Page 43 of Loving Lizzy

Lizzy sighed. “I better get going. Do you want me to text you when I finish?”

“Yes, I’ll walk you in.” Michael got out of the car and helped Lizzy out. They went through the hospital, and he waited until she stepped onto the elevator. Her head hung down until the doors started to close. She glanced up as if she wanted to say something and the doors closed. Even if she didn’t seem to want his touch, he saw the vulnerability in her eyes. He wondered if he made a mistake about not fighting her to attend the appointment. He tried to give her some space when all he wanted to do was hold her.

Michael stuffed his hands in his pockets and roamed the halls as he debated whether to follow her and let her know he planned to stick by her side forever.

“Hello, Dr. Harris.”

Stopping as the familiar voice broke him from his thoughts, Michael took in the woman in front of him. He tried to pinpoint where he knew her from.

She stuck her hand out. “I’m Candi, the nurse who took care of your wife after her surgery.

Michael nodded, feeling embarrassed at not recognizing her.

“I’m sorry, I remember you now. You took very good care of Elizabeth.”

“Did Elizabeth need my schedule?” She cocked her head while she waited for his response.

“Ugh, no. I’m passing time while Elizabth attends her appointment.”

“Oh, I work part time in PT doing lymphatic massages. Kassie and Lizzy have visited me a couple of times. She mentioned she wanted to schedule another appointment.”

Another thing Lizzy failed to mention. “No. I’ll remind her to make her next appointment,” his disappointment evident in his voice.

“I’ve got fifteen minutes, why don’t you come in and I can give you my schedule?” Candi walked to the glass doors into the physical therapy department.

She walked into her little cubby area and shuffled through paperwork. She pulled out a pamphlet and a sheet of paper with her contact information and schedule. She started to hand it to him when she hesitated. “Dr. Harris, may I say something?”

Michael’s eyebrows arched in question. “Sure.”

“I’ve worked the unit for over twelve years. My mom passed away from breast cancer and I found a way of fighting back. I see women struggle physically and emotionally through the process. It’s scary, the waiting sucks, and it plagues your mind when you’re in limbo between treatments. What people don’t talk about is how it affects their partners or family members. As a nurse and massage therapist, I’ve seen how people cope. Can I give you some free advice?”

Michael wondered if he and Lizzy appeared transparent to everyone around them. Michael straightened his shoulders and regarded the woman in front of him. “I’m listening.”

“Sometimes, it’s difficult for a partner to connect after a mastectomy or even a lumpectomy. Massage can sometimes help. You’re a doctor. Have you given any thought to learning lymphatic massage techniques? The class takes forty hours of classroom instruction and then another one hundred and thirty-five hours of clinical time to earn you CMLDT.”

He shook his head. “Honestly, I didn’t know she came here.” The reality of his situation hit him hard upon hearing his own confession. Lizzy kept this from him.

Candi touched his arm. “She’s only visited a couple of times. Massage can help the lymphatic system, relax the patient, and reduce pain and swelling. I find touch can provide a connection when words can’t.”

“Thank you, Candi. If you don’t mind, can we keep this conversation to ourselves? You might’ve given me an idea and I prefer to keep it to myself for a bit.”

Candi smiled. “I’m headed to Dr. Safder’s office in a bit, I’ll be sure to run into Lizzy and give her this information myself.” She winked as she walked back into the therapy room and guided an older woman across the floor to one of the private areas.

Michael took out his phone and dialed the one person he knew could make things happen expeditiously. The phone began to ring.

“Good morning, Michael,” Kassie’s cheerful voice came over the line.

“Hello, Kassie, I need a favor.”

* * *

“Everything is healingas it should, your vitals show on target. Now tell me, how are you coping?” Dr. Safder wheeled her stool over and placed her hands on Lizzy’s knees.

“I’m feeling better and getting around faster. It’s a step in the right direction,” Lizzy replied.

“What about emotionally? Did you talk to the therapist you mentioned in Serenity? I know Kassie has resources available, did you take advantage of them or any of the area’s support groups?”

“I’m not big on support groups, my friends help me,” she added.

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