Sascha Pt 05

A Rose Called Miracle: Book #2, Part 5

CHAPTER 9

Sascha, Sweetheart, it's time to get up."

He gently shook her shoulder. Her eyes opened slowly and she rolled to face him. "I need to shower." Afterwards, she brushed her hair and put it up in a simple ponytail. In the bedroom she dressed in a loose skirt and blouse. She packed a small suitcase with her hygiene items, a robe and slippers, and a couple packs of sanitary napkins to protect her wounds while they healed. She loaded several e-books onto her phone--assuming, of course, that she felt like reading.

Stephanie and Tank arrived. They sat quietly as Sascha finalized her preparations. "Okay, I think that's everything." She glanced at Robert, "Let's go."

"Sascha?" Stephanie grabbed her and pulled her into a hug, "You're the bravest person I know. I love you."

Sascha returned the hug, "Thanks Steph. I love you too. Are mom and dad coming?"

"They'll meet us at the hospital."

Sascha's throat was dry. "Okay." She whispered. She grabbed her purse and suitcase and moved toward the door.

Tank followed closely and took the suitcase from her, "Let me help you with that."

"Thanks, Tank." Sascha opened the door, "Robert? How are we getting there?"

"The car is waiting in the garage."

As promised, Eric and Allison Janovitch met them in the hospital lobby. The Janovitch family gathered in a group hug while Robert and Tank stood uncomfortably to the side. As they broke apart, Allison pulled Sascha close, "Sascha, honey, you know it isn't too late to change your mind? No one will think less of you if you decide not to do this..."

"I'm sure Mom. Never surer. Scared, but sure. But I do have one thing to discuss with you and dad." She explained her non-resuscitation request in case the surgery went seriously wrong and would leave her disabled. Sascha had to reach up and wipe a tear from Allison's cheek. "Mom, I'll be fine. Dr. Aronofsky is the best there is."

She stepped away, "I need to go check in. I'll be right back." She kissed her mom's cheek and hugged her dad and sister. "Robert? Will you help me?"

The admissions desk had all of Sascha's documentation ready. She showed her ID and insurance card. Robert completed the guarantee-of-payment form. The admissions people reviewed all the consent forms she'd signed at her final meeting with Dr. Aronofsky. The admissions clerk locked the plastic patient ID bracelet on her left wrist.

"Good luck." The clerk finished, "Your family can go up with you. Third floor...gender reassignment wing. You can't miss it."

"Thank you." Sascha took a deep breath and signaled to the others to join her and Robert. On the third floor, a nurse led Sascha to her room...Robert had insisted on a private room.

The nurse made everyone wait outside the room while Sascha changed into just a hospital gown and a pair of socks. "Go ahead and lie on the bed, Dear. I'm going to start your IV now."

"Already?"

"This is just the plain solution. A little later we'll give you a mild sedative to relax you. When you come out of surgery all your meds will be administered via the IV. Ready?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"Of course you do. You get to pick which arm I use." The nurse grinned but then got serious. "Don't forget, you can still say 'Stop' and no one will think any less of you."

Sascha offered her right arm. The nurse smiled, "Good for you." She probed around Sascha's arm for a few seconds until she'd found a good vein, cleaned the spot, and then deftly slid the needle into Sascha's arm and taped it in place. She started the IV fluid dripping. "Wow! You're good. I hardly felt that," Sascha remarked.

"Thank you dear. I'm all done for now. I'll let your family in--if you want them here."

"That would be wonderful. Thank you."

"I'll come back and kick them out when we're ready to begin."

Sascha gulped and could only nod. Only seconds passed before Robert and the Janovitches entered the room. Allison gasped when she saw Sascha already attached to the IV. Sascha noticed a tear running down her mom's cheek, "Mom, please don't cry. Everything's going to be fine. In a little while, for the first time in my life, my body and my psyche are going to be on the same page. It's going to be amazing."

Eric patted his wife on the shoulder and grabbed his younger daughter's hand, "Allison, honey, we're all worried for Sascha. But we shouldn't...she's the strongest one in the family."

"I know," Allison gave her husband a small smile, "That's what I said to you just a few minutes ago out in the hall when you started to tear up. Remember?"

Just then Dr. Lawrence walked in, "Good morning Sascha, I guess today's the big day, right?"

"Dr. Lawrence? I didn't expect you to be here."

"Well, my sister Mel and I were talking, and she mentioned today was the day. I felt it was important to visit you, just to say hello, wish you good luck, and remind you that it's all worth it in the end."

"Thank you. Thank you for everything." Sascha reached out her non-IV'd hand and grasped the doctor's.

