She wants to stop time, talk to her husband one last time. That was Monika H.*’s only wish on Monday. It didn’t come to that anymore. The father of four died a day later as a result of his cancer.

It all started in the spring. A diagnosis was added almost every day. First a tumor was discovered in the kidney, then in the lung and finally in the head. The Innviertler was not discouraged, started chemotherapy and continued to run his hairdressing business. He didn’t hold back in his role as a father either. “He was an absolute family man, the children were his greatest pride,” says his wife. The couple has two boys and two girls, the youngest is only two years old. “They want their dad back,” says the 42-year-old.

A few weeks ago all hopes were dashed. After an operation on the gallbladder, Johannes H.* developed pneumonia. The father of four was in an artificial deep sleep, machines kept him alive. For how much longer? His wife asked this question over and over again. “With every visit to the hospital, I thought to myself, this could be the last.”

The thought that the family is not complete at Christmas drives Monika H. to despair. Life without her husband is unimaginable. They were a couple for more than 20 years and went the same way professionally. “We have always stuck together, even in difficult times,” says the hairdresser, who is currently on maternity leave.

Her family was blessed with health. Until November of the previous year. Johannes got pneumonia after being infected with the corona virus. He recovered from that, the family was in good spirits. Only the cough remained.

After a routine check-up, he received the first bad news: the X-ray showed a worrying abnormality in the kidney. “That came as a complete surprise to us because we assumed that he would be fit again,” says Monika H. Instead, further findings rained down on her husband. The chemotherapy had visibly weakened him. Nevertheless, the Innviertler tried to maintain his everyday life. He didn’t want to let his wife and four children down, also financially. That’s why the father pulled himself together again and again. “He sat down at our table even though he couldn’t eat anything anymore,” says his wife. It was only at the beginning of the year that the couple realized a small dream and opened another hairdressing salon. The daily short visits from his wife and his youngest made him smile. They are now a thing of the past.

Fresh start for five

“Now he’s no longer with us,” says Monika H. As often as she could, she stood by her husband’s bedside in the intensive care unit, held his hand and hoped. At the same time, the 42-year-old was aware that there was a high probability that Johannes would not wake up again. “We are medically at the end” – doctors brought this message to the mother of four one day before his death. The bereaved now have to start all over again, five of them. Money worries are an additional burden. The family lives in a rented apartment and the childcare allowance is about to expire. In addition, there are high costs for the forthcoming funeral. The OÖN reader family does not leave mother and children alone in this situation. At least the financial future is secured for the time being.

Monika H knows that she can neither stop nor turn back time. “It has to go on somehow, we remember our dad as happy people and stick together, just like we always did.”

*Names of those affected have been changed by the editors

Here’s how you can help

Fate is often accompanied by financial worries. Then the OÖN-Christkindl, the traditional fundraising campaign for Upper Austrians in need, will help. Every euro that goes into the account AT94 2032 0000 0011 1790 (IBAN) is transferred to needy families in the country.

This is a close partner of the OÖN Christkindl state theatre, which invites you to benefit performances on two evenings. On Thursday, December 1, the operetta “Countess Mariza” is performed in the music theater for a good cause. A week later, on 9th of December (Friday), finds the contemplative Christkindl Gala in the Linzer playhouse instead of. Numerous artists put themselves at the service of a good cause on this evening. Tickets are here.

The Christkindl will also be present at tomorrow’s balloon launch in Steyr. The net proceeds from the wish cards are donated to Upper Austrians in need. There is also Advent market in Wilhering the opportunity to support the OÖN Christkindl. At the December 8th and 11th visitors can purchase poinsettias for a donation. The proceeds go to the Christkindl of the OÖ Nachrichten.