The Best Is Yet To Come part 6 (I'm on a roll!)
Everyone piled in the car and headed for the hospital. Nora held Maddie in the back seat with Stacy while Matt filled his father in on Maddie’s activities through out the early evening.
They got to the hospital and were met by Larry and Maddie’s pediatrician, Margo. Larry hustled them all into a private room and they began to examine Maddie. Nora stood at her daughter’s side with Bo behind her.
Nora: Larry…she has been sleeping…it feels as if her fever is down….
As Nora said the words, Maddie began to shake.
Margo: She’s having a seizure…
In their attempts to care for the sick child, Larry and Margo pushed Nora back from the table. Larry kept the baby’s airway clear as Margo gently turned the baby on her side.
Nora: Oh my God Bo! Our baby…
She turned her head into Bo’s shoulder. Bo was helpless to do anything other than wrap his arms around his wife and pray that his child would be ok.
As quickly as the seizure began, it seemed to end. Maddie lay still on the table. Nora turned and looked. She held her breath as Larry checked Maddie’s eyes with a small penlight.
Larry: Has she had any symptoms mimicking the flu, other than tonight? Vomiting, diarrhea, fever?
Nora: Yes, but she’s teething also…
Larry’s face grimaced as he looked at Margo.
Nora: What? (stepping towards the table) What Larry? (Bo placed his hands on Nora’s shoulders to offer comfort)
Larry: We’re going to run some tests…
Margo: Nora (she touches Nora’s hands as Nora touches Maddie) Maddie just suffered a febrile seizure. Although it’s not a good thing, it’s not uncommon in children that are fighting infections. The fever was a tip off…(Larry was taking Maddie temp as Margo continued, she looked at Larry)
Larry: (looking at Margo) 103…
Margo: Still pretty high…
Bo: Larry…is she going to be ok?
Larry: Let’s run some tests and work on getting that fever down…we’ll admit her up to peds…
Nora: What kind of test?
Margo: Just as precautionary measures, I would like to run a CAT scan and a blood test…
Nora: Blood test?
Larry: We want to rule out meningitis…
Nora: Oh my God…Bo…
Bo: Meningitis Larry?
Larry: Its standard Bo…chances are it’ll turn out to be nothing serious…but lets not take chances…(Larry reassuringly puts his hand on Bo’s arm) Ok?
Bo nods.
Larry: I’m going to get the little princess here a room…
Nora: Margo…should she be awake?
Margo: A seizure takes a lot out of a little body…she’s fighting something…she’s just resting…
Bo: (quietly to Nora) I’m going to go tell Matt and Stacy…
Nora nods as Bo leaves the room.
Nora: (to Maddie) Hey baby…(she strokes the baby’s face and pushes her hair back) Mommy’s here…I promise, I’ll never leave you again…
Margo takes note of Nora’s conversation.
Margo: Nora…not that it’s my business…but I can’t help but feel you could have prevented this…I mean, judging by your clothes…and the fact that Matt said you and Bo were out…Nora (she puts her arms around Nora’s shoulder) babies get sick regardless of Mama being around or not…Matt and Stacy did everything they could…Maddie’s just sick…we’ll figure it out…and before you know it..You and Bo will have your hands full with a rambunctious 2-year-old…
Nora looked back at Margo and gave a sigh of relief.
Nora: Thank you Margo…thank you…
Bo went out to the waiting area to let Matt and Stacy know what was going on. After sitting with them for a while, he made arrangements for Stacy’s father to pick them up and drop Matt at Steve’s for the night. Once the teens were on their way, Bo went to find Maddie’s room.
He made his way through the halls of the pediatric floor, his mind awash with thoughts of his daughter, how it seemed like only yesterday that he was rushing Nora into the emergency room in labor. And when he first saw Maddie…how she stole his heart.
Bo: She’s got to be ok…please God, let her be ok…
Bo found the room that the nurses’ station told him. He stood in the doorway watching Nora. She sat silently next to the small raised crib, her hand gently caressing the sleeping baby’s face. An IV monitor beeped quietly near by. Bo’s heart was breaking. He walked silently into the room and put a reassuring hand on Nora’s shoulder. She turned with a start.
