Andrea Gunning

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,

Saskia was no closer to a solution.

One morning in 2018, she found herself on the bathroom floor.

I just remember waking up to him in a frenzied voice like, get up, get up.

And I remember opening my eyes and I was on the cold floor and there were two perfect lines of blood.

And I was just like, so in like a twilight, right?

Like so kind of out of it.

Mike was terrified.