After Surgery

It was all blurry when I woke up. The light above the bed was so bright that I couldn’t help keep my eyes open. I closed them for a minute before I heard a voice whispering to me. The voice called out my name again and I opened my eyes. Was I dreaming? No…

“Catherine…”          

This time, the voice was so much louder. I turned my head to the left and tried to open my eyes more. I followed the voice and saw my mum. She sat on a chair next to me and smiled when I looked at her.  She stretched her hand and felt my forehead.

“Welcome back my child.” She whispered and gave me a kiss on the face.

I smiled back sheepishly.

I looked at the room where I was in. White ceiling, white walls, a drape, a T.V at one corner of the room and some flowers on the table near the bed is what I could notice.  I didn’t see what I was looking for. I looked at my mum once again and she seemed to understand what I wanted.

“Fred is coming any moment now. He has gone to the washrooms.” She said patting my hand that was accessorized with a syringe connected to some machines.

At that very moment, the door opened and Fred walked in carrying two coffee cups. He was surprised to see me awake. He quickly put down the drinks on the table and came to the bed where he tried to hug me but it was so awkward. I tried raising myself up to hug him properly but I felt excruciating pain in my stomach so I slanted back.

“Are you okay baby?” Fred asked.                   

“Ouch!” I shouted.

“I’m so sorry. Can we call the doctor?” Mum asked nervously.

“No, it’s okay.” I said trying not to raise the alarm despite the pain. I put my hand inside the gown and touched my stomach. There was a huge bandage placed near my bikini area.

“How are you feeling?” Fred asked.

“Sleepy.” I answered.

“That’s from the medicine from the surgery. You will get over it soon.” He added.

“I thought you were not going to make it.” I said.

“I’m so sorry. Traffic was a mess coming here but I tried my best.”

“Thank you.”  I said “And mum, thanks for your help.”

You are welcome my baby.” She replied.

3 Hours

After a few minutes of trying to compose myself, I called Fred. He had to know about this and be close to me as much as possible. I needed him now more than ever.

“Hey dear…” I called.

“Yes Kate, how are you? I have been expecting you back here.” He responded.

“I know and am so sorry about the delay but something came up.” I said.

“What is it?”

“Can you make to came over here please?” I asked.

“Kate, what is going on?” he asked.

“I am at the hospital dear. The one near my mum’s place. You remember it?”

“What is it?”

“I can’t tell you over the phone. Can you please come over?”

“Okay, let me sort some things then am on my way.”

We hang up and I went to the waiting room with mum to wait. The doctor came and informed us that he had set up the surgery in three hours. I crossed my fingers hoping that Fred would make it to see me before I go in.  I had the urge to text Ann and share with her the sad news but thought that it would cause her so much stress considering she had a new baby. Waiting for someone when you have so little time seems like eternity.  I kept looking at the watch after every minute thinking the time would change but nah!

“Catherine, you have to be prepared for surgery.” The nurse called out.

Three hours were over already? Damn! I was getting nervous…my hubby hadn’t shown up yet. I was going in for a major surgery and he was not anywhere near here. I tried his cell again but he just said he was on his way. I looked at the two nurses in front of me and could tell I couldn’t be given more time. I hugged my mother with tears streaming down my face. Mum said a prayer for me then I followed the nurses to the other room.

Dreaded News

As we waited for the test results, I felt cold. I was not able to feel my fingers. I was nervous and couldn’t keep still. I tried to be calm without much success so I began pacing across the room. I guess the walking around was a bit annoying for my mother as she asked me to sit down.

The doctor finally called us to his office and broke the dreaded news. I had an ectopic pregnancy. For those who don’t know, Ectopic pregnancy is a complication whereby the embryo implants itself in the lining of the fallopian tube. In my case, the embryo had implanted itself in the left fallopian tube.

“Is that why I was in so much pain?” I asked the doctor after recovering from the initial shock.

“Yes. You can experience pain in the lower abdomen, pain while urinating and in the worst condition, it can cause bleeding which can result into death.” He said.

“What?” I asked. “Am I alright?”            

“Yes, you are in a better place since we have managed to detect it early. We will have to terminate the pregnancy to avoid complications that come with it.”

“Oh my….” I whispered.

“What causes it?” my mum asked.

“Well, it can be caused by different things like smoking in women, use of IUD, pelvic inflammatory diseases among others.”

“But I don’t use or have any of them.” I quickly added.

“I’m so sorry but for now we have to deal with the situation at hand. We have to think of ways to make you well. We can set up surgery as soon as possible.”

