A Message from my Wife Megan
If you’ve followed my writing for a while, or have read my book, I’m sure by now that you have heard me mention my wonderful wife Megan.
She’s been with me throughout my entire journey with Meniere’s disease and plays a big role in my story. I really don’t know what I would have done without her!
So for today’s post, I have a special treat for you all! After much prodding and encouragement, Megan has finally written a post for Mind Over Meniere’s to share her thoughts from the perspective of a loving caregiver. I hope you all enjoy her post and I encourage you to share it with your friends and family! So without further ado, here’s Megan!
(P.S. if you like her post, let her know in the comments below! We just might be able to get her to come back and write some more.)
So, what’s it like being married to a minor Meniere’s celebrity?
Well, it’s not as glamorous as you might think. In all seriousness, witnessing and being a part of Glenn’s journey with Meniere’s disease has been a struggle, a victory, and a rollercoaster ride.
If you are reading this, you probably know about all of the different strategies and methods that Glenn uses to battle his condition every day. I take no credit for his successes, but I do recognize (and I hope he does, too!) that having a supportive partner can make a huge difference when overcoming the day to day struggles of Meniere’s disease and other chronic illnesses.
So I wanted to take a moment to talk to not just the Meniere’s sufferers, but to all the caregivers, partners, spouses, children, parents, siblings, friends, and neighbors that support a loved one with Chronic illness. Here are a few things that I do on a regular basis to support Glenn. I hope they prove useful to you and your loved one, too!
(As stated above, I know that supporters come from all different areas of our lives. For ease of writing, I will refer to Glenn as my “partner” below and myself as his “supporter”. Insert your term as needed.)
Don’t take it personally:
When Glenn was diagnosed, we were still early in our relationship. We had been dating for about a year, and we were in our early 20’s.
Our regular activities reflected this youth. We stayed up late, went out at night, ate whatever we wanted, went on rollercoasters and boat rides whenever we could, and generally didn’t think about consequences. We just lived for the here-and-now.
Meniere’s disease changed that quickly and without warning. I admit: it can be hard when I want to do something with Glenn that he cannot handle. It’s hard when he doesn’t remember something I told him earlier because of brain fog and I have to repeat myself… and it’s especially hard when he isn’t feeling well and there is nothing I can do to help.
But my mantra above all is: “This is not about me. This is not personal.”
We know that our partners have limitations, and we know that pushing them too hard can be detrimental to their health and well-being. We know that they will have good days and not-so-good days. So it’s important that we see this for what it is and take it at face value.
“Wherever you are, be there totally.” – Eckhart Tolle
It’s when I start thinking of something I wish we could do together, but can’t, that I find myself resenting the illness. So it’s important for me to remember to focus on today, not tomorrow. Tomorrow, he may be up for a nature walk, but today he is not. That doesn’t mean that he doesn’t want to spend time with me. Easier said than done, but something that supporters should keep in mind.
You know more than you think you do:
When Glenn created a tool to help himself find his triggers, I thought it was a great idea! Anything that might help him figure out what was causing him trouble, whether in the environment, his diet, sleep, stress, or other factors, was a good thing.
But his tool can be just as valuable to a supporter. We have all seen it play out in our personal lives – you cannot always see the truth about yourself the way someone else does. This is not to say that our partners don’t want to figure out what triggers them, but it can be easier for someone with an outside (or somewhat outside) perspective to see a pattern that has been lurking in the background. And two heads are better than one.
For Glenn, it’s important that he considers his behaviors and activities for multiple days at a time. Generally, after a busy weekend, he won’t feel well for several days. But he doesn’t always connect the two right away. So I try to point it out for him and once he sees the pattern, he can make sure to rest and recuperate, rather than fight his way through.
“The truth is we’re all a little bit broken. We must learn to love the broken pieces of ourselves – be gentle and empathetic with ourselves, and others.” – Karen Salmansohn
Supporters – if your partner has been recently diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, I urge you to download Glenn’s Trigger Tool and have your partner fill it out each day. Your partner should analyze this information, and so should you.
It’s important that you both continue this practice periodically, because triggers have a tendency to fluctuate over time. Your partner’s triggers may not change, but there are times when not getting enough sleep bothers Glenn more than others. And there are certain times when stress causes his symptoms to flare up more than others.
Be an active participant in this research – and don’t be afraid to voice your opinion. Your suggestion may lead to a lightbulb moment!
Cheerleader and Supporter above all:
Glenn has written extensively about his ups and downs with Meniere’s disease.
And I feel like it’s important to celebrate success and to recognize adversity when supporting a loved one with a chronic illness. Most of the time my primary purpose is to be a cheerleader. When Glenn takes a risk and reaches a new height, I try to celebrate with him.
You may be thinking, “Why are you telling me this? Don’t all husbands/wives/family members celebrate the victories of their loved ones?” Yes, they do, especially when it’s something like a promotion or a graduation, or a completing a marathon.
