One of the best things about being married is being able to help each other through the tough times. We saw an example of that in our latest movie Still Standing. Rev. Rose Marie Greene describes her husbands love as “Liquid Love” because of the way that he cared for her during her battle with a very aggressive form of breast cancer.
Life’s challenges have the potential of making you closer or tearing you apart. So it is important that you keep the lines of communication open with each other, reach out for help when you need it, and be honest with yourself and spouse about the feelings that you are having as you go through your tough times.
In the end, your unconditional love and support can make a difference as your spouse is dealing with a chronic illness or any other type of serious problem.
This is a concept that Angela Sclafani has already grasped as she chose to stick by and then marry her terminally ill boyfriend earlier this month.
Michael Olexa worked for Angela Sclafani at the Disney Store in Edison, New Jersey. Olexa, a full-time truck driver, was willing to quit his seasonal job at the store just so he could date her. Little did he know, Sclafani had her eyes on him, too. While meeting with a group of managers, someone asked what everyone would wish for; Sclafani answered, “I wish I would find love.”
The couple declared their relationship official in early 2007. Olexa had been married once before and has a daughter with his first wife. Sclafani shared how she felt there was something wrong with her while her three siblings were all married. The relationship moved to a comfort level of them introducing each other to their parents. But in July 2008, Olexa’s health took a sudden turn. After a series of tests, it was determined that he had colon cancer. By December, it had spread to his liver.
Fearful of losing Sclafani, Olexa questioned her decision after finding out; she stayed. After months of chemotherapy, he proposed to her at her parents house. Through the nonprofit organization, Wish Upon A Wedding, they were able to afford a small wedding in New Jersey early this August. Olexa was taken to the hospital the next day.
“I’ve had moments of hysterical crying, but I try not to in front of him,” she said. “There have been so many prayers said for him. But it’s in God’s hands. Everything is in God’s hands.” Then the bride added, “We’re trying to live one day at a time. One moment at a time. Literally one breath at a time.”
Read the complete article on the New York Times website.
To learn more about how couples are able to have lasting power even after going through chronic illness, infidelity, financial crisis, and more, check out our film Still Standing.
BMWK – Would you marry someone knowing they have a potentially fatal illness?
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