Mary #40

This is a continuing story.  If you want to read from the beginning, please go to my side bar to the labels and click on story-Mary or click here.

40

They both looked up and Elizabeth said “That’s me.”

“Would you like to follow me?”

They got up and Elizabeth whispered to Mary “not really” and she chuckled.

They followed the nurse into a big room.   They could see there were about ten chairs that reclined.  There were curtains on either side of each chair. Some patients had their curtains open and some were closed.  The nurse showed them to where Elizabeth would be.  She sat in the recliner and the nurse brought Mary a chair so she could sit and the nurse said “I’ll be right back.”

They both sat their quietly and then Mary noticed tears in Elizabeth’s eyes.  She reached for her hand and held it until the nurse came back.

“We’ll have to get this IV in first.”  She took Elizabeth’s arm and looked around.  Then she took her hand and said “I think I’ve got a good vein here.”  She rubbed alcohol on it and said “you’re going to feel a little pinch” as she stuck the needle in.  She taped it up and then went and got the first medicine and hooked it up.  “When this is done, I’ll be bringing you the chemo that you learned about that has to be put in slowly.  That will take a while and then you’ll get the other stuff.  You should be done in about three hours.” 

“Okay, thanks” Elizabeth.

“If you feel strange in anyway just ring this bell and I’ll come” and she left.

“I see they have coffee there, you want some?”

“Yeah, I could use it.  I hardly slept last night.”

Mary went and got the coffee and brought it back. 

“Guess what, they already laid Sadie off.”

“Oh my, did you find out anything about your job?”

“I called my boss yesterday to find out.  I got the boot too.”

“You did, why didn’t you tell me yesterday?”

“I didn’t want you to have to worry about me.”

“That’s just terrible.  All those years you worked there.”

“So anyhow, I brought this notebook with me.  Hypothetically speaking of course, if I did decide to open up a B&B I thought we could discuss some ideas for it.  What do you think; would you be interested in doing that?”

“Boy would I ever.”

“Now then, let’s start with the outside.  The farmstead on the outside is looking pretty rough I could either get it repainted or do you think siding would be better?”

“My opinion would be to have it painted.  I think it would look like more of a country home.  Although if you had it sided, you wouldn’t have to worry about it for years.”

“Those are both valid points” and Mary jotted down both ideas.

“The front porch could also use some fixing up.  I think it could use some new wood railings going up the steps.”

“You know, I know a good contractor in town that could handle the whole thing hypothetically speaking of course” and Elizabeth laughed and Mary did too”.

“Really, I’m serious.  He’s very reasonable.  We had work done on our house and I’ve recommended him several times.”

Suddenly, the nurse came up holding a big syringe with red liquid inside.  “It’s time to start your chemo.  I’m going to put the syringe in this little part here and push the liquid in very slowly.  It will seem like I’m barely putting it in but believe me it won’t take long.  Then I’ll bring the other chemo and when that’s done you’ll be good to go.”

“Okay” Elizabeth said and Mary could see the tears starting to form in her eyes.

“Let’s get back to this planning” Mary said trying to distract Elizabeth.  “This might be a crazy idea but what if a garden was planted.   A little bit of money could be saved by using the food from the garden.  If the garden did well, I could can vegetables.  Your Ma taught you too didn’t she?”

“Mary, I haven’t done that in years.”

“I’m sure it’s like riding a bike.  A little searching on the Internet and I know it will refresh our memories.”

“I suppose.”

“I’m getting a little hungry” Elizabeth said.

The nurse said “We have some crackers if you want.  Or the cafeteria’s open.”

“Mary would you get me a salad?”

“Sure” and Mary left.

When she got back with the food, the nurse was gone and Elizabeth had fallen asleep.  Mary decided not to wake Elizabeth and she ate her salad quietly so as to not disturb her. 

When she was done eating she jotted notes down about the B&B and before she knew it the nurse was coming back.

“Elizabeth” the nurse whispered.

She woke up “Yes?”

“You’re all done.  I’m going to take your IV out.”  The nurse took the IV out and then put a bandage where the needle had been.  “Here are your prescriptions and remember to come back tomorrow for your shot.”

