Post by Shanna on Oct 4, 2015 15:15:39 GMT -5
“Sweetheart?” Nick asked groggily waking the next morning. “I’m right here.” He turned his head seeing her in the recliner. “What are you doing over there?” She came to the side of bed, “Well, I was coming back from the bathroom & didn’t want to get back on the bed since you were sleeping soundly. How are you this morning?”
“My back’s sore and I have a little headache plus I’m still tired.” He answered slowly. Laying her palm against his cheek, he leaned into it. “Your back is sore from the spinal tap being done and the doctor said you may have a headache, you can take something for it if you want?” Nick nodded; she turned pressing the call button to let the nurse’s know.
A few minutes later, instead of a nurse; Jeff walked in carrying a tray with a plate of toast, juice, a glass of water, as well the medicine. When Nick saw him a strange look crossed his face, “You’re my nurse?” he asked with a hint of a smile. “Not a chance pal.” Jeff chuckling placing the toast in front of him. “You need to eat this before you take the pill so it won’t be on an empty stomach.” he stated. “I’ll give you the pill when you’re done.” Nick began to eat by taking slow measured bites as Jeff propped against the small dresser and talked to them. “What are you doing here Jeff?”
“You and Sarah have a meeting with Dr. Johnson at 11:00 in his office here and I’m going to show you.” He told Nick.
“We do?” He asked looking at his wife; Sarah nodded, “He told me last night after he brought you back; he’ll go over the results and give us the diagnosis and explain.” She explained.
Once Nick had eaten,Jeff passed him the pill and he took it. “Okay let the medicine help and I’ll be back in a half hour to help take you down.” He replied. Nick waved half- heartedly and Jeff left.
Nick pushed his hands through his hair in frustrated worry then pulled Sarah close and captured her mouth with his in a kiss. Pulling apart he winked at her, I needed my good morning kiss.” He told her. She kissed him lightly again, “I did too; rest honey, since you’re tired.”
A half an hour later Jeff came back, “Can you help me.” Nick asked. “Sure,” “I want to see if I can walk to the bathroom.” Carefully Jeff helped him stand; once he had his balance Nick slowly made his way in then shut the door.
Coming from the bathroom, Nick saw the wheelchair Jeff had waiting & swallowing hard he sat down. “So now I can get dressed right?” he asked. “Not yet Nick, Dr. Johnson may want to check something so you’ll have to stay in the gown until he says okay.” Jeff replied.
“You mean I have to go through the halls like this?” Nick mumbled.
“Nick I’ll cover you with a blanket okay.” Taking the blanket she covered him up pulling the edges around his shoulders. Jeff moved so Sarah could push him. Before she did she kissed his shoulder then followed Jeff down the halls. Once there, Jeff signed him in,then,with a wave,left them to wait since they were early. Finding a seat Sarah sat and watched Nick close his eyes and lean his head against the wall. “I’ve never seen him so tired before.” Sarah thought to herself looking over at him. She just wanted to watch him while he had his head resting against the wall and his eyes were closed. There was nothing to do but wait.
Turning in her chair to face him she gently slipped an arm under his head so he could rest his neck against her arm and with the other hand caressed his face. Opening his eyes he looked at her and sighed at her touch, “That feel good?” she asked. “Yeah, don’t stop babe.” He requested. Leaning in close to him she softly kissed him. Breaking the kiss he whispered, “I love you.” Seeing her smile in answer he smiled back, “Will you always smile at me like that?” he wondered. She nodded as he turned to watch the TV in the corner.
Nick turned his head when he thought he heard her say something that sounded like “normal” Not wanting her to catch him watching her yet he turned back to the tv just as he saw her look around. When he looked back again he saw she was lost in thought; he couldn’t help but think of what she’d said and sadness came into his eyes.
“Whatever the doctor tells me this thing is will be too much for her to handle,” he thought to himself as he turned to watch her.
He reached for her hand, when he did,she saw the frustration and fear in his eyes, “I can’t---.” He broke off sighing heavily; it bothered him that he couldn’t feel her touch. Seeing his eyes she reached for his face again. “Baby its okay.” She replied just as the nurse called his name. Pushing the chair they followed the nurse back to Dr. Johnson’s office where he met them at the door.