Bo: (smiling sweetly) How goes it Red?
Nora: Oh Bo…(standing and hugging her husband) she so tiny in that crib…
Bo: (kissing Nora’s forehead) yeah…yeah…has she woken up at all?
Nora: She stirred a little, but nothing major…they’re gonna run the tests first thing in the morning…(looking back at her daughter) I’m staying the night…
Bo: I knew that…
Bo moved past Nora and stood next to the crib. He reached in and touched Maddie’s tiny hand.
Bo: Daddy’s here princess…daddy’s here…
A tear ran down Bo’s face. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Bo: I’m staying too (turns and faces Nora)
Nora: (trying to muster a small smile) I knew that…(she brings her hand up and touches his cheek)
Bo: She’s gonna be fine Red…just another test for us parents…(he kisses her gently)
Nora: I love you….
Bo: Love you too…
They settle into the not-so-comfy chairs near the bed and try to get some rest. Nora keeps a watchful eye on Maddie as Bo closes his eyes. She stands and walks to the crib, reaching in and touching the baby’s head.
Nora: Please be ok, my little one…please be ok…
Nora returns to her chair and finally closes her eyes.
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It was shortly before four in the morning when Bo woke up. He looked around the room to refresh himself where he was. He stood up, covered Nora with his jacket and walked down to the nurses’ station.
Nurse: Good morning Mr. Buchanan…
Bo: Very early good morning…do you know what time my daughter’s tests are going to be?
The nurse looks at a chart.
Nurse: The CAT scan is at six…they’ll probably draw blood in the room before she heads down to neurology.
Bo: Thank you.
He walks down to the waiting area. As he turns the corner, he sees a familiar figure sitting on the couch. Booted feet up on a chair, cowboy hat over his eyes.
Bo: Pa…(shaking Asa) Pa…
Asa: Bo…how’s my granddaughter?
Bo: Pa (sitting down on the couch next to Asa) you been here all night?
Asa: Nah…only bout fifteen minutes…
Bo looks at his watch and Asa’s rumpled attire.
Bo: Fifteen minutes?
Asa: Matt called me…when I got here, you and Nora were with the doctor…I musta fell asleep here…
Bo: Thanks for comin’ Pa…
Father and son embrace.
Bo: She’s so tiny Pa…
Asa: I know…I saw her in that bed…those IV’s and what not…
Bo: They say she’ll be fine…
Asa: Wolek wouldn’t lie to ya…
Bo: She had a seizure…I couldn’t help her…I failed her…
Asa: Bo…you can’t protect her from this…its an illness…you didn’t fail her…they’ll figure it out
Bo: Nora’s angry…she thinks that if I hadn’t insisted we go out for dinner, Maddie wouldn’t be sick…
Asa: Nonsense…just a worried mother talking…she knows better…she’s just scared…
Bo: I am too…I never went through any of this kinda stuff with Matt…or Drew for that matter…baby illnesses…I can’t help but feel useless…
Asa: Your usefulness will come into play when that lil philly down there is ropin’ in the young men….you’ll be useful standin’ on the porch with a Remington 7800…
Bo smiled at his father.
Asa: Wanna get a cup of coffee?
Bo: (looking at his watch) yeah…
Father and son head to the elevator, Asa putting his arm
around Bo’s shoulder.
*************************************
Bo returned to the room to find Nora awake, humming to the still sleeping Maddie.
Nora: Bo…I don’t like this…she still hasn’t woken up…she hasn’t eaten…
Bo: The IV’s….
Nora: But still…she moves around, but doesn’t wake up…
Bo draws Nora into his arms.
Bo: Pa was here all night…
Nora pulls back and looks into his eyes.
Nora: Asa? Here?
Bo: He was asleep in the solarium…
Nora: That’s sweet of him…
Bo: He’s gonna go home, change, get Renee and Matt from Steve’s…and come back…
Nora: Matt’s not going to school?
Bo: No…he called me at 5 and asked if he could come back up…feels his place is with his sister…
Nora: He’s such a great kid…
Bo: Asked if Stacy could come with…her folks said it was ok…
Nora smiled.
