Guilty pleasures

Chapter 17. Speed bump

Sarah always thought when ever things were going right, something would always go wrong.

It was during her first trimester that Jacob had injured his lower back and was in excruciating pain. They had gone to the hospital and Jacob did a few x-rays. The emergency room doctor called them in and said that it was a slipped disk, c4 in his lower back. This had happened 5 years ago and he had to stay in hospital for a short time to recover. This time tho the doctor explained that since Jacob had injured the same disk again a small procedure needed to be done to correct the disk in his lower back.

Sarah knew this was a small procedure and his stay would be minimal one week. She could manage. Jacob was admitted immediately and pain killers were administered. Sarah went home with Alex and packed a bag of clothes for the week for Jacob. When she went in the afternoon to visit him between seven and eight o clock with Alex, she dropped of his bag. Alex sat on the bed and played with the glove balloon the nurse made for him whilst Sarah sat on the chair at the bedside. He was on a variety of pain medication, alternating every few hours to keep the pain at bay. He was currently having a paracetamol drip.

Jacobs brows were knitted in worry. He worried for Sarah traveling alone with Alex. He was worried for her health and the pregnancy. He knew that she stressed easily.

Sarah assured him she would be okay. The morning sickness was terrible but she would drive carefully. She has two kids now to worry about. Taking care of herself became a priority. Jacob told her its getting late and she should leave although visiting hours were not up yet.

Sarah listened to her husband, she didnt want to cause him any stress. They kissed him goodbye walked out of the surgical ward to the lift. Alex loved the elevator. He was always fascinated that you could jump in at one place and then you come out at another. To him it was magical.

Sarah lifted Alex into her arms and carried him to the car. Alex was a very intelligent boy. He started talkimg ftom nine months of age. Before her turned one, he was already dressing himself. He could put on his own pull up diapers, shorts, t-shirt and his own socks and shoes. It was like Sarah didnt have a baby at all. By the time he was one and a half he knew his colours, shapes, alphabets and numbers. He could feed himself. With Sarah being pregnant now and Alex so grown and being a little self sufficient, she felt that she would manage through this week.

She strapped him into the car seat in the back of the car and then jumped into the drivers seat. She was not very used to driving as Jacob always drove. She adjusted the seat and started the car. Put her seatbelt on and turned on the radio. She hummed as she skowly drove home. Alex was playing with his stuffed bunny, he was occupied and did not talk much. She could see the sleep his eyes as she occasionally looked in the review mirror to check how he was.

She was almost home when she looked in the mirror and saw Alex fast asleep. She smiled. He was such a blessing. She pulled into her driveway and parked outside the veranda entrance. She opened the door and gate and went back to the car to fetch Alex. She undid the buckle on the car seat and carefully picked him up. She didnt want to wake him. She put him into his scrib and covered him. She kissed his forehead and wished him sweet dreams. She went back out got her bag from the car and locked it.

Once inside the house she locked the gate and door, threw her bag on the table and slumped on the couch. She hadn't realised how exhausted she was until she sat down. She laid on the couch for what felt like an eternity. Finally waking up to take her towel and pajamas to have a shower before going to bed.

Sarah wasn't really hungry but she needed to eat. She took a long shower, letting the hot water massage her back. She lathered the soap, it smelled of lavender and camomile. The smell soothed her nausea which she felt all day. She knew she could get a few gulps of yogurt after her shower. She closed the shower, dried her body and changed. After putting her slippers on she went to the fridge. Taking out the yogurt she took a spoon and sat on the couch. She gulped five spoons of strawberry yogurt before closing it up and putting it away.

Sarah was tired. Her feet ached and her eyes started to burn. She knew she needed to sleep. She switched of all the lights and climbed into bed. That night Sarah prayed hard before falling asleep. She prayed for protection, she prayed for everything to go well with Jacob and she prayed for courage and strength to get through this. She tossed and turned all night. She wasnt used to sleeping without Jacob, holding her and keeping her safe and loved.

At six o clock her alarm clock rang. She rolled out of bed and went straight in the shower. Made lunch and breakfast, got Alex ready and left home shortly after seven thirty.

The whole week went by slowly, it was routine clock work but by Friday, Jacob said that he would be discharged on Saturday. His procedure was done on Wednesday in theatre. They had given him a spinal epidural and popped the disk back into place.Sarah was happy hearing this news. She didnt know if she could run this rat race another day.

Sarah picked up Jacob on Saturday after noon. She looked at the bandage on who whole arm with a questioning look. Jacob told her about his arm starting to swell and the pain. The doctor advised the nurses to apply a Repril gel for the pain and inflammation and bandage the area.

Jacob and Sarah arrived home. Jacob was still in pain. He ate and took to Mybulen tablets and relaxed in the lounge. Sarah told Alex to be careful around his father.

That night Jacob went to sleep. He was still in pain but did not want to worry Sarah. He woke up at 4am. His arm was throbbing and beating under the bandage. He removed the bandage and his arm was swelling rapidly.

"SARAH!"