DawnMarie's Turn

I asked my wife DawnMarie to write today's post. Here it is:

Last week Brad asked me to write an entry for his blog about what life is like to live with him. I laughed! Later on he asked me again and I could see that it meant a lot to him. So here it is…

For the past six years, it has been hard work living with Brad. He is opinionated, headstrong, and brutally honest. I would always tell him to choose his battles. Why fight over the small stuff. 

Brad’s illness has given me a new perception on life. I cherish every minute with Brad. I cherish every minute with the kids. I cherish every minute I have to myself. We seem to enjoy the silence. We can sit in a room and hold each other’s hand and no words need to be exchanged. Brad has a presence about himself. I enjoy hearing his voice; he is downstairs right now talking to Isabella and helping her with a project.

We have a difference of opinion on how to raise the kids, which has caused many disagreements. There have been many times that we went to bed angry and wouldn’t talk or text each other, waiting for someone to apologize.  I think most of the time; I finally gave in and said I was sorry. Looking back, it doesn’t seem really important. Now I let most things roll off my back. I choose my battles more wisely.

Our life has been filled with adventures and travels. I have seen much of the United States driving around with Brad. Once I saw on the discovery channel a special about the Mall of America and that summer he planned a car trip out to Minnesota.  That is Brad’s caring side. He is very generous to those around him. 

During the six years of our marriage; parenting has taken up most of our time. We spend more time together as a family then as a couple. No dates or alone time. Always being pulled and running.  Always sharing each other with others. Now we enjoy just getting out for a cup of coffee, or going food shopping together. Having together time to talk about our day.

The last six months have been a complete rollercoaster ride an array of emotions, laughter and tears. Brad has won the lottery… no money received but a lifetime of blood work, scans, MRI’s, Pet scans, trips to Maryland, copays, medical billing (my new job), and medicines. To tell you the truth, it is ok!

I am so happy that Brad is finally off the prednisone because you never knew whom you were getting. Good Brad or Crazy Brad.  If good Brad was around, we laughed, ate dinner together, and chilled out as a family. But if Crazy Brad was around we all ran away. After the first month though, I would just laugh because he was not acting normal. Meltdowns over clothes! My favorite was his meltdown over a haircut that wasn’t to his liking. He decided to trim his hair all by himself but forgot to check the setting and took a big chunk out of this hair right in the front. Oh drum roll please…it was 6:00 in the morning before work. So he went through the day wearing a wool hat. LOL then he goes to the barber and tells them that his wife did it. They were so upset with me I had to find a new shop to take our son Bradley to.

These last six months have strengthened us as a team. When I am feeling overloaded or completely drained then He will pick himself out of bed and take over. I am sitting in my room right now filling back up. When I am crying uncontrollably he is there to embrace and console me. 

Living with Brad is never dull!

I always feel loved!