14. Unexpected Helper

Sage

S age stepped out of the room as Stassi whizzed past her, a pile of charts in her arms. Just when she thought she could see Stassi in a new light, she was quickly thrown a curveball. For starters, if what Lena had heard was true, then she shuddered with disgust. If someone wanted to sleep around, then fine, but why stoop as long as that? Stassi came out of the file room and went back to her desk, not even turning and looking in Sage’s direction.

It was true that first impressions said that Stassi was a socialite that didn’t know how to lower herself to the standards of the hospital. And then there was a change. The over-the-top jewelry and over-the-top makeup… it had all vanished. And Stassi seemed to apply herself in ways that made her a great employee. She glanced at her watch and went to the computer. She had a new patient coming in for their first appointment. It was going to be a tough case. A stroke at the age of sixteen. It would bring all sorts of problems to Sage and her duties.

Sage headed up to the front desk and grabbed the chart. Stassi turned to her, her eyes wide. “Do you have something to ask?” Sage asked. Her words came out strained, and she clamped down on her lower lip. “You just look like you have something on your mind.”

Stassi turned to the waiting room and then motioned for Sage to follow her. It seemed important, so Sage followed her to the corner where Stassi turned around. “She’s so young,” she said.

Sage nodded. “Strokes don’t much care how old you are. It’s true that we like to think that the younger generation can be strong enough to ward off the disability, but sadly that just isn’t the case.” Sage tilted her head. “Are you alright?”

Stassi shrugged, then glanced over her shoulder. Sage saw the genuine concern in Stassi’s gaze. It was refreshing. Sage reached out and touched her shoulder. “This job can take a toll on even the strongest of people. It’s not easy for me either.”

Stassi glanced back and gave a slight nod. “I better let you get to it, then.”

“You leave shortly, don’t you?” Sage asked, following Stassi back to the front desk. Stassi gave a slight now. “Then I’ll be seeing you around. “Journey,” she called out. That was an interesting name, especially with the journey that she was going to have to be on to her road to recovery. A woman pushed her into a wheelchair, moving slowly, and Sage just waited for them to approach. “The name is Sage,” she began. She reached out her hand, and Journey was slow to grasp onto it. She moved at her speed and took hold of her hand, squeezing it tightly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

The woman that stood behind her had tears in her eyes, and she glanced at her. “I’m her mother, Sandi.”

Sage shook her hand before finally squeezing it. “It’s my pleasure to meet you both. Head on over to room 3A, and I’ll be with you guys momentarily. She turned to Stassi and leaned into her so Journey or Sandi didn’t hear her. “Push my next appointment back an hour. I think this is going to take longer than anticipated and we’re down another nurse.”

“I’m on it,” Stassi said. She had already grabbed the phone to make her call, before Sage turned around and headed over to the room. When she entered the room, she saw her mom leaning into Journey, as if she were consoling her. Sage almost hated to interrupt. She waited at the door until Sandi looked up. Sandi’s cheeks flushed.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“It’s fine,” her mother commented. “Just saying a little prayer.” Sage gave a weak smile and grabbed the stool. She took a seat and wheeled in closer to them.

“Let’s start by telling me when this happened, so I can get a feel of the whole situation. Where were you? How did you respond? And so forth.” Sage looked at Journey, but Journey immediately turned to her mom.

Sandi didn’t hesitate. “She struggles to talk, so she would like me to fill in all the details. If you don’t mind.” Sage shrugged. It didn’t matter to her, as long as she got the information out there. The more she knew, the better she would be able to put together a plan. It was the same route she started with all her patients. “Seven days ago, we were home. My husband and I just finalized our divorce. I’d say that Journey has been struggling a bit because of it.” Journey dropped her gaze and her mom continued. “We were laughing, having a wonderful time and then she started to seize. It was minor, at first, but then picked up in intensity. I didn’t know what to do. I called 911 and they got there fast. When the paramedics were at the house, they were able to control the seizures. We went to the hospital. I guess we all thought it’d be the worst of it, but then suddenly, it’s the middle of the night and she’s having a stroke.”

“Were you there?”

Sandi nodded and looked longingly over at her daughter. “I haven’t once left her side.”

