Saving Maude

Six o'clock on a Friday afternoon, and the office telephone rang. Gerry ignored it until she was bothered by the persistence of the ring. The male voice on the call pleaded with her for help.
"My stepfather lives in Delray, is sick and refuses to see a doctor." said the caller with a quick, excited voice. Gerry learned that the caller was in Connecticut and worried about his 85 year old stepfather.
"But, I'm not a doctor....where did you get this number?" said Gerry. Working as Director of Nurses in this small home health agency for the last year, she often stayed late to finish work projects. But, this was Friday night, the end of a busy week.
"We copied down home health phone numbers when we visited Florida a month ago. Dad is not in good health. Just didn't know this would come up so suddenly," he said.
Gerry grimaced as she heard the pain in the caller's voice. She glanced at her watch, stretching her arm to relieve the day's weariness. The address was just minutes away, she reasoned, as though trying to convince herself.
"Give me your phone number, and I'll stop by your father's house on my way home, and call you from there" she said.
"Oh, that's terrific." said the caller with a sigh. "Michael Skeller is my name....here's my phone number." He rattled off his phone number and Gerry noticed a calmer tone in his voice.
Turning off the computer, Gerry grabbed her car keys and made a final check through the office. Forwarding the agency phones to the on-call number was the last task before exiting and locking the door. Another busy week behind her. Her blue Saturn was sitting alone in the parking lot. She listened to the noise from the street. It was a relief to sit inside. She started to think about what to fix for dinner...something quick.
Early evening was her favorite time of day. The sun's orange glow cast a calming effect on the palms and softened the harsh world of this busy city. It was a short five minute drive to Sumtner Street where she found the home of the elderly man. Keeping the promise to stop by and reassure Michael Skeller should only take a few minutes.
Gerry walked to the door of the small white house and rang the doorbell. She heard the noise of his breathing before he opened the door. It reminded her of the sound that blowing air into a glass of water makes. Gurgling and with an ashen grey color to his face, Ralph Parsons opened the door. His eyes wide with fright, he waved at Gerry to come inside.
Gerry walked into a room and followed Mr. Parsons to the couch. There was no reason to use a stethoscope. His short bubbling breaths gave her a clear indication that this man was in critical condition.
"Hello....my name is Gerry and I am a nurse. You are very sick and must go to the hospital."
Gerry watched as he shook his head, then pointed toward the other side of the room. "Can't leave Maude...she can't be alone".
Gerry's eyes followed his gesture and saw a small woman with grey, matted hair sitting on the couch. Her eyes were lifeless, and she sat motionless. Piled around the room were stacks of newspapers. Gerry could see a kitchen sink and counter top heaped with dirty dishes. The stale odor of an overflowing garbage can.
"Let me talk to your doctor, maybe he can suggest something?" Gerry said.
"Here's his number," he nodded and handed Gerry a business card.
Gerry quickly dialed Dr. Isenhorf's number and he answered on the first ring. She described the sound of Mr. Parson's breathing...."loud gurgling and rapid, short breaths."
"Yes, call 911 and I will meet him at the emergency room" said Dr. Isenhorf.
"Your doctor will meet you at the emergency room, Mr. Parsons....you really need to go". Gerry said. She reached out and touched his hand, feeling the cold, moist touch of his skin.
"But, Maude. Who will stay with my wife?" he said, looking directly at Gerry.
Gerry glanced at the frail, elderly lady on the couch. The soiled front of her dress reminded her of dried food stains on bibs. She noticed Maude's hands clasped prayer-like in her lap.
"I will stay...at least, until I can find a qualified aide to come and help." Gerry said
"Now, let me call your son." Gerry dialed Michael's number and quickly related that she was sending his stepfather to the hospital.
"Dr. Isenhorf will meet him at the emergency room. I will work to find a home health aide to stay with Maude, while Mr. Parsons is treated. Are you okay with that?" she said.
"Yes, absolutely....thank you, thank you." he said. "Send the bill for the aide's time to me."
Ending the brief phone call, Gerry dialed 911 and walked to sit near Maude.
"Maude, would you like something to eat?" she asked.
Gerry helped the thin woman to stand and walk to the dining table. She pulled out a chair, moving a stack of magazines to allow Maude to sit. Walking to the kitchen, she opened the refrigerator and found a bowl of soup. "How about some soup?" she said, placing it in a microwave oven to warm.
There was a loud knock on the front door. Gerry opened it and paramedics entered with a stretcher. "Here to take Mr. Parsons to the hospital." one of the medics said.
Ralph Parsons rose slowly and walked a few steps. As he climbed on the stretcher, he reached out and squeezed Gerry's hand.
"Yes, don't worry about Maude. She will be okay." said Gerry.
The emergency crew was gone and the house was quiet. Gerry pulled out a list of home health aide names and phone numbers from her briefcase. One by one she started placing calls. When she reached the fifth name on the list, a voice answered.
"Agnes, so glad I reached you." said Gerry. "I really need help. Need someone to stay with a pleasant, confused lady who's husband just went to the hospital. Can you help me?"
"Oh, Gerry. I just got home from the grocery store. It would take me about an hour to unpack my stuff and get there, Agnes said.
"Perfect, I'll stay here until you get here." Gerry said. Agnes was a caring aide who had a natural style for restoring order to a cluttered, out-of-sorts environment. She was an angel and would be perfect for this case.
Gerry gave Agnes directions to the Parson's home before returning to help Maude, who was slowly spooning soup into her mouth. Gerry watched as a small dribble ran down Maude's chin to the soiled front of her dress. This would be another challenge for Agnes.
In less than 45 minutes, the doorbell rang. Gerry answered it and let Agnes in. "You are a life-saver, Aggie" she said.
Driving home, Gerry turned on the radio to "LTJAZ" her favorite station. The soft jazz music was relaxing after a long week. How lucky she was to work with someone like Agnes. Having her with Maude was comforting. Another job well done.