With her game plan figured out, Ava finished checking the mail and then loaded her work in progress. The words came easily enough but fatigue hit with them, and by early afternoon, she was fairly certain she had slept more than she had written.
* * *
“Hey baby, let’s get you in the car. You get to come to worship practice with Mommy tonight.” Ava forced a cheeriness in her voice that she didn’t feel but hoped would relieve any fears that Kylie might be feeling.
Kylie’s eyes lit up and she clapped her hands together. “Can we watch you sing?”
“Sure, baby, if it’s okay with Daddy.” Ava glanced Justin’s direction and he nodded.
“Might as well since we are your ride.”
“Thank you for this,” Ava said lowering her voice so Kylie wouldn’t overhear. “I just didn’t want to chance anything having to drive so much farther.”
“It’s my pleasure. I don’t need anything happening to you.” He planted a quick kiss on her cheek before ushering them out the door.
Ava tried not to grimace during the ride to the church. On one hand, she was glad Justin was driving so she didn’t have to move her neck, but he was a much more aggressive driver than she was and he didn’t avoid the bumps or slow down on the turns which also aggravated her pain. Relief flooded her when the car stopped and the engine turned off.
“Mommy, come get me,” Kylie hollered from behind Justin’s seat.
“Baby, I wish I could, but Daddy is going to have to get you today.” This was what Ava hated the most - not being able to function normally, not being able to pick up her daughter. “But I’ll hold your hand once he gets you down.”
“Okay.” Resignation filled Kylie’s voice, but she didn’t fight them.
Justin and Kylie sat dutifully in the front row of the church while Ava led worship. The pain never left, but an odd tingling sensation trickled across her head as she sang the words to God. Perhaps just lifting her praises to God in this way would bring the healing she sought.
Chapter 5
Ava woke even stiffer Friday morning. How was that possible? Shouldn’t two adjustments have helped if it was a pinched nerve? Did that mean it was something more serious? Something she should worry about?
Amazed she had been able to sleep in the bed instead of the recliner, Ava braced for the pain as she pushed herself upright. Sure enough, it washed over her, a tidal wave of tightness, stiffness, and the feeling of a knife jabbing into the right side of her neck. It took a moment for the blackness to fade and the room to stay still enough that she could stand.
A shower sounded like the most painful thing on Earth at the moment, but she hadn’t taken one yesterday. Two days was her limit. Even after Kylie had been born, she’d snuck into the bathroom and given herself as much of a shower as she could the second day much to the chagrin of the nurse who found her there. She’d taken a tongue lashing and been forced to promise she would call for help next time before she attempted a shower, but at least she had gotten clean. The gritty, slimy feeling had left her hair and taken the constant itch with it. And that was all Ava was hoping for today. Just enough clean to not feel gross.
She peeled off her clothes and stepped into the warm shower. The water pelted her neck but not in a painful way. Washing her hair, on the other hand, nearly brought her to tears. Unable to lean her head back, she backed closer to the shower head and let the water pour down her face. She scrubbed the soap out while trying to stay as still as possible and breathed a sigh of relief when the cleansing process was finished. But drying off was no less painful. Trying to dry her hair without moving her neck proved impossible and she stopped when the pain became unbearable. Her hair wasn’t dry – far from it – but it could air dry the rest of the way.
“Mommy!” Kylie’s yell came from down the hall. They had taken the railing off her bed a year ago, but she still refused to get up herself.
“Coming,” Ava hollered back. Nothing like rushing to get dressed when you could barely move. She pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a loose-fitting shirt before heading down the hallway to Kylie’s room. “Morning bug. You ready to get up?”
“Can I stay home with you today, Mommy?” Kylie asked as she sat up and rubbed her eyes. Her little stuffed lamb, once a pure white color but now loved to a dirty beige, was clasped tightly against her chest.
“Not today, baby, but it’s Friday, which means tomorrow is Saturday and that’s a stay home all day with Mommy day.” Ava opened Kylie’s drawers and pulled out her clothes for the day.
“Okay, Mommy.”
Ava smiled as Kylie followed her downstairs. If only everyone was as accommodating and easy to please as her four-year old.
* * *
Ava dropped her keys on the table and sank into the recliner again. The third adjustment had been less painful, but Chris had promised she would have more movement and she still didn’t. It still hurt to move her neck and swallow. Something else had to be going on.
As she pulled up her email, a message icon popped across her screen. Results from her x-rays had posted to her health account. Unsure she would understand the medical jargon but curious as to what it might say, she logged in and clicked on the medical record. The report wasn’t long, but the words sent a spear of fear into her heart:
Impression: Unremarkable bony structures of the cervical spine. Nonspecific prevertebral soft tissue swelling from the C1 level to the C4 level. Clinical correlation for possible prevertebral infection is recommended. Consider CT neck with contrast to further evaluate. POSITIVE ALERT The results of this study have been annotated as abnormal in the patient's electronic medical record.
Prevertebral tissue swelling? What did that mean? Possible infection? CT scan? Abnormal? Suddenly, Ava was convinced this was not just a pinched nerve. She grabbed her cell phone and dialed the number to the clinic. Hopefully she hadn’t made things worse by waiting so long to be seen. It was only two days. Surely two days wouldn’t matter.
