I know I lost many readers to this story, but RL hit me like a tsunami. If you are still a follower of this story, I thank you. Here is the next chapter. Enjoy.
Chapter 35
Accipe unum diem ad tempus per duas septimanas
I feel good, better than good as I am surrounded by the soft warmth of the scent that I love. It is Louisa that invades my senses.
Finally, my brain kicks in as the memories of the day before flow over me. How? Then I relax when I remember why I smell the other scent – hospital, nothing smells like it. For so long it was the smell I lived for. Nothing was better than spending my entire life in my profession, in the building where I wielded my knowledge and saved lives. But now… I continue to wield my knowledge, even those don't appreciate it, but I rather spend my time with her and that scent…
How can I be wrapped in her scent if I am in the hospital? The fog continues to clear… Oh…
Yes, I remember. Louisa was hospitalized to ensure the twin's health but again I can't figure out why her warmth encases me.
Slowly I start to recall, holding her hand, touching her belly, and feeling the movement; the kicks and punches, all of it grants me to become calm, and warm in my love for her. I must have needed more; I needed to be with her, as we were each night. She is attached to more cables and IV bags and she couldn't come to me. So, I must have crawled as close to her as I could in my sleep. I needed her. I can't lose her. She is my life.
Carefully, lest I wake her, I gently place my open palm across her swollen mid-section, waiting as my heart slows to feel for a contraction from her uterus. Instead, I receive a punch or kick from one of the twins.
I am lost in my little world of happiness when Louisa's movement brings me out to full wakefulness. I open my eyes to a shadowy hospital room, to see her looking over her shoulder with that beautiful smile.
"Good morning, Luv."
"Morning, how are you feeling this morning?"
"Good. Nothing like yesterday. The medication seems to be working. But… Martin, I'm worried it won't last," she says with sadness that borders on fear. "Martin, what happened yesterday with Mrs. Tishell?"
Groaning, it is the last thing I want to rehash.
"Mrs. Tishell had an adverse reaction to several medications causing her to have a psychotic breakdown. That's all I can say and even that information is more than I should say."
"I don't understand her, it seems since I returned to Portween she has hated me and I can't figure out why."
Louisa's comment once again brings my mind back to the many interactions with the chemist. I never thought anything more than she filled the prescriptions I wrote. A colleague; the only person that understood medicine in the village of the damn. She always supported me with her comments to her customers. She sent them to me when they came into her shop. The comments yesterday from Ruth and the female doctor handling Mrs. Tishell's case said she was infatuated with me. How did I miss that? I only ever felt that the batty woman was very good at her job.
When I finally came out of my thoughts, I noticed Louisa had fallen back to sleep. As I look at her stunning face, her freckles across her nose, and her natural beauty without make-up, I realize just how lucky I am. An intelligent woman, whom I admire or I wouldn't have said two words to her if she was like most of the village. She is complex, the mother of my children; that fact I am still trying to wrap my head around why she loves me. This ugly, callus, bad-tempered, cantankerous, mean man that nobody ever tried to love, but she does. She chose to come back and stay with me during her first pregnancy and shared her love with me. She made us a family. Sometimes she looks at me as if I am her chocolate digestive and that's a bit of an intimidating look. My Louisa, my wife continues to surprise me and encourages me to forget my worst years before finding my new family. I wrap my arm over her while I take her hand and play with her ring again. We have a short time to lay like this before someone comes bursting through the door and separates us. I embrace my last private moments with my wife before I crawl and roll back onto my bed and let sleep claim me once again.
ME/LE
I became aware of a noise, a person moving things around near my head when I woke for a second time this morning. I notice a nurse working around Louisa's bed.
"Good morning, Doctor Ellingham. I am Nurse Miksy, your wife's daytime nurse for her stay until the babies leave the hospital. I work in Doctor Tonkin's group."
"Mmm…Morning. How are her vitals?" I ask.
"Your wife is doing well. The Tocolytics is doing its job."
After a moment as she wrote her notes, she asked "How are you feeling this morning doctor? I am not your nurse but I can call for her if you need any medication."