“And will I be able to be a mum one day?” I asked tears streaming down my face.

“Yes you will. After the surgery we will show you ways to help you give birth without complications.” He said holding my hand.

I looked at my mother and I could see the pain in her eyes. She was trying to be strong for me. I was almost breaking down now. The doctors gave us a few minutes by stepping outside and I got a chance to cry. I cried out loud. Why was this happening to me? My mother held me close and let me cry.

Sick

The following morning, I woke up in pain! I had a sharp pain on my lower back and a headache which made me feel nauseas. I stretched my arms and felt my forehead and I was hot. I shouted my mum’s name but I was so weak that the voice didn’t go far. I had spent the night in our house so that I could return to the city the following day.

I tried calling her via the cell phone and she was really surprised. She came running into the room. Like the mum I knew her, she really panicked. She tried her best to load me into the car and then drove me to the nearest hospital. Fortunately for me, there weren’t many patients at that time so I got to see the doctor as soon as possible.

He felt my forehead before asking a million questions.  He was concerned when he asked if he pain was a bit like cramps and I said yes. He was surprised and asked I take more tests to be able to rule out any issues. The nurse directed me to the other room where my blood and urine sample was taken for the tests. Meanwhile, my mother and I sat on the waiting room waiting. We didn’t speak much. We made a lot of eye contacts to each other and it spoke so many words without even opening our mouths. I could see she was trying to assure me that I will be okay.

My phone vibrated and indicated that I had a message. I looked at i and saw it was from Fred. He was asking what time I would be getting home. Oh my Lord, I had even forgotten to let him know that I wasn’t feeling well!  I decided to call him back after the lab results are out.

I was called in into the doctor’s office after about an hour and a half. We sat down and face him. It was really hard trying to read the doctor’s face to know if there was anything wrong. He took the folder that was on his desk and started.

“We did some tests on your blood and urine but could not get any immediate issue. Your body is definitely trying to communicate that there is something going on. So the nurse went ahead and did further test on your blood but it came positive for pregnancy. Congratulations, you are pregnant!” he said.

“What?” I replied a little bit shocked.

“Yes, you are pregnant.”                                                     

My mother was now trying to grab my body for a hug but my mind was really trying to recollect. Yes, I wanted a baby but this was all strange. The symptoms that I had were really suggesting that I was ill.

“How far along is she?” my mum asked.

“We cant be really 100% sure not until further tests but am guessing three weeks.” The doctor said.

“Wow!” mum exclaimed.

“But what about the pain? What is causing that?” I asked holding my lower back.

“That is why I called you back here; we need to perform further tests to get the analysis.

The Visit to See Mum

That weekend, I drove to my mother’s house. This was actually the first time I was driving the car that we had received as a present by my father in law. Fred was always the one behind the wheel. The drive was smooth although I stopped on the highway on a shopping center to grab some snacks.

My mother was by the front of the house. She was on her favorite rocking chair with a woman’s pregnant magazine on her laps. When she saw me, she ran to where I packed the car and gave me a big hug.

“Hey mama.” I said.

“Hey baby, welcome home.”

She ushered me to the house and offered me a cup of tea. We always had this little tradition of having tea or coffee in those little English cups; the ones that comes with a saucer. It always made us feel a bit high class…without the accent!

The décor in the house had been changed. Most of the pictures that had been hanged on the walls had been removed. I guess she wanted to remove some of dad’s photos. Even the couch that was always by the fire-place too had been moved to the window. It really looked cool and showed how the old style was outdated.

Back to my mother, she looked all well although I couldn’t figure out what she wanted to talk about. She had on a black linen trousers and a white blouse. She was fabulous. As we sipped on more tea, I asked her what the issue was.

“Mum, what is it?” I asked.

“Nothing is wrong my dear. I wanted to have an important conversation with you since you have to know.”

“What?” I asked nervously.

“I had talked to your brother earlier and told him I wanted to move closer to the city.”

“Like to visit or moving permanently?” I asked.

“Like in moving permanently.” She answered while pouring herself another cup of tea.

“What? But why mum?”

“Your dad is not here anymore my child. This house is too big for me and I am lonely. Most of my friends have careers, I have none.”

“Oh mum!” I sighed.

“I was thinking I rent this place up and go get a smaller house in the city. I’ll be closer to your aunts and you guys.”

“It’s not a bad idea mum but will you manage the change?”

“I think I’ll manage.” She replied.

“I am not really for the idea but I’ll support you in whatever decision you make mum, I know it must have been hard for you being alone.”

“Thank you Catherine.”