When my heath problems were taking over my life, you helped me find a way forward

DEAR DEIDRE: CHRONIC pain and health problems were making my life so miserable that I couldn’t see the point of going on.

When I wrote to you, Deidre, my husband was threatening to put me in a home because he couldn’t cope anymore. 

I’m 57 and my husband is 56. We’ve been married for 30 years.

After a routine hip replacement, I got an infection and nearly died.

I spent months in hospital and ended up not being able to walk. When I finally got home, I felt trapped, and depressed about losing my independence. 

My husband made me feel useless and unwanted. We argued all the time.

You told me that it was a difficult adjustment, but I needed to look forward not back and accept life would be different, as would my marriage. 

You sent me your Help for Carers support pack and recommended I contact Mind (mind.org.uk, tel: 0300 123 3393) for my mental health, and Scope (, 0808 800 3333) for disability advice. 

I now feel so much better. Since I wrote, I’ve had a new baby granddaughter, who has given me a new reason to live. 

Thank you.

DEIDRE SAYS: That’s wonderful news. I hope life continues to improve.