago to IPF. We had been together since we were teenagers. He was 76. In many ways I feel blessed to have had him in my life for so long. We knew he was terminal, so we were able to do some things and get everything in order to make his passing easier on me. For that I am thankful. We moved close to our son so he could help me and make my life easier. Certainly I have my moments when it really hits me that he is not coming back. One thing that has been a great help to me is keeping a journal. I write it as though I am writing a letter telling him about my day and anything else I am thinking about or feeling. I don't write in it everyday. When I first started, I wrote about our courtship and the early years. I am adding things about his childhood and my childhood that I want our children and grandchildren to know about us. Sometimes I let the tears flow. But that's ok. We loved to travel, so I have started taking some short trips. Even going back to some places we enjoyed together. I know it must be difficult after surgery or an illness being by yourself. That's why I tell all my friends you should move close to whoever is going to be your caregiver. I also attended a grief share group. It helped me to hear other people's stories and how they were adjusting to their loss. I watched a family member give up on life after her husband passed away. She lived 30 more years and made everyone around her miserable. I didn't want that to be me. I have found that I am beginning to have more good days than bad. Please don't give up and let your grief consume you. I pray that God will bring you some peace and comfort in the days to come. May God Bless You.

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