Moment of Reflection

Chapter 24

Beep Beep Beep Beep

The monitor beeped as I sat in the chair, in disbelief. I don't even think disbelief is the right word. I haven't spoken a word since I left the desk in the hall. I seemed to have been speechless. 

She laid in the hospital bed, at a slight angle in one of the light blue hospital gowns. The white blanket and sheet were pulled up to her mid stomach, her bare arms laid on either side of her, IV's in both. Two hoses, white and blue, were connected to a smaller hose that went inside her mouth, to breath for her. 

I looked at her, I didn't notice anything in myself until suddenly, I burst. 

"I'm so sorry." I said, tears streaming down my face as I moved the chair closer to her. I picked up her cold and limp right hand, placing it into mine. My chest heaved and the salty water from my eyes dampened my cheeks all while dripping down my neck and onto my pants as I leaned forward. "It's all m-my fault. Daisy, I'm so so so s-sorry." I cried out, "I did this to you." I said quieter, still upset. 

Time passed, I couldn't keep track because I was too busy being miserable, guilt becoming of me. I was abruptly snapped out of my meltdown when I heard a knock on the door.

Quickly wiping my face and regaining my composure, I watched as a man walked in. 

"Hi! I'm Dr. Johnson, one of Daisy's physicians. Are you Vito?" He asked as he approached me, clipboard in hand and stethoscope around his neck. 

"Yes," I said, standing up and sticking out my hand for his to meet, "It's good to meet you Doctor."

"Please, feel free to call me Dave." He said, "So, since this is the first time you're here, I can explain what is going on." He said as we both sat down. "Basically, when Daisy came in, she was barely alive. If her friend hadn't found her when she did, she would be dead." He began, the words he spoke soaking up inside.

I nodded, allowing him to continue. "She had overdosed on an extremely large amount of multiple medications. When she came in we had to immediately perform gastric lavage, which is basically emptying and flushing the contents of her stomach to stop any further drug absorption. After that, we looked through the drugs she took and factored in how they interact with each other along with how they affect her body. Once we figured out the best ratio for the antidotes, we brought her up to the ICU, where we are now, and put her into a medically induced coma." He paused for a moment, swallowing before continuing, "While she is in the coma, you can clearly see the multiple drip bags connected to her IV's. These are all of the drugs needed to counterattack what is going on in her body. When she will be removed from the comatose state is still unknown. It could be anywhere from a week to longer. But the longer it takes, the higher chance for brain damage is there."

I nodded, glancing at Daisy and a question coming to mind, "What did she take?"

"In the paperwork it says Klonopin, Aplenzin, Ibuprofen, and Asprin. And of course in combination, that isn't a good idea."

I nodded, allowing him to continue. 

"I usually stop in once a day, usually in the morning before I head over to the other side of the hospital, but I am always on call if something happens. Right now, she seems to be doing good. Tox screenings will also be done by the nurses every night to check her progress." He said as he stood up, "Any other questions for me?"

I thought for a moment, "Not that I can think of." 

"Alright well if you do, you know where to find me." He said as he walked towards the door, "It was nice meeting you!"

"You too!" I said, looking back at her while I heard the door click shut.

I sighed, holding her hand once again. "You're probably going to hate me for this, but I limited visitation. Because I want you to myself. But I know it isn't right, so I told the lady at the desk to make sure there was a time set up that others could come. Though, I will be leaving before that time slot opens so I am not seen with you. As shitty as that sounds."