Dr. Aronofsky entered the room accompanied by the IV nurse, "Good morning Sascha, good morning, everyone. Hey Jess, fancy meeting you here. Okay Sascha, are you ready? Last chance to change your mind."

"No way. Let's do it."

"Excellent. Nurse, would you start the sedative. Would everyone else leave please. Sascha, I'll see you in the OR in a few minutes." Outside the room, Dr. Aronofsky gathered the group around her, "The surgical waiting room is down this corridor and on the left. I expect the surgery to last 8-10 hours. Please, try to relax."

"Doctor!" Eric Janovitch stepped forward, "Take good care of my daughter. Please."

"She'll be treated like royalty. No pun intended, Prince Edwin." Several minutes later, two attendants rolled Sascha out of her room. "Hey eveboy...Good drugs..." Sascha slurred, "See ya layerer." She waved lazily. "Robert! Hi Cuee!" Robert grinned and took her free hand. He walked beside her until they reached the double doors leading to the surgical area.

"By-ai." Sascha sang.

"Take care, my love."

They rolled her through the doors. Robert stood staring for a few moments. He checked his watch. Eight to ten hours seemed like an eternity. He turned and walked back to the waiting area.

CHAPTER 10

"What time is it?" Stephanie asked no one in particular.

Robert answered without looking, "It's been eight hours and 47 minutes." He got up and paced around the room. Tried sitting. Got up and paced some more. He left the waiting area again and paced along the corridors. His Phone vibrated; it was Mr. Charles.

"Any news yet, Sir?"

"Not yet, it's been a little over nine hours. We should hear something any time now." He looked at his watch again.

"Time?" Allison this time.

"9 hours 45 minutes." Robert answered quietly.

He turned as the door opened and Dr. Aronofsky entered the room. She wasn't surprised by the tense, questioning faces. She smiled, "Relax everyone, Sascha is fine. The surgery went beautifully. It took a little longer than I expected; some of Sascha's blood vessels were rerouted when she lost her testicles in that accident. But I assure you everything is fine."

Robert sagged into a chair and put his head down into his hands. Tears flooded down his cheeks. He tried to wipe them away as he stood up and approached the doctor, "You're sure she's okay?"

"Trust me, she is."

"Thank you. May I see her?"

"In a little while. She's waking up in recovery right now. Then we'll move her over to ICU for a few hours to monitor her and make sure her vitals are good."

An hour later a nurse entered the room, "Mr. and Mrs. Janovitch, Sascha is awake in ICU. Would you like to see her now?"

"We would, very much so," Allison spoke up, "But, please, take Robert in first. Sascha needs to see him first."

Sascha was lying there, pale, eyes closed, tubes running in all directions. Robert hissed in a breath but realized that she looked far better than after her broken nose. He stood beside her bed, "Hey Sweetheart, are you awake? How are you?"

"Not sure. Hurting pretty bad. Nurse said they'll start pain meds in a little while." She opened her eyes and glanced at Robert. "Hi. You look awful. Have you been crying?"

"Yeah. Happy tears when Dr. Aronofsky told me you had done fine, and that the surgery went beautifully."

"Are Mom, Dad, and Steph here?"

"They are. They'll be here in just a minute. Your mom and dad asked the nurse to let me come in first. I'll go get them. Then you can rest. I'll be back tomorrow, okay?" He leaned over and kissed her cheek, "I love you Sascha."

"Okay. I love you, Robert. I'll look forward to seeing you." She closed her eyes again as Robert left the ICU.

He stayed in the waiting room until the Janovitches left Sascha's bedside. "Thank you so very much for letting me go in to see her. None of us have eaten today, would you care to join me for a late dinner?"

"That would be lovely, I think we all feel a little relieved," Allison answered.

"Even my poor Tank hasn't eaten anything. He's wasting away to nothing," Stephanie commented.

"Yeah, I'm fuckin' starved," He rumbled. Then he blushed when he realized he'd spoken out loud. Stephanie smacked him on the shoulder, "Watch your language...this ain't a fuckin' locker room."

"Ow! Hey!"

"Just seeing if you're paying attention, Baby."

Allison turned and glared at Stephanie who just smiled innocently, as if nothing had happened. Eric Janovitch covered his mouth but ended up choking on a laugh.

On their way to the hospital parking garage, Robert pulled out his phone and dialed. "Mr. Charles? Yes, about two hours ago. Let everyone know that Sascha came through just fine. The doctor said the surgery went beautifully. We're on our way back, would you have Cook prepare a simple dinner for eight? That's right. There are only five of us, but Mr. Tank is with us and he is, and I quote, "fuckin' starved" end quote." He listened for a few seconds, then chuckled, "Indeed! He is a growing boy."

