Through Pain and Delirium: How Love Shone Brightest in the ICU

Daily writing prompt

Can you share a positive example of where you’ve felt loved?

View all responses

Love is often measured not in words but in actions, in those raw, vulnerable moments when all pretense is stripped away. For me, the moment I felt the most loved was one of the hardest nights of my life.

My husband, Derek, had just undergone major surgery—a battle against cancer that left him in unimaginable pain. When I was finally allowed to see him in the ICU, he looked so fragile, so unrecognizable, that I feared I had lost him. I ran to him, kissed his forehead, and held his hand, whispering words of comfort as tears blurred my vision.

Derek was delirious, barely coherent, but when the nurses insisted I leave, he found his voice. Through the haze of his pain, he begged them to let me stay. “No, you won’t,” he told the nurse who assured him he’d be cared for. “She’s the only one who can take care of me. My wife is the only one who cares.”

Trending

Women Supporting Women: A Guide to Empowering Each Other and Building Lasting Confidence

He doesn’t remember saying it. He was too far gone in that moment. But I do. I remember the tear that rolled down his cheek as he pleaded for me to stay. Even in his pain, even in his delusion, his heart knew the truth: I would always be there for him. And that was the moment I felt the most loved.

Sometimes, love doesn’t look like flowers or chocolates. Sometimes, it looks like unwavering trust and a bond so strong that even in the darkest moments, it shines through.

#LoveThroughAdversity #ICUStories #MarriageGoals #UnwaveringLove #CancerJourney #RealLoveStories

Dorey Duncan Scott Senior Litigation Paralegal

Hi! I’m Dorey Duncan Scott, a mother of three, wife and fashion entrepreneur. I started my career in fashion back in the early 90’s when I did print, still and runway modeling. I studied Fashion Merchandising, Music Business and Marketing, while also obtaining certificates in such industry-necessary areas such as make-up, styling and runway choreography. In addition, I had work as a spokesmodel for several brands, appearing in print and in person. As a former model, turned senior litigation paralegal, artist manager and on-air personality with a passion for fashion, beauty, and personal development, I bring a unique combination of style, strategic thinking, and legal expertise to my work. My years navigating the legal world have sharpened my attention to detail, while my experience and passion for fashion, beauty, and personal development drives my desire to help others feel empowered and help them in their journey toward self-empowerment. My experience in the fashion world has taught me the power of confidence. 

See Full Bio