My husband had been having blockage issues for years. He had help from a practitioner, but the problem was never fully resolved. After a year, he stopped working with the practitioner. He would read Christian Science articles, but never wanted to hear any Christian Science ideas I offered to share, nor did he read much of Mary Baker Eddy’s writings.

His condition got worse and he became angrier and angrier. I couldn’t say much to him, so I just worked for him as best I could. I tried to know that the angry man who yelled, “I hate you,” was in no way the reality. 

At the point when he was no longer getting out of bed, my older daughter happened to come by for a visit. When she saw his condition, she told him she wanted him to go to the hospital. He agreed. He was in pain and I think he had pretty much given up on Christian Science for himself. The next day, my daughter arranged for an ambulance and accompanied my husband to the hospital. I fully cooperated because it was what my husband had consented to. 

My husband was in the hospital for ten days. He was very relieved when the fluid that had been accumulating in his body began to drain. I was too. When I visited him in the hospital, it was difficult to do much in the way of spiritual thinking, though I worked to support him. I also focused on expressing gratitude to the nurses and other caregivers.

When he came home, my husband was taking medication and had a catheter that needed to be drained around the clock. Since I was still involved, I felt intruded upon by medicine. But I got so I knew better. Now he takes care of all of it himself and is no longer taking the pills that were prescribed. Recently one doctor told my husband that he doesn’t need to see him for three months, and another doctor said for a year. So our weeks aren’t full of appointments anymore. And the medical is moving out of our lives.

The biggest and best change happened in the last month or so. My husband started watching Christian Science lectures on YouTube and loved them. He had some aha moments and began to be kinder and more thoughtful. Then he announced that Mary Baker Eddy’s writing was the absolute best and he wanted to focus on it. He asked to use my CDs of Science and Health.

It’s as if my husband is a new man. He is more loving and thoughtful and funny and wonderful than he has ever been. It’s my real husband, right? It is a joy to be with him in a way that it never was before. And I think it is making me a better person…a better Christian Scientist.

My husband knows there can be a complete healing of the need for a catheter. He has had recent healings: Yesterday, he accidentally grabbed the hot exhaust pipe of his lawn mower, but he laughed at the idea of a burn. And there wasn’t one. Recently, he learned that he is not going blind. (Some years back an ophthalmologist said he was likely to lose his vision.) And he no longer harbors bad feelings toward his brother-in-law.

Before I got on the train to visit my new grandson, he told me to give the family this message: “I’m here to love and to help in the way you need me to.” I thought that was pretty good.