I Have a Sick Spouse
My wife has been sick for the last six years. We have been together for 10 and married for 7. She has suffered from a variety of illnesses which have affected her liver, kidneys and brain. I believe that behind it all, she may be suffering from some sort of somatization issue, where her mind does not know how to handle stress, and forces it into her body. She is seeking psychological treatment for this at the moment. If this is the issue, it may take 7 years to cure.
Her illness causes her to sleep a lot (18+ hours a day) It is often very lonely, but I stay because a) I love her, b) I am a sucker for punishment, c) I think marriage is sacred. I often question my decision, but I have decided to stay.
It is punishing for me, and I have been diagnosed and treated for depression caused by long-term stress that the illness puts me through.
Through this all, life goes on, and I still hope that one day she will be returned to full health, but until then I am missing out on a lot in this relationship.
