TOO FAR TO REACH 43

 

TOO FAR TO REACH 43

A day had gone by, Jeff had been rushed back to the ICU after the surgery. He was responding well but had been critical a couple of hours after the surgery. With no oxygen masks to support him, Jeff was looking fairly okay. He had not opened his eyes yet but his breathing was stable and he was in deep sleep. I was by the bedside all alone when I saw him move his finger.

I signaled to the nurse who was taking rounds in the ICU ward. The nurse quickly came and upon taking a quick glance at him called the doctor. I was little confused but also hopeful. The doctor came up to Jeff and gently whispered as he tried to shake him.

“Jeff… how are you feeling Jeff?”

Jeff’s face frowned a little and I could tell he felt some pain. He slightly opened his eyes.

“Honey” I said as I held his hand.

Jeff opened his eyes and looked at me, he was tired but he smiled. I was so emotional.

“I love you honey” I said.

Jeff smiled and closed his eyes again.

The doctor checked his heart rate and then spoke to him again.

“Jeff… how are you”

Jeff opened his eyes and this time shook his head before closing them again.

“He has gained consciousness, he is in pain. He will be okay”

Tears rolled down my eyes as I watched him sleep peacefully. It felt like a relief.

“It won’t be long before he is up again. He needs to eat something though…”.

Nancy and aunty were outside, they were not allowed to come in and even I was restricted to a few minutes every after two hours… Jeff was now being closely monitored”

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“Honey.. do you want to kill me?” Pumulo asked Jeff angrily

“You know I am also tired.. honey I am tired.. you need to have a better outlook at life.. you can’t just give up” Pumulo said desperately.

Jeff was miserable in his wheelchair refusing to eat anything and Pumulo was frustrated. It had been three months after Jeff was discharged, aunty had since left and so did Nancy and Mr cloud. Jeff could not see eye to eye with his sister and Pumulo promised Nancy she would try to change his mind. Luckily, Mr Cloud had agreed to reconcile with his wife after uncle Stan intervened. However, Jeff lost hope after months of being in his condition and Pumulo was tired of trying to convince him on what the doctor had said. He could get better but it would take time.

“Why are you so optimistic?” Jeff asked.

“Honey look at you.. you are losing weight by the day. You refuse to eat anything and you won’t even follow through with the exercises.. why are you doing this to yourself?”

Pumulo took a deep sigh as if waiting for him to give an answer. The two were in their master bedroom on the first floor of the house, it was well adapted for a wheel chair.

“Maybe Nancy was right, we go to zambia?” Pumulo said again desperately.

“There’s nothing left for me.. I know this wont work.. spine damage is serious Pumulo.. let’s just accept I will never walk again!” Jeff yelled

Pumulo shook her head.

“until we have tried everything.. you are not giving yourself a fighting chance!! Jeff your right hand has healed.. you can lift anything now.. that’s the first miracle. Try harder my love please..”

Pumulo threw herself on the bed wondering what next to do. This had been going on for a while and she just about had enough. She wanted to fight with everything she had but Jeff was not helping. She was exhausted, he was one stubborn man. Pumulo had two daytime maids and one night time maid to help with everything else around the house while she dedicated all her time to caring for Jeff.

“Maybe we get help, I know you are tired” Jeff suggested.

A tear fell down Pumulo’s cheek as she stared at the crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

“We don’t need help, I am your wife.. what will people say? You can’t even agree to what I say.. what will a helper do?” she said emotionally

“A caregiver, someone trained to take care of people in my condition… you are my wife yes and we will be together but I see this is taking a toil on you … let’s get help. I just can’t do anything because I hate to see you suffer for me like this.. you deserve to be happy. Seeing you suffer for me is breaking me Pumulo.. I don’t like myself this way and seeing you do all this for me.. please let’s get a caregiver… I promise to do everything the caregiver asks of me”

Pumulo wanted to oppose, every part of her knew this would be the best time to bond with Jeff but she also knew how emotionally draining this was for her. Indeed a caregiver was necessary, even the hospital had suggested they get one if they could afford.

“We will get a caregiver then… but I am agreeing to this only because I know this is what is best… however, I want this to be over soon… I can’t fail you.. I am your wife and I am here to stand by you” Pumulo said

“I know honey.. I want you to be happy and to enjoy life.. there’s enough at your disposal around here.. I want you to take time to step out and have fun.. you have suffered so much for me… have fun, step out, go shopping.. you deserve everything … now cheer up and bring my food..”