“Come on in.” Once they were sitting, he continued, “I’ll get right too it Nick, I looked at the results from the spinal tap which confirmed what I was looking for… you have more protein than normal and you have a neurological disease; and based on these symptoms it confirms to me you do have Guillian-Barre Syndrome (GBS.)” The doctor told them.
Sarah closed her eyes and pressed on the bridge of her nose to stop the tears, “How and what is it?” she asked softly; not succeeding to hide the tears. Dr. Johnson came around to sit on the corner of his desk, “First, GBS is a rare inflammation of the nerves, caused by the patient's body producing antibodies against the peripheral nerves. No one knows how exactly people can get this disease. With normal circumstances, the body's immune system when sick recognizes the body and leaves it alone and ignores it, attacking only introduced particles and invading organisms.
However, this mechanism can be disrupted, and with GBS the body begins to attack itself. A disease that causes this effect/reaction is called auto-immune. With autoimmune conditions, the body's immune system mistakenly turns against itself, attacking its own tissues.”
“My guess is that the bacterial infection you had,Nick, for lack of a better word tripped a switch in your body and that’s when GBS started. Now Sarah, what happens with GBS is that when the inflammation occurs it damages parts of the nerve cell which causes the symptoms that Nick has had—the muscles being weak, a paralysis and the sensory problems is why he didn’t feel anything when the knife cut his hand. Now what happens with this damage usually means the nerve has lost the protective covering around the nerve. That’s why Nick has been falling or has the tingling or pins & needles sensations. For a simpler explanation the impulses are hindered going through the nerves to the muscles.
“Nick you have a mixture of symptoms, the nerves dealing with muscles has been more affected than your sensory nerves. They were affected too but not as badly that’s why your sensation of touch comes and goes.”
“So I won’t be able to walk?” Nick asked in disbelief he went pale at the thought. “Hell no!” He grabbed at the sides of his head trying to cover his ears. He didn’t want to hear this. Sarah carefully reached over and pulled his hands down.
“Right now it’s not bad because you are still in the early stages but as the disease progresses the pain will be worse and the paralysis will get worse before recovery begins.” Dr. Johnson said. Nick looked over at Sarah, “I’m so sorry honey.” He said quietly. She looked at Dr. Johnson and with a nod he slipped out of his office so they could have a few minutes.
Slipping out of her chair to kneel beside him she rubbed his arm, “There is nothing for you to be sorry about and we’ll get through this together.” She answered calmly even though her stomach had millions of butterflies fluttering around. “But this will get worse Sarah. I won’t be the same man---.” Nick tried to tell her but she placed a finger over his lips to quiet him. “You are Nick, you’ll be here.” She said laying a hand over his heart – “that’s what matters.” They sat in silence watching each other for a minute; she saw the tear whether it was from sadness or anger, slip down his cheek. Wiping it away with her thumb she gripped his hand, “We are strong we’ll get through this.” She whispered as she laid her forehead against his.
“But you can’t deal with this alone honey.” he responded. “Sweetie, I won’t be alone and neither will you--- the family will help.” She said knowing she had to be strong for him.
Again, wiping a wayward tear off his cheek Sarah stood by him as Dr. Johnson came back in sitting on the corner of the desk.
“Nick, Sarah, I know this is all hard to take in but as your doctor I won’t say this disease will be easy because there are times that it won’t be, it depends on how this affects Nick. I will say that people with GBS do recover it just takes time and since we’ve caught this early we can monitor you and it may cause the recovery to happen more quickly than normal.” The doctor talked to them a little more about it telling them what to expect then gave them pamphlets to read. Afterward, Jeff came to take Nick back to the room Sarah asked if she could speak to the doctor. “Sweetie, come with me.” Nick requested. “I’ll be there in just a minute I promise.” She said caressing his cheek, “Go on back.” He nodded as both she & the Dr. watched Jeff push him from the room.
“Sarah what can I help you understand?” Dr. Johnson asked. “Well you said there would be pain and paralysis?”
