A life with and without choice.

Caring Cabbie Part 5

Jo seemed to be waking and sleeping in a regular rhythm but with no idea of how often it happened. This time there was the familiar and welcome smile, hug and kiss from mum. She explained that the special taxi ride would happen today and that due to the radiation Jo had to be kept away from other people and the other children until it cleared their system. So the medical taxi was being used as the risk of travelling on the underground was too high. They had considered an ambulance, but it would then be out of use for too long while the risk of radiation clears.

Jo had no idea what it all meant. Going in a taxi was something they had never done before and they had been wondering what that might be like. It had always been said that they were too expensive and not for the likes of us. So the busy underground or on a good day the top deck of the double decker bus sitting at the front gazing at the world going by outside the window was Jo's normal method of transport through the city. The simple pleasures and seeing other people going about their lives was a joy for Jo who would sit and watch the fellow travellers and workers busy with their lives.

Mum had carried on talking, a nurse had been in and out. Jo still daydreamed of waving to those looking at them as they drove by in a taxi. They hoped it would be a black cab.

Apparently a discussion had been had about what to wear. Hospital gowns or PJ's seemed to be the options. Jo spoke up and said I have to wear my clothes to go in the taxi, everyone will stare. So for once Jo had their way. Although it appeared soon that Mum had been saying the same to the nurse and that it was too cold not to. The nurse continued that they would only have to change back when they got to the Middlesex, and they had blankets. Then Mum used that tone of voice that only mums have and both Jo and the nurse stopped what they were doing and listened and agreed. Jo lifting there arms and allowing mum to help them dress. The nurse placing the gown and blankets back on the wheelchair, but insisting that a wheelchair should be used to get Jo to the taxi.

All agreed and soon Jo was sitting in a breezy entrance hall at the opposite side of the hospital to the one Jo normal used. It was freezing. Jo was sleepy and aching. Eyes drooping and then sleep.

'Jo, Jo, wakey wakey.' A gentle hand on her shoulder and the other hand stroking their cheek and slide some hair off their cheek and behind their ear. Jo lifted their head and blinked.

'I'm cold. Can I go to bed?' They pleaded. It hurt. It ached. And they couldn't move.

'Come on sweetheart, the taxi is here, we need to go.' Mum knew the cold had got to Jo. It always did. They were so small and so skinny. She grimaced as she knew it would mean another infection just as the last one was clearing. Jo had a weakened immune system due to their illness and the impact of all the medicine they had and getting cold meant one thing, another infection, another few days in bed, another prescription for antibiotics and a lot of tender care. Or as in this case a longer hospital stay. The final part was the only part mum was happy with. Time with Jo was always a joy, and after the baby years and serious illness mum would never complain about anytime she had with Jo after coming so close to losing her baby. Jo had always been poorly. But their spirit and joy when well and able to embrace life made all these hard times worthwhile. Even when ill Jo was so often focussed on others and making people happy about life. It was this spirit that made it so hard to see Jo listless and ill with the zest for life drained from their very core.

Mum held Jo close and pulled a blanket over them both. Jo was so small and frail as mum held them on her lap. A tear escaped her eye and traced its way down her face, she knew she had to be strong, despite the emotions inside. She feared today. Not just the process, the test and the possible risks of trialling this new technique on someone so young and vulnerable, but the results may show the need for further surgery and the lengthy recovery or possible lifelong impact.

She had spoken it through with her husband. They knew this had to happen. They read and re-read the forms. Thought about the risks, but knew that Mr Williams wouldn't suggest this unless it would help. The number of infections and illnesses had increased. This would show if the surgery would be needed or not. The pain of today and the next few days may prevent a life changing procedure further down the line.

The taxi driver had been chatting away. She didn't hear a word. Something about charity work and liking to help out. How he and his colleagues like to help the 'little mites' and they would drive families to holidays and then collect them. She didn't realise he meant them. For her this was just how it was. While from the outside it looked so hard. He continued that he would wait for them and could come in and help if needed.

'Never had one like this though, radiation and all that.' He continued

'Some of boy's said that made them feel out of their depth, but doc had explained that it would be all clear in a few days. Just drive this cab, not your own as it can't be used for a week to make sure it is safe again. Had to go to the hospital garage afterwards.' He explained.

' Must be quite a thing to have to do that to such a little one.' He paused. Looked in the rear view mirror and realised she was crying silently and the mite was asleep on her lap.

'Sorry am I going on? I do that, guess it goes with the job.' He continued.

'Don't worry it is very kind of you to do this for us.' Mum replied.

'No, no. All my pleasure, we'll be there in a couple of minutes. You stay in the cab I'll leave it running with the heater on. Then I can get the wheelchair ready and go in and let them know. A person is meant to be there ready to meet you. It's so cold out you don't need to be waiting around.' He was so concerned and considerate.

Mum was relieved that Jo was asleep. She knew they would be disappointed to miss the ride, but at least they were getting some rest.

The next ten minutes was a flurry of people. The cabbie was amazing and carried Jo to the chair tucked them in and pushed the chair inside demanding that they find a warm room for the little one, 'who was ill enough without getting a chill to top it off.' Eventually things calmed and they were left sitting in a large laboratory type room, but at least it was warm.

' What on earth were you thinking? Not letting me know you had a little child coming here for research and not have a paediatric nurse ready and waiting? At least the patient is asleep. You researchers need to learn how to care for your patients before they let you move on to treatment. It is the patients that matter before your research and data.' The sister was fuming, the researcher was cowering. When she entered the room and she saw the little child and mother her whole demeanour changed.

'Hello, I am so sorry, if I had known, you would be in a side room with a bed and individual nurse.' She gave a scornful look at the man in the white coat. 'Unfortunately, some people don't understand the basic needs for looking after a little patient. Now is there anything you need now?' She asked.

'No, I just hope this all goes smoothly and we can get back to the hospital safely.' Mum was just wanting this all to finish and hoping the commotion didn't wake Jo.

The chit chat and organisation continued.

Jo sleepily opened their eyes looking at the dark wood benches and apparatus and confused that they were no longer waiting for the taxi ride. Jo realised they must have slept through it all. Disappointment would have struck but they were still sleepy and despite sleeping had woken more tired than ever.