Save the Date by Carrie Aarons

Author:Carrie Aarons [Aarons, Carrie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-06-22T04:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Four

Reese

Working a night shift may throw off your internal clock until it felt like jet lag was pulling you under, but I kind of enjoyed the quiet hours on the floor.

Most nights, the babies slept and there was only crying for food or a diaper change. Some of these shifts, I did get an emergency or two where one of the babies would stop breathing or need extra attending, but all in all, night shifts were actually quite nice.

Halfway through my rounds of cleaning up each babies’ crib area, putting away unneeded towels and stocking diapers, wipes and medicine, I saw her sitting there, in the rocking chair, just holding her daughter’s tiny hand.

I walked overly quietly, trying to be respectful and gauge if I should approach her. Just as I’m about to turn away and give them their moment, Morgan turns and smiles a small smile.

“Hey, Reese’s Pieces. Come on over and see Carina.” She lays her other hand over her daughter’s stroking it.

Of course I’ve seen Carina. I’ve been rounding on her for almost a week, and I’ve been giving special attention to her case. Nagging the doctors, trying to get Preston to see what he can do to treat her faster and allow them to get discharged. But even I know it’s going to be a while. Babies who are born at twenty-eight weeks don’t just get to go home.

“Hi, Carina. It’s nice to know your name,” I say when I walk over, looking through the plastic incubator walls. “How are you doing?”

Morgan glances up at me for a split second, and then it’s back to her daughter. “We’re okay. Tired, fighting, but I’m just so glad she’s made it so well this week, Dr. Graham says she’s doing better.”

Preston had been personally helping with Carina’s case, because I’d asked. “There is no better hospital or doctor you could find to help her get stronger and get out of here. I promise.”

Morgan’s eyes become misty, and I know she’s hurting. “I know that … but it still doesn’t help at all. I’m still bitter and feeling responsible. I feel robbed that I don’t get to have her in my room, that they cut her out of me and I couldn’t lay her on my chest. I feel like a failure as a mother, and I’ve only been one for a week.”

She begins to sob, and I go to her, allowing her to cry into my scrubs. This is the side of the NICU that I hate, although I know it’s necessary for me to have a job. Seeing the mothers break down, or try to be extremely strong for the babies, it’s torture. But I’ll be here, especially for Morgan, who is practically family.

“You’re doing an amazing job. You’re here for her, in the middle of the night. A person wouldn’t do that if they weren’t an amazing mom.” I hug her back.

She sniffles and collects herself, looking up. “Thanks, Reese. It’s good to have you in our corner.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.