a helping hand, or two
Being injured really can’t suck anymore Shay thought as she sat on the couch. The pain was bad enough, the not being able to do things for herself, frustrating to say the least.
Flashback:
“Alright let’s get this patient to the hospital.” And just like that Gabby watched her girlfriend nearly die. She closed the ambo doors and reached behind her to get the bag on the ground. As she turned around, a car came ramming into the side of the ambulance. Shay’s side.
“Shay!” Gabby screamed. Luckily the ambulance was still upright. She opened the left door that wasn’t totaled and quickly got the patient out as bystanders and police pulled up along with the rest of the fire department. “Get this patient out of here.” She ordered. As soon as that was done, she carefully tried to get to her love. “Shay. Shay baby can you hear me?”
“Gabby...”
“It’s me baby. Are you okay?”
“My shoulder, it hurts.”
“Okay sweetie. Hold on I’m coming.” She got a C collar to stabilize her neck and then gently lifted Shay out of the ambo on to a gurney. “Someone get her into an ambulance now!”
The drive to the hospital was one of the scariest for Gabby as she watched Shays face pale with every bump in the road.
“What do we have?” The doctor asked when they arrived. “My girlfriend, she was in an ambulance accident, We’re paramedics, she says she has pain in her shoulder.”
“Okay ma’am we’ll take it from here.” So reluctantly Gabby let them do her job and stood by Shay quietly as they diagnosed her with a clavicle fracture. “Okay so unfortunately she’s going to need surgery. We will have someone come and update you as soon as possible are you her emergency contact?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Okay. We will see you in about two hours.”
The two hours passed slowly and finally she was able to see Shay. “She did great. Recovery time is about 3 months, she can return to work in about 2 weeks, light duty only to start with. She will need help with things for the first few days as well as pain management.” Gabby nodded and looked back at Shay. “You and me baby.”
End flashback:
It had only been a week since the surgery, and Shay truly believed she would be fine for a while. That was until day 4 when she was truly bored out of her mind.
“Hey baby.” Gabbys voice interrupted her thoughts. “Hey.” Shay replied quietly. “What did you do today?”
“I sat on the couch, went to the bathroom, tried to open a granola bar, failed, then I sat in front of the tv watching greys anatomy.”
“Let me make you something to eat then hmm? Do you want some help getting up?”
“No I got it.” Shay tried to get off the couch and grimaced in pain. “Hey hey hold on, let me help.”
“I don’t need help! I can do it!” Shay snapped. Gabby immediately retreated back and took a breath. She knew Shay was in pain. “Shit, Gabby I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap.. I just... I haven’t taken the pain meds today, because I couldn’t get off the couch..” Shay admitted quietly.
“It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean it. Now, can I help you please?”
Shay nodded and let the love of her life help her up. “I feel really gross, I’ve been in pajamas all day. Can I take a shower?”
“No baby remember you gotta keep it dry. How about I help you with a bath?”
“Okay..”
Shay walked to the bathroom and Gabby followed waiting for Shay to ask for help. “I can do this.” Shay mumbled to herself as she looked at her clothing. She used her right hand, and took her pants off and then sighed. She got half the shirt up before accidentally lifting the shoulder causing excruciating pain. “Ah!” She cried out.
“Can..can you help me?” Shay blushed. “Anytime. And guess what?”
“Hm?”
“There’s no shame in asking for a helping hand. Or two.” Gabby grinned.