Karen finished breakfast and asked the nurse if she could get up to walk.

“Sure, I want to take out your catheter before you do. We were going to take it out last night but we waited till morning so you didn’t have that worry at night. Getting it out will give you a little more mobility. They want to let the IV in for at least today. You are still getting antibiotics and your pain meds there. They want them for at least another day. When you get the hoses disconnected you will be able to walk better. Another day and you should be able to go without us helping you.”
“Good. I mean. I don’t mind you being with me but it is a bother for you.”

“You are not a bother. It’s my job and I get to be with a really nice person. Some people here are real grouches. I have to remember that they are sick or hurt and they aren’t their best. I want you to get to where you can go on your own because that is part of getting better.”

“I never thought of it like that.”

“Now let’s get that catheter out so you have one less hose to drag.”

When it was out Karen looked at the nurse, “I didn’t think, I mean I thought it would be more uncomfortable.”

“It’s a little more going in than out. I’ve had them a couple times other than when we did them on each other in training. You really want one that is uncomfortable, have a someone in training do it.”

“I guess.”

“It really wasn’t that bad for the girls.”
“I guess it would be more uncomfortable for guys.”

“Well, we had two guys and twelve girls. The guys each got it seven times. We have to watch that you go to the bathroom in the next couple hours. If you can’t go we have to make sure you do. You can damage your kidneys if you don’t.”

“What if I don’t go?”

“You get to find out what grade I got in that class.”

“Gotcha. I will sure try.”

Karen: Chapter One – The Attack

Karen 2: Her Injuries

Karen 4: Going Home