My journey is not the same as my husband’s and we have different challenges. I can never fully understand what he is facing just as he can never fully understand my stuff. For this reason it is good to keep open communication lines between the two of us, especially when things go sideways.

I have been dealing with weakness and pain in my right leg. After ignoring it for months because I was convinced it would just go away on its own, I finally talked to my husband about it. He insisted that I get it checked out and so I made an appointment with my PCP. She had no answers and suggested that maybe a PT could help. My first thought was ‘when do I have time for physical therapy?’, but I agreed to the referral and figured it would work itself out somehow. I was surprised to get a call to schedule within a week and then to have an appointment the next day. Dang, was I really going to have to go through with this?

I have had two appointments with the PT now and things actually are feeling much better. I hate to admit it, but my husband was right, I did need to be seen. Had I not spoken with him, I would still be limping around, suffering in silence, and my ability to care for him would be impacted. Shared challenges are more easily overcome as we are doing PT exercises together to keep each other accountable. It’s turned into a winning situation for both of us.