September 2014 will be the month we will never forget. Leaving for our annual leave, having a 5 week holiday planned, flights, rental cars and accomodation all booked we were excited and couldn't wait. 22nd September opened a door that we weren't prepared for would never at all expected.
My hero, my husband collapsed on the 1st day of our annual leave, our journey heading to Kalgoorlie from Warburton carrying our camper trailer from behind, I drove the remainder of the way there. Moana was admitted into hospital as I suspected a stroke.

It wasn't the case. Moana was then flown to Perth for a suspected spinal pressure compound. I was in shock but remained calm as our children were with us.
That night Moana was flown to Perth, it was the most emotional goodbye ever.
Driving on my own without the assistance of my hubby, Moana was difficult. The older boys were counselled to take care of their mum and baby brother before their father left, And I still think back to that day of how proud my sons stepped up and became men.
Travelling to Perth I recieved a call from my husband Moana, he recieved results of his MRI, a suspected tumor mass. I had to pull over to absorb what I recieved. My husband was emotional, my boys went quiet, I just cried. Our journey there felt like the worst trip ever.
On the 6th October at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Hubby, our baby and myself walked into the hospital all prepared for his surgery, not realising this was going to be the last morning Moana was going to walk ever again.

5 hrs,1 hr recovery, surgery went really well but the news we were expecting was not so. Our amazing surgeon said 2 days after surgery "it's a miracle that you were walking before all this happened and there will not be a possibility of walking ever again”.
Our feelings were all mixed at this stage but we truly believed that this wouldn't be the case.
Moana was assessed for the newly established Fiona Stanley Rehabilitation and was accepted.
6 and half months, tears, frustration, anger, determination, mindset change, support from me as a wife and his children, a lot of love and understanding, learning, goal setting and much more all that happened I was always there for my husband something unexpected, that took us by surprise we conquered together, supported one another. Family across the ditch, our Facebook friends supported us, strangers who blessed us with unexpected gifts and friends we created in Rehab. My eyes have opened to what spinal patients are going through. Illness, accident or whatever, people's lives change. It's not until you are living it then you understand. I am a full time carer for my husband with the assistance of good will people.
Perth was never our home, Perth was a stranger to us but the people, medical staff, amazing nurses who became our friends,strangers who became our friends is what made Perth become our home. My husband is a quadraplegic complete C4 suffering with other new medical conditions.
From a independent, highly motivated family man, wonderful husband of 21 yrs marriage now is dependent upon me as a wife. I love him so much and now have devoted my energy and commitment to him and also continuing my responsibilities to our children. My hubby is still head of our home, and I am so proud of how far he has come from the 1st day of what we felt like our whole world was crumbling. We had dreams but those changed due to our circumstances but our positive outlook on life is what makes us become who we are today. There are days when it's tough but we get through it together cause we are a team. An awesome team I must admit. My husband said "he's so lucky to have me" and I say "I'm so lucky to have him”.
I'm doing this for this cause. Please help me reach my goal. My husband is also apart of this run as well as he will be pacing me on his electric wheelchair while I'm running and pushing our son Ayden in his pram. Please get behind me.

“You just never know what life throws at you.”

Desrae, Moana and Ayden Marsh.

Update:

My life as a wife as a carer for my husband has changed me so much. Both emotionally and physically for the greater, I have become quick thinking, react a lot faster to any given situation more positive as I was always positive but I think I doubled my dose lol. I absorbed a lot of medical knowledge during the 7 months between two major hospitals that just stuck from the incredible knowledge of spinal nurses, specialists, Professor surgeon, O.T, rehab and classes my brain feels like a dictionary and I'm still learning. I'm very calm and very patient, my strength has increased. All blessings from above.. . During the time my husband became ill I stressed, not showing on the outside as I was great for covering things up. But it showed physically I comfort ate. I gained a lot of weight. My determination for goal setting has always being a strength to me . I just needed a reality check and I recieved it. My daughter Kamillia expressed her concern "what if you got sick mum what will happen with dad and Ayden who will look after them?" that was a moment I'll never forget. I looked at myself and decided from then on I needed to make better choices in my way of living, what I ate and exercises and Kamillia introduced a weight loss programme she shared with me. My husband Moana was my biggest motivator I expressed to him how I felt and he jumped on board straight away and already planned out our exersise routine he was amazing. I am a devoted wife my family is my everything I do everything with my husband everyday the only time I am away from hubby is the most if I have to quickly grab something from the shops. We have the most healthiest relationship ever. Moana is limited in his hand functions ,opening a door he can't do, sometimes feeding himself is a struggle his strength is not their anymore. A man hand shake he can't do anymore or even pick his nose, or clean his ears, coughing is difficult Moana has no body temperature anymore so we have to be aware of that. Moana has a S.P.C super, pubic, cathader for his bladder release due to his hand function he requires assistance in releasing his valve and personal care.
I care for him because I love him more than anything. I know his physical body is not the same anymore but his spirit is strong,mighty like a legendary Maori warrior. His strength in overcoming obstacles is amazing. I have made changes in my life within a short period of time one of my goals was to enter HBF run for a cause and I'm doing it with my husband Moana our son Ayden and with the great support of our family and many friends.