The patient technician came in to take Maddie for her test. Bo held Nora as the tech wheel the crib out of the room.
Bo: You go with her…
Nora nodded and followed the crib down the hall. Bo sat in the chair for a moment.
Bo: (looking upward) I know everyone keeps tellin’ me she’s gonna be fine…but do ya think you could maybe keep an extra eye out and maybe send a couple extra angels in there with her? Thanks.
As he stood up to leave, the phone in the room rang.
Bo: Hello? (pause) Clint…yeah…yeah…they just took her…Nora went with…I’m going crazy…yeah…he was here all night…no…I’ll call you if that happens…thanks…yeah…thanks…bye.
Bo headed towards the waiting room.
***************************************
Nora stood in the small alcove near the scanning machines. Maddie looked even smaller now.
Nora: (to herself) how can this be happening…what did I do wrong?
Technician: Pardon me?
Nora: Nothing…
Technician: She’s fine ma’am…
Nora: I know…
Technician: (working with some buttons) I had a baby smaller than yours in here the other day…
Nora: (trying to be polite, but wanting nothing to do with the conversation) Oh…(she clasped her hands and watched)
After a few moments, the technician turned to Nora.
Tech: That’s it…all done…little angel did fine…I’m sure the doctor will see you by this afternoon…you take care.
Nora followed the crib back towards Maddie’s room.
**********************************
Once the crib was in the room, Nora headed to the solarium to find Bo.
Bo: (hugging her) How is she?
Nora: Still the same…
Bo: I’m going to head to the room…Matt, Stacy, Asa and Renee are in the cafeteria…if you want to go grab a bite to eat…
Nora: Nah…I’m ok…
Bo: Honey…you’ve got to eat something…
Nora just stared at him.
Bo: At least have a couple cookies over there. (pointing to the tray near by)
Nora: (sighing at her husband’s relentlessness) Fine…
Bo kissed her forehead and turned to leave.
Bo: I love you Red…
Nora: (forcing a smile) I know.
She ran her fingers through her hair and sat down in the corner. She put her face down in her ands and began to cry. Suddenly she felt a hand on her back.
Nora: Matthew…
She stood and hugged her son.
Matt: Mom…I’m sorry…I should have taken better care of her…
Nora: Shhh…Matt…you and Stacy did fine…things just happen…
Matt: Why isn’t she waking up?
Nora: Larry and Margo said that her body is fighting an infection…and it’s her body’s way of doing that…
Matt: I just want her to be ok…
Nora: We all do…(kissing his forehead)
Matt: I brought you a jelly doughnut up…
Nora smiled as she took the napkin wrapped doughnut.
Nora: Let’s go down to her room.
Mother and son leave the solarium, Matt protectively placing
arm around his mother’s back.
***************************
As Matt and Nora walked through the pediatric unit, the sound of cartoons and happy music filled the air. Seeing how the hospital tried to relieve anxiety, especially on this floor, made it all the harder for Nora. As she neared Maddie’s room, she heard Bo talking.
Bo: Hey there…hey there princess…(Bo turned towards the door and saw Nora) Look who’s here…it’s Mommy…(to Nora) Mommy…look who’s awake
Nora covered her mouth and rushed to Bo who was holding his daughter.
Nora: When did she….
Bo: When I walked in, she was just sitting in the crib, playing with the chart there (pointing to the scatter of papers on the floor that Maddie had reached through the crib bars)
Nora: Oh baby!! (she reached for the child as Bo placed her in Nora’s arms) Oh my angel!! Maddie….(Nora showered her daughter with kisses)
Matt walked into the room and kissed his sister on the head.
Matt: Hey peanut…glad to see you’re back.
Bo turned towards the door to see Asa, Renee and Stacy.
Bo: She’s awake! (Bo beamed)
Asa: She’s a fighter…she’s a Buchanan…
Larry worked his way into the room. He looked and saw all the balloons and teddy bears that had been delivered.
Larry: This has to be our most famous little patient! (he took note that Maddie was awake) this is excellent…excellent…(he began to check the baby)
Bo: What’s going on Larry?
Larry: That’s what I want to talk to you about…
TBC