"Good. No need to worry about me. Just take care of my wife."
Suddenly the door opens, and a short woman rushes in and walks straight to my chart hanging at the end of my bed.
"Good morning, I am Nurse O'Brien, your day nurse," she says as she looks at my chart looking for her patient's name. "… Mr. Ellingham."
"Doctor Ellingham," I announced the correction of my name to her.
As if I said nothing at all, she continued, "If there is anything you need just buzz the nurse's desk and they will contact me."
"Why would the nurse's desk contact you?" I ask.
"I work one floor down, you are on the Obstetrics floor. All the nurses on this floor are assigned to patients that are females anticipating the birth of their child or have given birth."
"Thank you for the definition of obstetrics," I sneer. "As a doctor, I know I learned that in medical school."
With a roll of her eyes, Nurse O'Brien made her way around the bed to take my vitals. "On the scale of one to ten, with ten being the worst…"
Of course, I interrupt, "Three for the rib back pain, five for the headache. Now if you would shut up and speak in a lower tone of voice so you don't wake my sleeping wife and get on with the vitals."
She takes a moment, looks over at Louisa, and continues her job by sticking the thermometer in my mouth and clamping the oxygen monitor onto my finger. When she finishes, she leaves without another word.
"You'll have to excuse her. She was transferred off this floor and she doesn't like doctors or anyone that has more medical knowledge than she does." But under her breath, she mumbles, 'which is everyone without prejudice of male doctors'. " She loves pushing her thoughts onto anyone not strong enough to fight back. She has been reassigned three times with two departments declining, especially those in women's health."
"Why does the hospital keep her?" I ask.
"She is good at her job, really knows her job. She just needs to keep her opinions to herself and do the job. The patients don't like her."
Nurse Miksy finishes her observations of Louisa and marks her results in her patient's file before turning towards the door to leave.
"Is there anything I can do for you, Doctor Ellingham?"
"No, I am fine," I say as I look over to Louisa.
ME/LE
Later that morning, the doctors on Louisa's case were gathered around her bed going over the printouts of the overnight recordings.
"Fetus A's heart rate has stabilized," Doctor Tonkin announces.
"Is my child out of danger?" the quiet uncertain voice of Louisa questions.
"For now, Yes. But I will continue to monitor for any changes. Louisa, we will do everything possible for you to carry the twins further towards thirty-six weeks."
"That is fourteen days away! Will the medicine keep the labor contractions away for that to happen?" she continues to ask the questions on her mind.
"Tocolytics may delay labor two to seven days. The main reason we need to delay labor is for the corticosteroids to work."
"Louisa, the benefits of tocolytics in your case we are using magnesium sulfate and it works in most cases. Luckily in your case, your cervix hadn't started to dilate. Your measurement was at two when we started and hasn't changed."
"We will keep an eye out on your magnesium levels in your blood and urine, just ensure they stay at safe levels. You will feel some side effects, so make sure you tell us how you feel," Doctor Rawle announces.
"I feel warm like I have a low-grade fever," Louisa says.
"That is one of the side effects. You could also suffer nausea, and headache, like you have the flu. We will keep you hydrated."
"Our goal with the medication is to get you to thirty-five plus weeks, but if there are any changes to your health or the health of the twins then we will perform the cesarean and take care of any issues that develop."
"I'm sorry, can we go back to the corticosteroids conversation," Louisa asks. "I just want to make sure I understand."
"The corticosteroids will increase the speed of fetal development. In your case their lungs. The use of corticosteroids significantly decreases neonatal mortality, short-term respiratory morbidity, and severe neurological injury," Doctor Tonkin answers. "When a fetus is born premature there are higher chances of BPD* - Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia. Their lungs are not fully developed. We won't know the severity until the twins are born, but that is why we are delaying your labor and giving the corticosteroids time to work."
"How severe can the BPD be for a fetus of thirty-five plus weeks?" I ask.
"Once again that will depend on each fetus. They will be considered moderate to late preterm," the doctor says.
