Shabnam headed to Susan's office the next morning. After yesterday she knew that she was willing to do whatever she could to get the girl to live with her. She had dragged Kush with her as she wanted to give Susan a good impression.
They soon arrived and walked into the building. They signed in and Susan met them.
"Come through to my office" Susan said and Shabnam and Kush followed behind.
"So the first meeting with Jade went very well" Susan said and Shabnam nodded.
"I didn't think she would be so open" Shabnam said and Susan nodded.
"I didn't think she would either" Susan said as she sat down.
"Jade is quite a private girl. She doesn't like to let people know how she feels" Susan said and Shabnam nodded.
"What should I do to help her open up?" Shabnam asked.
"Just do exactly what you are doing" Susan said "I think she might be a bit more reserved on Friday. She was slightly embarrassed after the visit"
"Why was she embarrassed?" Shabnam asked confused.
"She was embarrassed that she broke in front of you. Jade doesn't break in front of anyone" Susan said and Shabnam nodded.
"Now about Friday, I have just realised that Jade has a hospital appointment and she will be in hospital for 2 weeks while she gets her IV" Susan said and Shabnam nodded.
"However, I think it would be good if you could come to the appointment with us just so that we can start explaining things to you" Susan said.
"Of course, I'll be there" Shabnam said. "What time?"
"It's at 2 o'clock" Susan said and Shabnam nodded.
They spoke for a bit longer before heading home.
Jade was sat in her bedroom. She was thinking about Shabnam and Susan wondering what they would be speaking about. She was really upset to find out that she couldn't meet up with her mum on Friday. That was why she was in her room because she had gotten very angry and stormed up to her room. No one followed her, she hadn't expected them too.
She didn't like to cry in front of anyone but recently with everything that was going on, she just couldn't stop herself. She hated being this weak but she just felt different with Shabnam. She felt loved and she hated being away from her. She was terrified that if she was away from her mum, then she would leave.
-It was finally Friday and Shabnam couldn't wait to see Jade again. She was soon up and dressed. She then left for the hospital. She had been told where to go so headed to that ward.
Jade had just arrived, she had her small suitcase with all her belongings in it. She didn't really like being in the hospital. It got very lonely especially at night. Every other child had someone staying with them during the night but Jade didn't. She never did.
Jade sat nervously on the bed when she heard a knock at the door. Jade turned her head and smiled when she saw who walked in the door.
"Hey" Shabnam said and Jade smiled. She got down from the bed and ran into her mum's arms.
"Now this is the type of welcome I like" Shabnam said. She picked the girl up softly and walked her over to the bed. She placed the girl down on the bed and instantly it looked like a wall formed in front of the girl's eyes.
"Jade, get changed into this gown" Susan said handing over the gown "The doctor will be here soon"
Jade picked it up.
"I'm not getting changed with you both in here" Jade said and Susan sighed.
"Jade, you are 7" Susan said.
"I don't want either of you here while I get changed" Jade said and Susan sighed but nodded.
She stood up and Shabnam followed behind.
"It'll like she has built up a wall" Shabnam said and Susan nodded.
"She does that. She was so excited to see you. Deep down, she wants to be happy around you and let you in but the second she realises what she is doing she closes up" Susan explained and Shabnam nodded.
"Will she be okay with me being in with her when the doctor is in?" Shabnam asked.
"I doubt it will even cross her mind. She is just being awkward just now. Oh by the way, this is only her second time getting her IV through her port and last time was dramatic to say the least. For a girl that is in hospital quite a lot, it still hasn't gotten her over her fear of needles" Susan explained.
Shabnam nodded though slightly confused. She had no idea what a port or an IV was. They spoke for a bit longer before the door open and Jade appeared.
"You can come in now" Jade said and Susan and Shabnam nodded. They walked in and Shabnam noticed Jade's clothes on the floor. She instantly picked them up and folded them.
Shabnam then sat down on the chair as Jade sat on the bed with her knee's crossed.
There was a knock at the door and all three of them jumped. The doctor walked in with one of the nurses.
"Hello Jade, it's good to see you again" Doctor Johnston said and Jade nodded. She always felt nervous around her doctor. He scared her a bit.
"So first things first, we have another child with CF in again during this visit so I have brought some games for you but you can't go to the play room" He said and Jade sulked.
"That's not fair" Jade complained. "Do I get the playground outside though?"
The doctor nodded.
"You do, but you must have an adult or nurse out with you" He confirmed and Jade nodded.
"We are going to run through some tests just like we always do" he said and Jade nodded. Shabnam leant forwards slightly to listen to the doctor.
They did some breathing exercises first and then checked her weight and height. They then all sat down.
"So, first of all your weight. Your weight hasn't changed. Remember what I said last time, you need to get your weight up or we will need to get you on a feeding tube" The doctor explained and Jade made a face.
