EMBRACE YOU Lone(liness Book Two)(28)

As it turns out, I have the beginning stages of pneumonia. Marcus and I are both admitted so I can start receiving treatment. Because Lizzie is so young, we are all in the same hospital suite.

Before we go to sleep, I call Tim to report the latest happening.

"Oy. Okay, you'd better stay in hospital and get the treatment you need. I'm glad you told me about this, honestly. I'll tell the boys so they know to watch for worsening symptoms."

"Thank you. I'll let you know how it goes and when we go home," I promise him.

"Good. You just take care of yourself and let the docs take care of the baby."



Once Lizzie receives antibiotics and oxygen, she comes back round and starts recovering. I begin coughing, so I'm put on oxygen and antibiotics. The next day, Marcus develops pneumonia. We are discharged from hospital over the weekend and we go home. We all have inhalers to use when we have trouble breathing. When I tell the doctor about my singing career and our plans for a European tour, he shakes his head.

"Mrs. Hadley, you're going to need to take a few days to rest. Do you do exercises for breathing?"

When I nod affirmatively, he tells me to keep those up. "But drink plenty of water and don't push it. If you can't expand your lungs, stay home. When you can, practice, but take your inhaler with you - you will need it for the next few weeks."

I sigh, thinking. If it's not one thing, it's another!

"Okay. I don't want to destroy my voice - it's my livelihood, so I will be sure to do everything you tell me. Thank you."

In the end, before we are discharged, the doctor orders me to use a nebulizer machine as well. I receive my first treatment in hospital, and the loud noise of the compressor scares poor Lizzie. She scrambles into Marcus' lap, hiding her head.

"Lizzie, I'm sorry, but your mum needs this so she can breathe and sing," says the doctor.

"Ow! Bad!" Lizzie says as she holds her hands over her ears.

"I'll take her to the hallway," Marcus tells me.

After about twenty minutes, I finish my treatment and give the medicine cup to the nurse. I stand, feeling very shaky, as if I had just drunk a pot full of coffee.

"Whoa! Is this feeling normal?" I ask.

"Sadly, yes. The medication stimulates you as it opens up your airways. While you're using the machine at home, you'll feel trembly for a few minutes after. It does go away. Here, drink some water."

I take several long sips of water as Lizzie and Marcus come back into my hospital room. Finally, we are discharged to go home.

Once home, I tell Marcus that I will only use the machine in our room, away from Lizzie. It truly does make a horrible racket. After putting the machine, medicine cup and vials of medication safely away, we rest in the living room. Now, I know what to watch for and I keep a very close eye on my little girl. This time, however, we experience no health crises. We rest, eat healthy foods, stay inside out of the cold and we finally recover. While Lizzie and I continue coughing and hacking, I understand that it's part of our recovery, and, as I'm able, I resume my breathing and vocal exercises. Tim and I talk, and he tells me that he, Laslow and Linny are all recovering from their bouts with grippe. We discuss possible practice days and decide we'll take things on a day-to-day basis.

"We've lost almost a week in preparing for our European tour, you know. Are you working on vocalization and breathing?" he asks me.

"As much as I can. I have to inhale slowly so I don't start a coughing fit. Thankfully, I have the nebulizer, which helps me keep my airways open. As long as I use that and pay close attention to my breathing, I should be fine. I hate to think how I'll sound singing the first time!"

"Oh, Lord. I don't even want to think about that! Just take care of yourself and drink lots of fluids. Our health is the best tool we have as we go into our last weeks before the tour begins. Hey, what do you hear about the sentencing for Cara and her friend?"

"Nothing yet. I do know the magistrate wasn't very impressed with their outbursts at sentencing. I just hope they don't get off scot-free, Tim. If they do, Marcus and I have discussed leaving Great Britain altogether and moving, either to Europe or the U.S. I wouldn't feel free or safe here in England."

"Can't say I blame you, although that would mean we'd also have to move. It would be worth it, just to keep you lot and the baby safe, though. Tell you what. We'll talk about that on Monday," Tim promises.

"Sounds good. I'd just like to have a plan, just in case." We ring off and I go to play with Lizzie. Marcus has been watching her and I know he has several articles backed up that he needs to write and get out to his clients.

"Marcus, I'll take over with Lizzie-girl. You have a lot of work to do," I tell him.

"Thanks, yes. They're beginning to pile up on me. Was that Tim you were talking to? What did he have to say?"

"Get working. Yes, it was. We talked about our practice schedule and the tour...and that, if two certain kooks are not sentenced to prison, we would be looking at an international move away from here," I say.

"Ahhh. Yes, that is important, isn't it?" Marcus responds as he sets up his day's work. "I wish we'd hear soon so we can go back and hear what their sentences are going to be, if anything. You know, you might want to call your mum and set that up, just in case. See if she could come here to take care of Lizzie, although it would be almost at a moment's notice."