“Yes, as with each GBS case I’ve seen the patient react differently, there will be pain, sometimes it’ll be severe sometimes it won’t. As for paralysis, yes there will be---.” He stopped, “What about now?” she wondered.
He understood, “For now let him continue how he’s been that way he still has use of the muscles. Right now he doesn’t require hospital care; he may not until the recovery stage.” “How do I help him with the pain?” He smiled, “I’ll tell you what I tell my other patients that don’t require immediate hospitalization— be creative.” She smiled.
“Sarah his sensory nerves will mostly likely stay the same, it will be the motor nerves that will be worse for him.” “I know and that’s what’s going to be so hard to see; Nick is an active man, he is a detective, doctor. Plus he’s a father to two boys. Dr. Johnson gave her a sad smile. “Encourage him to do what he’s always done.” He said simply.
“What about stairs?”
“When it begins to get harder for him let me know and I’ll arrange a hospital bed and a wheelchair – to be brought in for him. This won’t be easy for you Sarah, watching him go through this.”
“I know.”
“If you or any of the family has questions call me…. If it’s okay I’ll stop over every few weeks to check on him okay. If I see he needs medication we’ll discuss it. I do want you to watch for signs of difficulty in his breathing… if he does have problems call me immediately.” She nodded. “Both of you just read the pamphlets and for now just help him with what he’s having problems with; he’s free to go.”
She shook the doctor’s hand and left the office, going back to Nick’s room. Reaching the room, she found him dressed; sitting in the wheelchair talking to Jeff who was leaning against the bed. “Jeff can you spring him from here?” she asked. “Definitely; I’ll go handle that now.” He said as he walked by her. When he did he stopped and lay a hand on her arm, “Nick wants to talk to the family tonight about all this and he’s asked that I be there to help explain if necessary.” he said. “Absolutely, that’d be great.” Sarah replied. Jeff looked back at Nick, “I’ll be there at 7:00.” He nodded as he reached for his wife. “You okay?” he wondered when they were alone.
She nodded waving his question away as he reached to kiss her. Pulling away, she answered, “I just wanted to talk to the doctor for a minute about some things.” “Will you tell me?” he caressed up & down her arm. Placing her arms around his neck, “I will baby, just not right now okay.”
“Are you still my girl?” “You know I am always.” She answered as she pushed him out of the hospital and to the car to head home.
“My back’s sore and I have a little headache plus I’m still tired.” He answered slowly. Laying her palm against his cheek, he leaned into it. “Your back is sore from the spinal tap being done and the doctor said you may have a headache, you can take something for it if you want?” Nick nodded; she turned pressing the call button to let the nurse’s know.
A few minutes later, instead of a nurse; Jeff walked in carrying a tray with a plate of toast, juice, a glass of water, as well the medicine. When Nick saw him a strange look crossed his face, “You’re my nurse?” he asked with a hint of a smile. “Not a chance pal.” Jeff chuckling placing the toast in front of him. “You need to eat this before you take the pill so it won’t be on an empty stomach.” he stated. “I’ll give you the pill when you’re done.” Nick began to eat by taking slow measured bites as Jeff propped against the small dresser and talked to them. “What are you doing here Jeff?”
“You and Sarah have a meeting with Dr. Johnson at 11:00 in his office here and I’m going to show you.” He told Nick.
“We do?” He asked looking at his wife; Sarah nodded, “He told me last night after he brought you back; he’ll go over the results and give us the diagnosis and explain.” She explained.
Once Nick had eaten,Jeff passed him the pill and he took it. “Okay let the medicine help and I’ll be back in a half hour to help take you down.” He replied. Nick waved half- heartedly and Jeff left.
Nick pushed his hands through his hair in frustrated worry then pulled Sarah close and captured her mouth with his in a kiss. Pulling apart he winked at her, I needed my good morning kiss.” He told her. She kissed him lightly again, “I did too; rest honey, since you’re tired.”
A half an hour later Jeff came back, “Can you help me.” Nick asked. “Sure,” “I want to see if I can walk to the bathroom.” Carefully Jeff helped him stand; once he had his balance Nick slowly made his way in then shut the door.
