Page 44 of Love's Harvest
“I’ll be right there,” said Sarah.
Minutes later, Sarah rushed into the waiting area and found her mother sitting there.“The nurse said they’re checking him in now.We’re to wait here while they do a number of tests on him.”
Sarah sat next to her mother and took hold of her hand.“Hopefully you assessed the symptoms early enough to make a difference.Dad’s a strong, active man.”
“Yes, maybe too active.I’ve been trying to get him to slow down.It’s been a godsend to have you home helping to run the store.Five months in Florida this winter was going to be the beginning of transitioning the store over to your control.”
“That seems so final.I guess it’s time to get real about it.I wasn’t sure that’s what you really wanted.”
“If your father survives this and does well enough to continue with our plans, we are going to be making more changes more quickly than we thought,” said her mother.Her eyes filled.“I can’t lose him or lose the life we’ve planned.”
Sarah handed her mother a tissue.“Dad’s in excellent hands, and it’s a blessing he was with you when it happened.Hopefully, that saved a lot of time in getting help.”
It seemed hours before a nurse came to them.“Mrs.Bullard?”
Sarah’s mother stood.“How is my husband?”
“We’re waiting for the results from all his tests.Your husband is being taken to a room.We’ll be able to give you his room number soon and you’ll be able to visit him.He’s awake.He’s fortunate you called for help right away.”
“And the doctor?When can we see him?”asked Sarah.
“He’ll meet with you shortly,” the nurse said.“We didn’t want you to worry.”
A short while later, a man wearing green scrubs approached them.“Hello, I’m Dr.Shipman.I’m the one who oversaw your husband’s arrival.Lucky man to have someone with him when his stroke happened.”
“Can you tell us about his condition?”Sarah asked.
“It appears that he’s had a mild Ischemic Stroke which occurs when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain is obstructed.In his case, it appears that it wasn’t for too long, which means a quicker recovery.He’s been given a thrombolytic or what we call a “clot-busting” drug to break up blood clots.He’ll be prescribed blood thinners going forward.Right now, he’s in acceptable shape mentally, and aside from some numbness in his hands and feet, he seems not to have had much damage.We will keep him here in the hospital for the next day or two to make sure there are no reoccurring symptoms.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” said Sarah’s mother.
“Will he see a therapist of some kind?”asked Sarah.“You said he had some numbness.”
“Yes, we have a Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center here in Portsmouth.One of two in the state and the only one on the seacoast.We will assign a physical therapist to work with him to see if those symptoms can be reduced.You should be aware that frightening episodes like this can affect people in different ways.He might become depressed, have difficulty expressing or controlling his emotions, become easily agitated.We have staff prepared to help him in this regard, if needed.”
After Dr.Shipman left, Sarah went over to the desk to see if her father had been assigned a room, and returned to tell her mother he was on the second floor.
Sarah took hold of her mother’s cold hand and knew how tense and upset her mother was.“It’s going to be all right.Dad’s had a mild stroke.No matter what, it could be worse.”
“I know.It’s just that I hope it doesn’t change his personality like the doctor mentioned.He’s always been easy-going.”
“One day at a time,” said Sarah trying to be encouraging.The thought of her father becoming depressed scared her.She didn’t want to go through that experience again.
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When they reached her father’s room, Sarah followed her mother inside and paused, giving her parents a private moment before she went and hugged him.
Her father was a big, fit man with a jovial personality perfect for selling wares in town.Now, he lay on the bed looking dazed.
Her mother’s eyes overflowed with silent tears as she hugged her husband.Sarah felt a sting of tears but thought it best to appear upbeat.
“The doctor says you are a lucky man, that not much damage was done because Mom called for help so quickly.”Sarah turned as Dr.Chambers came into the room.
“Hello, Bob.I’ve been checking on your treatment.Edie is going to be able to have you come home in a day or two.And Sarah, I know you’ll be a help.”
“Thank you, Emmett,” said Sarah.“Thanks for making the trip here.”
“Of course.Bob was one of my first patients in town when I was called upon to stitch up a cut finger.”Emmett checked his watch.“I’m leaving you in superb care.If anything needs to be coordinated with home treatment, please let me know.”
