Finding Love (GxG) -completed-

Chapter 24- Surprise

Gwyn drove this morning as they headed to the hospital. Gwyn managed to set an alarm last night, and their AM routine was back on schedule. Gwyn has eaten and made coffee while Elise used the bathroom, then they switched and met downstairs before it was time to leave. After a brief meeting in the conference room, all students and the instructors went to the nurse’s station to be ready for report. Elise was following Jeremiah today as they cared for Hazel. Jeremiah was a tall, wide shouldered, man with a presence that made everyone in the room pay attention. To say Elise was intimidated was an understatement, but she tried not to let it affect her ability to take care of her patient. 

Hazel’s atrial fibrillation seemed to be under control at this point. She was back in normal sinus rhythm and the cause of the acute atrial fibrillation was most likely excessive alcohol intake at a family reunion on Saturday. The arrhythmia had exacerbated the heart failure which increased edema throughout the body. If Hazel remains stable this morning, she should be considered for a step down unit. Depending on the status of the beds in the hospital, step down patients sometimes remain in ICU. So, as of now, we are continuing current treatments, medications, and monitoring for effectiveness. 

Hazel Meringer, age 84 had a very affluent appearance about her. Elise knew looking at her, that she was a woman used to a lifestyle the vast majority of us will never see. Her hair, even in a hospital bed, was perfectly combed, she was wearing makeup, and very expensive jewelry that most would not bother with while in the hospital. This of course doesn’t affect the nursing care, but it makes Elise much more guarded in the care she gives. 

Jeremiah introduced himself and then introduced Elise to their patient. “Good morning Ms. Meringer, thank you for allowing me to work with you today.” Elise greeted.

“Oh dearie, please… call me Hazel. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” Hazel smiled warmly. Elise was pleasantly surprised and began to feel bad for assuming she needed to be guarded around Hazel. 

“Hazel, I need to get a set of vital signs and complete an assessment. Hopefully shortly after that, your breakfast should be here.” Elise explained.

“Yes dear, that’s fine. My family will be here after lunch to talk about taking me home soon.”

“Okay, thanks for telling us. We will try to do as much as we can before lunch then.”

Elise proceeded to complete her assessment, double checked the medications before calling her instructor, then she administered medications as ordered. Breakfast arrived shortly and then more medications were administered and IV adjustments were made. A phlebotomist named Ashley came up from the lab to draw blood. Because Hazel was receiving anticoagulation therapy, her clotting factors had to be monitored at least daily, to know how to order the heparin doses. Hazel turned out to be a friendly, very kind woman, with a great sense of humor. Elise had completely misjudged her. The time she wasn’t completing cares, Elise spent conversing with Hazel and listening to her tell jokes and talk about her huge family. She had such a zest for life and vowed not to overindulge in alcohol again, but Hazel couldn’t promise never to drink again. 

Before they knew it, it was time to serve lunch. Hazel ate a few bites but said, “I’m just not hungry.” So Elise made a deal that if she drank the fluids, they wouldn’t push her to eat more food. After her tray was removed and her intake recorded, it was time for nurses and students to take lunch. Elise knew Gwyn was working in the next room because they had talked at morning break, and were planning to have lunch together. Elise told Hazel she’d be back, but as she went to leave, the phlebotomist, Ashley, had brought the PT/INR results back from the lab. Odd… Elise was afraid there must be a serious issue for her to hand deliver the results, but when she looked, Hazel’s labs were in the therapeutic range. Elise looked back up at the phlebotomist, “thank you, but why did you hand deliver the results? Everything looks in line with treatment.”

Ashley gave me a sardonic smile that made Elise want to take a step back, but she stood her ground. She came closer into Elise’s bubble to look at her name tag. “Elise is it?” Elise simply nodded. “Oh, I guess I didn’t realize she was on heparin. I thought her clotting times were high. My bad.” Ashley turned like she was going to leave, but turned back at the last second and asked, “you’re a friend of Kameron’s right?” Again, Elise just nodded. “Yeah, well… stay away from her or else.” Ashley pointed her finger aggressively as she spoke, then turned and walked away. 

Elise’s patient had fallen asleep after they took her tray and the primary nurse had stepped out to grab something from the nurse’s station. There were no witnesses as to what this crazy woman said to her. Who would believe me? Maybe I’m losing my mind? As Elise is standing in the doorway holding the lab results, first Jeremiah and then Gwyn walk up. He takes the labs and looks at Elise funny after seeing they are normal. Gwyn simply raises her eyebrows and Elise nods before they walk down the hall for lunch. Before Ashley had barged in, Elise had already told her replacement, responsible for her patient while she was gone, she’d be back in thirty minutes. So luckily she was able to leave with Gwyn right away.

It may be time to text Kameron, because the words Ashley used were the same words on the note left on my truck. What did I get myself into? WTF?