A woman shared how her husband suddenly got sick during their dream holiday in Turkey.
Months later, he died of multiple organ failure at age 53.
Yvonne Morrall, from Staffordshire, says her partner, Andy, was fit and healthy but once at their destination, began vomiting, retching, and developed a ruptured esophagus.
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After visiting a doctor in Turkey, it was found that he had contracted pneumonia.
With his condition worsening, the couple were forced to remain in the country for a month and a half while the dad received treatment.
Ten days after they eventually touched back down in the UK, Andy died of multiple organ failure.
“Andy was my best friend, and we had a wonderful, wonderful marriage,” Yvonne told Need To Know.
“We had been looking forward to our dream holiday for so long.
“When he got sick, my world was turned upside down.
“He was treated by a surgeon and spent time in the ICU for several weeks.
“After having pneumonia, he was placed in an induced coma to help his body to recover.
“Andy became a little better and was given a fit to fly home, so we were transported via a medical flight to our local hospital where Andy was placed back in the ICU.
“[After he died], some days I didn’t want to get out of bed, and others I couldn’t stop crying.
“I struggled most being in the home that I and Andy shared, as it triggered so many feelings, emotions, and memories.”
Yvonne stayed in a hotel close to the hospital in Antalya each night until she and Andy were able to board a medical flight home.
They had insurance which meant that the costs of the hospital bill and medical flight were covered.
Yvonne said: “I felt very lost, and heartbroken that we were going through all this.”
“I was unsure of when we would come home.
“We just had to take each day at a time.”
The couple had raised five children together after tying the knot in September 2008, who were equally heartbroken by the dad’s passing.
Tragically, this was also not the first bereavement that Yvonne had experienced.
She lost her son Benjamin in 1994 when he was just two days old after he was born prematurely.
Having now also lost her husband, the grief became overwhelming.
While organising Andy’s funeral, fate pushed Yvonne’s life into a new, unexpected direction.
She said: “After Andy died, I was struggling to juggle my own grief while remaining strong for our children and trying to plan his funeral when I had no idea what he wanted.
“The care and compassion I was shown while arranging my husband’s funeral by the funeral directors really helped put me at ease during such a tough and sad time.
“I felt that I could and wanted to be there for families who were going through their own grief.”
At the time, Yvonne worked as a carer but in the years following her partner’s death, she started looking up ways to change her career.
She began working as a funeral arranger at Co-op Funeralcare in Burslem.
The mum found the job – and the people around her – to be a great healing power for the grief she felt.
She said: “When I was made a widow at 45, I realised that Andy and I had never discussed our funeral wishes because we thought we had years ahead of us.
“Death and grief are still such taboo topics and too many people leave it too late to discuss their funeral plans.
“I love providing care and comfort to families going through the loss of a loved one – I feel like I can relate to them and understand them.
“Working in the funeral industry and with colleagues who are extremely passionate about their job has helped me to understand my grief.
“It feels natural to want to help others through their darkest hour and I want to give something back.”
Yvonne lost her husband in 2016 but has only felt able to talk about it openly now.
With a better understanding of her grief, she has been able to heal.
The mum now has a new partner, who is incredibly supportive, and her family and friends are overjoyed that she has found love once again.
Yvonne said: “Every day got a little easier and I eventually learned to live again.
“A broken heart takes a very long time to heal.
“But I believe it never fully heals – you just have to accept that life continues.
“I was very open early on with my partner.
“He is extremely supportive and comfortable with me talking about Andy and my personal experiences.
“Having the love and support from family and friends is a great comfort, too.”
With Christmas just around the corner, Yvonne has shared some tips to help those who may have lost a loved one.
She added: “Looking back, I wish I’d talked about death from a younger age and so I want to encourage others to do the same.
“Talk to your family and friends – remember that speaking to people can help.
“Keeping a routine can make a big difference too, even if this is just getting out of bed every day.
“Remember [that] you will reach an acceptance stage of grief.
“You will never forget the person that you’ve lost, but life does go on.
“I’m now content and working full-time in a job I love, surrounded by family and friends.”
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