I dropped my backpack to the floor and rushed to help her. Mom looked groggy and disordered, but I managed to bring her to her feet and help her get to the bed before calling the next door neighbor Mrs. Nicholas for help, fearing that mom needs instant care, Mrs. Nicolas immediately took her to the urgent care at the nearby hospital.
Hours later when they returned, Mrs. Nicolas told me that mom had caught the same stomach flu that I had, which without a doubt I knew. The doctor had prescribed her an antibiotic, medicine to stop throwing up and an over the counter flu medication. She further advised me to feed her broth, crackers, and other non-dairy drinks for a day or two till she became better. Mrs. Nicholas stayed until about 9 pm making sure all was well around the house before she left giving me instructions to look after mom.
“I’ll be back around 11.00 tomorrow after the meeting at my church. You take good care of your mother.” she said as she left.
Bowl of chicken broth that I gave her took a long time to finish; mom appeared as she regained some of her strength after having some broth and medications. I helped her to the bathroom and then she was able to shower without any assistance. So I left her in her room to rest and went to watch TV for a while before taking a shower myself and getting ready for bed. Then thinking about mom, I went to her room to check on her before hitting the sack myself, upon entering her room; it became apparent that her condition had worsened within the short period since I last tended to her. I found her in bed covered with a blanket, yet shivering as a fish out of the water. She complained about stomach cramps and being very cold. She whine, sob in discomfort turning side to side holding the blanket with her hands as she turned. I knew it was too late to call Mrs. Nicolas, but I had no other option since I didn’t have a clue as to what action that I should take.
I dialed Mrs. Nicolas hesitantly and explained mom’s condition to her. After listening carefully, she asked me to take mom’s temperature and call her back.
After monitoring mom’s body temperature, I called Mrs. Nicolas to report that the reading was nearly 102. She instructed me to remove all covers and blankets from mom and give her the flu medication along with much Seven-Up as she could drink. She asked that I take her temperature again in an hour and call her if it hadn’t dropped. I followed her instructions and gave mom her flue medication with Seven-up that she drank holding the glass with her shaky hands.
“Mom, Mrs. Nicolas asked me to take blankets and comforters away till your fever drops down.” I said taking covers off her bed.
“You look tied and sleepy. You can go to bed, I will be ok.” Mom murmured finishing a sip of liquids. I noticed in her eyes that she was still disoriented by the way her eyes hovered all over the room.
“I am not sleepy anymore mom, why don’t you rest, I’ll stay near your room, just in case if you need me.” I said not wanting to leave her alone when she was severely ill. Besides, I could think of many occasions that she stood by me when I was sick and tending to her was a tiny return for all that she had done for me.
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