Alex and Evelyne Love binds couple, even through Evelyne’s dialysis

They sit huddled in the back of the Ford four-door.

The movie rolls on the big screen.

Their teeth chatter, they rub their arms and they stomp their feet.

It’s their first date — a blind one.

Alex’s cousin, Walter, set them up, said he’d even bring them to the movie.

It’s 20 below.

Walter’s vehicle has no windows.

But it doesn’t matter.

Alex can’t even remember what movie was playing because he spent the entire night staring at Evelyne.

That was more than 50 years ago and it’s easy to picture the couple giggling and staring into each other’s eyes.

Because they still do it now.

Alex is 73 and Evelyne is 71 and the Smetaniuks have had their fair share of tough times — most recently in the last year.

But when she casts her pale blue eyes in his direction and he reaches a right hand to stroke her elbow, the most intense sense of perspective is conveyed.

They say they’re grateful they have a roof over their heads, nice things, good friends and family and, of course, each other.

They also have to travel twice a week, every week, to Prince George Regional Hospital for Evelyne’s dialysis treatments.

Because Evelyne is suffering from kidney failure.

For four hours each visit, two lines are inserted into her chest catheter.

They wash her blood and remove impurities.

Tuesday, they removed more than three litres of water from her.

Alex waits in the car, reading, watching the clock.

But she’ll need him soon.

The tubes are removed. She’s nauseous. Her head aches.

She’s dizzy. Her vision doubles.

But without dialysis Evelyne would die.

He helps her to the car, places her gently inside and begins the drive back to Quesnel.

She turns to her Alec.

His name is Alex, but she calls him Alec – always has.

“He looks like one.”

She feels badly much of his time is spent driving and caring for her.

He shakes his head and brushes a forefinger down her upper arm.

It’s about first things first, he says.

It’s about what’s most important.

“Her,” he whispers, looking at the table.

“She is.”

Quesnel currently does not offer in-hospital dialysis treatment. A group has recently been formed, The Quesnel Chapter of Kidney Foundation B.C. Branch.

Anyone suffering from kidney disease or wishing to support the group’s efforts – to obtain dialysis treatment in Quesnel, can e-mail Bonnie, bonnieleclerc@telus.net.