Emily receives awful health news from her doctor. Emily must tell Tyler, her spouse, about her life shift. But his reaction is inappropriate.
First, I heard the doctor’s quiet, clinical voice give news that would transform my life.
“I need you to come in, Emily,” Dr. Duncan grimaced.
So I visited him today.
“Can I be honest with Emily?” Dr. Duncan asks.
I answered, “Of course,” despite my shaky hands.
I was really nervous. After weeks of illness, I knew something was wrong. The moment was decisive. After all our testing, Dr. Duncan would tell me the findings.
“Give me straight, Doc,” I said. “I’d rather know now than pretend everything is fine.”
You have Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, Emily. Rare neurological condition that impairs motor skills. Over time, walking may get harder, and you may require mobility help.
What’s it? I requested. “Please elaborate. Help me comprehend. Please…”
Dr. Duncan sadly smiled.
“Yes, Emily,” he said. The illness is a set of hereditary conditions that destroy nerves. Because this injury usually affects arms and legs, mobility loss is high.”
I sat there paralyzed, scarcely understanding the words. I was 29. I believed I had endless time. How could I have kids now? When I could be wheelchair-bound?
I couldn’t comprehend it. Being forced to inform Tyler, my husband, affected me worse.
How would he react? Suppose he couldn’t handle it?
I walked through the park after leaving the doctor’s office. I wanted to feel the wind on my face. I wanted to kick leaves and wander across grass. I wanted to do modest things that might be taken away in months or years.
I told him that night after gathering my courage. I delayed till after dinner, cooking his favorite dish, to catch him relaxed. While I poured my heart out to him, he was half-watching the football game on TV.
Can Tyler turn that off for a second? Still whispering, I tried to sound solid. “I really need to talk to you about something important, darling.”
Despite rolling his eyes, he held his beer can and the remote.
“What’s so serious, Em?” he asked.
Inhaled deeply.
I went to the doctor last week and we ran tests. I wasn’t feeling well, but I couldn’t figure out why. I returned to Dr. Duncan today and we discovered something.”
“What?” he asked. What did you find? What’s wrong?
“It’s a neurological condition, and he said it might make it harder for me to walk in the future,” I gulped, preparing myself.
“Eventually, I might not walk.”
My husband’s face froze, and I thought I saw dread in his eyes. But suddenly a glimmer of something new appeared.
Disgust.
“You kidding me?” He sneered, setting his can on the sofa table. Is this for attention, Emily?
Just “No,” I replied.
Both of us were quiet.
“So… You’re simply… Will I have to care for you as an invalid? Push you in a wheelchair?
He sliced me with his words. What I heard was unbelievable.
“Tyler, I doubt it will be that horrible. Meet with the doctor to learn more. You can check how long until symptoms appear. I believe there are cures available…”
His hand was raised.
“Stop, Emily,” he urged. I didn’t pledge to nurse anyone. I married an energetic person. A woman who danced till closing time in clubs and pubs. I married someone who wouldn’t stay home all day.”
“You’d leave me sick?” I asked, struggling to speak.
My voice sounded empty and foreign.
“Don’t twist this around on me,” he growled. “You understand. Emily, I have needs. I need a true mate. I won’t stay to look after you.”
He walked upstairs and disappeared all night. Instead, I wept myself to sleep in the guest room.
Was this my husband? Tyler never disappointed me before, but this? Unfortunately, this was unacceptable.
The next morning, he packed a suitcase and left a note on the kitchen counter.
Need time to think.
The end. No farewell, no apologies. Nothing.
I heard nothing from him for days. Like he deleted me from his life without thinking.
I tried to think on something else, but everything in the home reminded me of our life together. I began packing Tyler’s belongings.
“So, where is he now?” my sister Audrey said when she visited.
“I have no idea,” I answered, opening her chocolate box. I texted his brother to ask whether he was there, but Kevin claimed he hadn’t seen or heard from him.”
Audrey said, “Tell me that you’re not trying to work with him, Emily.” “I won’t allow it.”
“I’m not,” I said. “Just to see him finish. He should know how much he hurt and disappointed me. He should hear me say it.”
Audrey nodded.
I’ve got you no matter what. She responded, “Our family has you,” smiling.
I looked through my phone while eating the rest of the box of chocolates in bed later that day. Nothing could have prepared me for what I witnessed.
My stomach dropped as I saw a public post. Tyler was smiling on the beach with a blonde woman leaning toward him and holding cocktails in a friend’s shot.
Happy, he looked. Carefree. I seemed like a distant memory to him.
I stared at the ceiling in bed that night.
He felt overwhelmed by rage, sadness, and the reality of his sickness. But suddenly, something changed inside me.
I stopped weeping. I stopped feeling horrible. I was tired of being a victim. I had no clue what was ahead, but I would tackle it on my terms.
Then something unexpected happened.
A week after Tyler departed, my doctor phoned, agitated and sorry.
Emily, I’m sorry. We erred greatly!” Dr. Duncan stated.
“What? You mean what? I requested.
“Your test results were mixed up with another patient’s. Your health. Just focus on your calcium levels.”
“What?” I repeated.
You’re fine. Your better than okay! I know the previous two weeks were traumatic. I will provide free therapy till you feel better. I cannot comprehend your mental state. I’ll recommend and handle everything if you want it.”
What I heard was unbelievable.
I felt relief, but it was swiftly replaced by something else.
Simmering rage.
Tyler left me for nothing. All the suffering and anguish were unnecessary. That said what about him?
After hanging up, I scheduled a calcium appointment with Dr. Duncan. I felt strangely free and clear. More than my health was at stake.
My spouse revealed himself, and I couldn’t go back. I envisioned him sitting on the beach, staring at the sea, and ignoring me.
Two weeks later, life handed me another curveball.
My grandma died, leaving Audrey and me everything. A large bequest appeared in my bank account quickly.
Audrey and I were always supported by my grandmother in living our lives as we desired. With this money, I could finally escape my existence. Not simply healthy. Independent me. I had the means to live my own life.
Without Tyler.
Tyler crawled back as usual.
An late knock on my door. Tyler was unkempt and clutching a half-wilted grocery store bouquet when I opened it. He tried to smile sheepishly, thinking that would warm my heart.
I rolled my eyes.
“Em,” he began. “Can we talk?”
“What would you possibly say to me?” I requested.
Cleared his throat.
Look, I panicked. I thought… I couldn’t take thinking you’d be sick forever. But I adore you.”
“You love me? Or you love hearing about my grandmother’s inheritance?
The color left his face.
I don’t care about money, Emily. I missed you.”
“Go back to the blonde on the beach,” I replied.
I stood back and let him stutter as he spoke. When he stopped, I rolled my eyes again.
Remember what you told me the night you left? About needing a lively wife? Yes, but no. I’m not that.”
I gestured him out by opening the door.
I’ll mail divorce paperwork. Send them to your office.”
Over the following six months, I focused on my dream projects. I traveled, painted, and made friends. Life would be better without Tyler and his baggage.
What would you’ve done?