Chapter 222 – Scary Moment with Jack
Once Faith had everything cleaned up and ready to take back to the infirmary, she went over to the settee to talk to Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth." Faith said. "I know it is hard, but Jack is honestly getting better. His temperature hasn't gotten worse, which means the infection hasn't spread. The wound on his hip is looking better. I mean there will always be some kind of scar but I am pleased with the healing for being about twenty-four hours out.
The biggest things right now are watching for infection, treating his breathing and managing his pain. You know I would give him more morphine if I could. The fact that he is already having nightmares, means we need to watch it. Hopefully the chloroform arrives this afternoon and it will be better tonight. Why don't you go lay down with him for a while. He might be out for a while, but I think you would both feel better if you were together.
You are great for each other. I know that you are having a hard time with the treatments, but you are what Jack needs now. Doug can help him though the actual treatments, but you are what he needs. You also need to take care of yourself for that little one. You keep focus on that little one and everything will be just fine. I don't know why this happened, but I do have a good feeling that we will all get through it."
"We got this Beth." Dee said. "There is plenty of food for supper. I could always run in and get something from Abigail. Doug and I will be fine. Faith is also right. You need to take care of yourself and you are exactly what Jack needs. You calmed him down and I know he does the same for you. He might be out, but even snuggled in his embrace is comforting to you. I have seen it with my own eyes."
"Yes, Elizabeth." Doug said. "We will be fine. You go rest with Jack. I might be one of his best friends, but you are his soulmate. I had been worried about him when he said he was in love again, but after meeting you, I have no doubts that you are exactly what Jack needs now and in the future. I just hope that I can find someone who loves me as much as Jack loves you."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "Thank you for the kind words. Please wake me if you do need anything. Faith, what time do you think you will be back?"
Faith looked at her watch.
"Maybe seven thirty or a bit later." Faith said. "If Jack wakes up and you guys can get him down here a breathing treatment this afternoon might be a good thing."
"I was thinking the same." Jacobs said. "A steam treatment this afternoon if possible. Otherwise we will be back before eight. I have Jack laying on his good side. Pillows tucked behind him and in front of him."
"Thank you for everything." Elizabeth said.
"You are welcome." Faith said. "I wish there was more we could do, but we are doing everything we can."
"I know." Elizabeth said.
Jacobs and Faith left as Elizabeth headed upstairs. Doug and Dee looked at each other and realized that they were going to have to keep an eye on Elizabeth as well. They both silently agreed that they were going to do everything possible to make sure that things were easier for Jack and Elizabeth.
After leaving the house, Jacobs had a word with the guards and then started to escort Faith back to town.
"I know that we still have a long road with both Jack and Elizabeth." Jacobs said. "But do you really believe that he will make it?"
"I do." Faith said. "I can't explain it, but I can't see God bringing those two together like that only to rip them apart."
"I will take your word for it." Jacobs said. "I mean I have heard the epic story of their love, but my faith. Well that is another matter. I grew up going to church, but after my brother Scotty and then my father's death, well I have struggled."
"Maybe some time with Pastor Frank would do you good." Faith said.
"I will think about it." Jacobs said.
Faith grabbed Jacobs arm and stopped him.
"I know that losing a loved one is hard." Faith said. "But I think that we all need to believe in something bigger than ourselves. I believe in science, but even I have seen things that science can't explain."
Jacobs nodded. He knew that Faith was trying to help, but even growing up Jacobs struggled with his faith in God and the death and destruction he had seen had only made it worse. Then Jacobs thought about this little town and all they had been through and yet the palpable faith was undeniable.
Faith saw that she had at least got him thinking, so she let go of his arm and they finished walking into town.
After Faith and Jacob left, Doug and Dee set about cleaning the downstairs. They even heated some water and Doug washed some of his things. Dee helped him hang them on the inside line they put up. Once the downstairs was cleaned up. Dee insisted that Doug take a nap. Doug agreed, since the travel from the previous days had caught up to him. Dee spread out paperwork at the table and went to work.