"But what if Louisa doesn't go into labor in two to seven days and makes it to thirty-six weeks or later? It was her anxiety and high blood pressure that caused the premature labor. If her BP stays normal and there isn't any more stress, can she safely deliver at thirty-six weeks or later?" I ask since obstetrics is not my specialty.
Yes, that is a possibility."
I look over to Louisa and can see the stress of this conversation fade away on her face. I squeeze her hand to show my support for what we need to happen over the next two weeks.
"Then, I suggest Louisa and I concentrate on the next two weeks on keeping her BP in the normal range and preventing any stress."
"And how are you going to do the Mart?" Chris asks.
"The same way Melanie lowered her BP yesterday with acupressure, music, and the breathing exercises Louisa and Melanie have done in the past."
"If that works out Doctor Ellingham, then I want a paper from you that we can use in our clinic for other high-risk patients," Doctor Rawle says.
"I can see Louisa is getting tired. Nurse Miksy and I will return later today and perform another ultrasound to get more measurements on your babies. I want to see how they are adjusting."
Louisa to a more relaxed position while I adjust her pillows.
"Okay, Louisa, Martin, we'll talk more later. Get some sleep Louisa," Doctor Tonkin says as he stands gathers his paperwork, and nods towards his nurse for them to leave.
ME/LE
I reach over and adjust Louisa's blanket, scanning her heart monitor on one screen and the fetus monitor next to it, I see everything is within normal ranges for them.
I gently run my hand down the side of her face, feeling her soft skin as I lean closer to her head and whisper my love to her before placing a gentle kiss on her temple. I know I can kiss her lips with Chris in the room as he was at my wedding and witnessed it, but I don't feel secure enough for anyone to see my emotions on display. Yesterday, was hard enough for me. My thoughts are interrupted by Chris's question…
"When is Doctor Grant coming to see you?" He asks.
Standing up and moving away from Louisa's bed, I take a seat in the chair next to him. We are far enough away from my sleeping wife that we won't disturb her.
"Later this afternoon. I'll have another scan first so he can compare yesterday to check on any bleeds."
"Your aunts are taking care of Phillip?"
"They picked Phillip up from the house last evening when they returned to Portween and took him to the farm. Joan received some messages from interested villagers asking how they could help. More than likely they just want bits of gossip to spread."
Chris rolled his eyes at the last statement made by his friend. "They can't be that bad, Mart."
"Just spend one day in any establishment that has three villagers and you will hear everything that is going on in the village of the damn," I say with a sneer.
Reaching out to his friend, Chris allows the insensitive words to pass.
"Poppy will help my aunts take care of Phillip at the farm. Morwenna and Doctor Ledford have the surgery in hand. When Doctor Grant deems me healthy enough, I will check on my family and return here to take care of the rest of my family. I don't want Louisa worrying about Phillip."
"Mart, as usual, you have everything in control. You said you didn't want Louisa worrying, well you should stop worrying and let your excellent colleagues take care of Louisa. Your job is to ensure there is no anxiety passing through that door for the next two weeks at a minimum."
"As soon as I receive the all-clear, I will go home and collect everything for our two-weeks stay, and that includes seeing my son explain why his mummy was in pain yesterday. Ruth mentioned he was very upset when they arrived at the house. Poppy did her best to soothe him but he is a sensitive boy."
"Just like his father," Chris says with a knowing look.
"Yes, but his mum loves him very much and so does his father, unlike my childhood."
I clear my throat, talking about my childhood even with Chris is still difficult.
"Ruth has Louisa's phone, I will need to collect it so I can contact Melanie and work out a schedule with her as well."
"Sounds like you will be busy. Let me know where I can help. I'll check on you tomorrow."
Chris looked over to Louisa to see if she was taking the nap she needed.
"Tell Louisa, that we are keeping her in our prayers. Tracy might come by tomorrow if she is cleared for visitors. Mart, you look like you need a nap also. Don't want you relapsing now do we?" he says with a smile and a wave as he walks toward the door.
ME/LE
Nurse Miksy was in and out a few times during the day. As I was returning from my trip from radiology, she handed me a note.
