Insignificant me

Chapter 1 It was a sunny day in June. It's a Saturday, so no school for the kids and no work for Pete. From the open plan kitchen I can see the children through the double doors that leads to the sitting room. They are sat in front of the TV watching the reruns of Tom and Jerry. Jane my eldest is sat on the floor with her back leaning on the white leather sofa. My second child Tom who will be 7 in September is lying across the armchair with his foot hanging at the side watching the TV and at the same time reading one of his comics.

Ann my little girl who is the youngest in the family who turns 5 a few weeks after Tom is lying on her belly on the big white leather sofa facing the TV chuckling every now and again to what they are watching. She is such an adorable little girl to watch. I got up from my stool and walked over to where the children are. 'What shall we do today?' I asked the kids. 'Picnic, picnic!' Jane quickly shouted out getting up on her feet and started dancing around on the spot. 'Yes picnic' shouted my little boy Tom looking all excited. 'I don't want to go for a picnic mummy, it's a long drive and I want to watch Thomas the tank engine on TV', says Ann 'Boring' says Tom, 'We want to go on a picnic in the woods and ride our bikes', insisted Tom. The front door then opened and in came my husband Pete dressed in a white t-shirt and jeans. He just got back from walking Jerry our pet dog. He takes his timberland shoes off to leave them by the hallway and went to the kitchen to get a drink of water. He takes a large gulp and left the glass on the kitchen island and walked back to the sitting room 'hmmm I needed that. It's a hot day outside' said Pete. 'Daddy, daddy, can we go on a picnic?' shouted Tom whilst jumping up and down in front of Pete. 'No! I don't want to go on a picnic! I want to watch Thomas!' cried Ann and stumping her right foot at the same time. 'I don't think picnic is a good idea at the moment. The road is nothing but a log jam, I'm afraid. I think just about everybody has the same idea of getting out the house to go somewhere today because of this nice weather we're having', says Pete. If we head off now I think we'll end up eating our picnic in the car. I looked at Jane and Tom both looking quite disappointed. They must be getting stir crazy in the house. In the week they are both at school all day so they are not so used to being at home not doing anything but watching TV. It's not too bad with Ann as she is still in nursery so most of the time she's home with me and we do what she likes to do maybe watch TV, play in the garden or we go out to town. 'How about if we have a nice picnic in the garden instead?', I chipped in hoping to find some compromise. We can have some sandwiches and do a bit of BBQ, Tom can ride his bike and Ann can still watch Thomas later when it comes on TV', I finished off. 'Yes that's a good idea' said Pete. 'What do you think kids?' 'Ok, but can we go on a proper picnic next time?' said Tom with a hint of disappointment in his voice. 'Of course', said Pete. 'Yes!' said Ann. 'Ok kids, go and get the mat and picnic things and set it up in the garden while you're dad and I sort the food out'. Pete then got the meat out that he prepared earlier for dinner and put a marinade on the meat instead to cook on the BBQ. I gathered everything I need to make some sandwiches and sat on the kitchen island facing the French door so I can watch the children while they play in the garden. Tom is riding his bike round and round the garden while Jane is instructing Ann on how to set the mat on the grass. Every now and again I can hear Jane shout out to Tom that he's not helping. -o0o- 'Alice, Alice, sorry to wake you but can I take your blood pressure?' I started to stir, 'what's going on? Who are you? What are you doing in my room?' I ask. 'What time is it'? It's 6:00 am Alice', says this Asian looking lady in a blue uniform. 'Alice, it's Rosie, I'm your nurse, and you're in Warwick Hospital. Sorry to wake you up so early but breakfast will be here soon and we need to get all the patients clean and ready for breakfast'. I remember now. I had a fall at home and they brought me here in hospital. I gave Rosie my left arm and she put a calf around it. She presses a button and it started to tighten around my left arm. She then put a probe on one of my finger as I recall it is to measure the oxygen in my body. She then put a small machine in my ear to take my temperature and started to chart everything down on her orange folder. 'Thanks Alice' Said Rosie. Did you manage to sleep ok?' 'Yes I did thank you, can I ask you Rosie, how long have I been in hospital now? It seems like I haven't been home in a long time.' I asked. Rosie thought about it, she had a look at her piece of paper with all the patients details on it put it back in her pocket and said, 'I think all together you've been in hospital for just over 3 months. You we're in two other wards before you came to us', Said Rosie. 'But why am I still here? I don't feel unwell anymore I'm starting to walk again, very slowly yes but I think I'm ok to go home now, don't you think?' ​ Rosie looked at me for a little bit. I think she's thinking about what to say. She took a deep breath. 'Alice, yes you are well enough now to go home but for now we are still looking for a nice place for you to go home to', She said. 'What do you mean? I have a home. I live with my daughter Jane and her husband. 'I'm so sorry Alice but at the moment it looks like you're daughter is not able to look after you full time anymore, but I'm sure they are looking for a lovely nursing home for you to go to and they will visit you there regularly. I better go Alice and tend to the other patients. 'Oh ok. Thank you,' was all I can mutter. Rosie then went to the next patient I think her name is Mrs Wang. I've never heard her say anything. I think she may be Chinese or from an oriental descent. I wonder what is wrong with her. Rosie then did charting of Mrs Wang's observation and moved on to the next patient. It wasn't long before two other staff came to see me. One is a male African whom I've never seen before. The other is a Caucasian woman whom I've seen regularly. I think her name is Alley. They both wear the same pale blue uniform. 'Hi Alice how are you this morning? Is it ok if we quickly check and maybe change your pad?' Alley asked me. Alley is one of the regular staff in this ward. She is very polite and gentle. She's always been quite nice to me and to the other patients. The other guy I don't remember seeing him here before. They draw the blue curtains around my bed and they rolled me first on my right hand side and undid my pad. 'Alice, you're pad is wet so I'll just quickly clean you up and change your pad if that's ok,' said Alley. She then walked away, I can hear her putting on the tap from the other side of the room, she then came back and started wiping my behind. She gave it a quick dry and put on a dry pad and then rolled me back to the other side. They both put their arms around each of my arm and lifted me higher up the bed. Alley then went to the bottom of the bed where the control is for the bed and raised the top half of the bed so I am then sitting up. 'There you go Alice', said Alley, 'someone will be along in a little while ok to bring you a cup of tea'. 'Thank you', was all I said. Both of them then walked over to Mrs Wang, I would assume to clean her up too.