Dee, himself, was tired as well, but he felt it was more important for Doug to get some sleep. Dee made himself some coffee and attacked the paperwork hoping to have more answers for his father. There was still a lot of stuff to do, but it had taken a back burner over the weekend.
When Elizabeth got upstairs, she decided to slip on to a nightgown as it would be more comfortable. Once she was dressed and her hair braided, she slipped into bed. She moved the pillow that Jack was hugging and snuggled down into him. She wrapped his arm around her, resting her hand on her growing bump.
Once she was in Jack's embrace, she relaxed and listening to Jack's breathing she fell asleep. She fell asleep dreaming of the house that was going to be built and running around with the girls as Jack held the baby on the porch swing.
It was after four when Elizabeth woke up. It took her a moment to shake the cobwebs from her head. She checked on Jack and made sure he was breathing. She made sure he was comfortable and covered after she slipped from the bed. She quickly changed clothes, but left her hair in a braid.
Elizabeth headed downstairs. She was surprised to see Dee at the table with paperwork spread out. She looked over at the couch and saw Doug engrossed in a book. She looked around the downstairs and realized that they must have cleaned.
"Thank you for cleaning." Elizabeth said.
Dee looked up.
"No problem." Dee said. "No point in creating more work for you. When we can deal with it."
"Jack still sleeping?" Doug asked.
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "But I am sure he would wake up if you went up there. He stirred a bit when I slipped from bed."
"I was thinking of bringing him down." Doug said. "He needs to do another steam treatment and then I thought about maybe trying to get him to eat again."
"I think that sounds like a good idea." Elizabeth said. "I will get the water going. Then I will work on making some supper."
"Water first." Doug said. "Then I can help you. There are plenty of leftovers for us to make something."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said.
Doug went up to get Jack and Elizabeth got water heating.
Doug reached the bedroom and saw Jack sleeping. He knocked on the door and Jack stirred.
"Time to get up." Doug called.
Jack scrunched up his face and then stuck out his tongue at Doug.
"Come on." Doug said. "Elizabeth is getting water heating for your steam treatment and then we will have some supper. Then you can relax before Nurse Carter and Sergeant Jacobs come back. Come on, I know it hurts. Let's get moving. The pain will lessen with time and you know that movement will help."
It wasn't without pain, but Doug got Jack sitting up. Together they walked downstairs and Doug settled Jack at the table. It wasn't long and he was doing his steam treatment. Doug and Elizabeth set about getting some leftovers heated up. Dee had gathered his paperwork and put it back in his bag.
After Jack's steam treatment, they sat down and had a nice supper of leftovers. They all knew that Jack was in pain, but they were trying to keep the conversation light. Doug was telling more stories of his time with Jack and Joe. They were all having a good time. When they were done eating, Dee immediately started cleaning up. He gave Elizabeth a stern look when she tried to help, so instead, she took a seat where she could hold Jack's hand and he could keep a hand on her baby bump. Even though Jack was tired, he wanted to try and stay up until Faith and Jacobs got there. They had a nice time as they had tea and finished the apple crumble. Even Jack shared a few stories. Elizabeth liked hearing about the academy and the three guys were all getting something that they desperately needed – fellowship with a brother-in-arms.
Before they knew it there was a knock at the door and Jacobs was coming in with Faith right behind him. Dee jumped up and got the water heating again, not that he had ever really taken it off the stove. While they were waiting, Faith got a set of vitals on Jack. She also got a pulse and blood pressure on Elizabeth. Jack just looked at her.
"With the stress." Faith said. "I am just keeping an eye on Elizabeth. I don't want her to get over stressed."
"Okay." Jack said. "How are they?"
"Her blood pressure is up a little." Faith said. "But nothing to be concerned about, it might just be because she is pregnant. I didn't have a baseline for her before she was pregnant. It will be just something to keep an eye on. It is nowhere near a dangerous level. Your temperature is still slightly elevated and your blood pressure and pulse are higher than I would like to see, even with the pain."
Jack nodded.
"Good news." Faith said. "We have chloroform. So hopefully that will make things better. The only thing is that someone is going to have to watch you until you wake. Then someone will need to check your breathing every hour for six hours after that."
