Chapter three of Why Me?
Chapter three: I will never leave you
I turned around when I heard someone call my name. I went back to the room and found Hannah at the doorway looking scared.
"Hannah what's wrong?" I asked her.
"Jamie won't wake up," she said in a scared voice. Her lip started to tremble.
I went over to the bed. Jamie's breathing had become shallow. "Jamie what's wrong? Jamie talk to me please."
Jamie didn't respond. I began to panic. I couldn't lose her now, not when everything was so perfect. I turned to Hannah who still looked scared and somewhat confused at what was going on. "Hannah I need you to go get Aunt Syd. Can you do that?"
Hannah nodded and ran out of the room. I sat by Jamie's bed holding her hand. I began to pray. Then Syd came rushing into the room followed by a nurse and Dr. Pollard.
"What happened?" Syd asked. She looked as scared as I felt.
"She was talking to Hannah and I went to use the bathroom and then I heard Hannah scream," I said my voice breaking. "She said she couldn't wake her up."
"The stroke has probably effected more of her brain," Dr. Pollard said. He listened to Jamie's heart. "Her breathing has become shallow Landon. We need to tube her."
"No," I said. "I don't want her hooked up to tubes."
"It's the only way Landon," Syd said. "If we don't Jamie will die."
I looked at Jamie, struggling to breath.
"Her pressure is going down Landon her heart could stop. The area of the brain that controls her vital organs is being effected by the stroke. If we don't tube her and try to stop the damage Jamie will die," Dr. Pollard said sternly.
I nodded, too choked up to answer. I couldn't lose her again, my sweet Jamie. I bent down and kissed her on the cheek and took her hand.
"You need to stand back Landon," Syd said.
I stepped back and stood near the window watching as Syd stuck a tube down Jamie's throat. Then I felt someone come up behind me and turned around to see my mom standing there with a worried expression on her face.
"Come on let's go outside," mom said leading me out the door. I looked back at Jamie. I closed the door and leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath. Finally I turned to my mom who must have been waiting for me to speak. "Mom I can't lose her, not again. I already almost lost her once. She has a daughter to take care of, she has a life to live. Why is God doing this to me? To her?"
"Jamie doesn't want you to blame God," mom said. "She'll get through this."
Then Syd came out into the hallway. "Landon you can see her now."
"Is she awake?" I asked walking back into the room.
"We've given her something so she won't try to pull out the tube but she can hear you," Syd said.
I went over to the bed and sat down in the chair beside it. I took Jamie's hand. "You've got to fight Jamie, you've got to want to live. Please Jamie I can't see you suffer, I won't. Please I can't lose you."
` Jamie blinked and I smiled. I kissed her hand and gave her a hug, careful not to undo the wires. I knew Jamie wanted to say something I could see it in her eyes but she couldn't. I rubbed her cheek and I thought I saw tears in her eyes. "Shh its OK don't cry. I'm right here Jamie I'm not leaving."
Jamie seemed to calm down and soon fell asleep. I sat back in the chair and soon I was doing the exact same thing.
The next day Jamie was doing well enough to get off the vent. Dr Pollard and Syd had given her intensive antibiotics to help the swelling and the progression of the stroke. I was with her when they removed the tube.
"Its Ok," I said gently. I gave her some water and she took it gratefully. She looked up at me.
"Thank you," she whispered. She gripped my hand. "Please don't leave me."
I hugged her close. "I won't Jamie, I'm not going anywhere." I sat on the bed with her and Syd raised the bed.
"I'll leave you two alone," Syd said and walked out of the room closing the door behind her.
"I was so scared I'd lose you," I said.
Jamie ran her fingers over my cheek. "You don't have to be scared I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to beat this thing Landon and I'm going to be a good mother to Jenna."
I kissed her passionately. "I know you will," I whispered.
She smiled that smile that I fell in love with. "Could you read me a poem from my mother's book?" she laid back down, looking tired.
I picked up the book that was lying on the table and opened it. "Love is patient, love is always kind..."
Then the door opened and Dr. Pollard walked in followed by Syd.
"Jamie we need to talk to you," Dr. Pollard said.
Jamie looked at him. "What about?"
