1. Finding Strength in Loss: My Journey Through Grief and Resilience

In this deeply personal episode of In the Blink, I open up about my late husband Bob’s battle with COVID-19, his hospitalization, and the heartbreaking moments that followed. I share how I navigated the emotional toll, including my struggles with PTSD, and how the love and support from friends and family carried me through. I also reveal the life-changing accident that led to the loss of my left eye and how these profound experiences have shaped my journey toward healing and advocacy. Through this podcast, I hope to honor Bob’s legacy, help others in their own grief, and provide support to those in need of prosthetic eyes. This episode is about loss and abundance—two sides of the same coin—and the power of storytelling in finding resilience and healing.

“People said it was necessary, and I believe it brought closure. It was a beautiful celebration where stories were shared, keeping his legacy alive—especially for Beau to understand how special his dad was.” - Meagan Oberle

Key Topics Discussed:

Bob’s Illness and Initial Hospitalization

I recount the early signs of Bob’s illness and the moment we realized he needed hospital care.
I describe the peaceful and beautiful end to Bob’s life, playing our wedding song and working with the palliative care team.
The emotional impact of his illness, including my PTSD from past hospital experiences.
The aftermath of Bob’s hospitalization—processing the loss, experiencing breakdowns, and the journey to acceptance.

Life During COVID-19

The unexpected silver linings: spending quality time as a family and forming a close-knit “COVID crew.”
Bob’s more flexible work schedule gave us rare moments of togetherness.
Despite initial fears, we thought we had recovered from COVID-19—until Bob’s condition suddenly worsened three weeks later.

Bob’s Hospitalization and ICU Transfer

The devastating moment when Bob was admitted and I couldn’t be with him due to strict protocols.
His initial signs of improvement gave me hope, but his health continued to decline.
Bob’s resistance to being moved to the ICU and his eventual decision to be intubated.

Medical Challenges and Holding Onto Hope

Bob’s transition to a ventilator and my unwavering belief in his recovery.
Fighting for his transfer to Anschutz Medical Center for specialized care.
My obsession with medical data, spending every waking moment at the hospital, and receiving conflicting updates about Bob’s condition.

Honoring Bob’s Legacy and Moving Forward

The importance of closure and celebrating Bob’s life through storytelling.
Why I started In the Blink—to share my trauma journey and inspire healing in others.
How I’ve turned my personal tragedy into advocacy by helping others receive prosthetic eyes.