In 2016 she had just learned her kidneys were failing when she got another shocking diagnosis: intestinal cancer. 2016年，她刚刚得知自己的肾脏衰竭，又被诊断出另一种令人震惊的疾病：肠癌。

"Aren't you sorry you married an old woman," I cried to Erwin, because we seemed to spend all of our time going from one doctor to another. “你娶了一个老太太，你不感到遗憾吗？”我这样跟欧文哭诉，因为我们的时间都花在求医问药上。

Erwin always radiated confidence, optimism and joie de vivre. With his help, I tried to keep calm. 欧文总是散发着自信、乐观和生活的快乐。在他的帮助下，我努力保持冷静。

The cancer, detected early, was treated, and she began dialysis. 癌症在早期被发现后得到了治疗，她开始透析。

Then, convinced blood pressure meds made her feel worse, she saw a homeopath and switched to alternative treatments, like drinking water purified by crystals. The result: kidney failure. 后来，她笃信服用降压药会让她感觉更糟，于是她找到了采用顺势疗法的医生，改用其他疗法，比如饮用由水晶净化的水。结果是肾衰竭。

I've had successful experiences with homeopathic medicine in the past, but this time I had a serious, long-term illness that was dependent on conventional treatment. 过去我在顺势疗法方面有过成功的经验，但这次我得了严重的长期疾病，需要传统治疗。

The consequences of my ignorance ended up being a matter of life and death. At this terrible moment of guilt and self-recrimination, I learned something wonderful about Erwin. 我无知的后果最终成了生死攸关的问题。在这个充满内疚和自责的可怕时刻，我从欧文身上学到了一些奇妙的东西。

He never reproached me for my mistake. Instead, he was loyal, kind and understanding—and determined to help me get through all this alive. 他从不为我的错误责备我。相反，他忠诚、善良、善解人意，并决心帮助我熬过这一切。

So determined, in fact, that he offered her one of his kidneys for the transplant she needed in 2017. He was very emotional about not wanting to lose me. 他有多坚定呢？在2017年，他把自己的一个肾移植给了她。他因为不想失去我而情绪激动。

I was overwhelmed by his offer. I wondered if anyone would think that Erwin's living donation was transactional in some way. 我被他的奉献与牺牲征服了。我想知道是否有人会认为欧文的活体捐赠在某种程度上是交易性的。

Incredibly, considering how long we had been together, there were still people who wanted to believe that Erwin married me for my money and fame. 令人难以置信的是，虽然我们一起生活很久，仍然有人相信欧文娶我是为了我的金钱和名誉。

What else would a younger man want with an older woman? Erwin and I knew it wasn't true and always ignored the rumors. What we had together was real. 一个年轻的男人想要一个年长的女人做什么？欧文和我知道这不是真的，所以总是无视谣言。我们在一起的一切都是真实的。

The transplant, from which Erwin soon recovered, has left Tina with significant health challenges as her body persists in trying to reject the new kidney. 移植手术后，欧文很快就恢复过来，蒂娜的健康却面临重大挑战，因为她的身体一直在排斥新的肾脏。

Sometimes the treatment involves spending more time in the hospital, and it comes with unpleasant side effects, including dizziness, forgetfulness and anxiety. 有时，这种疗法需要在医院里多呆些时间，而且还会带来副作用，包括头晕、健忘和焦虑。

I have to take a lot of pills. But with her beloved by her side, she stays strong. 我得吃很多药。但有了心爱的人在身边，她依然坚强。

I lived through a hellish marriage that almost destroyed me, but I went on. 我经历了一段差点毁了我的地狱般的婚姻，但我继续生活。

My medical adventure is far from over. But I'm still here—we're still here, closer than we ever imagined. 我的治疗之路远未结束。但我还在这里——我们还在这里，比我们想象的更接近。

I can look back and understand why my karma was the way it was. Good came out of bad. Joy came out of pain. 我可以回顾并理解为什么我的因果报应是这样的。善有恶报。快乐来自痛苦。

With Erwin, I have never been so completely happy as I am today. 有了欧文，我从来没有像今天这样快乐过。