For this one, I had first these ideas of Andy getting out of his stretcher before his surgery to confess his love. Then I thought about Sharon making work an old train set from Ricky for Andy's grand-kids then.. work happened. I spent my week working on a teaching program about Elderly special cares and how to work with their families.. See what it made my brain do.. Sorry not sorry
Day 21: "Just in case this doesn't work."
Sharon was beyond shocked when she saw Andy like that: agitated, aggressive, hallucinating. It was so far from the man she knew. Such a contrast with the easily irritated but so gentle man he was. She had to fight against herself not to crumble, not to dissolve in tears. Rusty was already beyond himself.. It wouldn't help at all if she lost it.
"You're his wife, right?" Asked the nurse who was trying to have Andy lie down. Sharon just nodded, not bothering to correct her. "He calms so easily when you're here." Started the nurse. "Last night he became very agitated after you left and we had to sedate him. That's not ideal though, sedating, because it contributes to him being like that. We call it delirium. It's temporary but since he has a central line and a history of fall, he might hurt himself. We really need him to be calm." The nurse looked into Sharon's eye. "Do you want to try?" Again the brunette only nodded, still overwhelmed. "Ok, I think the best thing is for you to act like at home. Approach him slowly, try to ground him. I'm going to prepare a sedative just in case this doesn't work."
Sharon swallowed the lump in her throat and approached the man who shared her life, the man she loved. He was mumbling incohérences while trying to open his BP cuff without success. She found it both fascinating and terrifying that he did not even understand that he simply needed to tear up the Velcro to get rid of the contraption, him who was such a handy-man. "Andy." She called his name softly, trying to put joy in her voice.
He immediately looked for her, reached a hand out towards her like he did millions of times before. She grabbed it and let him pull her on the bed. She sat next to him and combed her hand through his greasy messy hair. Her heart seized at seeing him so uncared for. Oh her beautiful Andy. She wanted to cry but, again, she swallowed the lump. "Come to bed, Babe." He prompted while tugging her, his voice sleepy. She looked for the nurses and found only approval in her gaze. There were so many wires, she was terrified of pulling one out and causing him harm. On the other hand, if she didn't do anything he was definitely going to hurt himself or they'll have to put him back to sleep like they did last night, after his surgery. The doctor had warned her that the more he stayed bedridden the more at risks he became. And not just for getting a bedsore or losing muscle strength, no, the doctor said much scarier things like pneumonia or another blood clot. It terrified Sharon. Everything terrified her and she didn't have him anymore to talk to, to rely on. She had to get him back.
The nurse moved at the head of the bed and gestured for her to get situated. The young woman pointed to the drain that was coming out his neck and mouthed "important", then she pointed to his left underarm "very important" she said showing her the central line. Sharon nodded in understanding and slowly laid on her side, close to Andy but not daring touching him. He was now so much calmer. "Come here, Sharon, I know you're cold and for once so am I." He said sleepily but intelligently.
She scooted closer. His raised arm was a clear invitation for her to put her head on his chest like they did nearly every night since his accident. Once situated, she released her breath. Ok, that wasn't that bad. "Feels good to have you close." He mumbled, the words barely comprehensible. He stayed calm a few seconds only before starting to get agitated again. "Sorry, I really need to pee." He said, trying to get up.
Sharon looked at the nurse, confused. The young woman confirmed what Sharon thought, he had a foley but she muttered "Spasm?". Sharon took Andy's hand and guided it between his legs. "You had surgery Andy, remember? They put a tube to help you pee. You feel it? Yes, don't tug on it. You have a bladder spasm. Let's take deep breaths, it's going to help." Years and years of anxieties had drilled her to get nearly through anything by taking deep calming breaths. She knew how effective they were on Andy too. She guided him, counting inhalation and exaltation. Soon, they heard water running and the nurse murmured a "damn" seeing his urine bag fill so much, so fast. Andy sighed and moved Sharon closer to him. "You were right, Babe, i feel so much better." He muttered before dozing seconds later. He would wake only the next morning, rested, his mind clear, again.
"Oh no no no, you stay there!" said the nurse, a smile in her voice while pushing on Sharon's shoulder. "And you." She mentioned Rusty. "You can go back home for the night, your mom is staying here. She's your father's best medicine."