2021
‘Paul, come and look at this!’
Beth sat on the toilet, waiting for her husband to appear. Not an ideal position to be in but after nine years of marriage he’d undoubtedly seen worse.
Paul popped his head around the bathroom door and glowered. ‘I don’t like the fact you’ve asked me to look at something while you’re on the pan,’ he said. ‘Please don’t let it be gross.’
‘No, it’s nothing like that! Just look.’
Beth raised her left ankle onto her toes. ‘See, normal.’
‘OK.’
Then she lifted her right ankle into the same position. Her whole leg began shaking uncontrollably.
Paul frowned. ‘How long has it been doing that?’
‘I’m not sure,’ Beth answered. ‘I only noticed when I was trying to lift my leg to pull my knickers on. Oh, and I can’t do that now either, you’ll need to give me a hand.’
It had only been a year since Beth’s diagnosis, but she’d already started to see new symptoms, including her fingertips becoming numb and no feeling at all on her abdomen.
‘Shit,’ he said, rubbing his forehead. ‘What else did the great and powerful Google say? Will it go away?’
Beth smiled gently. ‘Babe, none of this will go away. It’s only going to get worse.’
Paul nodded and silently helped his wife pull her underwear on.
