Our Love Mates Go Through Cancer, Too
I don’t know what I would do without my handsome, passionate, and dependable husband. Man, have we been through the most together!!! I’m sure none of us thought our wedding vows and the words many of us repeat would directly affect our union years later.
In sickness and in health
"I, ___, take thee, ___, to be my wedded husband/wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith [or] pledge myself to you."
My husband has been a panicked rock throughout many phases of our journey. It is often not just us going through cancer... so does our mate. Did they really sign up for all of this mess? I mean, even we don’t want to deal with it if we had the choice! It takes a strong person to continue on the journey. I’ve heard of the many stories where people don’t have that strength to support loved ones in these sensitive times and sometimes even leave.
Freedom to live
I appreciate my husband’s support in allowing me to live and do what I need to do in the time that I have. I think we all realize you never know how things may turn out in the end, and having that support to live without any compromise is lovely. The freedom to live is not only about me but my whole family who shares this journey with me. I can’t tell you how comforting it is to have that constant cheerleader in my corner. My husband and I share a rib, we are indeed one.
Staying positive
Even when I got clearance of remission, we both stayed in the moment. Despite the debate of whether I could be truly cured of multiple myeloma, we’re living in the moment. We’re a praying family and having faith has been a true testament on this journey. I’m sure it's what gives us the endurance to be positive in all of this.
Battles and all
Battle wounds, well, I have many and hubby has been there through them all. He doesn’t really talk about what he thought about some of those close calls… there’s been a few from blood transfusions to collapsing in the street to tubes and all. I think it’s always best to let our loved ones go through this process the way they need to go through it. Whether with anger, sadness, or confusion, they will get through this process in their own way just as we will - battles and all.
So, what does "sickness and in health" really mean? Well, for sure not every day is bright and sunny and, when you have a mate, you guys have to figure out your way of getting through the storms when one of your health takes a turn.
The time to fight is now, with integrity, grace, hope, and a smile….when you feel like it
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