Doctor’s Diary February 22, 2020: The seven year itch

(Snippets from the frontline)

The seven year itch

Both lost their spouse in their early 80s.  They found each other at church seven years ago as a bothersome itch kept him squirming in the pew.  “She scratched my back, and that strangely was the beginning of our relationship.  Tell that to the grandkids!”

He was a character. “I was always in trouble but I learned from my mistakes, and finally am a better person coming up on 90!”  Indeed, he fought for our country, got an education, then did well for himself and family.

His wife said, “After my husband passed away, I was lonely and became isolated.  I’m so happy every morning when I wake up and have him next to me!” 

On occasion, he required hospitalization, and being less mobile, he was a housecall patient.  They combined and shared a lot of memorabilia, and he once proudly proclaimed “look how wonderful our lives have been!”

Early one morning after midnight, I received a call from a Sheriff’s Officer.  He had passed away.  It was sudden without suffering. 

Sadly, she would now wake up without him. 

They had a loving seven year relationship, starting from a scratch on the back.

Gene Uzawa Dorio, M.D.

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