"About your recovery," Dr. Pollard said. He sat down in a chair. "You will be ready to start physical therapy soon but first we need to get you better. Infinitely we don't have the tools to do that but there is a specialist in Chicago that will be taking over your case."
"But Jamie can't travel," I protested.
"That isn't a problem," Dr. Pollard said. He turned to me. "It seems that your father got wind of this situation Landon and is paying to have a private helicopter transport you, Jamie and Syd to Cook County General in Chicago."
Jamie and I hugged and I smiled. "Wow."
"She'll need to get there as quickly as possible. Jamie you're doing well and I'm certain that you'll make a full recovery. Its going to be a lot of work."
"I know," Jamie said. She squeezed my hand. "But I'm up for the challenge. When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow," Dr. Pollard said. He stood up. "I'll be making my rounds if you need me and Dr. Hansen will be here if you have any questions."
"Thank you," Jamie said. She turned to Syd. "So this doctor can make me better?'
"I believe he can," Syd said with a smile.
"Please don't tell anyone in the ER," Jamie said. "I don't want them to worry."
"Too late," Syd said. "I already told Dr. Carter and Susan Lewis. Mark and Kerry weren't there and neither was Elizabeth but I'm sure someone will tell them."
"Whose Kerry?" Jamie asked.
"You didn't meet her she was in Africa," Syd said. "But she's back now."
"Thank you for coming," Jamie said.
"No problem kiddo you just get better," Syd said. "You have so much to teach that darling little girl of yours."
Jamie smiled. She turned to me. "Landon can you get our stuff together please?"
"Sure," I said and stood up. I kissed her on the cheek. "I'll be right back don't go dying on me you hear?"
"I promise," Jamie said smiling.
I walked out of the room closing the door behind me. I prayed to God that Jamie would finally be all right.
The next morning Jamie was loaded into the helicopter at nine that morning. She was on a stretcher since she could move hardly and I got in with her along with Syd. It was like a small airplane with enough room for Jamie. I sat beside her holding her hand.
"Its going to be about a two hour flight," the pilot told us.
"Landon," Jamie called. She gripped my hand. "I'm feeling nauseas."
I helped her sit up and looked at Syd.
"Jamie I'm going to give you some medicine to stop the nausea through your IV OK? Landon lay her back down."
I laid her back down and rubbed her forehead. She was breathing hard, probably trying to keep from throwing up.
"Please make it stop," Jamie begged in a panicked voice. "Landon please."
"Its OK Jamie," Syd said. "The medicine should be working soon."
I rubbed her forehead. "It'll be OK Jamie."
"Jenna whose taking care of Jenna?" Jamie said.
"My mom is don't worry," Landon said. "She's coming on a later flight."
Jamie nodded and closed her eyes as sleep overtook her. I looked at Syd. "Syd is Jamie ever going to be normal again?"
Syd looked at Jamie. "Its hard to say Landon."
I sighed. "She has to be all right she has to."
Around noon I looked out the window and could see we were approachng the hospital. Jamie was asleep and I was holding her hand.
"Jamie sweetie," I called softly. "We're almost there."
Jamie nodded and opened her eyes.
"Dr. Shepard isn't on yet," Syd informed us. "I just called the hospital. There are no beds available so we'll probably have to put you down in the ER for a while."
"No," Jamie said. "Please."
"The nurse said a bed should be free soon," Syd said. "A patient just got moved out of ICU."
Jamie sighed. She gripped my hand as the plane made the landing onto the roof of the hospital. I noticed several doctors waiting for us one of which was Susan Lewis who we'd met the last time we' been in Chicago. The door opened and Jamie was lifted out of the plane.
"Syd what's going on?" Susan asked as Syd got out of the plane. I got out after her.
"Jamie suffered a stroke while home in North Carolina," Syd said. "The nurse in ICU told us to wait in the ER until a bed was found."
"No problem," Susan said. "Hi Jamie how are you feeling?"
"Tired," Jamie said. "Landon."
"I'm right here," I said holding her hand.
"Jamie when we get inside we're going to put you in a bed OK?"
Jamie nodded tiredly.
"Let's get her on some oxygen," Syd said as Jamie was wheeled into the ER. Jamie was wheeled ot an exam room and hooked up to oxygen.