“Family health center, how may I direct your call?”
“I need to set an appointment to be seen,” Ava said.
The woman transferred her to the right department and Ava rattled off the details of the x-ray report.
“I can get you in Monday morning with Dr. Stedman but that’s the earliest appointment I have,” the woman on the other end said apologetically.
“That’s okay. I’ll take it.” But Ava wasn’t going to wait another two days to be seen. Not with the words abnormal hanging over her head. She might have to sit there for hours, but her clinic had an Urgent Care department. At least she would get seen today. She tucked her laptop into her bag, grabbed her keys, and headed out for the second time.
The Urgent Care department was surprisingly slow when Ava arrived, and after being checked in, she was whisked quickly back into the triage room and then down the hall to a more permanent room. A nurse peppered her with questions before promising to return shortly with the doctor.
Ava sat in the chair and tried not to let fear overtake her. A few minutes later, a large, friendly black woman entered.
“Ava, I’m Dr. Jensen. I’ve looked over your results and I’m lining up a CT scan immediately. It may be nothing but infections in the neck are never something to mess with. Okay?”
“Whatever you suggest. I just want the pain to go away.”
“We do need you to get on the bed. Erica needs to put an IV in because this CT will use an iodine contrast. Can you lay down?”
Ava sat on the edge of the bed. “Laying down is a little tough, but I’ll try.”
The doctor pushed a button to bring the head of the bed up so that it wasn’t as much of an incline and Ava gratefully leaned back. The position still wasn’t completely comfortable but it was much better than laying flat.
“All right, Erica will get you set up and then someone from the CT unit will be in to get you. I’ll be back once I have results.”
“Thank you.”
Ava watched as the n
urse inserted a needle into her veins and began to draw blood out. Normally, she hated having blood drawn but the pain was so minor compared to the aching in her neck that she didn’t even care. After filling four vials, the nurse plugged in the piece that would attach to the IV and left the room.
Ava pulled out her cell phone and opened her book app. She couldn’t write, but maybe she could pass the time reading. She rarely got to anymore since most of her free time was spent writing.
“Ava Miller?”
Ava glanced over at the door where a young woman stood with a wheelchair. “That’s me.” The woman helped get her situated in the wheelchair and then pushed her out the back doors of the clinic.
“I know it seems odd, but the CT scanners are housed in these mobile units. Don’t worry though, they work just the same.”
Ava would have nodded if she were able but as the statement didn’t appear to require an answer, she didn’t give one.
The woman maneuvered the wheelchair onto a ramp and then pressed a button to raise the ramp. When it stopped, she manually lifted the metallic closure and the interior of the trailer was exposed. It looked like a miniature lab with another technician manning a computer just outside of the white CT machine.
“Have you ever had a CT scan with contrast?” the technician asked her.
“I don’t think so.” Ava wasn’t even sure she’d ever had a CT before much less with contrast.
“Are you allergic to iodine?”
“Not that I know of.” What happened if she was? Visions of her coding or going into some short of shock filled her mind and she closed her eyes to force them away. Sometimes having the imagination of a writer was a curse as much as a blessing.
“Can you lay back?” the woman asked.
“Not without help,” Ava replied and the two flanked her and helped her lie back.
“Okay, now when the iodine hits, you’re going to feel a warm sensation. It might even feel like you’ve wet yourself, but don’t worry that’s normal.”
Ava wasn’t sure how that could be normal but she said nothing.
“Be sure to keep your eyes closed throughout the procedure and there’s a few times I’m going to ask you not to swallow.”
No worries there. Swallowing was extremely painful and she avoided it at all costs. The bed she was on moved and Ava shut her eyes. A few minutes later, the CT scan was done. The technicians helped her back up and the woman who wheeled her out wheeled her back to her room.
Before climbing back in the bed, Ava grabbed her computer and placed it beside her along with her phone. She should have brought her charger in, but she couldn’t imagine she would be here much longer.
She was wrong. It was an hour later when the nurse finally returned. “Looks like I need a little more blood and then you need to get this antibiotic which takes about half an hour to administer.”
“Antibiotic? So, it is an infection then?”
The nurse appeared thrown by the question. “Dr. Jensen hasn’t been back in yet?”
“No one’s been in for over an hour. I was beginning to think you’d forgotten about me.”
“No, we haven’t. I’ll get you started and then check in with Dr. Jensen.” The nurse filled a few more vials with blood and then fiddled with the IV plug for a minute until she appeared satisfied the IV was hooked up correctly. “Back in a bit,” she said as she exited the room.
Ava sighed. An infection wasn’t great news, but antibiotics generally cured them and at least it might mean faster relief for her neck.
“Oh good, Erica got you set up,” Dr. Jensen said as she re-entered the room. “So, it does look like you have an infection in your neck. I’m glad you came in when you did. We don’t want an infection like this getting into your bloodstream.”
“How would I know if it got into my bloodstream?”