"Mr. Tishell came by looking for you and when he couldn't see you, he gave me this note."
"Hmm, thank you."
I opened the folded note knowing its contents before reading it.
"Doctor Grant also left a message. He will send for you at half-past to go over your scans," she said as she stood by Louisa's bedside taking her pulse.
I skimmed the note as I listened to the message and nodded in acknowledgment. I looked up at the wall clock and calculated what I could do before my appointed time with Doctor Grant.
"Is there someone available to assist me to the fifth floor to meet a patient of mine?" I ask.
"Let me check," she said as she walked to the door.
She returned with the aide that took him to radiology, "Sean can assist you and will guarantee your presence with Doctor Grant."
ME/LE
Sean wheeled me to the nurse's station on the fifth floor a moment before I noted Clive Tishell standing in the hall by a door.
"Is there a room I could use to consult with a patient's spouse?" I ask the nurse at the desk.
"And you are?" she questions with a raised brow.
"I am Doctor Ellingham, GP for Portween."
She stares at me trying to determine if I am one of the patients on this floor acting as a doctor with their befuddled mind. She looks over to Sean to ask him when Mr. Tishell interrupts.
"Ah, Doc, you got my missive. We need to talk about my Sal," he says.
"Let's find a quiet place and discuss your wife's medical issue."
I look back at the nurse and repeat my request.
Sean is directed to a nearby door and assures me that he will return shortly to return me for my appointment.
As soon as the door closes, Mr. Tishell requests that I tell him of my feelings for his wife.
"I have no feelings for your wife, today or yesterday. I am happily married to Louisa."
"Well, that doesn't sound like the truth Doc. All I ever hear is 'The Doc is this, the Doc is that'. My wife has feelings for you."
"Mr. Tishell, your wife has been under the influence of a combination of drugs that should not be prescribed together. She went to the temporary doctor that covered my absence while I was away. He prescribed Paroxetine which should never be prescribed with Baclofen. The combination of those drugs caused your wife to imagine fantasies that weren't there. To add the third drug – Modafinil to that mixture she was lucky she didn't hurt herself or someone else. Mr. Tishell, my wife told me of strange interactions with your wife when she returned to Portween last year. One of those instances happened when she first returned and was pregnant with our son. Her words inferred that she was interested in me and that we were intimate. I assure you, I am not involved with your wife."
"My Sally would never throw herself at another man unless…"
"Mr. Tishell for the first five years since I came to the village, I have done nothing to lead her to believe I was interested. She has always asked me to join her for tea and cakes, I don't eat cake. Her constant request we read over her medical bulletins again over cake and tea or to one of her home-cooked meals. I have searched through memories for the last twenty-four hours of our encounters and now realize I should have noticed some of her interactions were inappropriate. Mr. Tishell, your wife is lonely. She misses you and since you are not available, she turned her wants, desires, and fantasies toward me. Doctor Asper can help your wife. Your wife's mental health will improve when the mixture of medications is no longer in her system, but it will take time and therapy for her to completely heal. She will need you during her recuperation."
Before I could continue there was a knock on the door, I glanced at the clock to see if I was out of time.
"Mr. Tishell, talk to your wife and let her know how you feel. Tell her you love her and together your marriage will survive."
I look at the door as it opens.
"Mr. Tishell, I need to meet with my doctor now. Talk with Doctor Asper, she can help you both if you let her."
A stunned, silent Clive Tishell, trying to hold onto his anger for me but now realizes I was his scapegoat for everything wrong with his marriage he can only nod his head. To my shock, he raised his hand as he stood to shake my hand as his way to apologize.
"Doc, you have given me some things to think about. Sal and I have been married for quite a while and I have spent more of my marriage in the North Sea than with my beautiful Sal," he said as he sat back down with his head in his hands pulling at his hair. He trailed off talking, one could see he was thinking, trying to understand why it all happened.
"I love Sal and I don't want this incident between us to change how I feel for her. Thanks, Doc, I needed to hear it."
