The Trip to the Hip

Still the 20th… Part 4 “Pity Party”

Once back in bed I thanked the nurses for their patience and apologized for the ordeal.  They brushed off the apology and asked me if there was anything else I needed.  “Something for this pain, would be nice,” I hinted with a smile, even though there were tears beginning to well up in my eyes. “Oh and can we see about getting a raised seat for the bathroom?” I suggested thinking optimistically about the future.

“I’ll see what I can do.” She headed for the door, “Do you want me to shut this?”

“Yes, please. Thanks.” The door closed and all was silent and dark. I was exhausted, but sleepless, and aching with pain and began to wonder why I did this. I felt sorry for myself and I missed my family (no one had visited or called today) so I cried because no one could see me.

The nurse came in and turned on the softer of the two lights.  She checked my blood pressure again and added another IV bag to the stand. “You’re pressure is still a little low for me to give you something through the IV.  I can give you some Tylenol with codeine?”  I nodded my head, and used my hands to try to press the self-pity and sadness out of my eyes. She returned with the laser gun and scanned my bracelet. The computer on the other side of the room beeped with the acceptance of my number. Then the nurse logged in the medication, amount and the time when I received it. “I can only give you one right now.” That was better than none, I thought as I swallowed the tablet praying that it would at least wound the dragon enough to force it back into its lair. Just for a little while…….