Last week we posted a story of a woman who lost her husband. I commented that she wasn't our patient but I was wrong. It turns out she has been seeing me for about 15 years. There's much more to the story that I think is pertinent to this families challenge.
About 7 years ago this wife and mother came in for a check up and somewhat matter of factly stated she needed to be tested for aids. I was a little suprised as she isn't of the background that it would be usual for her to worry about this disease. As I asked her a few more pertinent questions I became more and more impressed with her character.
Her husband was found to have aids and upon that revelation soon came the details of his homosexual and gay lifestyle. He had continued to have intimate relations with our patient and had exposed her several times to the virus. She had worked through most of the hurt, anger, frustration, depression and had decided to forgive him and try to keep the family together.This was based on his assurance of his desire to do likewise and forsake his gay life style.
I was and am amazed at this woman's courage and humility. She continued to have intimate relations with this man, using condom protection, as she felt if she was going to have a marriage it would be as normal as she could make it.
As you know from the original post about her loss it didn't work. He couldn't stay faithful to her and continued to have gay relationships. Thus her writing to us and her "moving forward". This is a powerful example to me of long suffering and trying to endure to the end. She is a superstar!!
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