I turn my chair toward the door as Sean walks in to wheel me back to my floor and eventually back to Louisa. I want, no I need to be near her more than ever now.
ME/LE
I slowly open the door to Louisa's room and hear a male voice before I see who it is, in a chair next to my wife's bed, talking to Louisa. Louisa notices me at the door,
"Martin, good you're back. How did your consultation go?" she asks.
I am not sure which consultation she is speaking of since she was asleep when I originally left and didn't know I went to see Mr. Tishell. She can see the confusion on my face and further asks,
"What did Doctor Grant say?"
The man in the chair turns as he stands from the chair and I recognize him immediately.
"It was good. Doctor Ledford, what are you doing here?"
"Martin, be nice. Doctor Ledford came by to see how I was doing. He has been singing the praises of Melanie and her actions yesterday."
"Yes, she is the reason we were able to get you to the hospital. She mentioned that you trained her and Poppy with the therapy she used, Doctor Ellingham. I am very happy you did because I wasn't sure Louisa was going to make it, with her blood pressure so high and the contractions," he says.
"I heard it was serious and want to thank you for helping Louisa. The Obstetrics Specialist would like a paper on the training Melanie received and your input would be helpful in regards to Louisa."
"I put it all in Louisa's record, but I will be glad to help in any way possible. What about you? I understand you have cracked ribs and a concussion."
Louisa could see I wasn't comfortable talking about my private business and questioned me differently.
"Martin, when can you return to Portween and look in on Phillip?" she asks softly.
"Doctor Grant said the scans looked good and I can go home this afternoon. I was going to ask you what you needed me to bring back and call Ruth to see if she could come pick me up."
"That's wonderful news, Matin."
"Doctor Ellingham, since you haven't made the call to Ruth then let me help you. I have my car and I finished my rounds with villagers that who are hospitalized with Louisa last on my visit before returning to Portween. I would be happy to give you a lift."
Louisa could see the look on my face as she knew I don't like charity so she gave me a huge smile and nodded as she said, "That would be wonderful Martin. You will be able to see Phillip sooner. Ruth and Joan must be exhausted after yesterday and today dealing with Phillip. The sooner you get home the earlier you can return here. Doctors Tonkin and Rawle won't be here until this evening, so you won't miss them."
"I'd be happy to drive you, Doctor Ellingham. We might be able to talk about a few patients on the drive if it isn't affecting your headache from the concussion."
"Thank you, it would be faster if we leave before Penhale can get past Nurse Miksy."
"What is he doing here?" Louisa asked.
Chris said he isn't happy about his arrest of Mrs. Tishell being canceled due to the medication issue. He thought he had grounds to incarcerate her for kidnapping me."
"I better give you my list of items I need so Doctor Ledford can sneak you out of here," Louisa says with a wide grin on her face.
ME/LE
Later that day, Doctor Ledford pulled into the carpark next to my house. Before I can move my sore body from the car Doctor Ledford is speaking,
"Thank you for your thoughts regarding those patients. I will take your recommendations and act on them. Say hello to your aunts and if you need anything please let me know how I can help."
"Yes, and thank you for the lift," I say as I exit the car and head to my back door.
ME/LE
The wonderful sound of Phillip entertaining himself on the floor with his cars just outside the kitchen brought a rare smile to my face. I can hear Poppy further in the room asking Phillip to stop playing and come to her to eat his supper.
"Phillip, you need to eat and then you will be able to play in your bath with your toys."
"I git ish for dinner," Phillip asks as he stands up and rushes toward his chair.
I follow him through the doorway before he notices me.
"Dada," he screams.
"Phillip, no yelling in the house," I admonish while I squat down to catch him as he runs into my arms.
"Oh, Doctor Ellingham," Poppy voices. "You're home. Is Louisa with you," she questions as she looks past me.
I try to stand as Phillip climbs up onto me with his arms wrapped around my neck and kisses the end of my nose. Before I can grab hold of his bottom his shooed feet wrap themselves around my ribs causing a low groan out of me. I lower myself back to my knees while I try to pull air into my lungs. Poppy notices the pain etched on my face and quickly grabs hold of Phillip, who is oblivious to my situation.
