At 6:30 this morning as I was finishing up in the bathroom, I heard Kate say, “Hey.” I went to her bedside and asked if there were something I could do for her.
Kate: “I want to go to the bathroom.”
Richard: “I can help you with that.”
Kate: “Where is it?”
Richard: “Let me help you up, and I’ll show you.”
When she stood up, I took her hand.
Kate: “Boy, am I glad you’re here.”
Richard: “I’m glad to be here with you.”
As we reached the bathroom, she wanted to shed her overnight underwear.
Kate: “This is no fun. I know it’s not for you either.”
When she finished, she went to the sink to wash her hands and brush her teeth. Then the conversation continued.
Kate: “Richard, I’m so glad you are here. You take such good care of me.” (We embraced) “I wouldn’t know what to do without you.”
Richard: “And I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Kate: “What’s your name?”
Richard: “Richard, and I’m your husband.”
Kate: “Oh. What do I do now?”
Richard: “It’s still early. You can go back to sleep if you want.”
She did, and we walked hand in hand back to bed.
Kate: “Thank you. You know I can’t live without you.”
Richard: “I love you and will always take care of you.”
Kate: “You already are.”
During our entire conversation, she never displayed any sign of anxiety or panic. She was, however, feeling insecure and grateful for my help. The way she acted it sounded like a rather clear understanding that she has a serious problem and views me as someone she can trust to care for her. We talk about our love for each other all the time, but in this moment it seemed that each of us fully recognized our situation for what it is.
