Coffee with All4Cure - Cindy (2/3)

I’ve been with my husband Dave for 13 years and in many respects, he has helped me to not get hung up on stuff that doesn't matter. He's super funny, so we laugh constantly and this has helped me lighten up. I was in the hospital frequently during the first couple of years after I was diagnosed. They have boards on the hospital room walls where they put in your nurse's name, vitals, dietary restrictions, etc. When Dave visited, he would always fill out funny answers on the board when he came in. They amused me and the hospital staff. It’s that little stuff that keeps things in perspective. I think in some respects it’s harder to be the caregiver than the patient. The caregiver doesn't have as much freedom to fall apart because they're still trying to conduct the rest of their lives. As the one who was sick, I got to put all of my other responsibilities on hold and just focus on getting better. My husband and family had to be the support for me, go to work, prepare meals, and be the people who were strong when I was not. Not to mention there was nothing anyone could do while seeing someone they love almost die. One time, Dave flew back to our home in California after visiting me in Seattle. When he arrived, he got a phone call that I had been admitted to the hospital and the doctors were afraid I might not make it. He turned around and got on a plane back to Seattle the next day. Now that’s scary, I don't want to ever get that phone call.