How to Love Through Sickness

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By handikitty
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When I made my wedding vows, I knew what I was in for when I vowed to love my husband through health and sickness - he is disabled. But when your spouse falls ill out of nowhere, how can you cope?

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

a loving heart

Step 1

Put your spouse first. If an unexpected illness (or even a chronic one) flares up with the one you love, do not make it about you. Respond to them first, before you tend to your own problems. They need unconditional love right now.
Step 2

Communicate with them as much as you can and be there, next to them, as much as you can. Nurture them when they are in agony, or bedridden. Sleep over at the hospital if you can. When they come home, be nothing but compassionate. Offer to do everything you can for them, even if they are the stubborn independent type.
Step 3

Do whatever is necessary to help them cope with their illness or accident. If the medication is too expensive, look into programs that actually can give you free medication if you are in a certain income bracket or uninsured. Drug companies have these programs! Look up alternative or other ways you can help them feel more comfortable. Comfort them, bring them tea and warm blankets. Help them bathe if they aren't physically moving about too well. If they are too tired to make phone calls and follow ups, do these things for them, and make sure they follow through with their doctor appointments.
Step 4

Love your spouse with all of your might. I hate the sound of this, but the pain and sorrow you will experience watching your spouse suffer will stir up emotions of how passionate and deeply you love them. You'll remember to not take any moment for granted.
Step 5

When they are recovering, be just as attentive as you were when they were ill. Try to inspire and encourage them to get back on their feet - so they too will feel better.
Step 6

If you find at times that you are completely emotionally exhausted or just in a seemingly endless amount of pain over your loved one hurting, take a few moments to try to silence your mind. Journal. Meditate. Try to convert that into more love that you can be giving. And, as always, listen to your heart.