Hollywood Heights; Loren Tate, the story of my life
I'm what? Chapter 29
WOW! 500+ reviews…thank you all so much! Enjoy the chapter and please review, that would be appreciated. This chapter contains medical issues I researched; I'm not an expert in this field.
Everyone wants to know. "What happened?"
Loren gets her bag and keys. Eddie follows her. "What happened?"
"Lucy was in an accident."
"You're not going alone, I'm coming with you."
Mel and Kevin wait by the door. "We're coming too."
"Thank you guys, Nana says she's at Cedar Sinai."
They head to Eddie's car. "Did your grandmother say what happened?"
"Was she drinking?"
Loren starts to cry. "She was in the highway, and lost control of the car, the car flipped, she slammed into the rails on the highway."
Eddie holds her hand; they make their way to the hospital. Loren finds her grandmother, Nora, Dan and Gail in the waiting room.
"How is she?"
Lorena's crying. "It doesn't look good."
Dan tells Loren and Eddie what happened. "The Dr.'s will talk to us soon, the paramedic's said she barely had a pulse, the fire dept. had to cut through the bottom of the car to get to her."
"Was she drinking?" Loren wonders.
"They're running tests." Dan says.
Loren leans on Dan; he cradles her in his arms. "We'll do whatever we have too for her sweetie; please don't worry."
Eddie notices Dan reassuring Loren; he loves how Dan fuzzes over his daughter. Lorena can't sit still; she's agonizing over her granddaughter. Nora sits next to her. "I know Lucy will be fine."
"This scenario reminds me of Sofia; we waited for news when she had the girls, then she left us."
"Let's stay positive."
Loren hugs Eddie. "You ok?"
"I can't explain how I feel; I'm nervous, anxious and scared."
Before Eddie can respond, the doors open, the Dr. walks towards them. "Are you all related to Miss Tate?"
Dan's the first to speak. "She's my daughter."
He focuses his attention on Dan. The others walk quietly towards him. "She's not doing well right now; we're running tests, one of the tests show she has a heart condition, the reason she lost control of the car; we're headed to surgery right now; she has a broken arm, a bad cut on her leg, she suffered a head injury, the neurologist is running some tests."
Lorena sobs, Nora comforts her. Loren sits quietly, taking in the news on Lucy's health. Dan asks. "Was she drinking?"
"No, there's no alcohol in her system, no drugs; the tests show a cardiac problem, it's a heart defect."
"Anything you need; I'll take care of it." Dan assures him.
"We will know more after surgery." The Dr. walks away.
Loren notices her grandmother crying and kneels down. "She's getting the best of care."
"I know mi nina; she's has heart problems; I'm sure she inherited Sofia's heart problem."
Nora sighs. "Lucy is facing the same heart problems like your mother Sofia, I'm sure it's genetic."
"Why weren't we tested?" Loren wonders.
"You and Lucy were checked as infants; tests came back fine." Lorena tells Loren.
"Babe, we'll ask the Dr. after surgery."
Mel sits quietly with Kevin. "You ok?"
"I'm worried; Loren's a newlywed; she doesn't need this right now."
"Lucy will get the best care honey; don't worry." Kevin assures her.
Tests done on Lucy's head injury are fine; the injury wasn't as severe as Dr.'s thought, her arm's on a cast and her heart condition is diagnosed as B-type natriuretic peptides; this condition doesn't allow the heart to eliminate fluids, such as sodium, from the body. High levels of BNP can signal damage to the heart muscle and heart failure. This is the same health issue Sofia had; Dr. is positive that with careful treatment Lucy will survive, she will be monitored, more tests will be needed to confirm what medications can help her.
Lucy's in the ICU after surgery; Loren, Lorena and Nora are allowed to see her; they have to mask up before going into the room.
Loren approaches her. "We're here, we love you Lucy." She holds her hand.
Nora assures her. "Keep talking to her; she can hear us."
"I know Aunt Nora; I want her to be ok." Loren says.
"She will be; Dan will make sure she has the best care available."
Loren watches every breath Lucy takes with the help of the machine.
Loren acknowledges her grandmother. "You should go home and rest; I'll stay here with Lucy."
"No, I can't leave her side; you 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 sees Eddie standing by the door. She smiles and kisses Nana and Nora good night and she leaves.
"We'll stay if you want?" Eddie adds.
"No, I can come back in the morning; Nana insists I go home."
Mel and Kevin get up too. "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 hug Loren and Eddie and they leave; Eddie holds Loren's hand, they head towards their car and drive home.
