September 13th, 2007 1100 AM
Hazel was more puzzled than anything, by all the changes. At the grocery store for example. The young man who placed her carefully budgeted for and chosen goods into the car had a careless air that disturbed her. Nothing she could quite put her finger on. Maybe it was as simple a thing as not wishing her a good day. He had left while she was still fumbling for keys and trying to find words to tell him she could give no tip this week. It had in fact been quite a few years since she could. Perhaps it was no longer customary. She thought she would ask her daughter the very next time she saw her.
At home she struggled with sack and cane to the door. Twice.Then again from door to counter. She rested a moment in the chair already pulled out for that purpose, and began the task of putting things away. One item was not for her at all. The brightly wrapped orange and black peanut butter candy reminded her of Halloweens long past. They were a treasure for her grandkids who would no doubt come by in costume. She poured the large bag into her special bowl and placed it on the table beside her arm chair to remind herself of the approaching holiday visit.
September 30th, 2007 900 AM
This was not what she wanted to do with her day, but after all, her daughter had made the appointment. So Hazel ate her toast, and washed her teeth. She took off her glasses and leaned toward the mirror for a final, closer inspection. "Beauty salons are such a waste anyway." She tried to tell herself. Still, when her husband was alive every Friday he'd drop her off, and never complain about the cost. And every time he picked her up he had asked her and she had reluctantly admitted that it did make her feel pretty."As pretty as you are." he would say. Even in the those last years when she had to start driving herself there, he had insisted. It had all been for him. It rarely saddened her to remember those things. Sadness came with the evening news. Sadness came watching neighborhood children come home from school, letting themselves into empty houses and locking their doors.
The telephone rang as Hazel gathered her purse and cane. She hesitated, and decided to she had time to answer it. No, she couldn't pay the overdue amount and todays fee. Yes, she would reschedule later. So many changes.
October 31st 2007 900PM
They had trick or treated in nearby neighborhoods first. Grandma would want them to come in and visit after all. When they arrived the porch light was not on.
October 31st 2007 1130 PM Intensive Care Unit Anywhere USA
I had her blood pressure up to 80/40. The second of six units of fresh frozen plasma was infusing in left wrist site #1. The third unit of packed cells had been started and site #2 was precarious there. If she lived through the night she would need a central line. In her right arm at site #3 Hespan was completing. I upped the rate of the saline and phoned her doctor. Yes, if the dopamine is maxed, switch to Levophed. That accomplished, and her blood pressure holding, I found them in the waiting room. The angel, and the scarecrow were both slumped and asleep in costume. I knelt beside her daughter, and spoke in whispers.
"If she had only seen the doctor. If only.." Her daughter's voice trailed off.
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Comments: 18
This would be a good title in itself, don't you think, Deb, dear? Great writing! :-)
Love and hugs - S.
It thrills me to no end to find a new post from you here.