I'm what? Chapter 29
Enjoy the chapter and please review; we the writers need to know how we're doing, that would be appreciated. This chapter contained medical issues I researched; I'm not an expert in this field but I tried to make it as authentic as I possibly could.
Everyone wanted to know and all of them asked Loren at the same time when they saw how worried she was.
"What happened?"
Loren didn't respond and ran to get her purse and keys. Eddie followed her. "Loren what happened?"
"Lucy was in an accident."
"You're not going alone, I'm coming with you."
Mel and Kevin waited by the door. "Lo we're coming too."
"Thank you guys, Nana says she's at Cedar Sinai."
They walked to Eddie's car. "Did your grandmother say what happened?"
"She wasn't drinking was she?"
Loren started to cry. "She was in the highway and lost control of the car, she flipped when she hit the rails on the highway."
Eddie held her hand and squeezed it as they headed to the hospital. They arrived and entered through the ER. Loren found her grandmother and Nora along with Dan and Gail.
"How is she?"
Lorena was crying. "It doesn't look good."
Dan walked to where Loren stood. "The Dr.'s will be out to talk to us soon, the paramedic's said she hardly had a pulse when they found her, the fire dept. had to cut through the bottom of the car to get to her."
"Was she drinking?"
"They're checking and running tests."
Loren leaned on Dan; he cradled her in his arms. "We'll do whatever we have too for her Loren; please don't worry."
Eddie noticed and smiled; he loved how Dan fuzzed all over his daughter. Lorena couldn't sit still; her eyes said it all; she was agonizing over her granddaughter. Nora walked towards her. "Mama please don't worry."
"I'm trying to stay strong, this reminds me of Sofia; how long we waited for news and then she left us."
"I know mama this brings back sad times."
Loren saw Eddie standing by the window and hugged him from behind. He turned around and hugged her back. "You ok?"
"I can't explain how I feel; I'm nervous and anxious and scared."
Before Eddie could respond the doors opened and a Dr. walked towards them. "Are you all related to Miss Tate?"
Dan was the first to speak. "She's my daughter."
He focused his attention on Dan. The other walked quietly towards him. "She's not doing to good right now; we're still running tests and the ones we've done on her heart tells us she has a defect of some kind; she's headed to surgery right now; she broke her arm and has a bad cut on her leg and the neurologist is running tests as well; she suffered a head injury."
Lorena sat sobbing quietly and Nora hugged her trying to comfort her. Loren stood quiet taking in the news on her sister. Dan finally asked. "Was she drinking?"
"No there was no alcohol in her system or any drugs; the tests we've done show a cardiac problem and that's why she lost consciousness and crashed."
"Anything you need Dr. I'll take care of it."
"We will know more after surgery."
Loren noticed her grandmother crying and kneeled down to talk to her. "Nana she is getting the best of care."
"I know mi nina; she's has heart problems too; I was worried ne of you would get that as well."
Nora looked at Loren. "Sofia's heart problems were genetic."
"Why weren't we tested?"
"Loren you and Lucy were checked as infants; all tests came back fine." Eddie hugged her trying to comfort her.
"Babe we will ask the Dr. after they tell us more about Lucy's condition."
Mel sat quietly with Kevin. "You ok?"
"I'm just worried; Loren is happy and a newlywed; she doesn't need this right now."
"Lucy will get the best care honey; don't worry."
Tests done on Lucy's head injury were all fine; the injury wasn't as severe as Dr.'s thought, her arm was on a cast and her heart condition was diagnosed as B-type natriuretic peptides; this condition produced by the heart helps the body eliminate fluids, such as sodium, from the body. High levels of BNP can signal damage to the heart muscle and heart failure. This was the same health issue Sofia had; Dr.'s were positive with careful treatment Lucy could survive but she would have to be monitored and more tests would be needed to confirm what medications would help her.
Lucy was in the ICU after surgery; Loren was allowed to see her and so was Lorena and Nora; they had to cover up to go in.
Loren approached her. "Lucy we're here, we love you." She wasn't sure if she should touch her.
Nora assured her. "Loren it's ok to touch and talk to her; she can hear us."
"I know Aunt Nora; I want her to be ok."
"She will be; Dan is taking care of everything."
Loren kept sighing with every breath Lucy took with the help of the machine.
Loren acknowledged her grandmother. "Nana you should go home and rest; I'll stay here with Lucy."
"No I couldn't leave her side; you should go and rest, Nora and I will stay here with her; any changes and we will let you know."
"Mama is right Loren; go home with Eddie; you can return in the morning."
Loren turned to see Eddie standing by the door. She smiled at him and kissed Nana and Nora good night and left.
"We'll stay if you want too?"
"No I can come back in the morning; Nana insists I go home."
Mel and Kevin stood up from where they sat. "Lo we're leaving as well; if you need me you know where to find me."
"I know Mel, thanks for coming and staying with me."
Mel and Kevin hugged both Loren and Eddie and left; Eddie held Loren's hand as they headed to their car and both got in and drove home.