Loren spends most of her mornings by Lucy's side for the next two weeks, she's getting better with the treatments; she's able to breathe on her own, after staying in the hospital for a month, Lucy is send to a rehabilitation center; Lucy's having a few more health issues, the Doctors are confident they will be resolved with the proper treatment.
Lorena worries Lucy will never be the same again; she spends her days sitting in a wheel chair because she's too weak to walk; she's alive and that's the best gift Lorena can have; she thought they'd lose Lucy; her recovery will be slow.
Loren arrives with a bouquet of daisies; those are Lucy's favorite.
"I want your room to be bright."
Lucy smiles. "Thanks."
"Hey you sound better; how's therapy?"
"Its fine, I hate it."
Loren understands. "Now you sound like the Lucy we all love."
She 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 he?"
"Yes he is." Lucy agrees.
Loren walks to the table where the nurses placed Lucy's lunch. "You have to eat; do you need anything else?"
"No Loren; having you here is all I need."
Loren kneels to her eye level. "I'm happy to have you back sis."
"I know; me too." Lucy smiles
Loren stands up, she feels dizzy. "Whoa." She holds her face. Lucy notices. "Are you ok?"
"I got up too fast." Loren holds her head.
"You better eat, maybe you're hungry."
Loren pulls a chair next to her. "They brought enough for you."
"I can share; I'm not very hungry." Lucy tells her.
"Let me cut your sandwich in half; the soup is for you."
Lucy takes a few sips of the soup; Loren eats the other half of the sandwich. "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 the same heart condition."
"She did; but they didn't have today's treatment available, you're going to be fine sis."
"You aren't lying are you?'
"Of course not, I wouldn't lie to you."
Lucy smiles. "Thanks sis."
Nora walks in. "I snuck in your favorite cookies Lucy."
Her eyes lit up. "That's great."
"You have to rest before you eat anything else; I'll be back later with Eddie." Loren says.
She pecks her on the top of her head. "See you later."
Nana's walks in, Loren stops before she exits the room. "How is my girl feeling?"
Loren furrows her eyes. "I'm ok Nana, why?"
"You look pale; have you eaten?"
"I had half a sandwich with Lucy."
"That's not enough; you're doing too much for Lucy and neglecting your health, go home, get something to eat and rest."
Loren hugs her. "I will Nana; Eddie always makes sure I do." She winks at her. "Lorenita!"
"Sorry Nana; couldn't help it."
Loren walks to her car. Dan and Gail arrive, he hugs and kisses her on the cheek. Gail acknowledges Loren with a hug too. "How's Lucy?"
"She looks good."
"The Dr. wants to see me; he making changes with her treatment."
"I'm going home before Eddie gets there."
Gail stops. "I have that dress I told you about; I hope you can fix it."
"Sure I'll take it right now." Loren adds.
Gail looks at Dan. "You go ahead; I'm going back to the car with Loren."
He waves, he continues to walk. Gail holds Loren's arm. "If you can't do anything to the dress; don't worry about it; it was my mom's dress; I don't want to get rid of it."
"I will fix it for you."
They reach Gail's car. "Here the dress, please take your time."
Loren smiles. "It's a beautiful dress, I will do my best for you Gail."
Loren turns to walk away and feels dizzy. She closes her eyes and holds her head. Gail notices. "Are you ok?"
"I think, I'm hungry."
"You're not driving home like this; let me call Dan and tell him I'm going with you; we're stopping at the pharmacy, better yet; let me call them."
"What for? Gail I swear I'm ok."
They arrive at Loren's home, Gail helps Loren to the door, they walk inside, Loren sits for a bit.
Gail walks into the kitchen to get a glass of water. "Drink this water; I ordered some food."
"You're very sweet; I swear I'm ok; I've been very busy since Lucy's accident; I need rest, I'll be ok."
The doorbell rings; Gail makes her way to the door. She tips the young man; she places the food on the table; a few minutes later the doorbell rings again. Loren watches Gail take care of that too.
"What are you doing?" Loren wonders.
"Taking care of you; here, there's a variety of dishes to choose from."
"Omg what did you order?"
"Enough for you both."
"What was the second delivery about?"
"This was easy; take this and go to the bathroom."
Loren furrows her eyes; Gail hands her a small box. "What is it?"
"Go and do it right now." She tells her.
Loren's eyes widen when she sees what the box says; she looks at Gail. "I'm what?"
She's what? What is Gail talking about? Any ideas?