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It is with great sadness that I report the death of my dear wife, Rosemary Bailey.
On February 21st 2019 she was admitted to the intensive care unit of University College London Hospital suffering with a bad case of flu. She had had CLL – chronic lymphocytic leukaemia for some years and was about to have a second chemotherapy course as her white blood count has risen again. She was previously treated successfully more than two years ago. The CLL meant that that her immune system was compromised, so the flu hit her very hard. Because she was incapable to getting enough oxygen through a face mask, they immediately put her into a hospital-induced coma and attached her to a ventilator to do the breathing for her. She never regained consciousness.
In the following three weeks the doctors and consultants tried a number of ways to improve her lungs but her white blood count doubled in two weeks and she was incredibly weak. Even turning her in bed caused her to get very upset. Rosemary had prepared a Living Will, asking not to be resuscitated in the event of terminal illness from which no possible recovery was possible. . In many ways we were disobeying her wishes by continuing so long with no real change in her condition. But then, after a discussion with her consultant, Dr. David Brealey and in the opinion of her three other consultants, we decided to let nature take its course. We did not want her to experience any pain, fear or confusion. Rosemary died at 5:00am GMT on Wednesday, 20 March, 2019.
The funeral was held at the West London Crematorium on April 2 at 3:45, attended by her two sisters, her brother, her niece and nephew, her brother-in-law, her son Theo, and her husband, Barry Miles. There were also a small number of close friends but the decision had been made to keep it private and to hold a public celebration later in the year, probably July.
Barry Miles (her husband).
