Chapter 4 – Hallucinations

Jane and Maura were enjoying their newborn boys, Marcus and Jaiden, the nurses had just cleaned them up and placed them in their hands before they left the room to let the family start bonding with each other. About two hours had passed when Jane looked over at Maura and noticed Maura making a strange face.

Maura was lying in her hospital bed with Jane beside her and they each were holding one of the twins. They knew that their life had changed for the better and they couldn't wait until they could take the twins home the next day. Angela had already been by for a quick visit and then left to allow Jane and Maura time with the babies.

Maura hadn't told her wife that she was having issues with her vision. She thought that it would pass and that it was just a delayed reaction to everything that her body had gone through giving birth to the twins.

"Maur, what's the matter, you have a strange look on your face?"

"Jane, please call the nurse, something is wrong with my vision. I am having hallucinations." Jane didn't let Maura continue before she reached for the call button and pressed it numerous times. Jane also did that when she called for an elevator and it drove Maura crazy, Maura remembered telling Jane, "The elevator won't get here any faster, Jane. You only need to press it once." Jane had just given her a look and stopped pushing the button. Jane was concerned and put the button down and turned to her wife, but Maura couldn't see Jane right now as she was hallucinating. Jane carefully removed Jaiden from Maura's arms and put both babies in their bassinets.

When the nurse came in, Maura explained what was happening to the best of her ability and the nurse immediately went to call the doctor. The doctor was scheduled to see her on his rounds in less than an hour but this couldn't wait as something was wrong.

The doctor arrived in less than five minutes and after hearing what was going on immediately called for a consult with an ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist arrived an hour later. He took Maura to the lab where he could run some tests on her. Jane was right by her side having left the twins with Angela and Constance. Constance had been in New York on a business trip and had taken their jet to Boston once Jane had called her. She had just arrived when Maura was taken away to be examined.

When Maura closed her eyes, she saw little animal workman working on digging a tunnel when she opened her eyes, she saw something totally different. She looked at the hands on the clock and they were waving around.

Angela had gotten her a little cartoon type character holding a balloon that read "Congratulations," and it was moving also. The little character was stationary so it was frustrating because she couldn't get away from the hallucinations.

She was also seeing different colors. It was like a color disc was floating around in her eyes making the colors change. She and Jane were quite concerned. Maura couldn't self-diagnose herself because of the medications she was on, her thought process was diminished.

It wasn't long before the ophthalmologist informed Maura that she had detached a retina in her left eye and broke blood vessels in both eyes. That was why she was having vision troubles. She didn't require any surgery, they would just monitor her condition and see if the retina would replace itself. The ophthalmologist worked with Maura's doctor to reduce her medications to ensure that the hallucinations would go away.

Maura was so happy when she could actually see Jane and their babies. Earlier, when Jaiden was placed in her arms, Maura didn't have the heart to tell Jane that he was just a blur. She couldn't make out his features, she just took Jane's word for how handsome their sons were.

Maura's condition wasn't that popular and the ophthalmologist asked if he could bring some of his students by to view her eyes. She hesitated at first but after consulting Jane and knowing how it would improve the students' ability to assist future patients with this type of injury she agreed and later that day the various observations began.

While the future ophthalmologists were examining Maura, Jane took the twins out of the room. Constance was concerned for her daughter and wanted to be with her but after a quick visit and being able to comfort Maura she agreed to help Jane with the twins. The nurse found a room that Jane could use to have the family visit with the twins while Maura went through her numerous eye examinations.

Maura was happy that the hallucinations went away and after a few more days in the hospital she was released. The twins had been discharged after the second day. Jane was conflicted as she wanted to be with Maura and the children.

She finally talked with her mother and Constance and agreed that Jane would spend the majority of her time with Maura while Angela and Constance watched the twins. When Jane came home, Constance would go to the hospital and spend time with her daughter. This went on for four days.

A week after giving birth, Maura was free of hallucinations and was able to see her beautiful family. She was also released from the hospital. Jane and Maura both had eight weeks of maternity leave and enjoyed their time of little sleep as they adjusted to having their twins home with them. Maura saw the ophthalmologist every week and after two months her retina was back in place. She suffered from dry eyes but that was treated with eye drops.

Maura asked for a six month leave of absence as she wanted to give her eyes a chance to return to normal and spend time with the twins. Jane went back to work after her eight weeks of maternity leave. Constance had stayed for one month before returning to France with Arthur who had arrived right after Maura was released from the hospital.

The twins had made their entrance into the world a month early but were both healthy and eager to spend time with their mothers. After three months they were both sleeping through the night and allowing their mothers to get some much-needed sleep. Jane and Maura were thankful that Angela and Constance were there with them at the beginning to help them adjust to life with twins.