"That's Love in action" Journal entry by Terence

Journal entry by Terence-

July 6, 2011

Last night was tough for my wife.  She sat in bed, wide-eyed awake; it was 1:45 am.  Fixing the covers again, it's always too hot or too cold; 3:00 am. Groaning... another night of pain; it's 4:15 am.  Up to the bathroom.  Again.  4:45 am. She's still awake and lightly rubbing me, praying for me.  Sleep, finally; now just after 6:00 am.

Sherry wasn't the one sick, but was the one awake, keeping a watchful vigil over me as I tried again to get a good nights rest.  Most of the days we live in somewhat opposite schedules.  At least we do as far as sleep is concerned.  My typical evening sees me retiring around midnight and rising at 9:00 am.  My wife spends most of this time in compassionate, quiet prayer.  In the wee hours of the morning, after she is certain I am OK, she drifts in to light sleep.  She sleeps the soundest from 9-noon; which is  the time I am up, and have made it through the night without any major issues or hospital runs.

     Last week was tough for my wife. With visits to our primary care physician, urologist and oncologist it almost seems like she is a soccer mom once again.  "Here's your noon medicine and your 3:00 pm organic snack".  "Let's not forget your blood draw and PSA test tomorrow."  "Come inside, it's 4:00 pm; you don't want to "overdue it" for the day."  

     Last month was tough for my wife;     for that matter, the last 2 years have been tough.  It's been 2 years today that I was terminally diagnosed. I have watched my wife tirelessly take care of the needs of the day and plan for the ones ahead.  I often wonder why the spouse of a cancer patient doesn't receive more attention...like the nice encouraging cards, some flowers or better yet-a gift certificate for a massage!  I would have never known this to be a need until I  saw the need for myself.  

I may face the physical side of cancer, but my wife carries the day-in day-out emotional weight of cancer in the family-  It's always there, unrelenting.  So when my kids ask "what can I do for you Pop?", my response is always "whatever you can do to bless your mother is a great blessing to me". 

I have great respect and a huge heart for all spouses who patiently and lovingly take watch over their partner in life.  It reminds me of the vow we took before God: 'for better or for worse', in sickness and in health'.  

That's Love in action.

Sherry loves me. I had a great day today.

~Terence