A life with and without choice.

A ride in a taxi Part 3

The next day started early. Jo was aching still and tired but was woken for breakfast. The medicine was now in the form of tablets and the drip was removed as well.  Still in a single room and so far they had not been out of it. The boredom was slightly reduced as Mum had made sure to bring a book and colours. Not that Jo could concentrate for long, and often fell asleep.

Mid-morning and a porter came in. Jo always enjoyed meeting them as they always told great stories and made them laugh. A nurse followed in behind. With a less cheerful look. 

'Do you know where you are taking them?' She snapped.

'Yes, down to  Neverland. Second star on the right and straight on till morning.' he replied without the faintest hint of a smile.

'Humpphhh Brrrrrhhh. Why do I always get the foolish ones?' The nurse retorted. 'Down to Ultrasound, wait and bring them back. Make sure they behave and don't over do it.'

'Oh they look a little young for that. Now my little one your not allowed to walk so they sent me as your chauffeur. Once we lose this one we can make a break for freedom and head to the pub.' He winked and lifted Jo into a wheelchair tucking in a couple of blankets and making sure they are comfortable.

The nurse fussed about and gave more instructions. She sounded even more strict than Jo's teacher at School. But, not as scary as the sisters and matrons who often walked the wards twice a day.

As they exited the side room the porter began a constant commentary and made Jo giggle as he pretended they were a train. Jo tried to listen but the sudden movement had tired them  and their chin soon dropped and their eyes closed. 

The bumping and bouncing of the lift woke Jo and the Porter was still chatting away. They bumped through many doors with lots of turning to go backwards so the Porter could hold the doors. They slowed as they approached a nurses station. The Porter told the nurses a story and they were all laughing, until a sister turned the corner and the chatting stopped and they all tried to look busy.

'Where is this patient going? They demanded.

'Just round the corner Sister.' The Porter replied.

'Well get a move on, why have you stopped here. This patient looks as though they should be back in a bed as soon as possible. So get a move on.'

'Yes Sister.' 'No Sister, three bags full Sister.' he added the last part in a very low whisper. Jo laughed and looked back at him. 'Oh you heard that one then. I told you some of my best jokes before and all I got was a snore.' 

As they turned the corner there was a row of women all sat waiting. The one common factor was that they were all very pregnant.

'Here we are. I'm sure you will fit in nicely. I will just be round the corner, it looks like a long wait. He called after he had backed Jo in between two ladies and was peeking around the corner they had just passed to see if the Sister had  gone. The women all stared at Jo and there was not a smile amongst them as Jo looked up at them all.

The nurse in charge came out from the door they were all queuing for and looked at the patients. Then her eyebrows arched and she stared at Jo.

'What have we here? Why are you waiting here? Where is the nurse who should be with you?' All these seemed to be aimed at Jo who was so spaced out that they didn't know how to answer apart from tears beginning to fill their eyes.

There was a brief pause that seemed to last for ever from Jo's point of view. Then footsteps came hurrying towards them and the jovial Porter was back.

'Oh hello nurse, this is Jo. Mr Williams has asked for an ultrasound urgently.' He announced. This statement was enough to change the nurses demeanour completely. Well why didn't you say. Come along let's get you in first. We can't keep Mr Williams waiting now can we ladies?' This made the pregnant ladies cough and humph as this late arrival was now being swept in before them.

'Lay them on the bed please face down and lift up their top.' The nurse demanded. A second nurse arrived from a side room and the Porter soon had Jo on the bed which was covered with paper.

'Now we need to put on this gel, so we get a good reading and can see what is happening inside.' She continued.

Jo shrieked as a freezing cold gel was liberally applied to their lower back.

'Oh don't fuss. It only feels cold for a little while.' The sonographer will use the wand to look inside you and see how things are looking.' The nurse explained.

The third person to enter the room was in a white jacket and picked up a wide item with a wire linked to a machine.

'Good, now Mr Williams wants a good view of the kidneys to see what is happening. Now that is an impressive scar you have there. I don't need to ask which side we are looking at here. Hmm, let me see.'

They pushed the wand firmly onto Jo's back, it was painful, but they were used to gritting their teeth and avoiding too much fuss. The medicine was helping compared to the last time someone pushed around there before. The next sensation was a real surprise for Jo. Once the cold had worn off the wand started to tickle all around the scar. Jo couldn't help giggling and squirming about. No mater what they said Jo was giggling more and more until tears were in their eyes. It seemed to be catching as the Porter was chortling and even the sonographer was smirking.

'Well, I haven't had this reaction before and looking at the line outside I won't get the giggles from them. This has made my day.' He laughed. Still getting very clear images, I guess you are so thin that it works so well. Now let me see' he spoke to himself.

'Yes that is quite enlarged.'

'Let's just get a picture of the other side for comparison.'

'Yes a little more gel. That's it.' It took about ten minutes to get the images they wanted. Well I will phone Mr Williams as he wanted the results straight away. That is the first time we have used an ultrasound to look at that. I must say it was very effective.' There was a sound of pride from the Sonographer.

'Clean up the gel and the patient can go back to the ward now.' The man left and immediately began phoning the results through.

The return to the ward was quiet. Jo was shivering as the cold gel and giggling had left them cold and exhausted. 

Arriving at the side room Jo's mum was sat quietly looking worried.

'There you are, I was worried. Have you already had the test?' She questioned.

'Yes, and they had us all laughing to tears with their giggles and screams about how ticklish it was.' The Porter cut in.

'Oh, yes. Anything near their scar sets them off. At least it is better than pain and tears I guess?' Mum replied.

Lunch, colouring and sleep. Medicine, Doctors rounds and talk of the tests tomorrow. All interspersed with nurses coming in and taking temperature and other tests. The adults went out to talk with the consultant and when Mum returned she told Jo about having to go for a ride in a taxi.