Cape Breton's Magazine

I raised my voice to the doctor--I was overwrought--very upset, and Dr. Tompkins never said a word but got up and walked out. I thought, "Now I've done it--made him mad by yelling at him." Later, I found what he actually did when he walked away, was go and cancel the operation for Henry. As the hour approached midnight, the ward was cleared of the other three patients, their beds wheeled out, so I could be with Henry and the family members. The nurse in attendance kept putting Henry's oxygen mask in place--Henry pulled it off a few times. She told me to keep talking to him, that the hearing was the last to go, and he was listening to all. Everything I have ever said or wanted to say to him, I said then. I told him I loved him--many times--and asked him, as I had previously, weeks be? fore- -to never, never leave me--and, if he could, to come back and live with me in the house we built together. He nodded his head once or twice--like a wedding vow given. I held his hand and got an answering, tho' very weak, squeeze back. Watching him fight to stay alive was a moment to be imprinted on my mind forever. Oh, he wanted so much to live--and during those last moments, I prayed so earnestly for him to die! AUGUST 29,1991 They gave him morphine three or four times while I was there and, after each injec? tion, he stopped struggling and twisting his head and clutching his neck. At least, he seemed calmer, but the noises coming from him during each anguished breath, made my heart ache with love and compas? sion for this courageous man. He beckoned me even closer. I put my ear to his mouth and above the gasps and the rattles coming from him, I heard the words, "Thank you, darling, for 46 wonderful years!" Then he .took his mask off, put it on the bed, and mo? tioned with his hands for the nurse to stand back. I said, "Nurse, leave him alone, he wants to go." I held him very close to me as I felt the last breath shud? der through his body and his heart kick to a stop.... He wasn't breathing. The nurse touched the bottom of his feet for any reaction, then went for someone--a lady doctor--head nurse--I'm not sure. She felt the jugular vein, put the stethoscope to his heart, then said, "Henry is dead." That was ex? actly at 2 am. I went down on my knees and thanked God for taking him and giving him peace at last. Then I went quietly home to begin a new lifestyle that I know I'll never really adjust to. It's a case of go? ing on--I have no choice--but I will al? ways love and miss my dear old man. Our continued thanks to Hilda Tipper iUlleczko for sharing her writing with us. Our thanks as well to her friend Jean LeBlanc, 'SUBUJRY' 3 Great Locations to Serve 1102 King's Rd. SYDNEY RIVER 567-1499 You 403 Charlotte St. SYDNEY 326 Commercial St. NORTH SYDNEY 794-SUBS 539-SUBS Entertainment Alive! I The Savoy Theatre hUmd Variety - 'ivo $12.50/$11.50 WALLY McAULAY BUDDY MacDONALD JOHN FERGUSON & Host: TOM O'KEEFE THE ST. JOHN'S CITADEL BAND SL John's Newfoundland $10.00 The Salvation Army Glace Bay Citadel Celebrates 100 Yean of Service to God & Man The JIMMY FLYNN '3l "TheAmbassador'"''"** jCp of Good Cheer" ftii $15.00/$14.00 . FI From Scotland • an evening of music and laughter! WM'Hirt Entertainment with a Twist presents STARRING MARGOT SAMPSON • A musical tour of her career • $15.00/$14.00 ??aaaiaiT,i:ia;fcd Not ]ust For Kids Series Cashore Marionettes • SEPT 23 Michael Cooper • OCT 29 Lenny Graf • MARCH 31 Razzmatazz • MAY 26 $8.00 Each, or all 4 Showsl Just $24.00 iss Out • Buy Your Tickets Today! TICKET OUTLETS: VOY THEATRE BOX OFFICE lYFLOWER MALL LOTTO BOOTH ARMASAVE, GLACE BAY IsCand Varktif - Iftree LEE CREMO BILL APPLEBY BRUCE MacPHEE & Host: TOM O'KEEFE $12.50/$11.50 BdJ:'HJil:fd=lM I III II "The Shunning" A powerful exploration riliillllij 1 ?' *'? power of conformity ' in a small community $15; stud. $10/$14; $9 ' Alexander Brothers lIlJDDY WasXsnAME AND THE Other Fellers WILD, WACKY AND WONDERFUL $15.00/$14.00 The Canadian Tribute to Glenn Miller *******DINNER/DANCE******* at Glace Bay High School KniWa' TICKETS BY PHONE: (QQOi 842-1577 Credit Card* and Expiry (50?fficket service charge) *"''/ *''' 1 v?? f ? Union Street GLACE BAY