Two are better than one: Thoughts on marriage, medicine and miracles

I couldn't write a new piece last week for one not-so-simple reason — my husband was about to go paralyzed. He's been using crutches, staying upright for ten years. But something unknown was going seriously wrong. He had a crumple in the shower — he had a nasty tick bite and he had cellulitis — those confused the issue. Labs were fine, and X-rays showed everything in place, including previous spinal fusion hardware. 

He was on antibiotics, and he was on steroids; still he declined. Could not go up a step or drive. He could hardly walk — even his normal awkward steps with the crutches. I made the first cup of coffee of my life — he couldn't stand long enough at the auto drip to do it.  

A friend threw hot sauce in an email. “Take him to Spokane ER now — I recommend Sacred Heart. You need to go today. This cannot wait. Have I made myself clear?” We immediately headed for Spokane. After hours waiting for an MRI and its results, we learned Terry had severe spinal cord compression that was going to require immediate surgery. 

His neuro stimulator — a pain blocking device — would have to come out.  It was in the way of the surgery site. That was a tricky procedure. He was on a Life Flight the next night to University of Washington's Harborview Hospital, in Seattle. We had no say in his care there, but he got a nationally known neurosurgeon—and in fact, had three neurosurgeons help him during his six-hour spine surgery Sunday. 

The neuro implant was removed, four vertebrae fused, and some deteriorating hardware replaced. Yesterday the lead surgeon, Dr. Imad Kahn, stopped by his room. Terry and I had been wondering how he was going to get by without the gadget preventing eighty percent of his pain. It could not be reinstalled. 

Dr Kahn told him this surgery will improve everything — his mobility and his pain. He should only need oral medications. It was bombshell news for us. It's out there on the horizon — he has to get through surgery recovery first, but we can't wait to see how much better he can get around. Still with crutches. However, when you have considered not being able to move your legs at all, crutches are beautiful. 

He's got some days in Seattle still. Then home — and a summer healing up. He is now actually going to do what he's been told for years — no heavy lifting. His weight restriction is down to ten pounds. No carrying me over the threshold. Thankfully, I am still able to lift and carry quite a bit. There is that biblical line in Ecclesiastes: Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.” 

Another way of saying this came up at Frank's Diner when all this was beginning.  We had just visited an orthopedic walk-in and stopped for lunch. Terry looked a bit misty eyed at some old songs playing over the speaker. One was “Stand By Me.” He said to me, “That's never been more true.” 

It is almost the Fourth of July in a country made possible by the millions who have stood by her over 250 years. A country where you can have hope for walking in freedom — with or without crutches. I'm standing by my country — and standing by my man.  

Carol Shirk Knapp writes the weekly "Preacher's Kid" column.