One day at a time. (Part 2 of the story of Joanne and Paul. Now complete!)

Chapter 21- 27th February 2002 (cont'd)

Joanne tiptoed into the room and crept up the bed. Paul was lying with his eyes closed. He was connected to various monitors which bleeped in a comforting regular rhythm. Although Joanne was no expert on the workings of the human heart, she guessed that the regullar heart beat on the change in Paul's palour suggested everythi ng was working as it should be. Choosing not to speak, she stood and watched him for a while, relishing the fact he was back with her and relatively safe. Suddenly he opened his eyes.

"Hey baby!" He gave her a warm smile. He offered her his hand. Stepping forward she took it gladly. He squeezed and kissed it softly.

"How are you feeling?" she whispered.

"Pretty good. I can feel the difference already."

"Can you? Have they said anything else about you?"

"The doctor has said the operation went well. I'm only here as a precaution love. There's nothing to worry about." He squeezed her hand once more.

Joanne nodded then looked away from him, fighting back tears.

"Hey baby, what's wrong? Talk to me Joanne. How are you?"

She looked up, hurriedly wiping away tears. "I'm OK. It's you I'm more concerned about!"

Paul looked at her. "I've got plenty of people checking on me here Joanne Johnson. But who's looking out for you? Normally that's my role so I do need to know how you are. I'm hoping that you'll want to be around to look after me a bit when I'm discharged."

Suddenly Joanne found tears rolling down her face which she couldn't control. "I'm sorry for crying," she sobbed, "I'm OK really I am. I'm just so relieved to see you awake again! I was told you'd be out of theatre and back to the ward after an hour and a half Paul. Instead you were down there nearly three hours! All I could do was wait. Oh Paul, it reminded me so much of the day Rob died. I spoke to him and then expected him back around half an hour after our phone call. Only he still wasn't back nearly three hours later then that knock on the door! I was terrified I was going to loose you too! That's why I was so relieved to see you back here. I'm sorry!" She continued to cry.

Paul leaned across to her to hug her. Suddenly and alarm went off, causing her to jump, startled.

"PAUL!" Joanne screamed in panic. "NO!"

Staff came racing into the room wheeling equipment on a trolley. A terrified Joanne was ushered frrom the room by a nurse who left her and returned to Paul. Thankfully the panic ended almost as quickly as it had started. Joanne was allowed back into the room after the same nurse assured her he was fine. It seemed that Paul. when reaching over to hug her, had dislodged one of his monitor pads, thus triggering an alarm. The staff response. although alarming to visitors, was standard. Paul, apologised repeatedly and looked very embarressed and sheepish. As the rest of the staff left, a solitary nurse gave him a disapproving look and began carrying checks before reconnecting him to the monitor.

"Please ensure you remain lying down Mr McCartney. I'm sure you can appreciate how busy the ICU is and how crucial it is for your own well bing that you follow the instructions clearly. Our machines need to be able to monitor you uninterrupted to ensure the operation has done what it is intended to do."

As the nurse left the room, Joanne stood up. "I think," she said softly, "that I'll take that as my cue to leave Paul."

Paul's face fell. "Oh Joanne please, stay a bit longer!"

Joanne smiled at him. "You know I'd love to  but I'm sorry Paul. I can't. I'm exhausted! I've not slept for over twenty four hours. I'm hoping for a good sleep now that I know you're OK. I'll send Mary and the others in to say good bye. I'll be back tomorrow bright and early I promise."