Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
I slip into bed and roll into the fetal position, then turn on the television. I hear my father come in, and then I hear them talk about going to soccer practice, and when Luca brings me a tray upstairs, it’s full. There is a bowl of broth. Two cups of hot water and a red drink. “That’s electrolytes. Your father brought it,” he says and gets into bed with me.
“The soup is still hot, so you can sip it slowly.” I look over at him, sitting up in bed with my back to the headboard.
Our parents eat downstairs and then take Aiden to practice. Luca sits by me the whole time until Aiden comes back. I don’t even have the energy to lift my head. When he comes in after his bath to kiss me, I open my eyes for just a second and then fall back asleep. It goes on for three days until Luca has had enough of my excuses, and truth be told, I’m getting a bit worried.
I get up on Wednesday and feel just a touch better until I turn my head to look at Aiden and have to run to vomit. “That’s it.” I hear Luca say and then he gets on the phone. “I need the doctor’s number, someone, anyone; she’s still sick, and it’s ridiculous. Should I call an ambulance?” I have no idea who he is talking to, and I can’t even yell at him that I don’t need an ambulance. “My mother is coming to get Aiden, and I’m taking her in. Call the guy and tell him I’m on my way and he has no choice but to see her.” I hear him slam the phone down and come to me. “I’ve had it. You need to see a doctor.” I want to tell him he isn’t the boss of me, but I don’t have the energy to do anything.
Aiden leaves, and then I get up, putting on yoga pants and a T-shirt. I bring a bowl with me in the car, and when I walk into the doctor’s office, I’m not even told to sit down. Instead, I’m ushered into the back room. When the nurse comes in, she tells me to sit on the table and that the doctor will be in shortly. I look over at Luca, who is trying to be cool but is failing at hiding the worry all over his face. “I’m fine,” I tell him, and he glares at me. “I mean, I’m going to be fine.”
A soft knock on the door, and then it opens. “Well, look who it is,” Todd says, and I look at him dressed in slacks and a button-down shirt with his stethoscope around his neck.
“Don’t you look all official,” I joke with him, and he laughs, going to the desk and sitting down.
“Only the best for you.” He winks at me, and then Luca groans.
“Can we get on with it?” he grumbles and sits down in the chair beside the desk.
“Excuse him, he’s all worried,” I try to joke, and my stomach roils, and they both look at me. I close my eyes and literally ride the wave that is going through my stomach.
“I’m going to ask you some routine questions,” Todd says. “When was the last thing you kept down?”
“We had sushi Saturday night, and she was throwing up Sunday after lunch,” Luca says. And Todd writes it down.
“Any discomfort?” He looks at me. “Besides the vomiting.”
“Nausea and dizziness,” I tell him, and Luca looks at me. “I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.” Then I look back at Todd. “Extreme fatigue.”
“When was your last menstrual cycle?” Todd asks, and I look over at Luca.
“I’m on the pill,” I tell him, and then he nods.
“So when was your last menstrual cycle?” he asks again, tapping his pen on the desk.
“A week ago, I think. It was just spotting this month,” I tell him. “It’s not the first time.”
“I’m going to have your blood drawn,” he says. He comes to me. “Lie down, please.” He checks my blood pressure. “It’s low, which isn’t a surprise,” he says, and then he presses down on my stomach, and I yelp. “I’m going to check your blood and then do an ultrasound.”
“What is the matter with her?” Luca asks, and Todd looks over.
“It can be a stomach infection, or it can be her appendix. The good news is she has no fever.” He comes back and then hands me a little cup. “If you can pee in there, we can rule out pregnancy.”
“I’m not pregnant,” I tell him. “I got my period.”
“Humor me, will you?” Todd says. I nod, and the nurse comes in to take my blood and then tells me to bring her the urine sample.