‘Fit and healthy’ dad-of-5, 53, dies weeks after falling sick and vomiting on dream holiday
A HEALTHY dad-of-five suddenly got sick during a dream holiday to Turkey with his wife.
Less than two months later, he died of multiple organ failure aged just 53.
Yvonne Morrall, from Staffordshire, says her partner, Andy, was fit and healthy but once at their destination, he began vomiting and retching to the point he developed a ruptured oesophagus.
After visiting a doctor in Turkey, it was found that he had contracted pneumonia.
With his condition worsening, the couple were forced to remain in the country for a month and a half while the dad received treatment.
Ten days after they eventually touched back down in the UK, Andy died of multiple organ failure.
Yvonne said: “Andy was my best friend, and we had a wonderful, wonderful marriage.
“We had been looking forward to our dream holiday for so long.
“When he got sick, my world was turned upside down.
“He was treated by a surgeon and spent time in the ICU for several weeks.
“After having pneumonia, he was placed in an induced coma to help his body to recover.”
Yvonne stayed in a hotel close to the hospital in Antalya each night until she and Andy were able to board a medical flight home.
They had insurance which meant that the costs of the hospital bill and medical flight were covered.
The mum recalled: “I felt very lost, and heartbroken that we were going through all this.
“I was unsure of when we would come home.
“We just had to take each day at a time.
“Andy became a little better and was given a fit to fly home, so we were transported via a medical flight to our local hospital where Andy was placed back in the ICU.”
Yvonne felt like the rug had been pulled out from under her after losing her husband so suddenly.
“[After he died], some days I didn’t want to get out of bed and others I couldn’t stop crying.
“I struggled most being in the home that me and Andy shared, as it triggered so many feelings, emotions, and memories.”
The couple had raised five children together after tying the knot in September 2008, who were equally heartbroken by the dad’s passing.
Overwhelming grief
Tragically, this was also not the first bereavement that Yvonne has experienced.
She lost her son Benjamin in 1994 when he was just two days old after he was born prematurely.
Having now also lost her husband, the grief became overwhelming.
While organising Andy’s funeral, fate pushed Yvonne’s life into a new, unexpected direction.
Pneumonia: Symptoms and causes
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection.
Most people get better in a matter of weeks, but babies, older people, and people with heart or lung conditions are at risk of getting seriously ill and may hospital treatment.
Symptoms of pneumonia can start suddenly or gradually over a few days.
They include:
- A cough – you may cough up yellow or green mucus
- Shortness of breath
- A high temperature
- Chest pain
- An aching body
- Feeling very tired
- Loss of appetite
- Making wheezing noises when you breathe – babies may also make grunting noises
- Feeling confused – this is common in older people
Occasionally, people can also experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Causes of pneumonia
Pneumonia is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection.
You can catch pneumonia from someone who has it, or you can sometimes get it if you have another infection such as:
- Flu
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- Covid-19
Pneumonia can be caused by a fungal infection, but this is rare in healthy people in the UK.
It may also be caused by something getting into your lungs, such as water or food – this is called aspiration pneumonia.
Source: NHS, Harvard Health
She said: “After Andy died, I was struggling to juggle my own grief, while remaining strong for our children, and trying to plan his funeral when I had no idea what he wanted.
“The care and compassion I was shown while arranging my husband’s funeral from the funeral directors really helped put me at ease during such a tough and sad time.
“I felt that I could and wanted to be there for families who were going through their own grief.”
‘Giving something back’
At the time, Yvonne worked as a carer but in the years following her partner’s death, she started looking up ways to change her career.
She began working as a funeral arranger at Co-op Funeralcare in Burslem.
The mum found the job – and the people around her – to be a great healing power for the grief she felt.
She said: “When I was made a widow at 45, I realised that Andy and I had never discussed our funeral wishes because we thought we had years ahead of us.
“Death and grief are still such taboo topics and too many people leave it too late to discuss their funeral plans.
“I love providing care and comfort to families going through the loss of a loved one – I feel like I can relate to them and understand them.
“Working in the funeral industry and with colleagues who are extremely passionate about their job has helped me to understand my grief.
“It feels natural to want to help others through their darkest hour and I want to give something back.”
A broken heart takes a very long time to heal. But I believe it never fully heals – you just have to accept that life continues
Yvonne Morrall
Yvonne lost her husband in 2016 but has only felt able to talk about it openly now.
With a better understanding of her grief, she has been able to heal.
The mum now has a new partner, who is incredibly supportive, and her family and friends are overjoyed that she has found love once again.
Yvonne said: “Every day got a little easier and I eventually learned to live again.
“A broken heart takes a very long time to heal.
“But I believe it never fully heals – you just have to accept that life continues.
“I was very open early on with my partner.
“He is extremely supportive and comfortable with me talking about Andy and my personal experiences.
“Having the love and support from family and friends is a great comfort, too.”
Yvonne's advice for dealing with loss
With Christmas just around the corner, Yvonne has shared some tips to help those who may have lost a loved one.
She added: “Looking back, I wish I’d talked about death from a younger age and so I want to encourage others to do the same.
“Talk to your family and friends – remember that speaking to people can help.
“Keeping a routine can make a big difference too, even if this is just getting out of bed every day.
“Remember [that] you will reach an acceptance stage of grief.
“You will never forget the person that you’ve lost, but life does go on.
“I’m now content and working full-time in a job I love, surrounded by family and friends.”