Family is Forever (Sequel to Running on Insulin)

Chapter 66

Jenna POV

Samantha was sick. Really sick. She came out of school with Jill looking pale and exhausted. I got her into the car and home and then up to bed. She was burning up with fever and fell asleep almost immediately when we got home.

I kept checking on her and keeping an eye on her blood sugar because she mentioned she'd thrown up at school and she hadn't eaten since. Being sick can mess up blood sugar numbers.

Around dinner time, I went up to check on her and see if she was hungry at all.

"Sam, honey, you have to eat something, sweetheart," I said, sitting beside her and rubbing her back. She didn't stir. I was worried.

I checked her temperature and saw it was 104. I sighed. I hoped this would go away overnight and it was just a minor bug that she just needed to sleep off.

My phone rang and I saw it was Tyler calling from tour.

"How are my two favourite girls?" He asked, his voice bright.

"Sam's sick, Tyler. Like, really sick," I said.

"How sick? Do you need me at home? You know I can't just leave."

"I know you can't just leave Tyler," I snapped, instantly regretting it. "Sorry. She came home with a fever.  I just checked and it's 104 and she has been asleep since we got home."

"Has she eaten anything?" He asked.

"Not since, uh, lunch I guess. Which she says she threw up in gym class," I said.

"How's her blood sugar? She might go really low really fast if she hasn't eaten."

"I'm aware of that, Tyler," I said. "She's in range right now. But she's so sick. I've never seen her this lethargic. Even after... November, when she came home, she had more energy."

"Have you called her doctor?"

"No. Not yet. I'm keeping an eye on her for now. See if she just needs to sleep it off. I think I'll sleep with her tonight."

"Don't get yourself sick. Do you need help? I'm sure we can find someone."

"No. Not just now. How's tour?"

"A lot less fun without you two. And more so now that I hear Sam is sick," he said.

"I'm sure she'll be fine. Don't you have a show tonight?"

"Yep. I just wanted to check in before we go on. Tell Sam I'm thinking about her and to feel better."

"Will do, love you Tyler," I said.

"Love you too, babe," he said.

We hung up and I went back to Samantha's room to check in on her. I wet a washcloth and brought it in with me to try to cool her down a bit.

She was still sleeping, but frowning and writhing around on her bed. I went over and put the cloth on her forehead.

"Sam, Dad called and said he hopes you feel better soon and he loves you," I said.

She didn't answer. I wasn't sure if she was awake or asleep.

I checked the monitoring app and saw her blood sugar was starting to go down. I'd have to keep a close eye on it.

She felt warmer to me, so I checked her temperature and saw it was creeping up to 105. I needed to cool her down fast. I went into her bathroom and started running a bath of cool water.

"Sam. Sam, wake up sweetheart," I said, shaking her. I was starting to panic. She was so unresponsive.

I picked her up and carried her, awkwardly, to the bathroom and put her in the bath. She barely reacted.

"Mama?" She said, barely opening her eyes.

"I'm here baby," I said.

"S'cold," she muttered, shivering.

"I know, baby. You have a fever and it's really high. We need to bring it down,"

"Don't feel so good, Mama," she whined.

"I know, baby," I said, using a washcloth on her forehead.

My phone rang and I picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Hi Jenna. It's Erin. Jill mentioned Sam was sick and strangely, Tyler just called and asked me to check in on you guys. I thought he was away."

"Hi Erin. Yeah I just spoke to him and told him Sam was sick. He must have realized how worried I am and since he can't be here thought of you. Which I have to say, is both sweet and a relief. Sam's fever is really high. She's creeping up towards 105. I have her in a cool bath, but I don't know what else to do."

"How is she? Is she talking?"

"She's barely conscious," I said, tears starting to threaten.

"Jenna, I think you need to take her to the hospital," she said. "I can come over and help you until the ambulance gets there, if you want."

"I thought I had this under control, but that would be amazing," I said. "I'll leave the front door unlocked."

I gave her the gate code and ran down quickly to unlock the front door for her. They lived close enough that she'd beat an ambulance here most likely.

I went back up to Sam's bathroom and continued trying to rouse Sam and cool her down.

I called 911 while I did that. Sam still hadn't really woken up.

I told the operator what was happening and answered their questions. Erin came in as I was getting off the phone.

"Hey Jenna," she said kneeling beside me and giving me a hug. "How is she?"

"She's barely there. She hasn't really woken up, she's so hot, and she's barely responsive."

"Sam?" She said, taking Sam's hand. "Sam honey, it's Erin. How are you kiddo?"

Sam didn't respond.

"Have you checked her temperature since you put her in the bath?"

"No," I said, getting out the thermometer again and checking. It was 105.

"She's getting hotter!" I said, starting to cry. "This isn't working and I can't get her to stay awake enough to even try to give her anything."

"It's okay. You called the ambulance. I'm going to go downstairs and meet them, okay?  You just keep an eye on her and keep trying to cool her down."

I was so grateful for Erin. And Tyler having the presence of mind to call her.