On the 4th May 1974, we married in the beautiful Christchurch Priory which was then Hampshire and is now Dorset, to have and to hold from this day forward. I didn’t realise how important the words in our vows “in sickness and in health” were at the time.
In June 2016, I was hospital and unable to eat (you can read more of my patient story here),. I had asked to be able to come home. My husband who is old school and hadn’t previously had much to do with cooking or housework became an expert in looking after me and the home, for better, for worse. He made me things I could I eat and I soon built up my appetite, to love and to cherish. He sold a watch he treasured so we could go on a cruise to help me get better, for richer, for poorer. I healed quickly.
Till death do us part. 💜
In case you missed it...
I thought I had a hernia
John went into hospital for a hernia operation. Afterwards, he was told that it wasn’t a hernia but a ‘small, bloody mass’. The pathology came back as pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP).
The radiologist was rather puzzled by ‘a fluid in my stomach’
In the summer of 2008, after having pains in my side, which turned out to be gallstones, and not feeling at all well I went to see my doctor who sent me to Bristol General Hospital to have an ultrasound scan. During the examination, the radiologist was rather puzzled by, as she said ‘a fluid in my stomach’.
I was diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei
I had a ten-hour operation in 2015 for bowel and bladder cancer. Three years later, I was diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP).
It can be a challenging and overwhelming experience to face a serious medical condition like pseudomyxoma peritonei. The words in your wedding vows, “in sickness and in health,” can take on new meaning and significance in such a situation. Having a partner or spouse who is willing to stand by you and support you through the ups and downs of PMP can make a big difference in your well-being and quality of life. It is important to communicate openly and honestly with each other about your feelings and needs, and to work together to navigate this difficult time. Remember that even in difficult times, the love and commitment you share can help you overcome any challenges that may come your way.