Page 23 of Take Me Please, Cowboy
When the rodeo ended, everyone stood and began rushing from the stadium.Rye wasn’t in a hurry to be part of the jostling crowd and so he and Ansley hung back and waited for the stands to empty.Tonight was the big party in Crawford Park and she mentioned it to Rye, not sure if he’d be interested.
“There’s a steak dinner tonight here in town,” she said.“I could get us tickets if you thought it sounded fun.”
He didn’t answer right away.“I like steak.”His eyes narrowed as he looked toward the exits which were finally clearing out.“Are you up for the crowd?”
“Not necessarily, but if that’s how I get to spend time with you, I won’t complain.”
His lips curved, a smile briefly warming his eyes.“I’d rather just hang out with you.If you don’t mind.”
“I definitely don’t mind.”
“You could come to the farmhouse,” she said.“I’m not a great cook, but I know how to throw some steaks in a cast-iron skillet.”
He nodded.“I like that.Should I follow you?We can stop and pick up steaks on the way.”
“I wanted to stop in at the hospital before heading back.What if I meet you in thirty minutes or so at the turnoff for Miracle Lake?You’ll head south on Highway 89, and it’ll be on your right a few miles out of town.”
“Don’t rush your visit with your uncle.I’m going to take care of my horses and clean up.What if we meet in an hour?That way there’s no stress.”
“Perfect.”
*
Uncle Clyde wasnapping when Ansley arrived at the hospital.She sat next to his bed for ten minutes, but he never stirred and even when a nurse came in to check his vitals, he didn’t wake.Ansley waited another ten minutes and then rose to go, but as she gathered her things a doctor entered the room.
“I heard you were here,” he said, extending his hand.“I’m Dr.Maida, one of the cardiologists here at Marietta.I’ve been hoping to bump into you.”
“I kept calling to get updates,” she said.
“The messages were passed on, and we’ve done our best to keep your uncle comfortable.”He paused.“Is there anyone else you’d want me to speak with about his condition?”
“His wife passed away a number of years ago.I’ve moved in to help care for him.He hasn’t felt well all summer, but he refused to get a checkup.”
“It would have been helpful.Your uncle had a stroke Friday morning.But it wasn’t his first.In fact, he’s probably been having a series of mini strokes for months.”
They’d stepped out of her uncle’s room and were standing in the hallway.Ansley exhaled hard.This wasn’t what she’d expected.
“I had no idea.He’s not the best communicator and when there is a problem, he’s stubborn.”
“I don’t believe he’s intentionally deceiving you.The stubbornness can also be a result of his VCI.”
“VCI?”she repeated, bewildered.
“Vascular cognitive impairment.In the past, the medical field referred to it as vascular dementia, but I prefer VCI as it better reflects the cognitive changes within the patient, and how side effects can vary from mild to severe, particularly with decision making and communication.”
Ansley wasn’t even sure what to say, or where to begin and was glad Dr.Maida just continued.
“We can see from the MRI the damage.It’s been over time, but the damage is cumulative and permanent.”
“Will he recover?”
“His mobility should improve with physical therapy, but there is evidence of clear cognitive decline.”The doctor paused.“The dementia will get worse with time, but physical therapy could help him with mobility.Besides communication difficulties, how has his mood been?”
“Not good.He’s frustrated most of the time.Extremely short-tempered.”
“Depression coexists with vascular cognitive impairment.Treating the depression would definitely help his quality of life.But I think it’s important we be frank, and since you appear to be the primary caregiver, you should know that he’s not capable of living independently.If you go for errands, you might want to take him, or have someone stay with him.”
“How did this happen?”