But what about celebrating a day out in the sun? Or having the courage to try a new restaurant or food that your partner hasn’t tried before? Or taking on a part-time or volunteer job? Or sometimes even just a walk around the block?
These are victories for our partners, and we may take these actions for granted. But it is important that we try to celebrate these moments, and encourage our loved ones to continue to strive for more.
“Those you love will go through hard times. Don’t give up on them. Patience + Caring + Empathy = Love.” – Unknown
The byline of Glenn’s book is “How I conquered Meniere’s disease and learned to thrive”. When I think of “conquering”, it conjures up an image of a hard-won battle. What a fitting description for chronic illness: it isn’t something that you figure out on day one. There are wins and losses. Our partners need our support for both!
It is in our nature to comfort and nurture our partners when they have a bad day so they have the strength to try again tomorrow. We should support them and celebrate with them on a good day, too, and encourage them to keep going.
Conclusion:
I will be the first to tell you that it isn’t always easy to support a loved one with Chronic Illness. We want them to be happy and healthy, and sometimes there is nothing we can do but hold their hand and be there with them in the struggle.
But I know that my support matters, and I can make a difference and an impact for Glenn as he continues to fight his battles. I won’t take it personally, I’ll be the supporter, I’ll be the cheerleader. And together, we will continue to learn to thrive.
Renee Van Uytven
I very much liked your post Megan , I send it to family, who sometimes push me a little too much because they want me to be back to normal .You are a courageous, kind woman, Glenn is lucky to have you at his side.
Meg Schweitzer
Thanks Renee! I hope your family reads and it is helpful for you and for them!
Marci Aeschliman
Good job Meg! Very well thought out and very helpful for caregivers. You need to write more!
Meg Schweitzer
Thanks Marci! I enjoyed participating!
Ross Gelling
Great piece Megan and Glenn! You’re a lucky couple to have each other!
Meg Schweitzer
Thanks Ross! Yes, I’m a lucky lady!
Sarah
Lovely article. I think learning to enjoy the here and now and celebrate the achievements together, whether large or small, is so important. Having the non-judgemental support of an understanding husband makes a massive impact on how I cope with my menieres .
Meg Schweitzer
Thanks Sarah! I’m glad you have a supportive husband by your side!
Judy McNamara Tripp
Great job Megan! Glenn is blessed to have such a supportive partner!
Meg Schweitzer
Thanks Judy! And thanks for all you do for the community!
Kelly Shrader
Thank you so much Megan for writing this article! And thanks Glenn for all of your helpful information and books.
Glenn
You’re welcome! (from Me and Megan)
Meg Schweitzer
Thanks Kelly! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Cynthia Ryan
Thank you for sharing, Megan. It is not easy to be the supporter, and especially difficult to empathize with someone who had a condition you have not experienced. Your selfless understanding is wonderful!
Meg Schweitzer
Thanks Cynthia! It has been a journey for both of us, but we’ve learned a lot along the way. I’m happy to have the opportunity to share my experience and hope with the community!
Sally Palomafes
Thank you for sharing Megan. I can totally relate with you. I am the supporter to my husband who has been dealing with severe symptoms vertigo/dizziness due to Meniere’s for over 1 year. Keep posting!!!
Meg Schweitzer
Thanks Sally! I’m with you all the way. Keep being a cheerleader!
Kristie Gianopulos
Well written and much appreciated. Thank you!
Meg Schweitzer
Thanks Kristie! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Vivian
Hola Megan, your letter has come so timely in our life. Please keep sharing, it works for all the caregivers who are on this ride together.
Meg Schweitzer
Thanks Vivian! I hope to write again soon!
Mari'an
Thank you Megan x
Stacy
Beautiful Megan and thank you so much for writing and sharing your feelings and perspective. I know for me as a person suffering with Meniere’s one of the hardest parts is feeling people just don’t understand and I am sure that has to hard for our partner/supporters as well. The support groups are a great source of comfort and understanding for me and I really feel your writing will be for my partner. So comforting to feel we are not alone.
believeinfaithblog
Megan,
I lack support with my recent diagnosis. I am forever grateful for Glenn’s Mind of Menieres.
It has given me a place to find support and tools to get me through the day.
Thank you.. to both of you..
Vincent
I have had Meniere’s for many years. But it has escalated significantly over the last year. It is a deal changer today. I appreciate your input Megan. My wife of 45 years is doing her best and I couldn’t manage it alone. I think your insight will be helpful to her. It was to me.
Robin Commero
Thank you for your post. My husband struggles with this awful disease which keeps getting worse. He was diagnosed 15 years ago when our kids were little. Now that they are growing up I am finding it harder to deal with because irbid now often just the two of us. I envisioned hiking traveling time out with friends at this stage and he can’t fly, be in crowds or even be upright some days. It is a hard hard journey.