Support, Husband Style - funny story

June 14, 2009

Hi Everyone,

I was mentioning to my lovely husband about how wonderful it is to be a part of

this fantastic group and why etc. He then laughed and said that I should tell

you about what we did before I was diagnosed but when I was in a 'really bad

way' 2 summers ago in Colorado. I couldn't even carry a load of laundry up 10

stairs from our basement to our family room without sitting down due to the fact

that I'd pass out. My vision was dim and my knees shaky. At this point I was

waiting for my National Jewish appointment (12 week wait). My husband thought

my problem might allergies (I've not had allergies in my life but he has them)

and maybe we should go to the mountains to get away from the plants in the city

to see if that HELPS me. Well, I doubted that was it but going to the mountains

sounded like fun and although I was concerned about the additional altitude I

didn't think it would be too bad if he found a flat hike for us to do with our

dogs. So, he found a hike that was 'above tree line' around 12,000 feet of

elevation but it was a gentle hike around a valley. The hike was supposed to be

'easy' and around 2 miles in length which prior to getting whatever I got in

April of that year would have been no problem for me. Well, we drive up and

start on the hike and get in about 1/4 mile and I've already had to sit down

several times. I feel awful because I am wrecking our day but also am having

significant shortness of breath. At the 1/4 mile point I decide that I can't do

this so we turn around and even the most gentle uphill slope is so much I feel I

will just fall over. I was worried that my husband was going to have to carry

me and manage the leashes for 2 dogs too. We stopped many many times and I did

get back to the car. I think at that point my husband gave up on the 'allergy'

theory.

I haven't hiked since! I want to walk around Mt. Ranier (at the base) but am

not interested in hiking even though I have recovered substantially since then.

Sometimes you are just scarred emotionally too.

I imagine we all have similar stories about the kind of 'help' we are offered by

our well meaning families and friends. You gotta love em and laugh if you

survived it right?

I survived helping my husband take 4 yards of yard waste to the yard waste

disposal facility where they charge you to take it, they turn it into compost

and sell it back to you. Great business!

Peggy Ellis (Bellevue WA, ILD 2008, 53 y.o. dog lover and lover of my husband

who means well)

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