Photo: The New Leaf
Peter Hofmann's wife Sabine speaks
She already knew it then. And yet decided for him: For fifteen years Sabine Hofmann (36) loves the famous singer - although she was aware that his Parkinson's disease would bring a lot of suffering ... Until today she is with him. THE NEW LEAF visited the terminally ill star tenor Peter Hofmann (65).
How are you and your husband?
Sabine Hofmann: I can not complain, and my husband is doing very well right now.
What does that mean?
Sabine Hofmann: Some days he sits down, two hours to us in the living room or on the terrace. That was often the case in the last weeks. We talk for a long time. And Peter also calls old friends and his children.
What are the bad days?
Sabine Hofmann: Then he lies very much in bed. Sometimes he starts a sentence and suddenly does not know what he wants to say. His short-term memory is not so good anymore. There is also a cramp. All concomitants of his Parkinson's disease. His will, however, is unbroken.
Where does he need help?
Sabine Hofmann: He can not go down the stairs by himself. His musculature has become very weak lately. That's why we have to carry him down in a wheelchair for two.
Does she burden the care of her husband?
Sabine Hofmann: Not really. I grew into this situation.
Have you ever considered giving your husband to a nursing home?
Sabine Hofmann: No. That is out of the question for us. There is no reason for that either. He wants to be home with his family. A nursing home would be Peters' end.
How is your daughter dealing with her father's serious illness?
Sabine Hofmann: She only knows him like that. Sometimes she is sad that he can not accompany her. But at least she has a daddy she can always be near.
Sabine Hofmann has answered other questions for "at a glance" online. Read here:
Are you a believer?
Sabine Hofmann: It's hard for me to believe in a righteous God because there is too much disease and suffering in this world.
Do you sometimes mess with your destiny?
Sabine Hofmann: No. From time to time I am sad or unhappy when Laura and I are traveling alone and we wish that Peter would be there. Besides, I always depend on other people's help - that's not easy.
How is it that you understand your husband so well?
Sabine Hofmann: I have learned to listen to myself. But we have always understood each other without words. We have a close relationship with each other. And when I'm on the road, then I feel right when he is not feeling well. You can not explain that. That's just like that.
