Maple Shade Woman Recognizes Husband For Help With Medical Struggles

Maple Shade, New Jersey — Every community has its bright spots — the neighbors, businesses and local favorites that make it feel like home. As 2025 comes to a close, Patch and T-Mobile are recognizing the people, places and moments that made this year brighter in Maple Shade through our Best of 2025 series.

This story was submitted by Dot, who nominated My husband Pat Hagan. To share your own Best of 2025 nomination, click here to answer a few questions, and we’ll take it from there.

Who or what are you nominating for Best of 2025?

My husband Pat Hagan

How did this person, place or experience make a difference in your life or community this year?

It seems this year I’d been hit one after another. At 73 yrs old it started in January thru February some how I twisted my back & couldn’t hardly move. Bound to a Walker then after it Subsided, Buried my Mom late April, next corporal tunnel in my Rt Wrist, then Spurs on my Hip, had to get a shot for them rubbing against the bursitis Sak, he got me thru that next was in July while trimming weeds out back, our neighbors yard is laden with Poison Ivy (I didn’t know what it was but was pulling it from our side of the fence & ended up he took me to the ER, next Reg Primary (no one knew what it was, progressively getting worse, he took me from NJ into Philly Wills eye ER, came home & the next morning he took me to Wills eye Hosp. By now ‘my left eye was a slit swollen shut, a slit, & my entire Face was double & swollen) 4 Drs now😳😫😢😞IT WAS MY HUSBAND who told the Dr ‘it looked like Poison Ivy when he was a kid & got it’. It was! she treated me & after 2 wks & strong meds & my husbands care going to the Pharmacy & grocery stores, doing dinners. next, beginning of Oct. I pulled my back raking leaves now, couldn’t move without walker for 2 wks. Again. (& I hope lastly for the yr) and just Nov 13, my hair started hurting I Thought a spider might have gotten on my scalp when I went thru a web (it was dark letting our dog out at nite & I felt a web arms going not realizing it was there. But by morning, my head felt like something was burrowing under my Scalp. Afraid it c/b a Spider.Literally crying screaming from the pain decided to go to Dermatologist. My Husband standing by me the entire time, taking me everywhere I had to go. Listening to me as I’ve NEVER DONE EVER! Turns out not a Spider at all, it was SHINGLES!😵😫😭I don’t know that I could stand by someone going thru this but it is THE MOST TORTUROUS, HORRIFIC, EXCRUCIATING PAIN I’ve ever had.😞😢My Dr knew immediately & Prescribed what I needed & took a culture for sure. Didn’t want to wait from what I was explaining, started me asap on the Meds. She was right. I felt like something digging crawling under my Scalp digging w/ electric prongs deep into my scalp every cpl centimeters when one for a fraction of time let up another 5 started elsewhere. How my Husband sat there listening to me I’ll never know. ❤️ the hurt, crying, pain going to the Pharmacy getting the next meds, dinners, laundry, the Dr called in the numbing Scripts now & said to get lidocaine (I think it was) Numbing Spray right on it! Thru it all, my Honey, stood by my side did everything he could to help or just be by my side supportive for me. This Man deserves some kind of reward, I’m still on the mend, mostly gone but still sore head. My Love for this man just doesn’t seem enough. He is my Hero & I’ll Love him forever, heck even taking care of our Furbaby. I’ve heard of Shingles, but never been thru them with anyone. If you had ChickenPox as a kid GET THE SHOT! funny the Dr never prep me for what was in store🤔😞

What would you like everyone in town to know about your nominee?

My Husband Pat was there thru every single thing without a gripe or anything other then ‘can he or what can he get me?❤️😫😊we’ve been Married just 16 yrs. I NEVER THOUGHT I COULD HAVE A CARING MAN LIKE THIS FOR MY OWN. And i Thank God for bringing him into my Life❤️😊🥰

If you could tell them one thing, what would it be?

Thank you for wanting to share, be in my life & have the rest of our lives together.❤️

What’s something you love most about your town or community?

Wow, my Husband. Our Block has gone thru major changes in the last 5 yrs, the older folks, Retired, Moved away or Passed away😞🥴 everyone around us now, Is younger, new & stay to themselves. Very nice I guess but at least they’re all Responsible & a working group. 👍I try to bake & share when I can. I remember when I worked, it wasn’t always easy, so I may give Lunch or Breakfast or just some munchies to bring a smile. Ya never know who c/ use one. 😉

We want to hear from you, too! Is there a restaurant, a contractor, a business, a person — even a place — that’s your pick for Best of 2025? Click here to answer a few questions, and your story could be featured on Patch.

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