Alone

Jessica is about to meet her first patient. It's her first duty in the hospital as she was called for a special care to a lady patient. She heard her patient is currently undergoing dialysis treatment with stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease which is sad to hear. Of course she knows the complications of this medical condition, it's clearly critical.

She slowly opens the door to see her waiting patient. This lady is younger than she expected. She thought of someone older but this is just in her late 20's or early 30's. So sad, the lady didn't even recognize her.

She's smiling like she's expecting someone and asked, "Sonny is that you? Thank God you came back!". Jess is stunned, the lady must be waiting for someone else. Maybe a family member or her husband? So she thought of greeting her the nicest way to cheer her up and not to disappoint her. "I'm afraid Sonny hasn't arrived yet but I'm here to assist you in anything you need, by the way I'm Jessica, call me jess." She extended her arms to shake hands with her, but unfortunately, her patient is blind. She wasn't expecting that and it pricked her heart seeing her patient in its situation.

It must be really hard for her. She felt tiny little pieces of heartbreak came upon her. The patient looked upset but she tried to smile in bitterness and greeted her. "Hi I'm Elle, you must be my private caregiver. Thank you for coming, Jess I'll be a good patient, I promise."

Elle, even if she felt a little dismay upon knowing Jessica's not the one she was expecting to come she started feeling at ease with her as she was a cheerful, talkative young lady. At least she's not alone anymore. Then she started telling on Jessica's first night. She finally had someone to take care and listen to her as she waits for her family to visit and bring her son to her. She's also been waiting for Sonny, her husband who left her in the hospital since day one.

Elle was a sweet little girl brought by a doctor in his hometown. Her mother died after giving birth due to complications of diabetes. The doctor adopted her and became her father. As he was busy in the medical field, he left Elle in the care of his mother, Maria. Elle then started addressing Maria as her mama Maya. In her early days as a newborn, they found out she had neonatal diabetes. The family did their best to save her and they had been able to manage her condition and live a normal life with them.

She was raised well by the family. She had everything she needed. Such a sweet girl should have the best care she deserved, she is an angel and was so dear to her mama Maya. Mama Maya had three daughters, too. They loved her and became like her mothers/sisters/bestfriends. Elle was indeed full of love.

Elle barely had friends due to her health. There are some restrictions but she can mingle and play normally with other kids, only she had limited time. Most of the time she stays inside her room and just choose to be busy with music. She loves singing and her talent gained her a lot of admirers. She's a good friend, very kind and generous to her classmates. But something is off about her being too generous. Some friends would just enjoy being with her because she has a lot to offer. And when she needed help, no one's there to stay just to give her a little comfort.

She had the happiest heart when Sonny came into her life. She made mama Maya so angry when she got pregnant while she was still in her 2nd year as a Nursing student. Elle got everyone mad including her father (the doctor) but they continued to support her with all her struggles. Her son Lucas was the sweetest angel they met. One of her sisters then offered to take care of the baby as she and her husband had left their place to find a job. Years had passed, they weren't able to take Lucas with them for good. The kid had grown up in the care of her sister and is more comfortable staying with her, not his parents.

The couple continued their lives working in a distant place without their child with them. They provided everything he needs and visited him when they get the chance. They had a happy and abundant life back then. Then here comes the pandemic that made her weak, not just physically but mentally and emotionally. She missed her son so badly that she became so ill. She was advised to avail a work from home program because she is comorbid with diabetes. She stayed home with doors closed. No visitors, only video calls which made her long for Lucas more. She wanted to hold and hug him. How she missed him that made her cry every night. Her husband isn't always there to be with her because he is on a night shift. He comes home to just sleep and take a rest. Elle felt so alone.

The pandemic went on for over a year when Elle started getting ill. She had missed her medication and doctor's appointments due to heavy restrictions. It seemed that her medicines aren't the right dosage for her worsening health condition anymore. It became complicated that her kidneys were affected. She had visited the ER several times in a year. Until one day in her 2nd year of going back and forth in the hospital the doctor told her she only had 5-6 months to live since her kidneys had given up. She had undergone dialysis with 2 to 3 sessions per week.

Elle was then forced to stop working. Her savings were all used up for dialysis treatment. Sonny was requested by her family to stay and take care of her as she needs extra care since both sides weren't able to travel. Elle's sisters couldn't come to her as they had comorbidities, too. Sonny was also forced to stop working and they lived with their sisters' provisions. They send money for the treatment and their needs.

2022 when the restrictions were lifted but it's still hard for Elle to travel back home. Their province doesn't offer the same medical facilities whereas if she stays she can have a better and advanced treatment.

Elle started losing her eyesight. She felt Sonny started to become more irritable. She can sense him losing patience from taking care of him, especially now that she has to rely on him even the most simple task she couldn't do for herself.

One day she was sent to the ER again and was advised for confinement. After being transferred to the private room, Sonny left the hospital telling her that he would only go for a grocery and shop for some things they would need in the hospital. He never came back.

Nurses called for her family back in the province telling them that she was all alone in the hospital for two days already. Nurses were kind enought to take care of her and change her since she came with nothing.

Elle requested a nurse to set her phone where it will be easier for her to call her sisters. She broke down as soon as she was able to talk to one of her sisters and when she heard Lucas. "I will fight, my son, please wait for me. I will be going home soon. I miss you and I love you." Her tears won't stop falling. She's alone and afraid so her sisters decided to request for a private nurse for her.

Jessica is in tears listening to Elle.

"Even if we don't know each other personally, please don't leave me"

She saw loneliness in her blind innocent eyes. Jess wiped her tears and tried to calm herself. "Don't worry, miss, I won't leave you. You can always ask me anything and you can always share your thoughts with me."

Jess took care of Elle for two weeks. She tried to cheer her up everyday in which Jess would always succeed. Elle is happier than the past days. She forgets all her worries. But she became very ill. Her body started to deteriorate, declining her medicines and food intake. Until her time has finally come in the midst of their 3rd week together. Elle held her hand so tight on that day. She couldn't speak anymore but her touch tells a lot.

Elle never hated Sonny for leaving her. She told Jess once that she has forgiven him if ever he comes back and she's gone. Elle had longed for their family to be complete but it seems that time isn't enough anymore. She just prayed that Lucas be raised well by her sisters just like how they did to her. And she prayed for Sonny to be happy.

Tears came out of her eyes as soon as she struggled to breath. Jess heard her utter "mama ya". She presumed Elle had already seen her Mama Maya who passed away two years ago. "Thank you Je".. Then her last words were "Luc" (Lucas). Then she went at peace. Jessy couldn't help herself but cry and feel pity for her poor patient. She prayed as she kept holding her hand. "I kept my promise not to leave you, I hope you fly at peace, miss." Jess broke down and hugged her new friend before she was taken to the morgue.

Author's Note:

I just couldn't stop crying. I wrote this in memory of my good friend who died without her loved ones. 😭😭😭