Tuesday

The tingling feeling in Denise’s leg had turned to numbness. After they showered and dressed she asked Carol why her leg felt different. Carol looked at her toes, pinched them and grabbed a list of contacts and her cell phone. Denise stopped her. “Before you call anyone, call Fritz.”

Carol protested.  Denise repeated, “Before you call anyone, call Fritz.  That is what he told me to have you do.”

“But I have to get you to a hospital quick.”

Denise batted back tears, “Call Fritz.  Ten miinutes isn’t going to make any difference.  I am going to loose my leg either way.  You need to call him first.”

Carol swallowed hard.  She knew this was possible but never thought it would become reality.  Denise had signed the contract.

She dialed Fritz’s office and the secretary passed the call to him immediately. He was apparently expecting the call. “Yes. This is Fritz.”

“Her left leg has something wrong with it. Really wrong. Her toes have no circulation.”  She turned away from Denise and asked quietly.  “Did she sign and you do something?”

“Yes to both.”

Carol responded, “Shit.  I had hoped she wouldn’t.”

“I understand.  This is a big step.  But she had to do it or she would be dead from drinking in ten years.”

“I know.  But she.”

“You made it.  She is tough.”

“I see my daughter.”

“I know.  Where are you?”

“Sierra Campground. We were about ready to pull out when she mentioned it was numb.”

“OK. Head east about ten miles. There is a Hospital in Sierra. Get her there. I’ll have arrangements for a doctor to meet you there in about a half hour.

“We are heading out.”

At the hospital they cut off the portion of the cast covering her foot and put her leg in traction. Then they cut off the rest of the cast. The color of her leg changed from a healthy flesh color to a sickly gray about three inches above her knee.

They injected some dye and took an x-ray. The main arteries were passing almost no blood. The doctor took two needle biopsies of her leg. The word came back, “the tissue is dead”. He shook his head when he came in.