"Landon," Abby said coming into the room. "What happened?"
"She suffered a stroke," I said looking down at Jamie.
"I'm so sorry," Abby said. "Where's Jenna?"
"My mom is coming on a flight with her," I told her.
"I'll get you a chair," Abby said and disappeared from the room.
"Landon I'm going to go upstairs and see if they have a bed," Syd said. "I need to track down Dr. Shephard anyway."
"Ok," I said.
Syd walked out of the room closing the door to the exam room behind her.
"Landon I'm scared," Jamie said tears came to her eyes. She took my hand. "I don't want to leave you."
I took her face in my hands and kissed her. "You're not going to leave me Jamie. We're going to be together forever. I'll be right back."
Jamie nodded.
I stood up and went out of the room. I walked up to the desk. "Carter."
Dr. Carter turned around. "Hey Landon how's Jamie?"
"She's hanging in there," I said. "Where's the bathroom?"
"Down the hall," Carter said.
Jamie's POV
I gazed around the room with fear in my eyes. I hated hospitals and I remembered the last time I'd been in one, wehen I'd had Jenna. A smile spread across my face. I tried to sit up but couldn't I was to weak. My breathing was starting to get shallow again and I wondered where Landon was. I took several deep breaths to calm down and closed my eyes. Then I heard the door opened. Thinking it was Landon or Abby bringing back a chair for Landon. I looked toward the curtaint that Landon had closed before he left but it never opened. My curtain was thrust aside and there stood a person with red hair and a crutch, Dr. Weaver I guessed.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I was told one of my employees was in here. Are you a patient?"
I nodded to stunned to say anything. I swollowed and tried again. "Jamie Carter I was brought earlier this afternoon. I'm just waiting for a bed."
Then Landon came back into the room. I heaved a sigh of relief.
"You OK?" Landon asked. He kissed my forehead.
"I'm fine," I said. I looked over at Dr. Weaver. "This is Landon."
"Hi Dr. Weaver," Landon said. "I think you were in Africa the last time we were here."
Dr. Weaver gave him a questionin look. "You were here before?"
"Yes," I said.
Then Abby came back into the room. "Landon upstairs just called they're waiting for you and so is Syd. Dr. Shephard just arrived."
I closed my eyes as I was wheeled out of the room
Landon's POV:
I watched the nurses as they wheeled Jamie to a room in ICU.
"Mr. Carter I'm Dr. Shephard and I'll be taking over Jamie's case. We're going to start her on some heavy antibotics to try to reduce the swelling and see if we can't get feeling back into her left side."
"Thank you," I said. I walked into the room where Jamie was getting settled. She looked up at me her brown eyes full of fear. I embraced her in a hug and she started crying into my shoulder. "Sweetie I'm right here it'll be all right."
"Landon I can't take this anymore," she wept. She sat up and wiped her eyes. I touched her cheek.
"Shh," I said. "We'll get through this Jamie everything is going to be fine." I laid down on the bed with her and held her close. She looked tired and I rubbed her forehead. "Why don't you get some sleep."
Jamie nodded and closed her eyes. Soon she drifted into a peaceful sleep. The next morning I awoke to the sound of the door opening. I looked up to see mom standing in the doorway with Jenna in her arms.
"How is she doing?" mom asked me.
"She's all right," I said looking at Jamie who slept peacefully. "How did this little one do?"
"Great," mom said handing Jenna over to me. I sat down with her in the chair. "Hey there pumpkin how's my girl."
Jamie looked over at us and smiled. "Don't spoil her to death Landon."
"Oh she's already spoiled," I said with a smile.
` Jamie stirred and opened her eyes. She looked over at me. "Hi. How did she do?"
"Great," mom said. She pulled up a chair beside me. "How are you feeling Jamie?"
"I'm all right," Jamie replied. "I still can't feel my left side very much. My left hand feels like it has a million pounds of iron on it."
Syd came over to the bed. She took Jamie's hand. "Squeeze for me."
Jamie tried to squeeze Syd's hand but couldn't. "I can't."
"Its OK," Syd said. She looked at me. "Landon can I see you outside please?"
I nodded and followed Syd out the door. "What's wrong?"
