- Author
- 08/30/2021
- 1,772 Words
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- 14 Comments
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
Fourth Down: Second Quarter - 8. Chapter 8
“Here we are,” Vicky smiled toward me as she stepped outside the car.
Opening the car door, I stepped out onto the large parking lot of the hospital I would be treated at. The facade looked old, but not worn. It was clearly taken care of. Vicky grabbed my bags from the trunk, then we both headed in the direction of the lobby.
Inside was rather grand, and looked more like a lobby of a hotel. I almost asked Vicky if we were in the right place, when I saw the name of the hospital on the wall behind a long counter where staff sat, admitting people who I presumed were to be patients.
We were soon seen by a kind, middle aged woman, who took my information before contacting someone on the ward I was to be staying on. Soon, someone from that ward came and picked us up.
“Hi, my name is Kayleigh, and I help the nursing staff on Colyer Ward.” The young girl smiles at us.
She led us to one of the elevators and carefully pressed one of the buttons, causing the doors to close and the elevator to lurch upwards, up to the floor my ward is apparently on. As she led us down a myriad of corridors Kayleigh was very personable. She was clearly trying to put me at ease, but sadly, I was not feeling myself. My seemingly unwillingness to respond made me feel quite guilty and anxious. Fortunately, Vicky tooks up the slack, so it’s not too awkward.
“Well, here we are!” Kayleigh grinned broadly as she opened the door to my room.
“There must be a mistake,” I said, taking in the room. “Surely I am in a shared room?”
Kayleigh looked at me confused. “No, I am pretty sure this is your room — you are the only Annabelle we have on record. And, it was explicitly stated that this was to be your space.”
“Oh, ok…” I say, as I continue to take in my apparent room.
It looked like a hotel room, though one with linoleum floors. Their windows were large, with beautiful floral printed drapes, which looked out onto a lush green park outside. The bed was fairly big and looked quite comfortable for a hospital bed. Against one of the walls was an invitingly comfortable looking sofa.
“Well this looks cozy,” Vicky said, as she placed my luggage on the sofa.
“It is,” I say, as I make my way over to the window to look outside.
A nurse soon came in and after introducing herself to me. She proceeded to gently put on one of those ID wristbands upon my right wrist. She then left soon after, allowing me to get settled in after letting me know that I’ll be having a few more tests in the morning, and that my doctor would come and see me in my room some time in the afternoon.
***
As I lay there, in my now darkened hospital room, all was quiet, except for the whispered voices of the nurses outside. I listened as they checked on their patients and interacted with each other. I just couldn’t sleep. Maybe it was being in an unfamiliar place, or it could be that I was anxious about tomorrow, but for some reason I just could not settle. In the end, I pulled back the sheets, climbed out of bed and made my way over to the large window. The view was stunning, showing most of the park outside, and the city that surrounded it. The park was illuminated beautifly by lights that seemed to be placed in such a way that it gave the park an almost ethereal vibe.
“Anything interesting out there?” A soft voice came from the doorway.
Turning around I saw a young nurse, probably in her early twenties, peering from beside the door.
“It’s rather beautiful,” I tell her.
“It sure is. Almost breathtaking if you ask me. Now, let's get you some rest. You seem to have a big day tomorrow,” she told me as she gently guided me back to bed. “If you like, I can organize a mild sleeping aid to help you sleep.”
“That would be great,” I smile, as I sink back into the comfortable sheets.
I lay there, my mind a swirl of thoughts, wondering what the future might hold for me and my kids. If I didn’t make it, what would happen to them? But I can’t let myself think like that. My kids need me. I need to fight. For them... For me. For us.
“Here we are,” the nurse said as she entered my room with another nurse.
Before giving me the medication, they checked my wrist with a file they had in their hand. After I took the offered meds, I lay there in the dark just staring up at the ceiling until my eyelids grew too heavy to keep open.
***
The clunking sound coming from the MRI could be heard through both the ear plugs and ear muff things that were used to protect my ears. I just lay there staring up at the plastic that was a few inches from my face. This was my second MRI this morning. After the first one was done, they sat me in a little private waiting room where one of the nurses there, set up an IV into my arm which was connected to some fluid. Contrast, I think they had called it. Well apparently this ‘contrast’ is going to give them a clearer picture of what is going on in my head.
