After Losing Wife to Flu, Husband Urges Vaccinations

Tony Parker, who said his last words to his wife last week, would have never imagined the flu would help lead to her death.

"I wheeled her in there, in a wheelchair. I had to get back because the kids were here and I told her, 'I love you.' And she said, 'I love you,'" recalled Parker.

That would be last time Parker saw his wife conscious at Lake Granbury Medical Center.

"Get the call the next morning, she's in critical care unit, on a ventilator, sedated, can't talk, can't move, can't talk to her. Nothing," Parker said.

Parker had the flu first, then his son and daughter caught the bug. It hit Stacey the worst.

After a few weeks at Lake Granbury, she was taken to Plano Medical Center. On Friday, he got the call that  Stacey had died.

"I never expected, never saw it coming. I'm still kind of walking around in a daze," Parker said.

Parker, a diabetic, did have underlying health conditions. It's unclear what role that played in her death, however.

She also did not get the shot this year.

"This stuff will turn on you in an instant. Go to the doctor, at least get a flu shot," warned Parker.

Parker, who spent more than three decades with his wife, is now left with memories of what a great mother and person she was.

"She watched all of her sisters kids all the time, she watched the neighbors kids, just like a day care mom. Just a wonderful, wonderful person," he said.

His only comfort is knowing she's not suffering anymore.

"That I'll see her again, that's another comfort I have going for me at this time," Parker added.

Stacey Parker's funeral is at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Bible Baptist Church in Granbury.

The Stacey Forever Fund has been set up to help the Parkers' with funeral costs. Donations can be made care of Cody Parker at 1st Convenient Bank, 3804 East Highway 377 in Granbury.

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