"Landon Jamie is going to have a very hard road ahead of her and you need to be prepared for anything that may happen. Some patients become depressed."
"Jamie isn't like that," I snapped. "She'll get through this."
"I know she will Landon but patients who suffer stroke often go through a period of feeing as if they can't do anything."
"How do you know?" I spat angrily. "Have you ever had a stroke?"
Syd looked at me with a cold expression on her face. "Yes, I have had something traumatic happen to me. I was in a coma for a week with a disease called ensypolitis and I'm lucky to be practicing medicine." Syd walked away from me before I could say another word. I walked back into Jamie's room and found her asleep, my mom holding Jenna.
"Where's Dr. Hansen?" mom asked me.
"Syd's mad at me right now," I said sitting down in the other chair. "How is she doing?"
"The nurse gave her something to help her sleep," She got up and handed Jenna to me. "I'm going to go find a hotel to check into. I'll be back later."
"Bye," I said. "Mom."
She turned around. "Yes?"
"Thank you," I whispered.
Mom looked at me and walked out of the room closing the door behind her.
I sat there for a long while holding Jenna and watching Jamie sleep. I felt guilty about getting so angry at Syd but I didn't want anyone telling me how Jamie would feel, only Jamie could do that. Then I heard Jamie stir and I went over to the bed.
"Hi," she said weakly. She looked up at me. "Where's Syd?"
"She had to run and do something," I said. I hated lying to Jamie but I didn't want her to know about the disagreement Syd and I had had.
Jame nodded. She tried to sit up but couldn't. I could see the frustration in her eyes and I realized that Syd had been right, Jamie was going to be emotional.
"Jamie honey what's wrong?"
Tears were rolling down her cheeks. "Landon I can't even sit up on my own much less feed my baby. Why did this happen to me Landon? Why?"
I put Jenna in her carrior and sat down beside Jamie wrapping my arms around her. She barried her head in my lap. "I don't know but if I could trade places with you I would. Jamie I can't stand to see you like this."
Jamie looked up at me. "I promise I'll be better soon. Its going to take a lot of time."
I kissed her cheek. "I'll never leave you Jamie."
To be continued
Chapter three: I will never leave you
I turned around when I heard someone call my name. I went back to the room and found Hannah at the doorway looking scared.
"Hannah what's wrong?" I asked her.
"Jamie won't wake up," she said in a scared voice. Her lip started to tremble.
I went over to the bed. Jamie's breathing had become shallow. "Jamie what's wrong? Jamie talk to me please."
Jamie didn't respond. I began to panic. I couldn't lose her now, not when everything was so perfect. I turned to Hannah who still looked scared and somewhat confused at what was going on. "Hannah I need you to go get Aunt Syd. Can you do that?"
Hannah nodded and ran out of the room. I sat by Jamie's bed holding her hand. I began to pray. Then Syd came rushing into the room followed by a nurse and Dr. Pollard.
"What happened?" Syd asked. She looked as scared as I felt.
"She was talking to Hannah and I went to use the bathroom and then I heard Hannah scream," I said my voice breaking. "She said she couldn't wake her up."
"The stroke has probably effected more of her brain," Dr. Pollard said. He listened to Jamie's heart. "Her breathing has become shallow Landon. We need to tube her."
"No," I said. "I don't want her hooked up to tubes."
"It's the only way Landon," Syd said. "If we don't Jamie will die."
I looked at Jamie, struggling to breath.
"Her pressure is going down Landon her heart could stop. The area of the brain that controls her vital organs is being effected by the stroke. If we don't tube her and try to stop the damage Jamie will die," Dr. Pollard said sternly.
I nodded, too choked up to answer. I couldn't lose her again, my sweet Jamie. I bent down and kissed her on the cheek and took her hand.
"You need to stand back Landon," Syd said.
I stepped back and stood near the window watching as Syd stuck a tube down Jamie's throat. Then I felt someone come up behind me and turned around to see my mom standing there with a worried expression on her face.
"Come on let's go outside," mom said leading me out the door. I looked back at Jamie. I closed the door and leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath. Finally I turned to my mom who must have been waiting for me to speak. "Mom I can't lose her, not again. I already almost lost her once. She has a daughter to take care of, she has a life to live. Why is God doing this to me? To her?"