"Easy Phillip, your da has a boo-boo from his accident."
"Ask-kident"
"Yes, Phillip. I slipped on the stairs in my wet shoes," I say.
Phillip turned to look at me more closely, "Da, Illip kiss ask-kident boo-boo."
The concerned look on his face made me almost smile in front of Poppy. "Kiss my cheek and you will make it all better Phillip."
He reaches out with his pudgy hands and grabs my face, holding me still as he kisses my cheek.
"No, Louisa won't come home until she gives birth to the twins. Her contractions have stopped with the help of the medication. The doctors are hopeful to gain a few days for their lungs to mature."
"I was just about to feed Phillip, is there anything I can cook for you?" she asked as she returned to the cooker.
I rise from my knees and take my son's hand to lead him to the table and his chair.
"Let me put him in his chair," Poppy initiates as she picks him up before turning to pick up his bowl of food.
ME/LE
I spent the time packing everything on Louisa's list that wasn't already in her packed bag and packed one for myself.
Poppy had Phillip fed and bathed by the time I exited my room freshly showered and dressed. I notice the light on in the front bedroom along with movement.
Voices in Phillips' room steer that direction. Poppy is dressing Phillip in his pajamas while Ruth talks to both of them.
"We thought you could use the nights off while his parents are in the hospital. We'll get him ready in the morning and leave him with you during the day. We know Phillip is a handful when his parents are around, but with them busy at the hospital the next months are going to wear you down."
As I walk towards his door, my aunt walks out of the bedroom from down the hall.
"Oh, Marty, how is Louisa?"
Her questioning voice quiets my other aunt and she appears in the doorway.
"Good. The medication is working for now."
"Ruth was surprised to hear you were home when we arrived," Joan states.
"I came home to see Phillip and pack our bags. I was surprised to see Poppy and Phillip when I walked in. I thought he was at the farm with you."
"He was upset all day. Wanting his mum. I thought he would adjust better at home," Ruth inserts.
"Yes, he would. I was about to sit down with him and tell him how his mum is doing."
I look into his room to notice he is looking at me and raising his arms for me to take him.
"If you could give us some time, I will be down to give you all an update."
Poppy hands Phillip to me as she walks out of the room. Ruth touches my arm with her calm reassurance, while Joan has that look that she wants to hug me.
"Joanie, let him settle Phillip down and we set up the tea downstairs."
Joan continues to walk towards me.
"Joanie, remember his broken ribs. It might be too painful to hug him right now," she says with a knowing look.
I take Phillip over to his reading chair and sit down.
"Dada."
"Yes, Phillip."
"You my favit Daa," he says as he leans into me.
"Thank you, Phillip. You're my favorite also… But soon you'll need to share me with the twins."
The look of contemplation on the sixteen-month-old's face made me watch his face as he made up his mind on the prospect of sharing. Louisa and I discussed the changes that Phillip would deal with but felt he would not suffer from attention by either of us, no matter how tired we would be at the beginning.
"Babbies in mummy's tummy."
"Yes, they are. They are with your mum at the hospital. She needs special help to make them safe."
"Mummy come home now."
"No, she needs to stay there for a while."
"Mummy."
"Let's read the book your mum bought about babies and hospitals," I say as I search the stack on the table next to the chair. Phillip seemed to enjoy all the books about babies.
Forty minutes later, a calm sleepy Phillip rested in my lap. I noticed a passive Ruth in the doorway to his room, waiting for me to notice her.
"I have Louisas' phone, charged for you to take with you. How is he doing?'
"Good, he settled down. He seemed to be fine with my explanation on Louisa."
"Put him to bed and come downstairs and give your old aunts an update," she said with her usual no-nonsense smirk.
ME/LE
After a long discussion that included the health of the twins and Louisa; the request for Melanie's help, and my injuries, I finally finished the sandwich Joan had made and two cups of tea, I told my aunts I needed to return to Louisa.
