Half Truths. Tracy Ann Rodriguez

the baby sleeps cause that is the only time you will get. But I feel well-rested so I begin cleaning up the house. Plus I was told not to worry about waking a child for feeding they will wake when they are hungry. Once the laundry was done I decided to shower before he wakes up. I took a bit longer than usual today since I didn't have to rush. He looks so peaceful laying on his back with his arms next to his head. I place two fingers over his nose just to make sure he is still breathing. I can hear my phone ding ruining the moment. Its a text message from the doctor's office reminding us of our 11 a clock appointment. I need to blow dry my hair and still get myself together before I wake him. Once I had myself together I wake up Kayden and began to dress him. I have to be out the door in the next ten minutes if I want to make it on time to the Dr. appointment. I pack a four ounce bottle and formula and an extra pair of clothes just in case he gets dirty. As I buckle him in his car seat he opens one eye and looks at me like I'm distributing his peace. Good morning sleeping baby are you ready to start the day? He doesn't respond instead makes a funny little face and falls back to sleep. I grab the diaper bag throw it over my shoulder and head for the door. Just as I close the door I remember my purse crap! I place Kayden down to unlock the door and grab it off the end table. I check the time ten thirty-seven am. I got thirteen minutes to get across town. We arrived five minutes late luckily the receptionist didn't hold it against me. A short blonde woman with glasses comes out of the back and calls for Kayden. Right, this way the Dr. is ready to see you. We enter a very colorful room with a wall mirror of monkeys hanging from trees. Good morning Ms. Martinez how is the little one? Once I remove him from his car seat I lay him on the bed. She begins to ask her questions about how often is he feeding? How many bowel movements is he having? How many dirty diapers is he going threw? and so on once she is done she put her folder down and says ok mom let me see this cutie. She grabs Kayden and began to remove his clothing for examination. She raises his little arms and stretches his legs out. He begins to fuss. Aww calm down little one. No one is hurting you. Everything looks good the Dr. will be in shortly. As we wait for the Dr to come in. I check my phone I'm surprised that he hasn't called or text me by now. Just as I was putting my phone away the door open and the Dr. came in. Hello, Kayden I hear you're a little fussy today. I put my phone back in my purse and let the Dr. know feeding time is around the corner. She smiled politely and grabbed Kayden and begin to exam him. Everything looks good he is growing right for his age. Do you have any concerns or anything you have noticed that you want to ask about? No all is fine from what I can see. She continues with her examination then says Kayden will be getting a few shots for his two months check-up. As she gathers the shots together I place Kayden on my lap. Now he will be receiving a total of four shots but each shot has two vaccines so in reality two. They will be given on his upper thigh. Anyone will do. I hold his left thigh down so that he doesn't move I close my eyes. I can't bare to see my little man in pain. She does it quickly one big stick to his left thigh. I can honestly say it hurt me more then it hurt him. Kayden didn't bother to cry at all! That's it mom all done she laughed. You can go ahead and get him dressed. They will schedule you upfront for next month. I thanked her and once she was out of the room I began to dress him. I stopped at the front desk and spoke to the receptionist upfront and scheduled his next appointment. Will the morning or afternoon work for you. I said the morning is fine knowing I was lying I have a habit of setting the appointments early knowing I don't get up on time. Will see him back in two months for his four-month shots. I went ahead and put you down for December fourteenth at eleven am exactly two months from now. I smiled and thanked her and grabbed the reminder card and made our way out the door. As I strapped Kayden in the back seat I could hear my phone vibrating. Once I was in the driver seat with the car on. I begin to dig in my purse for my cell phone. I unlocked the screen and pull the notification bar down. One new text message.

