Deadly Obsessions: The Greta Isaacs Series - Book One

Chapter Nine

Speech Therapy Department, Dallas, Tx

Because George and Greta were leaving the next afternoon, Greta wanted to talk to her speech therapist about her communication skills. George offered to drive this time so they could find out her limitations together. When they arrived at the hospital, Greta took the lead and went to the speech therapy department. She found a few people waiting to be seen and the receptionist recognized her.

Hi Greta, Ive heard your going home. Were going to miss you.

Thank you. Could you find someone already familiar with my case and tell that person Id like to speak with them.

The receptionist called to the back as another patient came to the window. A few minutes later a woman opened the door to the hallway and called Gretas name. Both Greta and George joined the woman and walked to a private room to talk.

Im glad youve been making progress with your therapy sessions and based on the notes in your file, you should be getting your voice back more. The only drawback to getting your voice completely back is because of the damage your trachea sustained. It was repaired but theres always a chance of not getting your own voice back. On your last few sessions, I was sitting in on your sessions through our mirror. You remember we told you about them. Greta nodded. Your voice is going to remain hoarse. Thats becoming obvious to us.

What you dont want to do is try to force your voice to work. If you cant get it higher than it is, dont force it or youre going to start coughing. I would recommend getting a doctor when you get back home and ask about getting an Albuterol. With the amount of damage that your trachea sustained, Id recommend using the Albuterol when you start coughing a lot.

Now then, do you have any questions?

I need to know if I can stay in my chosen field or not.

I think you should continue with your speech therapy once you return home. If you really want to get your voice back more, you should keep doing your therapy for at least 3 more months. It certainly doesnt hurt to keep practicing and a speech therapist will be able to help you accomplish more.

To answer your question, Im going to ask you a question first. How long do you have until its time to renew your nursing license?

Greta got her wallet out to find out. It expires in 6 months.

Then I'm going to suggest this to you. When you get back and youve gotten settled in, go back and renew your nursing license now. Dont wait until later to do it. This way, you have yourself recertified and youll have your voice most of the way back to normal. Itll still be hoarse, Im sorry to say, but itll be much better than it is now and youll be ready to get back to work again.

Greta and George looked at each other and agreed to the idea. After thanking the woman for her help, they left the office and went to Gretas former classroom. As she knocked on the classroom door, the nurse whod performed CPR on her was inside and motioned for her to come inside. The other nursing students looked up from their assignments and greeted her with smiles. They were all surprised to see her.

I just wanted to tell you all Im going back to California tomorrow. Im going to continue my speech therapy and I wanted to say goodbye to everyone before I left. Greta turned to the class teacher and said This man is no longer my boyfriend, Ms. Denison, hes my fiancé now.

After making that little announcement, everyone got up and walked over to congratulate them both. Everyone wanted to look at the ring and some were asking how much it cost.

George just smiled and said The cost doesnt matter when youve found the right person to wear it.

George drove the SUV back into the driveway of the shelter. As they were walking back into the building, Mr. Jackson came out of his office and called to them. They walked into his office and he closed the door for some privacy.