Sorry for the long time between updates. I have some medical problems and my treatment schedule along with keeping the family running and trying to work can sometimes lead to delays in writing. I try to update as much as possible on days when I'm feeling well and work and the family allow but I can't promise I'll always be able to. Thanks so much to everyone who reads and reviews. Hope you enjoy.
CHAPTER 12- BUMPS IN THE ROAD
Unfortunately for Ryan his plan to avoid eating in hopes of settling his stomach seemed to be in vain. He had been asleep for less than an hour when the nausea he had been feeling earlier seemed to come back with a vengeance. Thankfully Kirsten was still sitting close beside him when he woke and years of parenting kicked her into fast gear at the first sign of distress. She had wasted no time in grabbing one of the ugly pink bins in the room that existed for just this purpose and soon she was stroking Ryan's back as he retched into the waiting receptacle.
"Oh Ryan, don't fight it sweetheart. Just let it out." She gently whispered to the distressed teen.
To Ryan it felt like he was puking for an eternity as his gastric acids burned his already sore throat and caused his sore chest muscles to pulse in pain. Truthfully the whole episode took just a few minutes. A nurse had come in not too long after Ryan began puking having noticed the change in his oxygen levels at the ordeal.
"Let me take that." The nurse, whose name read Carla, said gently once Ryan appeared to be finished. "I'll get it out of here and check your chart to see if there is anything for nausea."
Ryan gave her a weak smile of gratitude as she followed up her words with actions.
"You're just not having a good day are you kiddo." Kirsten remarked as she continued gently stroking Ryan's head.
Ryan chose not to give a comment in response. What more could he say? This day had started off awful and it wasn't getting better. Yesterday Ryan had been hoping for a discharge, but today he would just be grateful for a break from pain and some sleep.
The sound of the door signaled the return of his nurse.
"Alright Ryan, I have some Compazine for you to help with the nausea. You need to roll to your side a little for me to give you the injection it is best done intramuscularly and the rear is the best spot for that which causes the least pain."
Ryan willingly rolled over with some help from Kirsten. It bothered his stomach a little, but there was nothing else in it to expel so he could tolerate it. If the meds provided some relief from his current situation, than he would deal with the momentary displeasure of a needle.
The nurse was efficient and soon Ryan was lying back on his back.
"There hopefully that will help. Most likely your stomach is reacting to your antibiotic- they tend to cause stomach upset in some people, but at least you are not allergic to this one. Try and get some rest. Next time we give you the antibiotic we'll give you Compazine first to help prevent another episode."
Ryan gave weak thumbs up in response.
The medicine went to work fairly quickly and in fifteen minutes Ryan had drifted back to sleep.
Around noon Sandy and Seth returned for a visit. When they arrived they noticed Ryan was still sleeping.
"How's he doing?" Sandy inquired.
"He's been resting a few hours now. Had some trouble at first this morning- he got sick due to the antibiotic, but they gave him some meds to calm his stomach and he's been resting since. A respiratory therapist stopped by a few minutes ago. Since he was asleep and I had explained his tough night and morning she said she'd give him till one before she woke him for his next treatment. His lunch should be arriving soon though and he should really eat a little to help keep his stomach settled though I know he won't feel like it due to the sore throat he has as well." Kirsten explained.
"Geez he just can't catch a break can he?" Seth mumbled.
"Certainly doesn't seem that way." Sandy replied.
Kirsten's prediction about the lunch tray came true a few minutes later. The meal tech left a tray on Ryan's bedside and then wheeled out as quietly as possible.
"Well I guess it's time to wake the kid." Sandy unnecessarily remarked.
"Yeah." Kirsten muttered even as she gently shook Ryan's shoulder.
It took a while for him to open his eyes, but eventually the ice blue orbs came to focus on Kirsten.
"What's up?" He managed to croak out in a painful voice.
"It's lunch time. Nothing too much. Some chicken broth or apple sauce."
"Not hungry." Ryan muttered starting to let his eyes drift closed again.
"Oh no you don't kid." Sandy remarked giving him a firmer nudge. "You need to eat something to give your body the energy it needs to fight off this stuff. You don't want to be stuck in here forever and if you fail to eat I promise you the alternatives the hospital will come up with are not fun."
"Fine." Ryan muttered the look on his face shouting his displeasure in a way his abused throat could not.
"Wow! Careful with the death glare man. I don't think this place can afford to house any more of our clan." Seth tried to add jokingly. If the look Ryan threw his way in response was any indication it didn't work so well.
Despite his displeasure Ryan did manage to eat about half the food he was offered before he fell back asleep. Seth noticing his brother wasn't going to need much company decided to take his DS player and head out to the park in front of the hospital for a while. Kirsten decided to take a brief walk to make some work calls and Sandy decided to turn Ryan's TV onto a sports channel and watch it on mute.
Things may have hit a rough patch, for Ryan and the Cohen's, but life went on and sometimes all you can do is roll with the punches. People rarely pray for perseverance in fear of being given opportunities to practice it, but trying times come none-the-less and the Cohen's' at least were grateful now that God had not put on them more than they could bare. Things might be tough, but they were getting through and they clung to the hope that relief was fast approaching.