“You would probably have severe chills or fever. If you have any of those signs, you need to go straight to the ER, not here, do you understand?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“I’m prescribing you a strong antibiotic that you need to take for ten days along with a muscle relaxer and some pain medicine that you can take as needed. I want you to set a follow-up appointment for a week from now to make sure everything is improving.”
“I can do that.” Ava would do just about anything if it would lessen the pain she was feeling.
“Good. Erica will be back shortly with your discharge paperwork and your pharmacy papers. I hope you feel better soon.”
So did Ava.
Chapter 6
Ava woke with a start to the sun coming in her window. Ten am? How had she slept so long? Even though Saturday was a sleep in day, Kylie never let her sleep past eight. Justin must have gotten her before she could wake Ava up.
Ava tested her neck. It was definitely still stiff, but the throbbing seemed a little less today. Or was that just wishful thinking? Maybe, but it also hurt less to swallow and that she was not making up. It was the first time in days that swallowing didn’t feel like someone squeezing her throat. Perhaps the medicine was working.
As she went to sit up though, the pain struck anew. Not as bad as yesterday but definitely not healed. Baby steps. She would need to do baby steps. Ava rolled to her left side and then pushed herself up that way. Less pain, but the world still tilted for a minute. When it stopped, she continued into the bathroom and dressed for the day.
“How you feeling today, honey?” Justin asked as she stepped into the kitchen.
“Better. Not great yet, but better.” She tilted her head but there was still little movement.
“Mommy, Daddy and I let you sleep in. Weren’t we good?” Kylie asked appearing over the back of the couch.
“You were very good, baby. Mommy thanks you. Sleep is important for Mommy to heal. And so is breakfast.” Ava poured herself a bowl of cereal and then a cup of coffee.
“We can just stay home today, right Mommy?”
“We can, but maybe you can let Mommy get a little writing done? I’ve been so tired that I haven’t written much at all this week.”
“Sure, I can do that.”
Ava smiled at her daughter. Even when her life was turned upside down, she managed to keep a smile on her face and find the joy in the small things in life. If only adults could live life more like children.
In her pocket, her cell phone buzzed and Ava pulled it out curious as to who would be calling. “Joyce? What can I do for you?” Joyce was the pianist and the boss of the worship team as far as Ava was concerned.
“I heard about your neck. If you need to take tomorrow to sleep, John can lead for you.”
“Thank you. I started medication last night so I’m hopeful it will feel better, but if it’s not better tonight, I promise I’ll call you and John.” Ava knew she probably should stay home, but she felt closest to God when she was on stage singing, and she hated giving that up. Unless her neck worsened today, she was sure she could make it through the three hours of church anyway.
“You don’t think staying home would be a good idea?” Justin asked her after she ended the call.
“It might, but I feel like God asked me to lead for the same reason He asked me to write. I always feel like there’s something He wants me to say. If I get nothing by tonight and the pain is any worse, I’ll surrender.”
Justin shot her a look full of disbelief, but he didn’t argue. After five years of marriage, he knew when to push and when to step back, and Ava loved him even more for that. She planted a kiss on his cheek on her way to the sink where she deposited her dishes. Hopefully she would feel up to washing them later.
* * *
“Hey sleepyhead, you do any work anymore?”
Ava opened her eyes to see Gen standing over her. What time was it? Her neck felt stiff, but maybe that was just from the uncomfortable position of the recliner. “Sorry, Gen, I was working, but I guess I dozed off.” She turned her wrist to see her watch and her eyes widened. It was nearly six? She’d
slept through lunch and almost through dinner?
“I can see that. I brought some Chinese if you feel up to it.”
“Mongolian Beef?” Ava asked hopefully. It was her favorite and Gen knew it.
“Of course. I would never show up without your favorite. I also have some Orange Chicken for Justin and some Sweet and Sour Chicken for little miss Kylie.” She flashed a smile at Kylie who sat on the couch watching something on YouTube.
“You didn’t let her watch TV all afternoon, did you?” Ava asked Justin as she righted the recliner and pushed herself up. She really needed her neck to heal so she could back to her routine. Two hours of TV was all she ever allowed Kylie and that was only on rare occasions.
“Relax, we just got back from the park. When I heard you snoring, I figured we could sneak out and let you get some rest.” He shot her a teasing smirk before running off into the dining room.
“I don’t snore,” Ava shot after him, but she wondered if this medicine wasn’t affecting her in some way. Twice, she had woken herself up with some noise from her throat before sleep overtook her again.
“How is the neck today?” Gen asked. She grabbed a few bowls from Ava’s cupboard and some forks before continuing into the dining room.
“Better than yesterday, but not as good as I’d hoped. Oh, I need to tell Chris I can’t come in Monday after all. The doctor said no more adjustments until the infection is gone.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll tell Chris, but did they tell you where this infection came from?” Gen set the bowls down and doled out the forks.
Ava shrugged and scooted back a chair. “She said a sinus infection, but I didn’t even know I had one.”
“Well, you did have that really nasty cold thing last week that you swore was allergies. It could have been a sinus infection with as much as you blew your nose.” Gen dished up Kylie’s plate and put the appropriate container in front of each of the adults before taking her own seat.
Ava's Blessing In Disguise: Short Story (The Blushing Brides Book 7) Page 3
