May 12, Thursday
My husband, Brad, made sure to follow the guidelines of the hospital doctors and nurses. He even made sure they told me, twice, to rest and relax. They suggested I stay laying down during the first week of recovery and slowly get back into my groove. Brad stressed it out to me as he repeated what they said. The surgeon, nurse, and my family doctor laughed when he'd done so.
"She doesn't know how to relax and let others help her." Brad explained.
I sat in my hospital bed feeling silly but entertained. He is right. I'm a controlling person, and so I prefer to do certain things myself to ensure that it's getting done "right". I would've accepted any advice, as long as I could get home. And I made it home soon after surgery. There were no complications, it was a very routine procedure without surprises, so I managed to be released from the hospital the same day. I still smile, thinking about my release. And Brad made sure that I rested a lot and stayed in bed most of the day. But, we weren't expecting a day like today. We knew that there would be problems with the kids. We predicted that they would be a little confused and worried about me. We tried to prepare for any questions and concerns they had and made sure to be available for them. My kids are very sensitive creatures. They have such innocent hearts and souls. They're nurturing and caring and loving beings who want nothing but the best for their family members. Don't get me wrong, I will be the first person to call them 'Demon Spawn' but they're mine. And they are really great kids.
Two days after surgery, me and Brad were laying down trying to have a nap with the baby. The other children were in school and daycare. Around 2 pm my cell phone rang. I, sluggishly, picked up my phone to see the caller ID. When I read who was calling, my heart rate sped up. I swear, my heart was trying to break out of my chest. My breathing changed, it quickened and became more shallow. My head spun, I felt dizzy and weak. I really didn't want to answer the phone. The caller ID read 'Nicole Portmann, MCFD'
"Hello?" I answered. It went against what I wanted, but it's always best to know what's going on with your family.
"Hi, Samantha?" Nicole started. I could hear the restraint in her voice.
I swallowed my lungs back down and answered, "Yes. Are my kids okay?"
"NO!" Nicole nearly screamed in my ear. "They're NOT okay. You know, Samantha, I know you want to be a good mom, but maybe you're too distracted! I am here, at the police station with your daughter, Haley. She's not okay! Where were you?! What have you been ignoring?!"
I sat up in be in a panic. I stopped breathing then gasped for air. "What are you talking about? WHAT happened?"
"See? That's just what I mean! Where were you when this happened?"
"What are you talking about?"
Nicole sighed on the phone, "Look, I am very upset! I am so disappointed that you didn't know this was going on under your nose! Haley said she would like to stay at her grandmothers house, Deborah." The restraint in Nicole's voice was now gone. I knew that she was going to let me have it and she would be loud about it, as well.
"WHAT?! What am I missing? What are you not telling me?!" I demanded.
"Well, Haley said that Brad had shoved her into the wall and bruised her wrist. So we are here at the police station right now and Haley is crying. When I asked her if she wanted to go stay with Grandmother Deborah, she stopped crying and said, yes."
"She stopped crying? Right when you asked? I know that Brad wouldn't hurt her like that. What do I have to do? Will Brad have to leave?" I asked desperately.
"I don't know. Maybe. Maybe he'd have to leave."
"But you should know right now. What do I have to do to keep from losing her to Deborah?!"