“Thanks” she said as she took the papers.

“I’ll see you at your next treatment.  Don’t forget any problems give Dr. Rogers a call.  Bye”

“Bye” Elizabeth said.  Then she noticed the salad and said “I’m so sorry I made you buy that salad.  I think I was so exhausted I fell asleep when the nurse left me.”

“Don’t worry about it.  You needed it.  Are you ready?”

“And how” and they left.

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Mrs. Dunkin #33

This is a continuing story.  To see the rest click here.  

33

I picked up the phone and dialed Jerry’s number and Sue picked it up.

“Hello Mom is that you?”

“Yes, caller ID huh?” and I laughed.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes dear, I wanted to thank you for letting Josh bring my village.  We had such a good time setting it up.  Jerry told me you were thinking of getting a job.  I don’t know if you would be interested but I found out they are going to be looking for a new receptionist here to start in February.”

“You know I haven’t worked in years but that sounds like something I could do.”

“Why don’t you come first thing on Monday and fill out an application.  You know the old saying “the early bird catches the worm.”

“Okay mom” and I could hear the excitement in her voice.  “When I’m done I’ll stop by for a visit.” 

“Good I’ll see you then.” 

As I lay down to go to sleep I thought that went well.  Now if she only gets the job that will be even better. 

I anxiously waited for Monday to come.   When it came, I woke up late and got in the shower.  When I came out my breakfast was sitting on the table with my pills.  When I got done eating, I noticed a box that Josh had brought that hadn’t been opened.  I wondered if we forgot some of the houses.  I hoped not, I couldn’t fit another thing on the window seat.  When I opened it, I found some of my snowmen.  Julie knew that besides my village I loved snowmen.  I started putting them all over the dressers and the top of my chest.  Now it really was feeling like Christmas. 

I had a flat snowman that said Welcome and I was putting it on the outside of my door when I heard an excited Sue say “Hi Mom.”

“Hi Sue, how did it go?”

“You wouldn’t believe it. It was the strangest thing ever. I filled out an application and then the receptionist said the administrator had time to interview me.  I was so nervous because I wasn’t expecting it but when I walked in it turned out that Tommy Taylor was the administrator.”

“Tommy Taylor?”

“Yeah, we were in high school together.  He was one of the gang I hung out with.  We never had a dating relationship be we were good friends.  We lost touch when he went to college.  We talked more about what we’ve been doing the last few years and about the job.  He said he knew I would do a good job and asked me if I wanted it and I accepted.  I will start training in January.  Can you believe it?”

“I’m thrilled for you honey.  How do you think Jerry and the kids are going to feel about it?  You know you won’t be home all the time now.”

“I think Jerry will be thrilled that I can keep an eye on you.  He’s accepted your decision to be here but he still worries about you.  The kids it will be an adjustment for them.  I think it will be good for them; it will make them need to be a little more independent and not count on me for everything.  Besides the hours will be pretty good 8 to 4.  I’ll get them to school and then they can go to the afterschool program for about an hour.

“Sounds like you have it all worked out already.”

“Good thing Julie is having Christmas this year.  I’ll have now until January 2nd to get my house in order.”

“Thanks for stopping by and telling me.  Why don’t you go home and tell Jerry and the kids.”

“Are you sure, we haven’t had much of a visit.”

“Come January we’ll be seeing each other all the time” and I laughed. 

“You’re right mom.  I’ll talk to you later.  I’m going to go straight home; we’re supposed to be getting snow tonight.  Bye” and she left. 

I went to the day-room and Gladys was there.  I told her the good news and she said “See I didn’t even have to pull any strings.  She got the job on her own” and we laughed. 

The next few weeks were fun filled weeks leading up to Christmas.  We had adult and children’s choirs that sang carols.   We had bell ringer playing Christmas tunes.  We did crafts making clothespin reindeers and ornaments.  We had so many Christmas cookies I thought I would burst.  

It was the season of joy.  When my family came everyone was happy, except I could tell that Jerry was still concerned but he was thrilled that Sue had a job that she seemed to be happy about. 

I thought maybe I had a way to solve their housing issues too but I was just biding my time.  I would wait until Christmas and then spring it on him. 