For the following two weeks Loren spend most of her mornings by Lucy's side; the treatments given to her were helping her get better each day; she was able to breathe on her own after staying in the hospital a whole month she was send to a rehabilitation center; Lucy was having some issues but Doctors were confident all would be resolved with the proper treatment.
Lorena worried Lucy would never be the same girl again; she spend her days sitting in a wheel chair because she was too weak to walk; but she was alive and that was the best gift Lorena could have; she thought for sure she was going to lose her at one point.
Loren arrived with a bouquet of daisies; they were Lucy's favorite flower.
"I want your room to be bright Lucy."
Lucy smiled. "Thanks."
"Hey you sound better; how's therapy?"
"It's fine and I hate it."
Loren bit her lower lip. "Ok now you sound like the Lucy we all love."
Lucy downcast her look. "I'm sorry for everything."
"Hey we've been through that already; no need to repeat it; you need to get better."
"I am; dad is making sure I have the best care."
"He's amazing isn't her?"
"Yes he is."
Loren walked to the table where the nurse had placed Lucy's lunch. "Here you have to eat; do you need anything else?"
"No Loren; having you here is all I need."
Loren kneeled to her eye level. "I'm so happy to have you back sis."
"I know; me too."
Loren stood up and felt dizzy. "Woah." She held her face. Lucy noticed and asked. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah I got up too fast and felt dizzy."
"You better eat as well."
Loren pulled a chair next to her. "They brought enough for you."
"I can share; I'm not very hungry."
"Ok then let me cut your sandwich in half; but the soup is all for you."
Lucy took a few sips of the soup and looked at Loren who was eating the other half of the sandwich. "Loren can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Am I going to die?"
"Why would you ask that?"
"I overheard Nana telling Aunt Nora that mom had this same heart condition."
"Yes she did; but they didn't have the medicine to give her like they do now."
"You aren't lying to me are you?'
"No Of course not I wouldn't lie to you."
Lucy smiled. "Thanks sis."
Nora walked in. "Ok I was sneaky and brought your favorite cookies Lucy."
Lucy's eyes lit up. "That's great."
"Lucy you have to rest before you eat anything else; I'll be back later with Eddie."
She pecked her with a sweet sister kiss on the top of her head. "See you later."
Nana was walking in as Loren was leaving. "Lorenita are you ok?"
Loren furrowed her eyes. "Yes Nana why?"
"You look pale; have you eaten?"
"Yes I had half a sandwich with Lucy."
"That's not enough; you're doing too much for Lucy and neglecting your health, go home and eat and take a nap."
Loren smiled hugging her. "I will Nana; Eddie always makes sure I do." She winked at her. "Lorenita!"
"Sorry Nana; couldn't help it."
Loren was walking to her car. Dan and Gail were arriving. Dan hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. Gail acknowledged her with a hug too. "How's Lucy?"
"She looks good."
"Well the Dr. wanted to see me; he has changes to make with her treatment."
"I'm going home before Eddie gets there."
Gail stopped. "Oh Loren I have that dress I told you about; I hope you can fix it."
"Sure I'll take it right now."
Gail called Dan who was already a few steps ahead of her. "You go ahead; I'm going back to the car with Loren."
He waved and continued to walk. Gail held Loren's arm. "If you can't do anything to the dress ; don't worry about it; it was my mom's so I want to hang on to it."
I know Gail; I will try to fix it for you."
They reached Gail's car. "Here and take your time."
Loren smiled. "It's a beautiful dress and so soft; I know this is silk."
Loren turned to walk away and again felt faint. She closed her eyes as she held her head. Gail noticed and held her by her back. "Loren are you ok?"
"Yeah I think I'm just hungry."
"You're not driving home like this; let me call Dan and tell him I'm going with you; but we're stopping at the pharmacy or better yet; let me call them."
"What for? Gail I swear I'm ok."
Gail called Dan and told him she was driving Loren home, she made another call and they drove away.
They arrived and Gail got off and walked to the passenger side of the car to help Loren get out. She walked her to the door; they went inside and Loren sat for a bit.
Gail walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water. "Here drink this sweetie; I ordered you some food."
"Gail you're too sweet; I swear I'm ok; I've been too busy since Lucy's accident; I need to rest and I'll be ok."
The doorbell rang; Gail walked to get the door. She paid the boy at the door; she placed the food on the table; a few minutes later the doorbell rang again. Loren watched as Gail took care of that too.
"Gail what are you doing?"
"Taking care of you; here there's a variety of dishes to choose from."
"Omg what did you order?"
"Enough for you and Eddie."
"And what was the second delivery about?"
"Oh this was in easy; here take this and go to the bathroom."
Loren furrowed her eyes as Gail handed her a small box. "What is it?"
"Loren go and do it right now."
Loren's eyes widen as she saw what the box said; she looked at Gail and asked. "I'm what?"
She's what? What is Gail talking about? Any ideas as you review? Last chapter to this story is coming up! Thanks everyone.