"Jamie doesn't want you to blame God," mom said. "She'll get through this."
Then Syd came out into the hallway. "Landon you can see her now."
"Is she awake?" I asked walking back into the room.
"We've given her something so she won't try to pull out the tube but she can hear you," Syd said.
I went over to the bed and sat down in the chair beside it. I took Jamie's hand. "You've got to fight Jamie, you've got to want to live. Please Jamie I can't see you suffer, I won't. Please I can't lose you."
` Jamie blinked and I smiled. I kissed her hand and gave her a hug, careful not to undo the wires. I knew Jamie wanted to say something I could see it in her eyes but she couldn't. I rubbed her cheek and I thought I saw tears in her eyes. "Shh its OK don't cry. I'm right here Jamie I'm not leaving."
Jamie seemed to calm down and soon fell asleep. I sat back in the chair and soon I was doing the exact same thing.
The next day Jamie was doing well enough to get off the vent. Dr Pollard and Syd had given her intensive antibiotics to help the swelling and the progression of the stroke. I was with her when they removed the tube.
"Its Ok," I said gently. I gave her some water and she took it gratefully. She looked up at me.
"Thank you," she whispered. She gripped my hand. "Please don't leave me."
I hugged her close. "I won't Jamie, I'm not going anywhere." I sat on the bed with her and Syd raised the bed.
"I'll leave you two alone," Syd said and walked out of the room closing the door behind her.
"I was so scared I'd lose you," I said.
Jamie ran her fingers over my cheek. "You don't have to be scared I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to beat this thing Landon and I'm going to be a good mother to Jenna."
I kissed her passionately. "I know you will," I whispered.
She smiled that smile that I fell in love with. "Could you read me a poem from my mother's book?" she laid back down, looking tired.
I picked up the book that was lying on the table and opened it. "Love is patient, love is always kind..."
Then the door opened and Dr. Pollard walked in followed by Syd.
"Jamie we need to talk to you," Dr. Pollard said.
Jamie looked at him. "What about?"
"About your recovery," Dr. Pollard said. He sat down in a chair. "You will be ready to start physical therapy soon but first we need to get you better. Infinitely we don't have the tools to do that but there is a specialist in Chicago that will be taking over your case."
"But Jamie can't travel," I protested.
"That isn't a problem," Dr. Pollard said. He turned to me. "It seems that your father got wind of this situation Landon and is paying to have a private helicopter transport you, Jamie and Syd to Cook County General in Chicago."
Jamie and I hugged and I smiled. "Wow."
"She'll need to get there as quickly as possible. Jamie you're doing well and I'm certain that you'll make a full recovery. Its going to be a lot of work."
"I know," Jamie said. She squeezed my hand. "But I'm up for the challenge. When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow," Dr. Pollard said. He stood up. "I'll be making my rounds if you need me and Dr. Hansen will be here if you have any questions."
"Thank you," Jamie said. She turned to Syd. "So this doctor can make me better?'
"I believe he can," Syd said with a smile.
"Please don't tell anyone in the ER," Jamie said. "I don't want them to worry."
"Too late," Syd said. "I already told Dr. Carter and Susan Lewis. Mark and Kerry weren't there and neither was Elizabeth but I'm sure someone will tell them."
"Whose Kerry?" Jamie asked.
"You didn't meet her she was in Africa," Syd said. "But she's back now."
"Thank you for coming," Jamie said.
"No problem kiddo you just get better," Syd said. "You have so much to teach that darling little girl of yours."
Jamie smiled. She turned to me. "Landon can you get our stuff together please?"
"Sure," I said and stood up. I kissed her on the cheek. "I'll be right back don't go dying on me you hear?"
"I promise," Jamie said smiling.
I walked out of the room closing the door behind me. I prayed to God that Jamie would finally be all right.
The next morning Jamie was loaded into the helicopter at nine that morning. She was on a stretcher since she could move hardly and I got in with her along with Syd. It was like a small airplane with enough room for Jamie. I sat beside her holding her hand.
"Its going to be about a two hour flight," the pilot told us.
"Landon," Jamie called. She gripped my hand. "I'm feeling nauseas."
