September 5, 2016
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Looking Leggy
Dr. Hawk was still at the end of the bed in the middle of a quiet internal struggle when the nurse came in carrying a menu. Liz would get to choose her dinner and the meals for the next day too. As the nurse explained the choices, the doctor started to leave. She watched him walk to the door and then turn to look at her. Their eyes met again. This time the doctor didn’t look away. Liz mouthed the words “come back” and the doctor nodded. She took a long time deciding on dinner. It all sounded good but the nurse suggested the chicken tetrazzini with broccoli and garlic bread. She even got to choose a dessert! Before the nurse left Liz asked if it was possible for her to take a shower or bath. She wanted to feel clean just in case the doctor decided to come back after all.
She was feeling stronger and hated to use the bed pan as much as the nurse hated to help her use it. Getting to the bathroom took her almost 20 minutes. There was readjusting the bed and moving the chair and bed table followed by getting her legs over the edge of the bed. At first she thought the bed had been lowered. As she sat with her feet resting on the floor she realized that the bed was not low but her legs were longer. This couldn’t be. She was always the short one in the family. She had to buy petite sized pants because the regular ones were so long that they had to be cut off and hemmed. Then the nurse put an arm around her waist and levered her to a stand. Liz straightened her legs and stood swaying unsteadily. She put a hand on the nurse’s shoulder before sitting down on the bed. Her legs were long, weak and thin as toothpicks. It took 2 nurses and pure determination to make it to the bathroom door. Once Liz was ensconced on the toilet, the nurses had a little discussion. They found her a shower chair and provided her with soap and shampoo. Liz laughed at the shampoo but decided it smelled better than the soap. Using the shampoo like soft soap, she washed. The nurses helped her out of the shower into a clean hospital gown. The whole afternoon was gone and she was exhausted mentally and physically. Once back in bed, Liz promptly fell asleep.
I'm wrapping up the Laziest Summer Scavenger Hunt story since I've run out of prompts...
Comments (8)
I didn't read this yet but will. I just wanted to let you know that I never heard from anyone about renewing my subscription so I will eventually set up a word press site, I think, and write there. I don't know what else to do. My son is going to help me get it set up, soon I hope.
Been trying to read those of you still around but have been in hospital and then took a trip to NY State for 60th High School Reunion. So take care and know you and all the rest are thought of often. Hugs and smiles, Char
I'm glad you are out of the hospital and well enough to travel!! I am very sad that xanga failed to respond. They seem intent on failing. Don't forget that even if you don't have an account, you can read and comment on the posts of others! Please don't be a stranger. Let us all know what your new WordPress site is called so we can find you.
Oops, forgot - anyone interested can reach me at hangnail2@veriaon.net.
"Very bad word" -- that should say Verizon. Sorry.
Oh, my -- the legs do atrophy when they're not used! I hope she'll be able to recover!
She's only been in the hospital 3 days... The mysterious disease caused the muscle weakness and hopefully she will regain her strength soon.... but who knows in these instances??
Her food sounds good. I'm glad she got to the restroom and a shower. Sometimes bedpans are a necessity, but no one really likes them.
After using a bed pan you really do need a shower - not just a sponge bath!! When you are really hungry almost anything looks and tastes good.
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