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Broken Hearted

What is this world coming to when children go to elementary school and then don't get to come home? 

My thoughts are with those in Connecticut. 

Mary #39

This is a continuing story.  If you want to read from the beginning, please go to my side bar to the labels and click on story-Mary or click here.

39

When the alarm went off, Mary could feel the chill in the house immediately.  She got off the sofa and turned the thermostat up.  She wanted it to be warm in the house before her and Elizabeth came back.

She went in the kitchen, fed Lula and said “No going on the porch this morning”.  She started making the coffee and when it was done, she sat at the kitchen table and drank it. 

She went upstairs and put jeans on.  She put on a t-shirt and then decided to put a brown pullover sweater on.  If she got too warm she could always take it off.  She pulled her hair up in a ponytail and then put on a pair of brown slip on shoes. 

It was about time to leave so she grabbed her purse and a fall-like jacket and got in her car and drove to pick up Elizabeth.  When she got to her house, she noticed she had a notebook in the car and put it in her purse. She got out of the car and saw two suitcases sitting outside the door.  She knocked and Elizabeth walked right out.

“Hi, I guess you’re ready.”

“As ready as I’m going to be.” 

Each one picked up a suitcase and took them to the trunk and put them in.  They got in the car and Mary asked “Where is this place?”

“It’s in part of the hospital."

Neither said much on the way.  They mostly talked about how chilly it was.  When they got there Elizabeth directed Mary on which parking lot to go to.  They got out of the car and Mary followed her inside. 

Elizabeth signed in and after a few minutes someone called her name.  Mary started to get up to go with her and the person said “She’s going for a blood test then she’ll be right back” so she sat back down. 

For the first time, Mary looked around at all the people sitting there.  It was hard sometimes telling who was a patient and who wasn’t.  Although sometimes it was easy, there was the man who was so painfully thin looking ill, and the woman with the scarf on her head.  

Elizabeth came out and sat down.  “Now we have to wait to see the doctor.”

“Are you thirsty?  I see they have some coffee over there.  I could get you some.”

“Thanks, I’ll wait until after I see Dr. Rogers.”

They looked at some magazines and a half hour went by and they heard “Elizabeth” and they got up and followed the nurse.  Elizabeth got on a scale and was weighed and then they were ushered into a room.

They made small talk with the nurse while she took Elizabeth’s temperature and did a blood pressure check.  She then took a hospital gown out of a drawer and handed it to Elizabeth and told her to get undressed from the waist up and she left the room.

Elizabeth put the gown on and sat on the table.  Shortly, after the doctor came in. “Hi Elizabeth, how are you doing?” 

“Okay but I’m a little nervous.”

“Most people are there first time” and she turned to Mary and said “Hi, I’m Stephanie Rogers” and she shook her hand.

“I’m Mary Jenkins, I’m her friend.”

“I’m glad to meet you and that you came.  It will make Elizabeth’s time go faster if she has someone with her” and she turned to Elizabeth. “Elizabeth you can lay down so I can examine you.”

Mary looked away while the doctor examined Elizabeth’s breasts.  When she was done she said

“Everything feels fine, no more lumps.  Do you want to go over everything again?”

“No, I remember from yesterday.”

“Okay, just remember eventually we might have to put a port in depending on how long you have treatments.  It’s not unusual for the veins to get bad.  If we do, we would do it between treatments and it won’t disrupt anything.”

“Okay” Elizabeth said.

“You can get dressed now and go back to the waiting area.  They’ll call you soon in for treatments.  When you’re done, they’ll give you some prescriptions you’ll need to get filled.  Be diligent about taking them correctly especially the anti-nauseous drugs.  Tomorrow you’ll want to come and get your shot to boost your immune system as well.  You can come in any time before 3:00.  If you have any problems don’t hesitate to call.  If nothing happens, I’ll see you for the next treatment.”

“Okay doctor” Elizabeth said.

“Nice meeting you Mary.  I hope I’ll see you again” and she walked out the door.

Elizabeth got her clothes on and they went to the waiting room.

“She seemed nice.  You want that coffee now” Mary said.

“That would be great.”

They sat drinking coffee until they heard “Elizabeth Connell?”

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