COVID Hits Intelligence

Chapter 7: Hailey pt 3

It's been a couple of days since Hailey got admitted to the COVID ward. Everyday seemed like a step in the wrong direction. After two days, the doctors decided to try and turn down Hailey's vent settings. 

Unfortunately, she didn't tolerate it very well and they had to turn them back up. Her fever remained stable at 101° occasionally spiking when her meds wore off. Jay was a wreck the next few days. He missed his girlfriend with everything in him, constantly calling the hospital for updates and refusing to eat or sleep, too worried something would happen if he fell asleep without Hailey here with him. 

Unbeknownst to him, Will was planning on running more tests today that will hopefully give his brother and the rest of the unit some good news.

Jay's POV

It's been 5 days since I brought Hailey to the hospital. Maggie set up an iPad in her room so I could see her whenever I wanted and I constantly bug Will for updates on her condition. Every time I look at her, I have to keep myself from breaking down. She looks so sick and I can't stand to see her like that, especially since she's alone. I promised her I would never leave her and now I can't be there when she wakes up, if she wakes up. 

I was so caught up in my head that I didn't even hear my door open "Jay" I heard Kim say "Oh hey" I said quietly "I made sandwiches and a salad for lunch, wanna come join us? " she said "I'm not hungry" I said "Jay, you've barely eaten in the last two days, we're worried about you" Kim said and I rolled my eyes "I'm fine Kim, I just want to be alone" I said pulling my blanket back up over me. I heard Kim walk over towards the head of my bed and put a hand on my arm. "Will you at least eat some crackers and drink some water? Then I'll leave you alone" Kim said. I groaned and then turned away from Kim "Jay come on, Hailey wouldn't want you to be like this, she's gonna need help when she comes home and she'll want you. You won't be able to help her if you're weak from not eating" Kim said and then I sighed and looked over at her "Ok" I said and sat up in my bed "I'll be right back" Kim said smiling warmly at me.

 My phone started ringing after she left and I picked it up to see Will's name on the screen. I immediately answered 

"Is she ok? What's wrong?" I said panicked 

"Jay calm down, take a breath Hailey is just fine. In fact that's why I'm calling. Hailey's labs came back and she's no longer COVID positive so we're going to move her to the ICU and then tomorrow we're going to attempt to take her off the vent" Will said 

"Really" I said, my face slowly turning into a smile 

"Yes, now listen you can't visit her tonight cause we have to get her settled and make sure everything is ok but you can come tomorrow as long as you get a COVID test before you come to the hospital " Will said

 "Ok...Will, is she really ok?" I asked nervously 

"She's perfectly ok right now, I promise" Will said easing my nerves 

"Alright, I got to go thanks so much for looking out for her" I said 

"Of course, see you tomorrow" Will said 

"See you" I said before hanging up. 

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and then it felt like a barrier had been broken and I just started sobbing. She was really ok and I was gonna get to see her. Just then Kim came back into my room "Ok I have the.. Jay oh my god what happen? " she said with panic in her voice "Hailey" I managed to say in between sobs "What about Hailey? Did something happen? " She asked, trying to understand what led me to this. My sobs slowed down as I tried to calm myself down and then I tried to speak again "Will called, he said they're gonna move Hailey to the ICU and I could see her tomorrow" I said with tears welling back in my eyes "He also said they're gonna take her off the vent" I said crying once again. Kim came and sat on the other side of my bed and put a hand on my shoulder as I cried. "Jay this is good news. She might be coming home soon" Kim said rubbing my shoulder "I know, so why am I crying?" I asked "You've both been through a lot in the past couple of weeks, seeing her on the bed like that barely alive like that must've been very traumatic Jay. This is probably just you feeling relief that she's ok. It's perfectly normal to feel like this" Kim said "I guess you're right, thanks Kim" I said "No problem, now can you eat some of these crackers for me please? " she said "Actually, I think I'll come out and have lunch with you guys" I said suddenly feeling a little more hungry then I felt the past two days "Awesome, I'll leave you alone if you want to freshen up a little bit" Kim said "I just need 5 minutes, I'll be out in a little bit" I said as Kim got up and left my room.