"I know you don't want it, but you need to put weight on. Your weight hasn't changed so you don't need it just now but I want you to put some weight the next time you are in hospital" He said and Jade nodded.
"Your lung function is actually 5% higher than it was last time which is a lot better. We didn't have such a good time last time did we" The doctor said. Jade nodded. The last hospital visit hadn't been very good and Jade was nervous about this time.
Shabnam was completely confused but didn't say anything.
"How many poos have you had today?" He asked and Jade went bright red.
"I don't remember" She said blushing.
"Okay, but I do ask you every day so I want you to remember" The doctor said.
"How about we do what we did last time" The nurse asked. "When Jade marked it on the board behind the door and we checked it every night before lights out"
The doctor nodded. This little girl was very private and they worked out last time that this was when she was most likely to tell the truth.
"Now, it's time to put your IV in" The doctor said and Jade made another face.
"No mucking about like last time. You need to take your gown off and lie on the bed" He said sternly.
"I don't like it" Jade complained.
"I'm sorry Jade, it's not about what you want or not, it's about what is best for your health" Doctor Johnston explained to the girl. Jade just looked at the bedding before raising her eyes to meet her mom's glace. Shabnam just saw fear in the girl's eyes.
"Hey, sweetie it's okay" Shabnam said holding the girl's hand.
"You need to do what the doctor says. I will be here the whole time. Let's get your gown off" Shabnam said pulling the girl up slightly so that she could untie the gown.
Jade allowed her mum to do this and the gown slipped off. Jade was left in only her pants. She instantly felt self-conscious.
"Good girl, lie down" Shabnam said as she gently pushed the girl back. Jade let her mum guide her back. Shabnam ignored the girl's hand over her chest. She hoped if she didn't say anything about it, her daughter would relax and forget.
"I don't like my port anymore" Jade cried. She had a port placed under her armpit because she was getting medication regularly.
"It's for the best" The doctor said.
Jade looked at her mum as the doctor lifted her left arm up to above her head.
"I'm just putting some cream on first" The doctor explained and Jade nodded. She tried to stop the tears threatening to slip down her face.
"Good girl" Shabnam said as she wiped the tears from the girl's face.
"We can show you her port and IV after. This is only her second time with the port so it will be at least 6 months before she can get her IV without needing to be in hospital. We'll explain it all to you" Susan explained and Shabnam nodded still holding the girl's hand.
"Now it's time for the needle" He said and Jade started to squirm.
"Hey, you are okay" Shabnam said trying to calm the girl down.
"Could Shabnam maybe lie with her?" Susan asked and the doctor nodded.
Shabnam was slightly unsure how to do this.
"Can she sit on your lap?" The doctor said and Shabnam nodded. She sat down and pulled the girl onto her lap. Jade instantly put her head on her mum's shoulder.
"Perfect" The doctor said as he left the girl's left arm. He placed the needle in.
"There we go" The doctor said as he dressed it.
"So remember, you can't get this wet. You'll need to wash around it. The nurses will help you" He said and Jade nodded.
"No, taking a bath or anything without a nurse to help you" The doctor reminded her. Jade nodded before snuggling into Shabnam. They had previously had problems with the girl trying to do things by herself.
Shabnam grabbed the gown and put the gown onto the girl.
"You will be having your medication and physio everyday while you are here" The doctor said and Jade nodded.
"I will be in to see you every day as well" He said and Jade nodded.
The doctor then said his goodbyes before leaving with the nurse. Jade was still resting on her mum. She had relaxed a bit now and moved away from Shabnam. Shabnam noticed this and let the girl get off of her. She then sat down on the chair.
"You were very brave Jade" Susan said and Jade just shrugged.
They sat in silence for a couple of minutes before the door opened.
"You forgot your duvet, Jade you made such a big deal about it last time so I brought it to you" Jonathan said.
"Thank you" Jade said taking the duvet and placing it on the bed.
"So we are off now, we'll pick you up in 14 days, if anything changes make sure you let us know" Jonathan said looking at Susan at the end. Susan nodded.
Shabnam was slightly surprised. There was no hug, no nothing as he left.
"Do they not visit her when she is in here?" Shabnam asked.
"Not normally, they are heading off on holiday for 10 days with the other girl they have now adopted" Susan said and Shabnam nodded. She hated the fact that Jade didn't get to go.
"They always go on holiday in the summer when I'm in hospital" Jade said. "I've never been on holiday"
"So what do you do when you are here?" Shabnam asked.
"Nothing, if it's during school then I have a tutor. It's annoying because another person with CF is here just now so I don't get to go to the play room. It's really boring in this room" Jade complained.
"Shall we play a game just now?" Shabnam asked and Jade smiled.
"It's so much better when I have company" Jade said as she sat down on the floor. Shabnam joined her.
They played for a while before dinner arrived.
"I don't want to eat it" Jade complained.
"Jade, you picked it earlier" Susan explained.
"I don't want it now" Jade said.
