To be precise, it was Dr. Neil who came out.
“Dr. Neil.”
Both Sherilyn and Gilbert hurried over. “Jenna, is she…”
“Don’t worry.”
Dr. Neil’s face was alight with a relaxed smile. “The surgery went exceptionally well. Jenna was amazing, she didn’t have a single issue, a real trooper!”
Hearing this, Sherilyn breathed a huge sigh of relief, tears immediately welling up in her eyes.
Gilbert glanced at her, his brow furrowing slightly, before extending his arm to Dr. Neil for a handshake. “We owe it all to your skills, Dr. Neil. How is Jenna doing…?” “Oh, Jenna’s been moved to the sterile unit. Mom here knows.”
Sherilyn nodded quickly, indeed aware, but she had hoped, “I thought maybe I could see her.”
“Just wait a bit.”
Dr. Neil smiled. “Once Jenna recovers, you’ll be together every day. You might even find her too noisy then.”
Sherilyn was momentarily speechless, then let out a soft chuckle, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “Thank you for your kind words.”
“In a little while, head to the sterile ward.”
Dr. Neil continued, “You can ask the nurse to let you see the monitor.”
The sterile unit was even more restricted than the ICU, forbidding visits entirely, not even allowing a glimpse through a glass window. Families wanting to see their loved ones could only do so via the surveillance feed in the office area. “Alright.”
Gilbert agreed, expressing his gratitude, “Thank you for everything.”
“Not at all, happy to help.”
After seeing Dr. Neil off, Gilbert and Sherilyn together made their way to the sterile ward. A nurse pulled up the surveillance feed of Jenna’s sterile unit for them.
On the monitor, Jenna lay still, her
arms raised above her head. If not for the oxygen mask on her face, she’d look just like she was sleeping. Beneath the tiny hospital gown numerous wires stretched out. Some were connected to monitors, while others were drains embedded in her body.
“Jenna!”
Sherilyn’s heart skipped a beat, her hand flying to her mouth as her eyes instantly reddened. Though she logically understood all this was normal, à mother’s heart could hardly be entirely rational. She ached for her. Jenna was not even four years old!
“Time’s up,” the nurse reminded them. “Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, please rest assured, we’ll take good care of her.” “Thank you, we really appreciate it.”
Even after leaving the sterile ward,
Sherilyn hadn’t managed to calm her emotions. Gilbert looked down at her, wanting to offer some words of
comfort, but their feelings were
mutual. He was just as heartbroken.
QUMS
After a moment, speaking in a low tone, he said, “Let’s think positively… Jenna enduring this hardship, it’s the last time. From now on, her life will be all sweetness.” Surprised, Sherilyn looked up, her eyes still rimmed in red. Seeing this made Gilbert’s heart flutter, and he handed her a tissue.
“You haven’t rested well these past few days. Since we can’t visit here, take the chance to get some good rest. When Jenna gets out, you’ll have your hands full, right?”
“Yeah.”
Finally, Sherilyn took the tissue and nodded.
Gilbert’s phone rang, a call from the nurse. “Mr. Harrison, your treatment today…”
“I’m on my way,” Gilbert responded, ending the call to look at Sherilyn. “Shall we head back to the ward?”
“Sure.”
Gilbert escorted Sherilyn back to the hematology department.
“This is far enough.” Sherilyn stopped at the entrance to the ward. “You still need your treatment.”
She offered him a gentle smile. “I’ll head off then, call me if you need anything.”
With a wave, she turned and walked away, her demeanor poised, neither too intimate nor too distant.