They reached Robert's building and moved upstairs to the 11th floor. Cook was ready for them. Earlier in the day she'd prepared trays of sliced roast beef, turkey, and ham; plates and plates of vegetables; an assortment of cheeses; and had three different casseroles warmed and ready.

Tank's eyes lit up and he headed for the table. He grabbed two plates and reached for the tray of beef but Stephanie stopped him, "Wait. Your. Turn!" She snapped, but then patted him on his shoulder, "I know you're hungry Baby, but let everyone else at least get something, then you can tear into it. Deal?"

Tank nodded and stepped back. Stephanie saw her mother grinning. She slid to her mother's side and whispered, "Wrapped around my little finger. Just like you and dad."

Early the next morning, Sascha opened her eyes and groaned. Pain like she'd never known washed over her lower body. She attempted to lift her head, but couldn't manage it and fell back, exhausted, onto the pillow. "Robert?" She croaked, "Mom?" "Dad?"

She found the PCA controller for her pain meds; she hesitated, wondering if she really needed them--a shocking bolt of pain ripping through her groin area told her yes--she pressed the button. The pain began drifting away almost immediately. A nurse entered the room moments later, "Pain, dear?"

Sascha nodded slowly, "Felt like someone stabbed me."

"I understand. Let me check your dressings. Why don't you close your eyes?"

Sascha complied and the nurse carefully lifted the light blanket covering her. She examined the thick layer of bandages covering Sascha's groin as well as the bandage on her inner thigh where they'd had to do a skin graft.

The nurse found everything satisfactory. The IV, surgical drains, and catheter lines were in place and running clear. The bandages were clean. "Don't be afraid to use the pain meds Sascha. The machine has a meter and won't respond if you request meds too frequently."

"What time is it?"

"4:30...AM. You should try to sleep. Let your meds work. Your body has a lot of healing to do."

"Thanks. I'll try to sleep."

"Good. Don't forget your call button if you need help. Good night." The nurse left; she shut off the lights, but left the door cracked open.

According to hospital rules, visiting hours for the surgical ward started at 10:00. Robert was there at 9:55. Sascha was asleep. Robert quietly slid a chair over and sat beside her. He rested his hand on top of her's. For the next two hours he sat and watched her sleep.

He was dozing, "Robert?"

"Good morning. How are you feeling?"

"I'm glad you're here; I thought I was dreaming; good drugs." She whispered.

"How are you feeling?"

"Pretty awful to be honest. It really hurts."

"I'm sorry. Have you been getting pain meds."

"Yeah, but I'm trying to keep it to a minimum. Don't want any dependency issues when this is over." She coughed, "Ow! Cripes, that hurt." She visibly sagged into the bed, trying to catch her breath.

A nurse entered the room, "I saw a heartrate spike, are you okay, Miss?"

"She coughed and said it hurt," Robert answered.

"I see. Would you step into the hall while I do a short exam?" Robert left unwillingly.

"We're finished, you can come back now."

"Is Sascha okay?"

"She's fine. People think coughing is just the throat; they don't realize how much a cough is controlled by the lower abdominal muscles--until they have some surgery down there. But everything checks out: her sutures look secure, her drains and catheter are good, and her IVs are secure."

Robert, followed by the nurse, went back to Sascha's side. "I feel lousy, but she says I'm doing fine. I..."

"You are fine." The nurse interrupted. "At this point in recovery, most patients are still pleading and begging for pain meds. You've already told us you want less. The bruising and swelling are quite spectacular--but entirely normal."

Sascha gave the nurse a small smile, "In fact," the nurse continued, "While your young man is here to help, I want you to get out of bed and take a step or two. Come on, up and at 'em." She moved to the foot of the bed, "Sir? Would you hold Sascha's arm and help her sit up? I'll help with her feet. Ready Sascha?" Sascha looked scared but nodded. "Okay, young lady, sit up...carefully...and swing your legs off the bed."

With more than a little help from Robert, Sascha raised herself and moved her legs so that she sat on the edge of the bed. She felt a little dizzy, but quickly recovered. "Okay, on your feet." The nurse ordered. She stood, wobbling, hanging tightly on Robert's arm while she tried to balance. "That's good. Now, let's take a few steps." Sascha made it halfway to the room door and back to the bed.

"That's excellent for the first time." The nurse complimented her. Sascha grimaced as she laid back down.

"I know you hurt, but trust me, you're healing beautifully."

"Thanks for the pep talk." Just then Eric, Allison, Stephanie, and Tank entered the room.