      Chapter Two Gabbi

      It's late Thursday night technically early Friday morning. I can't seem to catch my sleep. I keep tossing and turning there is just no way I am going to get comfortable on this ugly hard green couch. I can hear the rain hitting the window it's been raining all night. But that's only half of the reason why I am unable to sleep. I'm laying here trying my best to fight back my tears. I sit up slowly to grab my phone. I can't remember where exactly I placed it. I begin to feel the area around me. I lift the sheets nothing. I turn around and check the table behind me and there it is. I check the time four thirty-nine in the morning. I get up trying not to make any noise I walk quietly towards his bed. Then I remember he can't hear anything so why am I moving slowly! I reach for the remote I press the red button with the nurse symbol. A friendly voice comes over the little speaker. Can I help you?

      Yes may I get a blanket please. Sure i'll send one right in. Not even a minute later a nurse comes in with a brown cover and hands it to me. The weather is getting ugly out there she says. I smile and thank her for the blanket. She advised me that she will be back in an hour to check his vitals. Dr.Frey would be in at six to give a update on his status. I thank her once again and she leaves the room. I try hard to get as comfy as I can on this green couch. But it's no use i find myself wondering. Where do we go from here? My thoughts are running around not letting me sleep. I check the time five twenty three. I might as well get up doesn't look like i'm getting any more sleep for the rest of the night. As I sit up and move to the left side of the couch with my legs bundled up to my chest. I wrap the blanket around my self to keep warm and I look at Julian. How did this happen? Why is this happening? I just want to go back to yesterday. I just want to work things out. I just want all this to go away. It's like i'm in a dream that I can't come out of. That I badly want to awake from. I wipe away my tears and pray. I can hear the door open I sit up straight. Good morning Mrs. Sanchez. I'm Dr. Frey he extends his right hand I shake it and say good morning. I'm sorry to wake you so early but I have to be in surgery by seven so I am making my rounds early. He takes a look at Julian and makes his way towards the left side of the bed. He looks at the machines. Then shortly after he opens a vanilla folder in his hand. Before I begin do you have any questions for me? I shake my head and say no. I get up from the couch and make my way to the right side of the bed so that I am at eye level with Dr. Frey. As you know we have given Mr. Sanchez medication through his fluids to keep him stable. He suffered a major impact that has caused him to fall into a coma. He is bruised badly and the bruises from the impact will start to show in the next few hours. So don't be surprised once they appear they will be obvious. From what I can see unfortunately he has not made any progress in the last few hours. He remains stable but only because the machine is keeping him stable. In other words Mr. Sanchez is not breathing on his own. I try my best to hold in all my emotions but my face must of given what I was feeling away. Do not get discouraged Mrs. sanchez it doesn't mean there is no hope. Mr. Sanchez is in a coma and there is no telling when he will come out of it. This isn't exactly the news I wanted to hear. I can feel my throat tighten and my eyes filing with tears. I avoid eye contact by putting my head down and looking at Julian. Now in this type of situation It depends on the patient and how the body responses to the medication they are given. It could take days even months in some cases years. I clear my throat the best I can. What are our options? Well we have a few options. We can continue to give Mr. Sanchez the medications. Keep him on the machines and continue to monitor his status. Usually in these types of situation we give the patient a few days to see if any progress is made. If not, we leave the decision to family members in what they want or what they feel is best for the patient. Of course the second option would be removing the machine. How long will he have? I can't say that all depends on him. I know its a lot to take in but I do need to make you aware of the entire situation. Mr. Sanchez is in a server coma which means if he does wake up. He will have to start all over like a newborn. In walking, talking and eating and etc. I know this isn't a easy time with you being his spouse this is a difficult decision to make. There is no rush no need to make a decision now. Will give Mr. Sanchez a few days to see if there is any change to see if his body will respond to the medication. It will give you some time to think about it and will go with what you decide. I wipe my tears away and thank him. I know I just gave you a lot more to think about Mrs. Sanchez but if you have any questions don't be afraid to ask. I smile letting him know that is all. He places one hand on Julian's shoulder. You don't stop fighting Mr. Sanchez. Feel free to talk to him he can hear you he just can't respond. He makes his way towards the door and before he exits he turns to look at me. Get some rest Mrs. sanchez it will be needed. As soon as the door closed tears begin streaming down my face. I placed my left