DAY 5

The doctor came in to check the patients.  He stopped at Jaci first.  He removed the socket and checked the end of her stump.  She was watching every move.  When he was done checking it she lifted her stump and rubbed her hand down over the side of it and then down to the end, being careful to not touch the stitches.  He let her go till she released it and carefully lowered it to the bed.  He then replaced the socket.  “You’re healing nicely, middle of next week we take the stitches out.  You’ll have to be careful for a couple of days then, but it looks good, no infection no sign of problems.”

“Can I get a shower then?  I feel so crummy and the spit bath doesn’t do it.”

“A couple of days after the stitches come out, yes.”

She looked up, “Thanks.  Are you going to check mom and Judi?”

“I will as soon as I’m done here.  Is there any reason why you ask?”

“They need to look they need to get real with themselves.”

“I know but they have to do it on their time.”

“Yes. But the sooner the better.”

“You’re right young lady your attitude has a lot to do with how you are doing.  Keep it up.  Keep walking as much as you can, you’re getting into shape nicely you’re eating and recovering nicely.  That’s why you don’t have the IV’s.  The other two are doing well but they aren’t doing as much to help themselves as you are.”

She wondered if she should tell him she was walking but decided to wait.  It didn’t seem to be hurting anything.  Maybe he would tell her to not do it and she knew it was necessary for her, mentally.

He moved to Judi’s bed.  Jaci got her attention just before he pulled the curtain and gave her a smile and thumbs up.  Judi hesitantly replied in kind, maybe she would look.  After he was done with Judi he moved to Mitzi and checked her, then he left the room.  Mitzi sobbed several times but did not break out in the wailing she had done before. 

After the doctor left Jaci slipped out of bed and walked next to Judi’s bed, pretending to use her crutches.  “So how did it look?”

Judi’s eyes were red.  She had cried.  Jaci expected that, “It isn’t so terrible looking.  But my leg is gone.  I really didn’t want to have to admit it.  I hoped if I didn’t look it would grow back.”

“It’s not going to grow back and you have to admit the loss and get on.”

Her face straightened. “I actually touched it.  I was afraid but I tried.”

“You have to get used to touching it.  You will have to take care of it.  I just realized that today. I’ll have to wash it just like I did my leg.”

“I know, but.  Let me get out of bed. I need to start walking. I have to get used to this.  I made up my mind, I may look like a cripple but I’m not going to be one.”  With that she slid to the edge of the bed, grabbed her crutches and started around the room.  She and Jaci spent the next hour going back and forth through the room, when they were done they both were exhausted and went to sleep for about two hours.  They were finding out how to live in their new environment.

The First Family: Chapter 1 – Introduction

The First Family 27: Jaci Risks It All for Her Sister

The First Family 29: The Country Deteriorates