"Jade, take your tablets and then eat it all. They give you that amount for a reason" Susan said.
"I can't" Jade said pulling her knees up to her chest.
"You need to eat it sweetie" Shabnam said placing a hand on her daughter's knee. Jade shook her head and tears slipped down her face.
"Come on, what's wrong?" Shabnam asked.
"It will take me ages to eat it and then you will have to go" Jade said letting the tears all free.
"Hey, I will be here for as long as you need" Shabnam said wiping away the tears. Jade nodded and wiped the tears. She took her tablets.
"If she ever eats something when she is with you, she must have these tablets first. She will know how many to take but we will work on teaching you" Susan said and Shabnam nodded.
They spoke and Jade ate her dinner. It did take her a while but they sat patiently and spoke to her.
"Well done for eating it all" Shabnam said and Jade smiled.
"I'm just going to the toilet" She said.
"Will you manage?" Susan asked and Jade nodded.
"I'm not two years old" Jade said and Susan laughed but nodded. As Jade jumped down off the bed and went out of the room.
"What happened the last time she was in?" Shabnam asked.
"Ah well, Jade got her port about 6 months ago now but they had to wait 3 months before giving her the IV through it. She freaked out. Jade has never been good with needles, but she doesn't like to tell people she is scared so she just squirms and tries to avoid it. Once the IV was in, she pulled it out which made it very painful for her" Susan explained.
Shabnam nodded.
"She seemed a lot calmer today" Shabnam said and Susan nodded.
"It's because you are here and she feels safe" Susan said "She is a very fragile girl, she just doesn't show it"
Jade opened the door and walked in.
"What are you talking about" Jade asked jumping up onto the bed.
"Just some adult things" Susan said. "I think you should get changed into your pyjamas"
Jade nodded.
"I don't want you here" She said looking at Susan.
"Okay" Susan said and she headed out the door. Shabnam followed behind. Jade watched, she didn't want Shabnam to go but she didn't know how to call for her.
She ran over to Shabnam and grabbed her arm.
"You can stay" She said. "Will you help me?"
Shabnam smiled and nodded. She walked over to the wardrobe and got the pyjamas for the girl.
"Thank you" Jade said. Shabnam untied the girl's gown and slipped her pyjamas on.
"Thank you" Jade said. She liked being looked after. She wasn't sure what came over to her but she wanted a cuddle. Jade turned to face her mum and hugged her. Shabnam smiled and picked the girl up. In her pyjamas, the girl wrapped her legs around Shabnam's waist.
"Hey, what's this for?" Shabnam asked as she rocked the girl.
"I just want a cuddle" Jade mumbled.
"That's okay, I'm going to let Susan in and then we can watch a film before you need to go to bed" Shabnam suggested.
"I don't want you to leave" Jade mumbled.
"I know sweetie but I have to" Shabnam explained. Shabnam opened the door and let Susan in.
"Thank you" She said.
"What do you want to watch?" Shabnam asked.
"Frozen" Jade said as she put her head on Shabnam's shoulder. Shabnam nodded and got the film. She placed it on the DVD in the player before placing Jade on the bed. Jade lifted up her duvet and bit her lip.
Shabnam smiled and climbed in with the petite girl. Susan smiled, as she watched them bond. She knew they were getting more comfortable around each other and Jade was starting to act like a younger child, this was to make up for the affection that she was hidden from when she was younger but loathed to have.
By the end of the film, Jade's eyes were drifting shut. The nurse walked in to announce it was lights out.
"I best get off now" Shabnam said and Jade nodded but looked down. She didn't want Shabnam to go.
"I love you and I'll see you on Monday" Shabnam explained and Jade nodded.
"I love you too" She mumbled into Shabnam's chest.
"Good girl" Shabnam said kissing the girl on the head.
Jade clung onto Shabnam.
"Go to sleep" Shabnam said softly lying the girl down. Jade nodded and Shabnam stayed with her until she was asleep.
Shabnam and Susan left.
"You were so good with her today" Susan said and Shabnam smiled.
"Thank you" Shabnam said. "So what happens this weekend?"
"She stays in hospital. I usually try to visit her but I'm away this weekend. The nurses keep her company" Susan explains and Shabnam nodded.
"What time will I come on Monday?" Shabnam asked.
"Em, it's up to you. I'm quite happy for you to be there while I'm not. I won't be there until about 4 o'clock and I'll stay until 7:30 which is lights off" Susan explained and Shabnam nodded.
"If you're up for it you can spend the whole day with her. Maybe take her to the hospital canteen. She loves it there" Susan said and Shabnam nodded.
"I'll take her there" Shabnam said. "What time does she get up?"
"Well, she gets up at 8 usually" Susan explained and Shabnam nodded.
"I'll be there for then" Shabnam said and Susan smiled.
Hope this is okay :) I'd really appreciate some reviews :) I'm hoping for 4 more reviews before I update again :)