Coming from the bathroom, Nick saw the wheelchair Jeff had waiting & swallowing hard he sat down. “So now I can get dressed right?” he asked. “Not yet Nick, Dr. Johnson may want to check something so you’ll have to stay in the gown until he says okay.” Jeff replied.
“You mean I have to go through the halls like this?” Nick mumbled.
“Nick I’ll cover you with a blanket okay.” Taking the blanket she covered him up pulling the edges around his shoulders. Jeff moved so Sarah could push him. Before she did she kissed his shoulder then followed Jeff down the halls. Once there, Jeff signed him in,then,with a wave,left them to wait since they were early. Finding a seat Sarah sat and watched Nick close his eyes and lean his head against the wall. “I’ve never seen him so tired before.” Sarah thought to herself looking over at him. She just wanted to watch him while he had his head resting against the wall and his eyes were closed. There was nothing to do but wait.
Turning in her chair to face him she gently slipped an arm under his head so he could rest his neck against her arm and with the other hand caressed his face. Opening his eyes he looked at her and sighed at her touch, “That feel good?” she asked. “Yeah, don’t stop babe.” He requested. Leaning in close to him she softly kissed him. Breaking the kiss he whispered, “I love you.” Seeing her smile in answer he smiled back, “Will you always smile at me like that?” he wondered. She nodded as he turned to watch the TV in the corner.
Nick turned his head when he thought he heard her say something that sounded like “normal” Not wanting her to catch him watching her yet he turned back to the tv just as he saw her look around. When he looked back again he saw she was lost in thought; he couldn’t help but think of what she’d said and sadness came into his eyes.
“Whatever the doctor tells me this thing is will be too much for her to handle,” he thought to himself as he turned to watch her.
He reached for her hand, when he did,she saw the frustration and fear in his eyes, “I can’t---.” He broke off sighing heavily; it bothered him that he couldn’t feel her touch. Seeing his eyes she reached for his face again. “Baby its okay.” She replied just as the nurse called his name. Pushing the chair they followed the nurse back to Dr. Johnson’s office where he met them at the door.
“Come on in.” Once they were sitting, he continued, “I’ll get right too it Nick, I looked at the results from the spinal tap which confirmed what I was looking for… you have more protein than normal and you have a neurological disease; and based on these symptoms it confirms to me you do have Guillian-Barre Syndrome (GBS.)” The doctor told them.
Sarah closed her eyes and pressed on the bridge of her nose to stop the tears, “How and what is it?” she asked softly; not succeeding to hide the tears. Dr. Johnson came around to sit on the corner of his desk, “First, GBS is a rare inflammation of the nerves, caused by the patient's body producing antibodies against the peripheral nerves. No one knows how exactly people can get this disease. With normal circumstances, the body's immune system when sick recognizes the body and leaves it alone and ignores it, attacking only introduced particles and invading organisms.
However, this mechanism can be disrupted, and with GBS the body begins to attack itself. A disease that causes this effect/reaction is called auto-immune. With autoimmune conditions, the body's immune system mistakenly turns against itself, attacking its own tissues.”
“My guess is that the bacterial infection you had,Nick, for lack of a better word tripped a switch in your body and that’s when GBS started. Now Sarah, what happens with GBS is that when the inflammation occurs it damages parts of the nerve cell which causes the symptoms that Nick has had—the muscles being weak, a paralysis and the sensory problems is why he didn’t feel anything when the knife cut his hand. Now what happens with this damage usually means the nerve has lost the protective covering around the nerve. That’s why Nick has been falling or has the tingling or pins & needles sensations. For a simpler explanation the impulses are hindered going through the nerves to the muscles.
“Nick you have a mixture of symptoms, the nerves dealing with muscles has been more affected than your sensory nerves. They were affected too but not as badly that’s why your sensation of touch comes and goes.”
“So I won’t be able to walk?” Nick asked in disbelief he went pale at the thought. “Hell no!” He grabbed at the sides of his head trying to cover his ears. He didn’t want to hear this. Sarah carefully reached over and pulled his hands down.
“Right now it’s not bad because you are still in the early stages but as the disease progresses the pain will be worse and the paralysis will get worse before recovery begins.” Dr. Johnson said. Nick looked over at Sarah, “I’m so sorry honey.” He said quietly. She looked at Dr. Johnson and with a nod he slipped out of his office so they could have a few minutes.
