Pia Salming lives one day at a time.
Ice hockey legend Börje Salming died of ALS at the end of November.
Salming learned of his diagnosis in July. At first, he felt that everything was not right, but his family thought it was the after-effects of the disease caused by the coronavirus.
The diagnosis was finally ALS, which progressed quickly and aggressively.
Salming went to Toronto in November for the Hall of Fame celebration game and a few days later to the hockey gala organized in Stockholm.
Börje Salming’s wife Pia Salming says that Börjen was very proud of how the event was organized in Sweden. It ended up being the puck legend’s last public appearance.
– He used his last strength that evening. It showed his delicacy as a person, when he is so sick, he gathered his last strength and was there, says Pia Salming Aftonbladet in the interview.
Pia Salming saw changes in her husband and realized what had to come. He still lived in hope, but after the Stockholm gala they wanted to spend Börje Salming’s last moments with the family.
– I don’t want to talk about it (about the last day). We want it to be private between the family. But he didn’t suffer, that much I can tell. We were all together.
Hall of Fame Banquet
Earlier in November, Börje Salming wanted to travel to Toronto and to his former club, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Salming played in the club for 16 seasons.
Börje Salming’s wife Pia Salming says that the whole family knew that the trip in question could be Börje Salming’s last.
– It was completely hysterical and extremely difficult. Börje helped with the packing, even though he couldn’t speak. We felt that he wanted to go there.
Pia Salming says that she was worried about whether her husband could handle the ceremony on ice.
On the one hand, he hoped the event would be over quickly, but on the other hand, he liked what he saw. Börje Salming received thunderous applause from the players and fans.
However, the event was reflected in the puck legend.
– He was very tired. Still, we went into town to see some more statues. He knew it would be the last time. We stood in front of the statue, hugged each other and cried. It was so sad in every possible way.
The story continues after the picture.
Pia Salming tackled Börje Salmig to the starting circle to drop the starting puck. AOP / USA TODAY Sports
Health
Pia Salming stays at home indoors a lot these days, because when people are sad, they just want to be at home.
He plans to travel abroad to a sunny country for a few weeks and focus on his well-being.
When a reporter asks how she is doing, Pia Salming says that it is difficult to answer.
– How should you answer that? I’m taking it one day at a time, that’s all I can do. I can’t say I’m fine, then I’d be lying.
The trip to the Maple Leafs was important for Börje Salming. AOP / USA TODAY Sports