Vicky Update Thursday 22nd September

Hello everyone

Thanks for all the messages of support, truly astonishing. I shall never forget everyone who is helping me and my girls through this.

Here is the entry that was placed in the Shields Gazette tonight by myself, thought would be handy to those out of the area. It also has details of the service if you wish to come.

"FERGUSON (South Shields) Victoria Elizabeth (Vicky) tragically, suddenly but peacefully in her husband's arms aged only 42, on Friday September 16, at South Tyneside Hospital. Darling wife and soul-mate of Andy and precious Mam to Charlotte and Gabrielle. A truly wonderful person whose life has been cruelly cut short for reasons I will never understand. We miss you like words cannot describe and you leave an enormous hole in our lives. Thank you for everything you gave to us, the love, devotion and care you shared with us alone. At least you're back with your Dad again, one blessing in all of this. "I'll clear an avenue just for you, a path with silent sound." Chapel of Rest Co-op Funeralcare, Westoe Road from Thursday, close family only please. Funeral service Monday September 26, at St. Hilda's, South Shields, Market Place at 1.30pm followed by Crematorium for committal at 2.30pm then on to Hedworth Hall, Dean Road, South Shields around 3.15pm for celebration of Vicky's life, where all will be welcome. Family flowers only, donations to South Tyneside Hospital. I.T.U. Unit and Ward 8."

There is also a page which runs on the Gazettes website for the next 11 months where you can post messages, photos, memories etc. I should be very grateful if you wanted to share anything.

I want to collect as many photos of Vicky as I can to compile an album.

Gazette link - https://announce.jpress.co.uk/11603043

If this doesn't work, just go to shieldsgazette.com then onto announcements and search Vickys name and you'll find it.

Thanks again everyone
Andy x

Vicky Update Saturday 17th September

Hi everyone

I think many of you will have heard this news already but here is a short message from myself.

It is with the very greatest sadness and heaviest heart I have ever known that I have to tell you that last night on Friday 16th September at 8.15pm, my beloved wife, soul-mate, best friend, love of my life and rose of my heart, Vicky, passed away peacefully in my arms.

I was able to tell her, with her last breaths that I was there for her, as I had promised, for her not to be frightened, to visit me in my dreams and the last words she heard me say were, 'I've got you, I've got you...'

She is simply irreplaceable and was everything to me. I am bereft.

Thanks for the messages and visits so far

I shall post more early next week regarding 'arrangements'.

Andy

Vicky Update - Saturday 3rd September

Hi chaps. Well not a great deal has changed since last Saturday. The main improvement we've seen this week has been that Vicky has been in a medical chair for a few hours each day. This is to try and make her breathing stronger and more independent, which in time, will allow them to make more progress with the physio program.

Last couple of days she's been very tired and rarely awake, just sleeping, but very low on energy.

As I mentioned last week there are still many dangers with her condition and they are today investigating a new infection in her lungs. To you and I it's a chest infection, to Vicky it's potentially far worse. The people on the Ward have been good, I have to trust them. I have to trust them with my wife's life and future, and also that of my daughters, which is very hard to deal with. I'm used to being able to keep tabs on everything, but i feel kind of helpless really at the moment. Waiting. It's not something I do best. 'As I wait for your smile'.....

On to a visiting update. My view is that the style of visiting has to change a little. Because the emphasis from the hospital has been in recent days that a lot of the recovery is now actually up to Vicky, in terms of getting her limbs, body and brain moving, I'd like you to emphasize to Vicky the importance of motivation and telling her that she has to respond to what they ask her to do if she wants to get home. This is what I've been telling her for the last three weeks but I need you to join in also. Of course telling her of gossip and recent events and general chat is still good and looking back at personal experiences you've had together is all still relevant, I feel the time has come to try and impress to Vicky that she's gotta start battling her way out herself also. If she hears that from everyone as opposed to just me, hopefully that will make a difference, and YOU will have made a difference also.

In terms of numbers. On review, I think I need to keep numbers down a touch, as this period of time seems to suggest to me that vast numbers of people at a time wouldn't be beneficial to Vicky, and that's the whole point. I'm happy to see anyone at any time but it's what would benefit Vicky that's important and I just think she's needs a lot of rest at the moment so please continue to ask me about visiting.

Because none of us know when she's taking information in and when she's not, it means we all have to try when we're there, in the hope that at some point the messages get through.

At this point I'd like to make a special mention to Natalie and the rest of the girls at Gateshead Council on Vicky's team. They are a truly astounding bunch of people and the greatest set of friends a person could have. I know that Vicky already knows this but I shall be reminding her of this when she comes back to me and making sure she's aware of everything they have done for her and our precious girls. Simply amazing. Thank you everyone.

I also hereby appoint Viv as Motivational Team Leader :O)

Five weeks is a long time to not be able to communicate with or have a hug from your wife when you love her as much as I do. I hope I don't have to wait for too much longer. With all your help, hopefully we'll succeed.

Thanks, Andy x