Slipping out of her chair to kneel beside him she rubbed his arm, “There is nothing for you to be sorry about and we’ll get through this together.” She answered calmly even though her stomach had millions of butterflies fluttering around. “But this will get worse Sarah. I won’t be the same man---.” Nick tried to tell her but she placed a finger over his lips to quiet him. “You are Nick, you’ll be here.” She said laying a hand over his heart – “that’s what matters.” They sat in silence watching each other for a minute; she saw the tear whether it was from sadness or anger, slip down his cheek. Wiping it away with her thumb she gripped his hand, “We are strong we’ll get through this.” She whispered as she laid her forehead against his.
“But you can’t deal with this alone honey.” he responded. “Sweetie, I won’t be alone and neither will you--- the family will help.” She said knowing she had to be strong for him.
Again, wiping a wayward tear off his cheek Sarah stood by him as Dr. Johnson came back in sitting on the corner of the desk.
“Nick, Sarah, I know this is all hard to take in but as your doctor I won’t say this disease will be easy because there are times that it won’t be, it depends on how this affects Nick. I will say that people with GBS do recover it just takes time and since we’ve caught this early we can monitor you and it may cause the recovery to happen more quickly than normal.” The doctor talked to them a little more about it telling them what to expect then gave them pamphlets to read. Afterward, Jeff came to take Nick back to the room Sarah asked if she could speak to the doctor. “Sweetie, come with me.” Nick requested. “I’ll be there in just a minute I promise.” She said caressing his cheek, “Go on back.” He nodded as both she & the Dr. watched Jeff push him from the room.
“Sarah what can I help you understand?” Dr. Johnson asked. “Well you said there would be pain and paralysis?”
“Yes, as with each GBS case I’ve seen the patient react differently, there will be pain, sometimes it’ll be severe sometimes it won’t. As for paralysis, yes there will be---.” He stopped, “What about now?” she wondered.
He understood, “For now let him continue how he’s been that way he still has use of the muscles. Right now he doesn’t require hospital care; he may not until the recovery stage.” “How do I help him with the pain?” He smiled, “I’ll tell you what I tell my other patients that don’t require immediate hospitalization— be creative.” She smiled.
“Sarah his sensory nerves will mostly likely stay the same, it will be the motor nerves that will be worse for him.” “I know and that’s what’s going to be so hard to see; Nick is an active man, he is a detective, doctor. Plus he’s a father to two boys. Dr. Johnson gave her a sad smile. “Encourage him to do what he’s always done.” He said simply.
“What about stairs?”
“When it begins to get harder for him let me know and I’ll arrange a hospital bed and a wheelchair – to be brought in for him. This won’t be easy for you Sarah, watching him go through this.”
“I know.”
“If you or any of the family has questions call me…. If it’s okay I’ll stop over every few weeks to check on him okay. If I see he needs medication we’ll discuss it. I do want you to watch for signs of difficulty in his breathing… if he does have problems call me immediately.” She nodded. “Both of you just read the pamphlets and for now just help him with what he’s having problems with; he’s free to go.”
She shook the doctor’s hand and left the office, going back to Nick’s room. Reaching the room, she found him dressed; sitting in the wheelchair talking to Jeff who was leaning against the bed. “Jeff can you spring him from here?” she asked. “Definitely; I’ll go handle that now.” He said as he walked by her. When he did he stopped and lay a hand on her arm, “Nick wants to talk to the family tonight about all this and he’s asked that I be there to help explain if necessary.” he said. “Absolutely, that’d be great.” Sarah replied. Jeff looked back at Nick, “I’ll be there at 7:00.” He nodded as he reached for his wife. “You okay?” he wondered when they were alone.
She nodded waving his question away as he reached to kiss her. Pulling away, she answered, “I just wanted to talk to the doctor for a minute about some things.” “Will you tell me?” he caressed up & down her arm. Placing her arms around his neck, “I will baby, just not right now okay.”
“Are you still my girl?” “You know I am always.” She answered as she pushed him out of the hospital and to the car to head home.