Thankfully Vicky was there keeping me company throughout.
We had just gotten back to my room when the orderly who had taken me for my MRI was back, informing me that he had just been informed that Dr Araka was wanting to see me as soon as we got back.
“Talk about a busy morning,” Vicky smiled, “And here I thought you had to rest while in hospital.” She added with a wink.
Once the orderly had dropped us off in the Drs room, I was soon wheeled into his consultation room. Dr Araka looked like a kind man with a genuine smile on his face when he greeted us.
“Mrs Jacobs,” He gently smiled as he offered one of the comfortable looking chairs next to his oak wooden desk, which sat against the wall.
Taking his seat at his desk, and Vicky holding my hand, Dr Araka proceeded to bring up my scans on his computer, displaying them on a screen closest to me.
He then looks at me with a sympathetic expression. I steel myself for what he is about to confirm for me. Vicky squeezes my hand, I think she too knows what he is about to tell us.
He leans forward, resting his elbows on his thighs, his hands clasped together, as if he is saying a silent prayer “I’m afraid it’s as Dr Smith feared. I’m afraid it’s cancer.” he sighs.
My mind just goes blank. It’s as if someone just walked into my mind and switched it off. All I can recall for the rest of the consultation was of Vicky asking questions. Questions that I felt I should have been able to ask. But I just sat there. Trying to think of what would happen next, but nothing. I don’t even remember the trip back to my room.
“Are you ok?”
Huh?
“Belle? How are you feeling?”
Vicky? She is asking me something. How am I feeling? How am I feeling? Do I even feel anything?
I feel the side of my bed dip before I am taken into Vicky’s arms. My arms automatically hold on to her as I begin sobbing into her shoulder. She just held me as I let out all the emotion that was coursing through me, anger, sadness, bitterness. What did I do to deserve this?
***
My eyes feel heavy. Was I sleeping? I don’t remember laying down to sleep. My eyes finally open, revealing my darkened hospital room. The only light coming from the cloudless night sky outside. A soft sound from my right grabs my attention. Looking over I see that the couch had been pulled out, and a small figure was curled underneath the sheets.
Vicky. She stayed here with me.
Suddenly I heard a light scratching on the door, as it opened just a bit, allowing the soft light from the hall to softly illuminate a little of my room. I just look at it, expecting it to open further, but nothing. I am about to get out of bed to close it, when a small black shape suddenly darts up onto the bed. The dark mass circles a little then curls up against my leg. I just look at this, thing, near my leg when I suddenly feel it vibrating against my leg, and at the same time I hear… purring? I reach out a shaky hand to the small creature. It’s a black cat! It’s fur is silky soft against my gently probing fingers. The cat's purr only gets louder as I stroke her small head.
“Felicia?” A whispered voice came from the door, as it quietly opened. Revealing one of the young nurses on shift tonight. “There you are,” She said quietly, as she came into the room after spotting the small fur ball snuggled against my knee.
“I am terribly sorry if she disturbed you,” She said quietly to me once she realised I was somewhat awake.
“Oh no, she didn’t. I was awake,” I told her, one hand caressing the cat on my bed. “Does she belong to a patient?” I ask, wondering if the hospital had a policy on people bringing in pets. It was rather fancy after all.
“Oh no,” She smiled, giving the cat's head a gentle caress of her own, “She lives on the ward. Our doctors like the benefits animals can bring those who are sick, so we have a few cats on the ward. You aren’t allergic are you?”
“No, we have a beautiful ginger tom at home,” I smile thinking of Mr Bubbles. I then grab my phone so I can show the young nurse pictures of my baby boy.
“Oh he’s gorgeous,” She gushes, “How old is he?”
“About five years,” I smile.
“Well if you’re happy for Felicia to stay, I’ll let you go back to sleep.” She smiled before leaving, closing the door behind her, only allowing a small gap so Felicia would be able to leave if she wanted to.
And thank you for all the well wishes last week, it meant a lot
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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