Post by Shanna on Oct 3, 2015 12:27:25 GMT -5
Two days later, Dr. Johnson met them at the house, about an hour before the things would be delivered and set up. He smiled when he heard a little voice ask who it is. “It’s Dr. Johnson.” He replied and a minute later the door opened and he saw Nick there holding on to keep himself standing.
“Brett, hi, come on in.” Nick said walking very stiffly back to the couch to sit down as the doctor shut the door. Sarah smiled when she walked in and passed Billy his drink.
“Hi Sarah.” He said. “Brett, how are you?” she asked. “Good,thank you.” Before anymore could be said Billy jumped up and wandered over to where the doctor was sitting and just stared.
“Billy, it’s not polite to stare at anyone little man.” Nick remarked drawing the little boy’s gaze to him. “Sorry,” he said. He nodded as he looked back up, “Dr. Johnson, I don’t think you’ve met my sons, this is Billy and the one working a puzzle is Jason.” When both boys looked up Nick continued, “Guys this Dr. Johnson; daddy’s doctor.”
Billy walked closer to the doctor and motioned to him. Brett leaned forward, “You’re helping my daddy get better right?” Nick and Sarah looked at each other when they heard the question. The doctor smiled, “I’m doing everything I can to help your daddy get better.”
“Good.” He replied then went back to his coloring.
“Nick, I’d like to examine you before they get here to set things up.” Brett stated. Nodding Sarah got the boys attention and asked them to go upstairs for a while. They watched as the boys walked out of the room.
“Okay.” Dr. Johnson replied kneeling on the floor in front of Nick, “I saw how your walking was when you answered the door.
“It’s getting harder and harder to walk.” Brett stated. Nick nodded, “Yeah but I try and walk anyway so the muscles…” he started to say but never finished the sentence. “I understand.” The doctor remarked.
Brett sat on his heels for a minute thinking, “You have already said the paralysis is worse by the longer periods of time you can’t move your legs." Sarah spoke up, “He and I try and walk a few times a day from the front door to the kitchen just to make sure the muscles don’t completely shut down."
“That’s good. What I’m going to do now is just check your legs to see how far up the paralysis is now okay. Then I want to ask a few questions.” The doctor replied just as the doorbell rang.
“I got it.” Sarah said going and getting the door. She let Joanie in.
Joanie was about to say something when she saw the man on the floor & stopped and Nick looked over. “Hey cutie, come over here.” Nick said holding his hand out. Going to him she leaned over and kissed him.
“Can I stay? Nate said you might need some help today.” “Sure, Joanie this Dr. Johnson, Brett this is my niece Joanie.” Nick responded as she sat down in the chair that the doctor had vacated.
“Nice to meet you Joanie, the doctor replied as he continued his exam. “Okay Nick I’m going to start at your feet and work my way up, tell me when you feel something.” He nodded as the girls watched the doctor slowly placing pressure as he worked his way up. Just below the knee Nick said “Now.” Brett nodded and did the other leg before saying anything. “Now.”
Sarah looked at Joanie then at Nick as she took his hand. “It seems the paralysis is up to just below the knees Nick and it will continue to move upward.” Brett remarked. Nick squeezed Sarah’s hand as he said, “So pretty soon what walking I can still do now I won’t be able to?”
“That’s right, pretty soon the wheelchair will be the means of mobility for you. Let me ask how’s the pain?”
“It’s bad some days and then on some days it’s not so bad.” Nick stated. “Any bad days recently?” the doctor wondered “Yeah two days ago it got bad enough for me to take it out on Sarah.” He looked at her as he stroked her cheek, “I’m so sorry baby.” He said as he buried his face in her hair. She kissed the corner of his mouth.
“Did you manage to stop the worst of the pain?” Nick continued, “Yeah I lay down on the couch and she placed warm wash cloths over my legs after I took some Tylenol and that calmed down the pain to a reasonable ache I could tolerate.”
“Good, so the Tylenol is still working… you don’t need anything else right now?” He shook his head no.
“Okay has clothing been a problem for you especially against your legs?”
“Yeah I can’t where Jeans now. I either have to wear the light cotton pants, or soft lounge pants, or shorts; neither of those bothers me –.” “It just seems to be things made with a heavy material. Sarah stated.
The doctor nodded, “Let’s check your breathing.” He replies standing; taking the stethoscope from around his neck as Sarah helps Nick take off his shirt. Joanie watched as Dr. Johnson warmed the end of the stethoscope on the palm of his hand then places it to Nick’s chest.
No one said anything during this time and the only thing that could be heard was Nick’s breathing. When he finished he wrapped the stethoscope over his neck as he asked, “Any problems breathing Nick?” He shook his head no even as Brett looked over at Sarah for confirmation and she shook her head.
“Okay everything looks good, but as the paralysis continues upward it may affect the chest area and if it does and you have problems breathing let me know and head to the ER; I’ll meet you there.” They nodded just as the doorbell rang and Joanie answered letting the men in with the bed as Nick stood with the Doctor and they showed the men the guestroom that was off the family room. Once Nick showed the men where the bed went they set to work setting it up. A man walked up to the doctor and said something quietly and the doctor left and went outside as Nick made his way to wait with Sarah and Joanie.
