Walking Him Home: Helping My Husband Die with Dignity

Walking Him Home is a novel that follows the story of Joanne, who helps her husband Alan complete the Medical Aid in Dying application, even though she wants him to live.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 09 August 2022
Publisher: She Writes Press

Alan and Joanne, two people who had been married for many years, found themselves at a crossroads in their lives when they reached midlife. They had built a beautiful life together, filled with love, laughter, and adventure. However, their happiness was abruptly interrupted when Alan was diagnosed with a rare and fatal neurodegenerative illness.

As Alan's condition worsened, he became increasingly disabled and dependent on others. He struggled to find joy in the things that once brought him happiness, and his once vibrant personality seemed to fade away. He knew that his time was limited, and he wanted to end his suffering before it became unbearable.

Joanne, Alan's devoted wife, was torn between her love for her husband and her desire to see him live. She knew that ending his life would be a difficult decision, but she also knew that it was his right to make. She supported him in his quest to end his suffering, even though it meant facing the inevitable pain and loss.

Together, Alan and Joanne navigated the complex world of medical aid in dying. They researched the laws and requirements in their state, and they worked with their medical team to complete the application process. Joanne helped Alan fill out the paperwork, providing emotional support and guidance as he faced the difficult decision of ending his own life.

As they waited for the medical team's decision, Joanne's heart was heavy with fear and uncertainty. She couldn't bear the thought of losing her husband, but she also knew that he was in immense pain and that he wanted to end his suffering.

To her surprise, Alan's medical team approved his request for medical aid in dying. They wrote him a prescription for the life-ending drugs, and he was able to take them in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by his loving wife.

The days that followed were filled with pain and grief, but also with moments of joy and gratitude. Joanne spent every moment she could with her husband, cherishing the time they had together and remembering the beautiful life they had built. She leaned on her friends and family for support, and she found solace in the memories of the love they shared.

In the end, Alan passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving wife and family. Joanne felt a sense of peace and closure, knowing that her husband had ended his suffering and that he had died with dignity.

Walking Him Home is Joanne's story of coming to terms with her husband's illness, learning to navigate the intricate passageways of caregiving, and choosing to help Alan in his quest to die with dignity, even though she wanted nothing more than to grow old with him. It is a tender and heartfelt tale of love and loss, of the power of compassion and the importance of cherishing the time we have with those we love.

Through her journey, Joanne teaches us that love is not just about being there for each other in times of joy, but also in times of sorrow and loss. She shows us that it is possible to find joy and meaning even in the face of adversity, and that sometimes, the greatest act of love is to let go when it is time.

This story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to heal and transform. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and light, and that we are never alone in our struggles.

Weight: 392g
Dimension: 140 x 215 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647420895