Robert leaned down and kissed Sascha's cheek, "I'll be back in a little while--give you and your family some private time." He followed the nurse out of the room, "Excuse me. I saw the look on her face when she laid back down. Are you sure she's okay? You weren't just giving a pep talk, were you?"

The nurse stopped and turned. Her glare told Robert he'd said the wrong thing. Before she could speak, Robert held up his hands, "I apologize. That was uncalled for and stupid. I'm just worried for her. It's hard seeing the woman you love in such pain." He brushed his hands through his hair. "I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to her."

Her face relaxed, "Thank you. I know you're worried, but she is doing great. The best thing you can do right now is sit with her, hold her hand, and tell her you love her." The nurse patted him on the shoulder before heading back to her station.

Robert stood still in the middle of the hall and watched her walk away. He glanced into Sascha's room; Allison held her hand, the others stood by the end of the bed. "Flowers!" Robert muttered. He hurried to the elevator, pushed the button, then changed his mind and pushed through the door to the exit stairwell. He followed signs to the gift shop. He selected a nice bouquet of pink and red roses for Sascha, then stopped and also picked up a nice, colorful, spring-flower bouquet as a peace offering for Sascha's nurse.

Robert went to the nurse's desk first; she graciously accepted the flowers and his second apology. Feeling better about himself, he strolled back up the hall to Sascha's room--where everyone was in the exact same spot they'd been when he left. When he entered the room, Allison turned and stepped away from the bedside, "Sascha wondered where you went."

"I'm here now." He stepped over to the bed, "These are for you," He showed her the vase of roses. "I hope you like them."

"Beautiful. Thanks. I thought mom and dad chased you away." Sascha said hoarsely.

"Yeah! Right!" Snorted Stephanie, "It'll take more than that to get rid of him."

"Stephanie!" Allison admonished her.

"She's right," Robert smiled at both of them; leaned over and kissed Sascha's cheek, "You won't get rid of me so easily." He looked around, located a small shelf in Sascha's field of vision, and placed the flowers there. He spent the rest of the day at Sascha's side. When the others left for the evening, He asked Sascha if there was anything she needed.

"Comb my hair and brush my teeth?"

"I'll be right back." He left the room and found the on-duty nurse and asked if it was allowed. She said yes, and also asked him to have Sascha drink some water. She dug into a drawer by the counter and gave him a cellophane packet with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and comb.

Robert returned to Sascha's room. He got a small bowl and glass of water. He prepared the toothbrush for her. She had to brush with her left hand, her right was full of tubes and IV lines, so she went slowly. When she finished rinsing, Robert filled her glass from the plastic pitcher by her bed and unwrapped a straw. "The nurse wants you to start drinking some water." Sascha drank half the glass.

"That's enough. Will you help with my hair?"

Robert nodded. He pulled the comb out of the wrapper, stuck it in his shirt pocket, and stood beside the bed. He slid his hand gently under Sascha's neck, "I'm going to lift you--just enough to move your hair to where I can comb it. Tell me if you want me to stop."

She nodded, "Go ahead."

He eased her up with his right arm and gathered her hair with the other. He slowly let her back down to the pillow. She gasped in a deep breath.

"Did I hurt you? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Sorry. I was holding my breath."

"That gasp scared me. Remember to breathe next time."

"Yes, Your Highness." Sascha gave him a small, cheeky smile.

"It's good to see a little humor in your eyes. I may be able to sleep tonight." He kept running the comb gently through her hair. "Feeling any better?"

"A little, I guess. Yesterday I felt like a thousand knives were constantly stabbing me. Today, I don't know, maybe only a couple wolves are chewing on me."

"Really? Maybe, I won't be able to sleep."

Sascha's nurse entered the room, "I'm sorry sir, visiting hours are over for today."

"I understand. May I finish combing her hair? I won't be long...I promise."

"Please don't take too long. I'm going to give Miss Janovitch a bath."

Robert made a final swipe and set the comb aside. "All done." He leaned over and kissed Sascha. "I'll see you tomorrow. Do you need me to bring you anything?"

Sascha looked to the nurse, "Can I have my phone?"

"We'll ask the doctor tomorrow."

Robert arrived on the fourth morning after surgery just as Dr. Aronofsky was leaving Sascha's room. She smiled, "Sascha is healing wonderfully. I said she could have her phone. I also told her that if she promises to get lots of bedrest, she can go home the day after tomorrow. I gave her a booklet containing recovery guidelines. I want her to study it and ask questions." The doctor paused, frowned, "Robert, you look tired; have you been sleeping?"