July 2009
Jennifer Alawadi
“You come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by seeing an imperfect person, perfectly.” (Sam Keen)
I first met my husband, Mohammad, over the Internet in 2003. We spent long hours chatting, both over the phone and online, and after three short months, I made a trip to Chicago to meet his family. In him I found a very wonderful person who, despite his ill health, inspired me in ways I never thought possible. Shortly after my visit, we married. It was then, when I became Mohammad’s wife, that I realized the great responsibility of his illness and joined him in his fight against cystic fibrosis.
With our CF center two hours away from our home in St. Petersburg, Fla., and Mohammad bed-ridden and unable to work, the everyday fight still proves to be difficult. Struggling to pay the bills and make rent, I am constantly juggling the roles of caretaker and homemaker. I have to be a shoulder to cry on, a cheerleader when Mohammad has an infection, an advocate among doctors, a housekeeper, nurse, and most importantly, a wife.
Now that Mohammad is 42, there is a greater need for him to stay compliant. Every morning I wake him up early and help him with his treatments and airway clearance. However exhausting the daily treatments are, I am thankful for the hours it gives us together. Mohammad has an extra spark for life — making every minute I spend with him a reward in itself. My goal each day is to do whatever I can to make my husband feel comfortable and continue breathing — with the hope that he will receive a lung transplant and more freedom in the future.
There is a great love and respect that we share for each other, and most importantly, there is hope. Hope that Mohammad will receive a double lung transplant; hope that we will get through the next day or the next week. But most importantly, I am grateful that my husband is still alive and never losing hope.
Favorite Holiday: Halloween
Favorite Movie: Ever After
Favorite Color: Teal
One Word that Describes You: Chipper
Role Model: My mother
Nickname: Mon Mon — short for Monia, which is Arabic for heart’s wish
You can find Jennifer on ... Facebook