“A hospital bed Nick?” Joanie asked; he heard the worry in her voice. He put his arm around her, “I can’t navigate the stairs anymore Joanie so I have to move down here.” He replied. “I’m sorry,” she remarked hugging him. “Just then Brett came back in pushing a wheelchair. “New wheels have arrived for you.” He stated with a nod when Nick saw them. Sarah moved to his other side when he looked pained.
“That settles it; I’m not me anymore.” He said looking into her eyes. “Yes, you are honey.” She said as he said down in the chair.
Joanie knelt by him and as he was watching her she whispered, “A quiet strength, remember?” he smiled. All of them went in the guest bedroom once the bed was set up and Dr. Johnson started to explain but Sarah stopped him with a look.
“Yes, it’s big enough for two Sarah.” He said then continued, “its set up like a regular hospital bed Nick, it has rails on both sides and it has the bed control on both rails—now I do want you to put one rail up at night so that you can’t fall off the side Sarah’s not on.” Nick nodded. After a few minutes, the doctor left as Sarah went to get the boys and bring them to Nick’s new room. After explaining to them everyone agreed to go to Nate's for dinner and so Nick could get use to his new wheels.
Once they got to Nate’s, they reached the step leading up to the door he looked up at Sarah with bleak angry eyes.
“Sarah I’ll take the boys in and send help out.” Joanie replied taking the boys in. A minute later both Greg and Nate were there.
“Hey Nick!” Nate said. “Hey.”
“Sarah we got it.” Greg said as he tilted the chair back just enough that Nate could grab the front and make sure the front wheels were over the step before Greg lifted the chair the rest of the way. Turning him around Greg tilted Nick back and pulled him over the door’s threshold. On the last step Nick was tilted back where the big wheels could roll down the step until they reached the flat surface.
Greg pushed him to a table and moved a chair and Nick pushed himself in. When they were alone he bowed his head, he wanted to hide. “How humiliating.” He said softly for her ears alone.
She ran her hand over his hair as she sat close to him, “Sweetie, you’re just not used to the chair yet it will be okay after a while.” “I don’t want to be use to this.” He bit out. “I know honey I don’t want you to either but for now we have to be.” She remarked kissing him slowly and deeply.
A few minutes later they heard, “Alright you two break it up, break it up.” From her father as he stood beside them. Nick looked around with a smile, “No way!” and went back to kissing his wife.
After a minute and another kiss they broke it as he took her hand in his,"I love you.” “And I love you.” She said as everyone sat down to eat together.
“Brett, hi, come on in.” Nick said walking very stiffly back to the couch to sit down as the doctor shut the door. Sarah smiled when she walked in and passed Billy his drink.
“Hi Sarah.” He said. “Brett, how are you?” she asked. “Good,thank you.” Before anymore could be said Billy jumped up and wandered over to where the doctor was sitting and just stared.
“Billy, it’s not polite to stare at anyone little man.” Nick remarked drawing the little boy’s gaze to him. “Sorry,” he said. He nodded as he looked back up, “Dr. Johnson, I don’t think you’ve met my sons, this is Billy and the one working a puzzle is Jason.” When both boys looked up Nick continued, “Guys this Dr. Johnson; daddy’s doctor.”
Billy walked closer to the doctor and motioned to him. Brett leaned forward, “You’re helping my daddy get better right?” Nick and Sarah looked at each other when they heard the question. The doctor smiled, “I’m doing everything I can to help your daddy get better.”
“Good.” He replied then went back to his coloring.
“Nick, I’d like to examine you before they get here to set things up.” Brett stated. Nodding Sarah got the boys attention and asked them to go upstairs for a while. They watched as the boys walked out of the room.
“Okay.” Dr. Johnson replied kneeling on the floor in front of Nick, “I saw how your walking was when you answered the door.
“It’s getting harder and harder to walk.” Brett stated. Nick nodded, “Yeah but I try and walk anyway so the muscles…” he started to say but never finished the sentence. “I understand.” The doctor remarked.
Brett sat on his heels for a minute thinking, “You have already said the paralysis is worse by the longer periods of time you can’t move your legs." Sarah spoke up, “He and I try and walk a few times a day from the front door to the kitchen just to make sure the muscles don’t completely shut down."
“That’s good. What I’m going to do now is just check your legs to see how far up the paralysis is now okay. Then I want to ask a few questions.” The doctor replied just as the doorbell rang.
“I got it.” Sarah said going and getting the door. She let Joanie in.
Joanie was about to say something when she saw the man on the floor & stopped and Nick looked over. “Hey cutie, come over here.” Nick said holding his hand out. Going to him she leaned over and kissed him.
“Can I stay? Nate said you might need some help today.” “Sure, Joanie this Dr. Johnson, Brett this is my niece Joanie.” Nick responded as she sat down in the chair that the doctor had vacated.