I helped her sit up and looked at Syd.
"Jamie I'm going to give you some medicine to stop the nausea through your IV OK? Landon lay her back down."
I laid her back down and rubbed her forehead. She was breathing hard, probably trying to keep from throwing up.
"Please make it stop," Jamie begged in a panicked voice. "Landon please."
"Its OK Jamie," Syd said. "The medicine should be working soon."
I rubbed her forehead. "It'll be OK Jamie."
"Jenna whose taking care of Jenna?" Jamie said.
"My mom is don't worry," Landon said. "She's coming on a later flight."
Jamie nodded and closed her eyes as sleep overtook her. I looked at Syd. "Syd is Jamie ever going to be normal again?"
Syd looked at Jamie. "Its hard to say Landon."
I sighed. "She has to be all right she has to."
Around noon I looked out the window and could see we were approachng the hospital. Jamie was asleep and I was holding her hand.
"Jamie sweetie," I called softly. "We're almost there."
Jamie nodded and opened her eyes.
"Dr. Shepard isn't on yet," Syd informed us. "I just called the hospital. There are no beds available so we'll probably have to put you down in the ER for a while."
"No," Jamie said. "Please."
"The nurse said a bed should be free soon," Syd said. "A patient just got moved out of ICU."
Jamie sighed. She gripped my hand as the plane made the landing onto the roof of the hospital. I noticed several doctors waiting for us one of which was Susan Lewis who we'd met the last time we' been in Chicago. The door opened and Jamie was lifted out of the plane.
"Syd what's going on?" Susan asked as Syd got out of the plane. I got out after her.
"Jamie suffered a stroke while home in North Carolina," Syd said. "The nurse in ICU told us to wait in the ER until a bed was found."
"No problem," Susan said. "Hi Jamie how are you feeling?"
"Tired," Jamie said. "Landon."
"I'm right here," I said holding her hand.
"Jamie when we get inside we're going to put you in a bed OK?"
Jamie nodded tiredly.
"Let's get her on some oxygen," Syd said as Jamie was wheeled into the ER. Jamie was wheeled ot an exam room and hooked up to oxygen.
"Landon," Abby said coming into the room. "What happened?"
"She suffered a stroke," I said looking down at Jamie.
"I'm so sorry," Abby said. "Where's Jenna?"
"My mom is coming on a flight with her," I told her.
"I'll get you a chair," Abby said and disappeared from the room.
"Landon I'm going to go upstairs and see if they have a bed," Syd said. "I need to track down Dr. Shephard anyway."
"Ok," I said.
Syd walked out of the room closing the door to the exam room behind her.
"Landon I'm scared," Jamie said tears came to her eyes. She took my hand. "I don't want to leave you."
I took her face in my hands and kissed her. "You're not going to leave me Jamie. We're going to be together forever. I'll be right back."
Jamie nodded.
I stood up and went out of the room. I walked up to the desk. "Carter."
Dr. Carter turned around. "Hey Landon how's Jamie?"
"She's hanging in there," I said. "Where's the bathroom?"
"Down the hall," Carter said.
Jamie's POV
I gazed around the room with fear in my eyes. I hated hospitals and I remembered the last time I'd been in one, wehen I'd had Jenna. A smile spread across my face. I tried to sit up but couldn't I was to weak. My breathing was starting to get shallow again and I wondered where Landon was. I took several deep breaths to calm down and closed my eyes. Then I heard the door opened. Thinking it was Landon or Abby bringing back a chair for Landon. I looked toward the curtaint that Landon had closed before he left but it never opened. My curtain was thrust aside and there stood a person with red hair and a crutch, Dr. Weaver I guessed.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I was told one of my employees was in here. Are you a patient?"
I nodded to stunned to say anything. I swollowed and tried again. "Jamie Carter I was brought earlier this afternoon. I'm just waiting for a bed."
Then Landon came back into the room. I heaved a sigh of relief.
"You OK?" Landon asked. He kissed my forehead.
"I'm fine," I said. I looked over at Dr. Weaver. "This is Landon."
"Hi Dr. Weaver," Landon said. "I think you were in Africa the last time we were here."
Dr. Weaver gave him a questionin look. "You were here before?"
"Yes," I said.