It helped that they had thought out a schedule for Phillip, which included him staying in his house with everything he was familiar with and promised to call Melanie and provide, if necessary, transportation to and from the hospital daily. Ruth was amazed at the young woman's ability to calm Louisa on their trip to the hospital.
Joan suggested Louisa call Phillip each evening until she was able to have visitors or she came home.
ME/LE
My trip back to the hospital was delayed a bit as I came to a stop in front of the chemist's shop. There was a small crowd standing just outside the door reading a notice on the door. The sight of the crime scene tape was enough to make me stop and look. Among the onlookers was the familiar man, but it was his nasal drawl that caught my attention.
"Penhale, what… Why is there crime scene tape across the door," I ask as I point at the chemist's shop.
"Ah, I can't have anyone traipsing through and destroying my evidence. It's all locked up safe and sound."
"I told you at the hospital, that I hit my head on the exposed beam and slipped on the stairs in my wet shoes. I fell back onto the stairs, hitting my head and rendering me unconscious as I sled down the stairs to the ground of the basement. No crime. Only an accident."
"But she kept you downstairs in her basement. She hid you while her husband came back to get his boots that he forgot. She never said a word to get you help."
"She was suffering a medical-induced lapse of common sense," I sneered at him. "When my aunt arrived inquiring about me, Mrs. Tishell pulled Doctor Ledford to the door so he could see me lying unconscious at the base of the basement stairs. She didn't kidnap me. She is unwell. Your charges won't stand up. Take the tape and the notice down. Now!"
My headache is splitting my head in two. I close my eyes for a moment. I look once again into the face of Penhale, noticing the look of defeat and despair of another failure to arrest someone. The man needs a hobby or better yet, a woman to keep him busy. It worked for me. Internally I roll my eyes.
I leave the village behind a short time later with all thoughts on Louisa. What our future holds in the next days as we wait. The poem from Thomas Hardy comes to mind, as it acknowledges that today was filled with sorrow, tomorrow will be another day, and so it's appropriate to borrow some hope in preparation. We had our darkness yesterday and like the end of the gray rain today is a brighter day. My children are safe for now… for now…
End of chapter.
Moderate to late preterm: Born between 32 and 37 weeks. Premature birth refers to childbirth that happens before a person reaches 37 weeks of pregnancy. When a baby is born prematurely, they have a higher risk of experiencing health problems like breathing issues, digestion problems, and developmental delays. Babies born before 34 weeks of pregnancy are at a higher risk of these problems.
Tocolysis, medications from a specific category of drugs—known as tocolytics are used to slow or stop contractions of uterine smooth muscle. Tocolytics may help delay labor by two to seven days. In addition to tocolytics, healthcare providers may also prescribe corticosteroids— like betamethasone or dexamethasone—to help increase the speed of fetal development before childbirth takes place. While corticosteroids are not considered tocolytics, the two types of medications are often prescribed together, especially if the preterm labor begins between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation. There are several types of tocolysis, in this story Magnesium sulfate is used. Magnesium lowers calcium levels in the uterine muscle cells. Since calcium is necessary for muscle cells to contract, this thought to relax the uterine muscles.
BPD (Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia): is a chronic condition that affects newborns who are born early and have underdeveloped lungs. The condition occurs when their lungs and airways (bronchi) are damaged (dysplasia) after long-term oxygen use or mechanical ventilation to help them breathe. It is rare for babies born after 32 weeks to develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Some readers may recall Midwife O'Brien in series 4 and her hatred of male doctors.
Baclofen: is an antispasmodic agent that acts on the spinal cord nerves. Prescribed by Doctor Ellingham for her neck.
Paroxetine: is used to treat depression. Prescribed by Doctor Burnt (the drunk doctor that tripped down the stairs and broke his neck).
Modafinil: is used excessive sleepiness. Mrs. Tishell self-prescribed it and one of the side effects is depression, anxiety and hallucinations. Mrs. Tishell was taking these when she visited Dr. Burnt for her depression and prescribe the Paroxetine without checking on the side effects when mixed with Baclofen. Now we know what happened.
Thomas Hardy – Poet – Song of Hope