Guest Blogger: My Husband

(Preface: My husband was an English major in college so when I said I was going to start a blog, I was a little intimidated by his knowledge. I didn’t want to make a fool out of myself in his eyes. Since starting my blog, he as been encouraging though and for that I am grateful. This blog has been a life saver for me. It’s a place I come to sort out my feelings but it has also brought me a community of readers who encourage and support me, many who can relate to my journey in one way or another. I asked my husband if he wanted to be a guest blogger recently, because I knew his insight would be interesting and well written. I also thought it might help someone who reads it better understand what its like to live with a chronically ill person. Here are his thoughts.)

When my wife asked me to guest blog, several thoughts and questions ran through my mind. Firstly, why would she ask me? I mean, isn’t this her thing, something personal, something that she finds fulfilling? I came to accept that this is something she wanted to share with me and you. Secondly, I wondered how a blog from me would be received: Lisa’s blog clearly has meaning to her and to those who read it. I decided to follow Lisa’s example and simply express myself and leave the results to others. So with these misgivings laid bare, here it goes.

I came to understand Lisa better as a result of her disease and her blog. What I learned is that you can see what a person is made of when illness or disaster strike that person. Platitudes that a person might sincerely offer turn out to be a thin mist when what is needed is the rushing water from a fire hydrant. I’m thinking of the wry expression, “Take my advice; I’m not using it.” Lisa has shown me a courage I didn’t know was possible. Yet behind that is a vulnerable person hoping the inspiring things she says are true. I think Lisa has observed that the fight against a disease like this is a marathon, not a sprint. But it is exactly this observation that provides an unexpected gift: illness and uncertainty put little things in perspective. Not knowing when or if a chronic disease will spiral out of control makes the everyday challenges look small. Work stresses like new, annoying tasks or a less than ideal boss seem hardly worth worrying about. Doing something that used to be difficult, such as giving a presentation, learning something new, or teaching a class, becomes easy when compared to the struggle to be healthy when your body seems dedicated to destroying itself. I’ve learned from living with and loving Lisa that equal doses of fierce determination and faith are required to keep balance and hope alive. I’d like to thank everyone who appreciates and thanks Lisa for her blog because her blog and your encouragement also fuel Lisa’s determination.