Chapter 9 #3
All three people sitting beside George raised their eyebrows in shock, hearing George accept what the doctor had just said and then confirming he intended to follow the man’s advice.
Maggie even glanced at the window, and Linda knew she, like herself and Tom, was expecting the sky to darken, bringing about a freak storm at the George in front of them.
“You will need to be, Mr. Heart,” Dr. Stanford stressed. “The therapy is the most important part. The bones can be set, but the strength has to be rebuilt, and at eighty-five, that is really hard work.”
“I understand,” George said, making Tom choke, Maggie, and Linda give a soft gasp. Linda had to refrain from touching her uncle’s brow to ensure he wasn’t delirious and running a fever. Uncle George was never this agreeable.
“Now, the part you will not like as much. After everything you have just been through, you must not be alone for the next several weeks. The risk of complications, blood clots in particular, is significantly higher in the first weeks of recovery. Pneumonia is also a concern. I would like to recommend a live-in nurse for at least the first three months.”
Uncle George’s whole face folded into a frown. Linda held her breath. Okay, here it comes. She braced herself for what her uncle was about to say.
“A nurse?” George repeated, raising his brows as he stared at the doctor.
“Yes, a nurse, Mr. Heart. And not just a family member but a trained one. Someone who can help with the rehabilitation exercises, monitor for signs of complications, and assist with the small daily things that are going to be difficult while you are off your hip.” Dr. Stanford glanced at Linda, Maggie, and Tom.
“Your family can help as much as they can, and I suggest you let them.” His eyes met George’s again.
“But you will need someone who is medically trained who knows how to correctly deal with what you are going to face once you are home.”
“Are there male nurses?” George asked, again surprising the three people beside him.
“I agree, as you are six foot two and still rather muscular for a man your age, you would need someone quite strong,” Dr. Stanford agreed.
“I know of a few excellent male nurses who are available.” He started jotting something on the tablet.
“I recommend two so they can take shifts.” He looked up at George.
“I’ll get the nurses here to set that up for you and have a few come in for an interview if you wish. ”
“Yes, we’d like that,” Linda replied before her uncle could. “But, we’d all three like to be here when they do.”
“That’s not a problem,” Dr. Stanford told her. “I will ensure it’s arranged.”
“How long will he need a nurse?” Maggie asked.
“For three months at least,” Dr. Stanford replied.
“That long?” George’s eyebrows shot up.
“I’m afraid so,” Dr. Stanford confirmed, glanced at his watch, and jotted something down on his tablet once again. “I have to be off, but I will be back a little later to check on you, Mr. Heart.”
He said his goodbyes and then left. The room was quiet for a few minutes before George turned to Linda, stifled a yawn, then gave her hand a gentle squeeze as his head sank back into his pillow. His eyes looked heavy again.
“I am so glad you are home, sweetheart,” Uncle George said to Linda with a tired smile.
“I’m also glad that all my great-nieces, great-nephew, and Michael will be here for the summer.
” He sighed as his eyes started drooping.
“ I just wish Ethan, Olivia, Brooke, and Ryan were here too. It would be nice to have the whole family home.”
“Maybe at Christmas,” Linda said softly. “We can plan it when you’re back home.”
“I would like that very much.” George’s eyes started to drift shut. “It’s been a while since we’ve done that.”
“I’ll talk to the boys, and we will make it happen,” Linda promised him.
“Christmas,” Uncle George murmured as he fell asleep.
A nurse knocked lightly on the door and walked in smiling.
She smiled and whispered a greeting to the family before moving to check the machines and the IV before turning toward them.
“Mr. Heart will sleep for a while now. The medication does that. You can come back at visiting hours, or I’ll call you if anything changes. ”
“Thank you,” the three of them chorused.
“He’s in good shape for a man of his age,” the nurse assured them. “The doctor is quite confident that Mr. Heart will make a full recovery with the proper care.”
The three of them stood. Linda leaned down and kissed her uncle’s forehead.
“Sleep, Uncle George. We will be back later,” Linda quietly promised.
Linda, Maggie, and Tom stepped out into the corridor and started walking to the exit.
“I must get back to the bakery,” Tom said. “I’ll come back this afternoon.”
“And I have to get back to the boutique,” Maggie said. “I’ll swing by Heart House on my way home and pick up Toby.”
They walked out of the hospital and said their goodbyes as they went to their cars.
Linda drove back to Sweet Blossom Bay feeling a lot better now that she knew Uncle George was going to be okay.
She pulled into Heart House’s driveway and got out of the car.
The kids and Buddy came tumbling out the front door before she had reached the porch steps, wanting to know how Uncle George was.
“Gran! How is he?” they asked all at once.
“He is going to be fine,” Linda assured them.
They all looked relieved. She put her keys down and headed back to the hotel.
“Gran, can we go to the beach? Buddy needs his walk,” Sophia asked.
Linda looked at the three faces staring at her eagerly.
“All right.” Linda agreed, deciding she could do with a nice walk before heading back to the office.
The three children and Buddy walked with her through the side gate and down the small path that led to the private bay beach.
As she walked, watching her grandchildren and Toby play with Buddy, a smile split her face as for the first time in a long, long time, she felt at peace.
And even though there was a lot to sort out here, she felt alive again. She had a purpose again.