My Valentine

With everything that has been going on — Valentine’s Day came and went without much celebration.  I was thinking that it is a little ironic because if Valentine’s Day is about celebrating the one you love — I should have been going all out.

So, while it isn’t something that can be wrapped – my gift to Marc this year is sharing with our family and friends how wonderful he is and how lucky I am to have him in my life.  

I think one of the reasons I remain so positive about my recovery is because he really won’t let me think otherwise.  At the worst of my stroke  — when the doctors didn’t know if I would walk again — Marc said he had no doubt.  Looking back, I thought if Marc knew I was going to be OK — then I was going to be OK.  He took away my doubt and raised my confidence.

I was scared to be in the hospital room by myself following the stroke because I was completely helpless. I couldn’t move my arms and legs, sit up in the bed or even raise my head off the pillow. If I needed the nurse someone needed to press the call button for me.

Marc was by my side every minute.  For my entire hospital stay he slept in a chair next to my bed — just a regular chair that barely angled back. My pain was so bad one night he even gave me his only pillow so I could hold it against my chest.

He ran to the hotel for no more than an hour a day to shower, eat and get clean clothes.  Other than that one hour - he didn’t leave my room the entire time at the hospital.  He barely ate because he didn’t want to go to the cafeteria and leave me alone.

He held my hand and smiled. He read me emails from friends. He made sure I was getting the right medications — and even the correct dosing. He made sure I was comfortable in the bed. He was with me for every doctor meeting, appointment and exam. He came with me to all my tests. He was at every therapy session — taking notes so we could continue therapy on our own. He turned away visitors if I was sleeping.  He spoke to the doctors and made sure we fully understood everything that was happening.

Complications arose and he did things that no husband should have to do. He saw things that no husband should have to see. He spoke with doctors about things no husband should have to discuss. He lived through the entire hell with me and felt the pain I felt the entire time. No husband should have to do any of this — but my husband did.

And for all of this I celebrate my husband this Valentine’s Day and thank him for giving me the greatest gift of all.