“Yes, sir.” She turns to leave and says, “The surgery will take several hours. Would you all like to see her before we get her prepped?”
Dad nods his head and stands. I get up too, and we follow Dr. Andrews through the double doors behind the nurses’ station. When we get to Mom’s room it takes everything in me not to cry. She has all kinds of metal things around her. I’m guessing it is the traction the doctor mentioned.
“Hi,” Mom says weakly.
“Hey, beautiful wife,” Dad says with a forced smile.
“They haven’t told me anything. Just gave me something for the pain, which I have to say, feels pretty good right now. But I’m so sleepy.”
“You are gonna have to go into surgery,” Dad says. “You broke your hip, hon, and they need to do a hip replacement.”
Mom gets this terrified look on her face. We all know what she is thinking.
Dad says, “We don’t know if the cancer will spread or not, but I am not gonna let you live like this. You need this surgery.”
Mom knows her fate; it’s written all over her face. However, she doesn’t say a word.
She looks at me and says, “I’m so proud of you. You were so brave, sweetheart.”
I can’t help it anymore, and I start to cry. I want to lean over the bed and hug her, but I am so afraid with all the metal around her I will hurt her, so I refrain.
Just then, Dr. Andrews walks in. “I’m sorry, but we will need to take her to get her prepped now.”
Dad gets up and kisses Mom on the forehead. “I love you,” he says. She tells him she loves him too, and he turns to leave.
I can’t reach her to kiss her, but I rest my hand on hers, “I love you, Mom.”
She smiles. “I love you too, sweetheart,” she replies. “I’ll see you soon.”
I nod and turn and leave the room.
We spend the next several hours in the waiting room. An orderly has popped out a time or two to let us know she is doing fine, but other than that, we have not heard a word. Finally, eight hours later, Dr. Andrews comes out. Dad and I have not been able to sleep, but Jake and Grandma dozed off for a short time. Jake insisted that he stay, and his parents agreed. They both know how much a part of this family Jake has become.
She walks up to us and says, “She’s out of surgery and in recovery. She did great, and I don’t foresee any complications. It will be a while before she wakes up, and with the added pain medicine we are giving her, I don’t expect her to be awake until morning. You all should go home, and try to get some rest. You will be able to see her during visiting hours later today.”
Reluctantly, Dad agrees, and we leave the hospital. We are exhausted, and after Dad drops Grandma home, we head straight home. I give Jake a big hug and thank him for being there for us.
“Don’t you know, I’ll always be there for you.”
I hug him again, and he gets in his car. Dad and I go in the house and head straight to bed. It has been one of the worst days of my life, and I pray for my mom and that sleep will take me away from this horrible nightmare I am living.Is it really possible to dream happy things at a time like this?
The next morning, Dad and I get up early and head to the hospital. Mom is awake and in great spirits but in a lot of pain. We spend all day with her. We play cards, watch TV, and talk. Mom still has pain, but I guess it is to be expected. After all, she has a metal hip now.
After lunch, Dr. Mitchell comes in and asks her how she is feeling and then drops the bomb. “We’re gonna try and get you to stand and take a couple of steps tonight.”
Mom looks at Dad, horrified.
Dr. Mitchell gives her a smile. “Don’t worry, if you don’t start walking on your new hip, you may never walk again. We won’t make you do a lot, just maybe a step or two. Each day, we will increase your activity to build up your strength.”
“When do you think I can go home?” Mom asks.
“If you do as you are told and are not afraid to put weight on it, I’m thinking by the end of next week.”
“That soon?”
Dr. Mitchell laughs. “Unless you want to stay longer?”
Mom shakes her head.