Sage smiled and reached out to touch her hand. “I need you to know right off that none of this is your fault. You understand that, right?”

She shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes. While Sage didn’t see many patients that were this young, she knew the stress the families went through. When her grandfather had his stroke, it took a toll on everyone that loved him, including herself. So, seeing other families struggle wasn’t something Sage would ever get used to.

“Journey is going to be okay, and she knows this isn’t your fault.” Journey reached out and touched her mom’s arm. Sandi gave her daughter a soft smile, then nodded. That was what Sage needed to believe, that Sandi knew no one of this happened because of the divorce that the family was going through. “Are there any siblings? Cousins? Friend’s children?” Sage asked.

“She has a few cousins, and my friend has a daughter that’s Journey’s best friend.”

“Great! That’s what I wanted to hear. There is going to be a support system, because I won’t lie. This is going to be a long road, but together we’ll get through it. Isn’t that right, Journey?” She nodded, her lips even curving into a slight smile. “Did the doctors ever say what they felt caused the stroke?” Sage asked. She stood up and went over to her stethoscope and blood pressure cuff.

“High blood pressure,” Sandi mumbled.

“That can be caused by a lot of things. High sodium diet, for one. Does Journey eat a lot of greasy foods?”

Sandi snickered. “She’s a teenager. They live on corn dogs and French fries.”

Sage smirked. “See, doesn’t always have to come from stress. Let me check her BP and see where we stand today.”

The room got eerily quiet as she pumped up the cuff. She let it release slowly until the air was all out. “Well?” Sandi asked.

“A little high. 130/92. We’re going to do some exercises that will help to keep the BP low and of course work on a diet regime. Again, it’s not going to be easy, but she’s alive. So that’s what matters.”

“Right!” Sandi seemed hopeful, so it was a definite start.

Journey made a scowl and Sage laughed. Typical teenager behavior. She couldn’t fault her for that. She documented the BP and turned to both of them. “I’m going to grab a few things and I’ll be right back in here.” She opened the door and saw Stassi pacing in front of the door. She looked up and Sage frowned. “What are you still doing here? Thought you were headed out.”

“I should be, but the truth is, I’m intrigued by your patient.” Sage arched an eyebrow. “And you don’t have a nurse. I thought I could be of assistance to you.”

Sage smirked and moved past her to the nurse’s station. “You shouldn’t be here if you don’t have to.” She shook her head and tossed the chart down on the counter. When she looked over to Stasi, she didn’t budge. “I think I can handle it. Go home and get some rest. That’s where I’d be, if I didn’t have to be here.”

“You could use the help. I know you could. I really don’t mind putting in a couple more hours. Let me at least take the burden off of you when it comes to administrative work. Oh, and by the way, your next patient said they needed to reschedule anyway, so I believe Journey would be your last patient.” Sage gawked at her. Who was this woman? Why did she insist on intriguing Sage every step of the way? “I’m not leaving, so you might as well put me to use.”

Sage tossed up her hands. “Do you know how to enter in vitals?” Stassi nodded. “Notes?” Again, a nod. “Okay, enter her BP and the notes I took in her chart. When you’re through with that, you can file away the chart. In the desk is information regarding stroke at a young age.” She pointed to the desk. “I believe we’re low in copies. Make about fifty copies and bring me one so I can give it to our patient.”

Stassi nodded and quickly went to work. Sage hesitated and watched her before she went to the supply closet and pulled out books that they had to help their patients relearn to read. It was a step toward getting Journey back to being a self-efficient teenager.

“Does Journey like to read?” she asked, entering the room.

Journey made a face before her mom could even respond. “Probably her least favorite subject.”

Sage laughed. “Well, it’s about to become her way of living, because if you can’t read then it’s impossible to lead a truly fulfilling life and patients that have a stroke have to teach their brain to do these things all over again.”

“How long have you been an Occupational Therapist?” Sandi asked.

“Eight years and not a day goes by that I regret making that decision. So, today, we’re going to start with See Spot Run.”

Journey released a slight giggle, which was already a great sign. She would get Journey to a place where she was happy in less than three months. That was a goal that she was ready to achieve.