No your not alone in this. I get scared too. I wonder what I will do if I get sick and he's not there for me. But then again.................. when I was sick he wasn't such a big help either. I guess we just gotta suck it up and do it on our own now.

Me too..I have never been sick w/o Jim, until I got the flu a few moths ago. It scared me to think there was no one there to give me medicine, check my fever etcI too have all kinds of crazy symptoms since Jim died. I try not to freak out about it, the worst that can happen is I end up with him again.

You are not alone with this one. I have had similar thoughts and worry about being alone when ill. I am about to move closer to a sister and brother in law plus their daughter and family so will have relatives within a mile or two who would no doubt help me if I get sick. Life alert or a service like that is a good idea as Sal mentioned. I try to avoid crowds when flu season is going on and I try to get plenty of rest while eating healthy. Hang in there and try to keep positive thoughts going as stress can cause illness too. Hope you can find a friend or relative who will check on you daily whether that be a visit or phone call. Hugs, Gem

I am not afraid of getting sick but afraid of getting hurt...falling down the stairs, tripping while running on the treadmill...that kind of stuff. Things that would happen that no one would find me for days. Today I had to run on the treadmill because it was raining and I thought a few times "what if I fell and couldn't reach my phone up on the control panel? No one knows I'm in the garage."

I agree with your post and the many responses. Part of being a couple was in sickness and in health. Shortly aftter my husband passed away I woke up with severe abdominal pain.....I got up and walked around thinking it was just a muscular thing. All of a sudden I realized I was going to pass out and called for my husband... I layed on the floor before I passed out so I wouldn`t fall and hit my head. One thing I have learned is to post all of my emergency contact info, my doctors name and meds on the fridge and carry it with me in my wallet. Do what you can to be safe....what you are feeling is so normal....Hugs Lu Ann

I did. I had two episodes that even sent me to the hospital. They released me, but told me that I shouldn't be alone. Like I had a choice in the matter. Anyhow, I didn't want to bother my step-daughter and my father and I were not getting alone, so I went home by myself. It was both scary and depressing because I imagined how my husband would have been hovering around me like a mother hen and now I was all alone.

A year ago I lived in terror of every little symptom. One time my cover brushed against my foot while I was in bed and I nearly became hysterical. Now, a year later and I'm no longer afraid. I finally realized that although I don't have a husband, I do have technology. I got a Walgreen alert system, sort of like the one advertised on TV only without a contract. I have the unit sitting next to my bed, one in the bathroom, and one I can move around depending on the room I'm in. I have 3 floors. It gives me peace of mind, but I'll be getting rid of it as soon as I lose 20 pounds. I'm feeling healthier and am going to the health club daily. Working out gives me confidence. I know I can take care of myself and God is there for me on my daily walk in life.

All I can say is YOU GO GIRL! What an inspiring story of how clear thinking, logic and faith can triumph over an irrational fear. You were even smart enough to get a med alert unit that didn't include a long-term commitment. Now that's planning ahead! Congrats on the daily health club visits and determination to lose weight. I am soooo envious of your motivation to tackle those two biggies.
Juanita

Thanks to everyone who has responded to my post. I'm so happy I decided to share an issue that is a daily concern. Whether it's getting sick, falling, fainting or choking on something that goes down the wrong way, the fear is real.

Like Nowjustme, my husband wasn't terribly helpful when I didn't feel well, but then I've never been seriously ill so he never really had to prove the "in sickness and in health" part of our vows.

Even when those fears hit and I wish he were still here, it's not so much for hands-on help as much as being there to dial 911, get the pets herded into another room where they can't run out the door and just hold my hand til help arrived.

I remember telling him the drill about chewing an aspirin or two if a heart attack was suspected and showed him where I keep it because we mostly used Tylenol or Advil. I often wondered whether he'd remember to do that if I were ever in that situation. Now I wonder whether he remembered it for himself on April 5. I doubt it because he supposedly "didn't know what hit him".....and that's a good thing.

Anyway, thanks for listening and responding. It's always good to know that someone else is having the same concerns in real time.

Just had to respond to LuAnn's post about keeping emergency info in her wallet and posted on the fridge. This is an idea that deserves to be adopted by just about everyone.

My father passed away at 92 in 2008 after many years as an invalid, the last several of which he was bedridden. As you can imagine, there were lots of 911 calls....throw in a few for my mom, too.

I found it so frustrating to be asked the same questions by every first responder, EMT and hospital ER personnel that I created the kind of sheets for all of us that LuAnn mentioned out of sheer frustration.

I cannot tell you the overwhelmingly positive response I've gotten over the years from every person involved in a medical emergency. Not only does this info save time. It also saves us from forgetting to mention pertinent facts while under stress.

My medical info sheets are complete with name/DOB/current as of (date)/blood type/allergies/major med history/meds/name of doc and hospital/names & numbers of emergency contacts/med insurance ID. It's was a pain in the neck to pull the info together for Lloyd, myself and two parents, but it was well worth the effort.

Juanita

The med sheet Juanita mentioned is a good idea. I had one for my mom almost twenty years ago. I included her meds which changed weekly. I also had information about hospital visits(nearly 30 a year) and contact information. My mom was alone one day and felt sick. She called 911 and was able to open the door. She gave them her info sheet and they took her to the hospital, calling me later. She carried the sheet in her purse.

Last year, I started carrying my info sheet. I've updated it with pet information and contacts of several people. I recently purchased a med alert data drive. It's small and can be worn around the neck. I'm loading my data to it and will wear it when I'm at the health club.

Dear Tru,
Thanks for adding another user's point of view on the med data sheet. I and my mom carry them in our purses, too, but the med alert data drive brings the idea into the 21st Century.

You mentioned adding pet info, I assume of a veterinary nature. But does anyone have any good ideas about how to keep indoor pets from getting out during a med emergency if you are alone in the house?

Every time I've been on the scene when police and EMTs have come to the house, I have never seen anyone close a door behind them. My four cats have been indoors for many years, and one of them has never been outdoors at all. Milli the Beagle is leash trained but not street smart. She has a chip, but a lot of damage can be done between running away and being found.

When I came home on 4/5 to find my poor husband lying on the floor already gone, the police and EMTS must have thought I was crazy because I kept shouting at them to close the doors. Finally rounded all the fur kids up and into other rooms. I can't be the only one with this fear and potential problem.

Juanita