"We can do that." Doug said. "I sat with Jack after the ether accident, so I know what to do."
"We will cross that bridge after we get treatment done." Jacobs said. "I might sit here for a bit as well. We will see."
Jack nodded.
"Don't forget that we are going to check your bruising." Faith said.
"What about painkillers?" Elizabeth asked.
"That will depend on how Jack is doing after he wakes from the chloroform." Faith said. "I can leave a dose with Jacobs if he is comfortable giving it."
"I would like to try and not take it." Jack said.
Elizabeth leaned over and gave Jack a kiss.
"You need to sleep also." Elizabeth said.
"We will cross that bridge later." Jack said.
Elizabeth just looked at Jack. As much as she didn't want him on the strong medication, she also wanted him to be comfortable. She also was worried that he was going to try and play the tough guy.
Jacobs asked Elizabeth to move as Dee came over with the hot water. She moved over and Jack scooted closer to the table and started his steam treatment. The guys continued to tell stories for the time that it was going to take Jack to do the steam treatment. Faith went over and sat by Elizabeth.
"He will be alright." Faith said. "We won't let him be in pain all night. I am sure that the other guys will be able to tell if he's trying to tough it out. As much as I want him off the strong medication as well, we will be careful. We can always give him a half dose or even the painkillers that he has in the cupboard."
Elizabeth nodded. While the guys were telling stories, Jack was doing his steam treatment. Faith had Elizabeth go get some things that they were going to need. Elizabeth gathered the needed items. She set them in the spare bedroom and sat back down just as Jack finished his steam treatment. With the bucket in place, Jacobs immediately started on the cupping motion. They were all having a hard time as Jack started to cough and sputter. Doug, Jacobs and Faith also knew that the more that Jack got out of his lungs, the better that the chloroform was going to work and the less they were going to have to give him.
At one point, Jack started shaking and coughing so hard. It sounded like he couldn't catch his breath. Jacobs knew that there was a large piece of mucus and he had to help Jack get it out before he panicked. Doug realized it as well. He moved in front of Jack and took his hands.
"Keep breathing through your nose." Doug said. "It will come. You just have to work at it. It will be worse if you panic."
Jack looked at Doug and he saw the panic rising in Jack's eyes.
"Stop." Doug called out.
Everyone stopped and Doug stood Jack up and leaned him completely over at the waist, patting his back. It was nerve wracking feeling so helpless. All they could do was encourage Jack to cough up what was stuck in his throat. Doug wished that there was more that he could do, but knew it was all on Jack and he just had to keep him calm long enough to allow it to happen.
"Come on Jack." Doug said. "Keep clearing your throat, it will come up. Deep breath through your nose and clear your throat."
After four times, Jack leaned over the bucket and coughed up a large amount of phlegm. He then was sick to his stomach several times. He started shaking again, so Doug and Jacobs were able to sit him down.
"Jack, look at me." Doug said.
Jack slowly raised his head and looked at Doug.
"Do you want to continue?" Doug said.
"Give … … me … a … minute." Jack rasped.
"Okay." Doug said. "Let's get your breathing under control."
Doug expertly helped Jack slow his breathing and relax a bit. Dee had gone to Elizabeth during all of this and was comforting her and explaining what was going on. Faith was right there with her as well. Elizabeth kept one hand on her baby bump and the other wrapped around Dee's hand. As Jack's breathing slowed, Doug leaned him forward and Jacobs continued. Jacobs continued to do the cupping motion on Jack's back for five more minutes. Jack coughed up a lot more, but was also sick to his stomach twice more. Dee left Elizabeth to help switch the bucket for Jack. Once he was done, Jacobs helped Jack sit back to catch his breath. He grabbed the stethoscope and listened to his lungs even though he was breathing quite fast.
"Definitely sounds better." Jacobs said. "It helped getting rid of a bunch of that stuff. It might have been hard, but it was a good session."
Jack just nodded. His eyes were closed and his head was back. He was trying to slow his breathing and was actually lightheaded. He was trying to hide it, but Doug picked up on it and was telling him when to inhale and exhale.