Then Abby came back into the room. "Landon upstairs just called they're waiting for you and so is Syd. Dr. Shephard just arrived."
I closed my eyes as I was wheeled out of the room
Landon's POV:
I watched the nurses as they wheeled Jamie to a room in ICU.
"Mr. Carter I'm Dr. Shephard and I'll be taking over Jamie's case. We're going to start her on some heavy antibotics to try to reduce the swelling and see if we can't get feeling back into her left side."
"Thank you," I said. I walked into the room where Jamie was getting settled. She looked up at me her brown eyes full of fear. I embraced her in a hug and she started crying into my shoulder. "Sweetie I'm right here it'll be all right."
"Landon I can't take this anymore," she wept. She sat up and wiped her eyes. I touched her cheek.
"Shh," I said. "We'll get through this Jamie everything is going to be fine." I laid down on the bed with her and held her close. She looked tired and I rubbed her forehead. "Why don't you get some sleep."
Jamie nodded and closed her eyes. Soon she drifted into a peaceful sleep. The next morning I awoke to the sound of the door opening. I looked up to see mom standing in the doorway with Jenna in her arms.
"How is she doing?" mom asked me.
"She's all right," I said looking at Jamie who slept peacefully. "How did this little one do?"
"Great," mom said handing Jenna over to me. I sat down with her in the chair. "Hey there pumpkin how's my girl."
Jamie looked over at us and smiled. "Don't spoil her to death Landon."
"Oh she's already spoiled," I said with a smile.
` Jamie stirred and opened her eyes. She looked over at me. "Hi. How did she do?"
"Great," mom said. She pulled up a chair beside me. "How are you feeling Jamie?"
"I'm all right," Jamie replied. "I still can't feel my left side very much. My left hand feels like it has a million pounds of iron on it."
Syd came over to the bed. She took Jamie's hand. "Squeeze for me."
Jamie tried to squeeze Syd's hand but couldn't. "I can't."
"Its OK," Syd said. She looked at me. "Landon can I see you outside please?"
I nodded and followed Syd out the door. "What's wrong?"
"Landon Jamie is going to have a very hard road ahead of her and you need to be prepared for anything that may happen. Some patients become depressed."
"Jamie isn't like that," I snapped. "She'll get through this."
"I know she will Landon but patients who suffer stroke often go through a period of feeing as if they can't do anything."
"How do you know?" I spat angrily. "Have you ever had a stroke?"
Syd looked at me with a cold expression on her face. "Yes, I have had something traumatic happen to me. I was in a coma for a week with a disease called ensypolitis and I'm lucky to be practicing medicine." Syd walked away from me before I could say another word. I walked back into Jamie's room and found her asleep, my mom holding Jenna.
"Where's Dr. Hansen?" mom asked me.
"Syd's mad at me right now," I said sitting down in the other chair. "How is she doing?"
"The nurse gave her something to help her sleep," She got up and handed Jenna to me. "I'm going to go find a hotel to check into. I'll be back later."
"Bye," I said. "Mom."
She turned around. "Yes?"
"Thank you," I whispered.
Mom looked at me and walked out of the room closing the door behind her.
I sat there for a long while holding Jenna and watching Jamie sleep. I felt guilty about getting so angry at Syd but I didn't want anyone telling me how Jamie would feel, only Jamie could do that. Then I heard Jamie stir and I went over to the bed.
"Hi," she said weakly. She looked up at me. "Where's Syd?"
"She had to run and do something," I said. I hated lying to Jamie but I didn't want her to know about the disagreement Syd and I had had.
Jame nodded. She tried to sit up but couldn't. I could see the frustration in her eyes and I realized that Syd had been right, Jamie was going to be emotional.
"Jamie honey what's wrong?"
Tears were rolling down her cheeks. "Landon I can't even sit up on my own much less feed my baby. Why did this happen to me Landon? Why?"
I put Jenna in her carrior and sat down beside Jamie wrapping my arms around her. She barried her head in my lap. "I don't know but if I could trade places with you I would. Jamie I can't stand to see you like this."
Jamie looked up at me. "I promise I'll be better soon. Its going to take a lot of time."
I kissed her cheek. "I'll never leave you Jamie."
To be continued