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Stephen B.’s Story
Stephen and Elizabeth B. started seeing each other in 2012. They enjoyed going on long walks together, until Elizabeth started experiencing cramping in her calves and numbness in her feet. They learned that Elizabeth had peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition of narrowed arteries blocking the blood flow from the heart to the arms and legs. Although she quit smoking shortly before they met, years of smoking had taken their toll on her body. They had only been married four months when Elizabeth had to have major surgery to restore blood flow to her legs.
Living with PAD has been difficult for them both. Stephen has become Elizabeth’s full-time caregiver. She needs help doing things that were once simple, like getting in and out of the car. Stephen handles tasks like cooking and housekeeping when Elizabeth needs help.
Stephen and Elizabeth have had to change how they do their favorite activities together, like traveling and going to concerts. They now make sure that the places they visit are easy for Elizabeth to access. They still try to walk together every day. Walking is painful for Elizabeth but critical to saving her legs from amputation. On days when Elizabeth feels like she can’t walk another step, Stephen is there to encourage her.
Stephen knows firsthand what it means to see a loved one’s health harmed by cigarettes. He hopes that telling their story will persuade others to quit smoking.
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Stephen B.’s Biography
Stephen and Elizabeth B. started seeing each other in 2012. On their first date, Stephen noticed a nicotine patch on Elizabeth’s arm. She explained that after 34 years of smoking, she quit smoking two weeks earlier. Stephen admitted he was glad she quit because smoking was a deal-breaker for him. Within a year, they were married.
While dating, Elizabeth began experiencing numbness in her feet and cramping in her calves. She was diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition of narrowed arteries blocking the blood flow from the heart to the arms and legs. Just four months after Stephen and Elizabeth’s wedding, Elizabeth had major surgery to repair damage to her blood vessels caused by years of smoking cigarettes.
At a time when most newlyweds would be mapping out their future together, Stephen and Elizabeth had to plan for the unthinkable – what to do if they faced an end-of-life decision. Stephen said that he used to sit at his desk at work and cry because he thought she might die. They had just started their life together, and the idea of losing her was overwhelming.
“The hardest part was, I felt like Stephen didn’t sign up for this,” Elizabeth said. “I actually asked him if he wanted to have our marriage annulled.” But Stephen reassured her that he would stay by her side through thick and thin.
Living with PAD has been difficult for them both. Elizabeth needs help doing things that were once simple, like getting in and out of the car. Stephen has become her caregiver. He handles tasks like cooking and housekeeping when Elizabeth needs help. Stephen and Elizabeth have had to change how they do their favorite activities together, like traveling and going to concerts. They now make sure that the places they visit are easy for Elizabeth to access.
These life changes have caused Stephen to worry daily about whether Elizabeth’s health could get worse. “It’s always in the back of my mind that something else could be around the corner,” Stephen says. “You pray something else isn’t going to happen so that you can enjoy the rest of your life.”
Still, Elizabeth and Stephen try to walk together every day. Their goal is one to two miles. Walking is painful for Elizabeth but critical to saving her legs from amputation. On days when Elizabeth feels like she can’t walk another step, Stephen is there to encourage her.
Today, Stephen supports Elizabeth in building awareness for PAD and helping others who are struggling with the disease. He knows firsthand what it means to see a loved one’s health harmed by cigarettes. He hopes that telling their story will persuade others to quit smoking.
