Andrea Gunning

To this day, this is one of the most difficult moments for Saskia to look back on.

I was so excited for the birthday party.

Sorry.

And then in the morning, I couldn't get up.

And it broke my heart.

I felt so guilty about it.

I just wanted to be a good mom and a good wife.

And my kids remember those things.

My son knows I didn't go to his birthday party that year.

It ate her up inside, still does.

And in moments like this, she was all the more indebted to Mike.

He helped her get the care she needed, supported her as she took more time off work.

And on top of all that, he was stepping up as a dad, driving her kids to school, scheduling their activities, and cleaning the house.

He was showing up for her family in ways she couldn't.

It would make me rely on him more because I just felt worse about myself.

And then I would just rely on him more.

I'm so lucky to like have this guy, even though I'm losing it.

And even though I have these mental health problems and I'm drinking too much and, you know, it made me hold on harder.

His support became more and more important.

Nearly three years into her medical crisis,