AceShowbiz - 2023 has not just been a year of personal milestones for Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade, but also a testament to the profound challenges they faced. This year marked a particular struggle in their marriage, as Wade underwent a life-altering kidney cancer diagnosis.

Union opened up about their challenging journey during her February 26 appearance on "Today with Jenna & Friends." She highlighted how Wade's health battle particularly made the ninth year of their marriage one of the hardest. "It was year nine of our marriage and... year nine was very hard," she reflected.

Wade's diagnosis came when doctors discovered a cancerous tumor in his kidney, resulting in the removal of 40% of the organ. "Obviously him getting that diagnosis was traumatic for him: Being faced with your own mortality in your early forties, and you're like, 'Am I going to be here to see my family? Who am I without this big life, and without this healthy body?' " Union pointed out.

The emotional toll was significant. Wade, who had always been seen as resilient, found it challenging to let his family see him in a vulnerable state. As he mentioned on his podcast, The WY Network, "As a man, you never want your family to see you weak... Don't want to be perceived weak, don't want to be seen in your weakest moments but I had to [be]."

Union expressed the struggle they both faced, noting, "That level of vulnerability, to go through removal of a good chunk of his kidney and the healing that involved, he needed us to be okay with his vulnerability but more than that, he needed to be okay with his vulnerability. It was a challenge. It was a challenge to give grace and receive it."

Aside from their 6-year-old daughter Kaavia James, Wade's family includes children from previous relationships: Zaire, Zaya, and Xavier; and his nephew, Dahveon Morris, of whom he is the legal guardian.

The familial dynamics and the emotional resilience between Union and Wade through this tough period are worth admiration.