For the past two weeks, the flu has run through our house. The kids and Jess were scheduled to get their shots, but before that appointment came, we were all sick. Jesse and Elijah, worst of all. On Sunday, Jesse woke up and decided to go to the hospital. She couldn't even stand up and needed help doing basic movements. I got her out to the car, along with Elijah, and we headed to the emergency room. Things started happening fast. They both were diagnosed with pneumonia, and Jess began to struggle to breathe. They could no longer care for her there and had to move her to a bigger hospital. Her blood pressure was shallow and unstable, and she now had sepsis. That word filled my body with fear. She would now need to be transported quickly to an intensive care unit for an undefined amount of time, and no one would give me any answers. It was a long night with endless doctors, many tests, beeping, and waiting. She is in a bigger hospital now where they can care for her, and today, her blood pressure is stable, but she's not even close to out of the woods yet. She's very sick, and I'm terrified. I've known Jesse in some capacity for 28 years, and she is the most muscular woman I've ever met, but she needs her army behind her. I'm grateful I have a job from which I can take a leave. I am pleased that we have such a great support system of co-parents (big thanks to Chris and Kim), siblings, cousins, my parents, and our friends, but Jesse owns her own business, and there are no sick days, and to be honest, we have no idea when she will be able to work again. There's one thing I am sure of, though: the bills won't stop, and we have three children and animals to care for. We have some savings, but certainly not enough for this. I never ask for help, but I don't have a choice in this case. Jesse is worried about so many things inside her head that she can't communicate with me right now. I don't want money to be one of them. I want her to focus on coming home because we need her. The kids need her back home to be healthy and able to rest when she's ready. I need my best friend and love of my life here for many years to come. I can't do this without her. Financial stress is the most significant stress of all, and limiting that as much as possible is essential. She has helped so many people. Sometimes, it takes a village.

Also, please get your flu shot. Trust science. This strain is not a joke this year. We will get them earlier moving forward.