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Taylor's journey from the haze of anesthesia to full consciousness was gradual and disorienting. The bright, sterile ceiling of the hospital room was almost surreal, contrasting sharply with the comforting darkness she had just left. The persistent, dull ache in her abdomen was a constant reminder of the surgery she had undergone—a necessary procedure to place a GJ-tube for managing her nutritional needs. Along with the sudden shock of them placing a central line that goes to her heart.
She tried to shift in bed, but a sharp pain halted her. Her gaze settled on Travis, who was seated by her bedside. His face, etched with both concern and relief, was a comforting presence. His fingers, wrapped around hers, provided a reassuring connection to reality.
"Hey, Tay," Travis said softly, his voice a soothing balm to her frazzled senses. "You're awake."
Taylor managed a weak smile, though it was marred by the pain. "How long was I out?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"It's been a few hours," Travis replied gently. "The surgery went well. Dr. Reynolds said everything went according to plan."
The name "Dr. Reynolds" brought a small measure of comfort. Taylor tried to recall the details of the surgery, the necessity of the GJ- tube for her recovery. The thought of the long road ahead was daunting, but she was determined to face it.
The plan had been straightforward, at least as far as surgeries go: a GJ-tube to help with her ongoing nutrition issues. Taylor had tried to prepare herself mentally, but the reality of waking up in a hospital bed, surrounded by the clinical hum of machines, was far more disorienting than she anticipated.
She shifted slightly, trying to assess the discomfort. That's when she noticed it—a tugging sensation in her chest that didn't belong. Her heart skipped a beat, anxiety quickly surging through her veins. Something was wrong. Very wrong.
With trembling hands, she reached up to feel a new, foreign presence near her collarbone. Her fingertips brushed against a bandage, and beneath it, something hard—something that wasn't supposed to be there. Panic clawed at her throat as she struggled to comprehend what she was feeling.
A central line.
Her breathing quickened, each breath sharp and shallow as she tried to wrap her mind around this unexpected development. Why was there a central line in her chest? The procedure was only supposed to involve the GJ-tube. Taylor's mind raced, a thousand questions swirling as she tried to piece together what had happened.
"Hey, hey, it's okay," he murmured, his voice soothing yet edged with worry.
Taylor's voice was barely a whisper, weak and unsteady. "Travis... what... what is this?" She gestured shakily toward her chest, eyes wide and filled with fear.
Travis's expression faltered, a shadow of regret crossing his features. He hadn't wanted her to find out like this, but there was no avoiding the conversation now. "Tay..." he began carefully, squeezing her hand, "the doctors decided to place a central line... They said it was necessary."
Her heart pounded, each beat reverberating in her ears. "Why? Why didn't anyone tell me?"
Travis hesitated, unsure of how to explain without causing her more distress. "It happened while you were in surgery. The doctors noticed that the GJ-tube alone might not be enough. They were concerned about your hydration and your overall nutrition... so they made a quick decision to place the central line, too. They thought it was best for your recovery."
Taylor's world spun. She tried to process his words, but the fear, the lack of control, overwhelmed her. She had been through so much already—bed rest, the complications with the pregnancy, the feeding tube, and now this. It was too much.