“Nice to meet you Joanie, the doctor replied as he continued his exam. “Okay Nick I’m going to start at your feet and work my way up, tell me when you feel something.” He nodded as the girls watched the doctor slowly placing pressure as he worked his way up. Just below the knee Nick said “Now.” Brett nodded and did the other leg before saying anything. “Now.”
Sarah looked at Joanie then at Nick as she took his hand. “It seems the paralysis is up to just below the knees Nick and it will continue to move upward.” Brett remarked. Nick squeezed Sarah’s hand as he said, “So pretty soon what walking I can still do now I won’t be able to?”
“That’s right, pretty soon the wheelchair will be the means of mobility for you. Let me ask how’s the pain?”
“It’s bad some days and then on some days it’s not so bad.” Nick stated. “Any bad days recently?” the doctor wondered “Yeah two days ago it got bad enough for me to take it out on Sarah.” He looked at her as he stroked her cheek, “I’m so sorry baby.” He said as he buried his face in her hair. She kissed the corner of his mouth.
“Did you manage to stop the worst of the pain?” Nick continued, “Yeah I lay down on the couch and she placed warm wash cloths over my legs after I took some Tylenol and that calmed down the pain to a reasonable ache I could tolerate.”
“Good, so the Tylenol is still working… you don’t need anything else right now?” He shook his head no.
“Okay has clothing been a problem for you especially against your legs?”
“Yeah I can’t where Jeans now. I either have to wear the light cotton pants, or soft lounge pants, or shorts; neither of those bothers me –.” “It just seems to be things made with a heavy material. Sarah stated.
The doctor nodded, “Let’s check your breathing.” He replies standing; taking the stethoscope from around his neck as Sarah helps Nick take off his shirt. Joanie watched as Dr. Johnson warmed the end of the stethoscope on the palm of his hand then places it to Nick’s chest.
No one said anything during this time and the only thing that could be heard was Nick’s breathing. When he finished he wrapped the stethoscope over his neck as he asked, “Any problems breathing Nick?” He shook his head no even as Brett looked over at Sarah for confirmation and she shook her head.
“Okay everything looks good, but as the paralysis continues upward it may affect the chest area and if it does and you have problems breathing let me know and head to the ER; I’ll meet you there.” They nodded just as the doorbell rang and Joanie answered letting the men in with the bed as Nick stood with the Doctor and they showed the men the guestroom that was off the family room. Once Nick showed the men where the bed went they set to work setting it up. A man walked up to the doctor and said something quietly and the doctor left and went outside as Nick made his way to wait with Sarah and Joanie.
“A hospital bed Nick?” Joanie asked; he heard the worry in her voice. He put his arm around her, “I can’t navigate the stairs anymore Joanie so I have to move down here.” He replied. “I’m sorry,” she remarked hugging him. “Just then Brett came back in pushing a wheelchair. “New wheels have arrived for you.” He stated with a nod when Nick saw them. Sarah moved to his other side when he looked pained.
“That settles it; I’m not me anymore.” He said looking into her eyes. “Yes, you are honey.” She said as he said down in the chair.
Joanie knelt by him and as he was watching her she whispered, “A quiet strength, remember?” he smiled. All of them went in the guest bedroom once the bed was set up and Dr. Johnson started to explain but Sarah stopped him with a look.
“Yes, it’s big enough for two Sarah.” He said then continued, “its set up like a regular hospital bed Nick, it has rails on both sides and it has the bed control on both rails—now I do want you to put one rail up at night so that you can’t fall off the side Sarah’s not on.” Nick nodded. After a few minutes, the doctor left as Sarah went to get the boys and bring them to Nick’s new room. After explaining to them everyone agreed to go to Nate's for dinner and so Nick could get use to his new wheels.
Once they got to Nate’s, they reached the step leading up to the door he looked up at Sarah with bleak angry eyes.
“Sarah I’ll take the boys in and send help out.” Joanie replied taking the boys in. A minute later both Greg and Nate were there.
“Hey Nick!” Nate said. “Hey.”
“Sarah we got it.” Greg said as he tilted the chair back just enough that Nate could grab the front and make sure the front wheels were over the step before Greg lifted the chair the rest of the way. Turning him around Greg tilted Nick back and pulled him over the door’s threshold. On the last step Nick was tilted back where the big wheels could roll down the step until they reached the flat surface.
Greg pushed him to a table and moved a chair and Nick pushed himself in. When they were alone he bowed his head, he wanted to hide. “How humiliating.” He said softly for her ears alone.
She ran her hand over his hair as she sat close to him, “Sweetie, you’re just not used to the chair yet it will be okay after a while.” “I don’t want to be use to this.” He bit out. “I know honey I don’t want you to either but for now we have to be.” She remarked kissing him slowly and deeply.
A few minutes later they heard, “Alright you two break it up, break it up.” From her father as he stood beside them. Nick looked around with a smile, “No way!” and went back to kissing his wife.
After a minute and another kiss they broke it as he took her hand in his,"I love you.” “And I love you.” She said as everyone sat down to eat together.