Chapter 12

The next few days all I did was drink the water that I was giving and sleep. I didn't talk I didn't do much of anything. I wrote on the piece of paper that Richie got me.

The next day he showed up with an eraser board and markers. I just gave him a look but grinned at least I could talk in away without talking.

I wrote down on the board seeing my wife sleeping in the chair. I wanted her to go home and rest she hadn't left since she got there. I tapped the board to wake her up. Dot looked at me then the board.

“I am not going home till you do....” She shook her head.

I sighed and wrote on the board again. “I am not going anywhere … “ though it was a lie I was so going to talk my best friend into taking me home. “get some rest at home.... the chair can't be comfortable... “

“sweetheart I don't want to leave you alone...” She took my hand in hers.

“I am not going to be alone Richie's here....” I had sent mom and pop home the day before as they looked exhausted though I knew they would probably be back the next day. Hopefully I wouldn’t' be here for them to find. I had a plan and I was going to use every damn resource I could. I used every argument she could fathom and finally she gave in. Giving me a kiss on the cheek she grabbed her coat gave Richie a hug and left. I sighed and sank into the bed watching as the nurse started my dialysis again. I wrote quickly to Richie “don't they have home set ups like this?”

Richie eyed me “I think so why?” He frowned “Jon you aren't going home yet … this isn't something you can do at home...”

“I don't care I want to go home Richie ..” I tossed the board on the bed. “I want out of this damn place I am tired of being poked and prodded.” I spat at him. “you don't know what its like being treated like I was some stupid kid . I know I did wrong damn it Richie but I want the fu...” I started to cough again my hand went to my mouth. When I took it away there was blood on it. My eyes shot to Richie's who hit the button for the doctor. Within minutes my doctor was in the room and checking me out. Five seconds later I was moved to a gurney.

Richie frowned “where are you taking him ...”

“Operating room we have to cauterize the blood vessel he popped when we told him to stop talking. He popped another … he'll be fine..” with that I was taken out of the room.

 

As they wheeled me off to have surgery the dr walked beside me.

"Mr Bongivoi, let me ask you? why is it hard to do as you are asked? never mind... but let me tell you; this is not a pleasant op, but necessary. I will see you shortly in theatre."  with his parting words he went off to prep himself for surgery.

 

Me I just watched the lights as the rolled me down the corridors, swallowing and tasting blood. I still felt like a kid again being scolded for not being good..... why did they treat me like this.... I am a grown man for fuck sake...... my mind was buzzing thinking.... How the fuck am I gonna get outta here now? I had to get Richie on my side. I had to get him to see this place was no good for me.

 

My thoughts were interrupted as we pulled into theatre, "Ok, Jon,  I'm graham the anaesthetist.  I'm gonna put this line in your hand and it's gonna make you sleepy ok?,  I nodded.... "I need you in your mind to count with me from ten to zero ok, ten, nine, eight, seven............" that's the last thing I remember...when I opened my eye's I was back in my room and Richie was standing over me, that big silly grin over his face.

"Yo, welcome back bro, Doc tells me it all went well, but you cant talk for 3 weeks maybe longer. now you aint gonna burst another are you?"

 

I looked at Richie, and felt an anger burning inside, now he was treating me like a child... where was the solidarity and brotherhood.......  I swear the Dr's were out to stop me and now my buddy was joining forces with them. Why won't anyone listen to me,  they need to understand I don't handle hospitals and being told what to do. I just needed someone to give me a break let me go home to recover with all this shit and I would be fine.

 

Richie continued to smile his stupid smile and threw the board and pen onto my lap. "That is your form of communication from now on ok?"

I looked at him and nodded.  to weak to argue my throat was stinging and tasted of burnt blood, ok I can't tell you what that's like but believe me when I tell you its grosse. My mind was fighting but my body just weren't willing right now.

 

Richie carried on chatting to me, though I honest to god can't tell you what he was saying, I guess I was still groggy from the aesthetic; and I must have dozed off a few times in between.

When I opened my eye's again it was dark. Richie was still there sitting in the chair beside me, he had his eye's closed and seemed to sleeping soundly.

 

I needed a drink and I had been given a buzzer as it was next to my hand. I pressed the buzzer and waited. A few minutes later in walked a nurse. As she entered she woke Richie from his sleep.

 

"Good evening Mr Bongiovi, nice to see you are awake, is there anything I can get for you? are you comfortable?"

picking up my pen I wrote... "thirsty" the nurse looked and nodded and left. she returned a minute later with a pitcher of water and a glass and straw. she held the glass to my lips and I drew a few pulls before laying my head back on the pillows. as she moved around the bed she spoke.

 

"just so you know Mr Bongiovi, I am going to be assigned as your nurse for the next 48 hours following your pre op, together with my colleague Vanessa. My name is Samantha. I have been told you are a force to be handled at the best of times? is that true?"

before I could do anything Richie answered for me, 

 

" Take it easy nurse,.... he's a guy honey, he no we; don't do hospitals, but he will be fine for you, he will do everything he has to do and will be no trouble; I'll make sure of it." Richie  gave her his biggest cheesy Sambora smile.

 

I smiled to myself. He always had a way with the girls and this nurse was gonna be putty in his hands.

I watched her the whole time Richie spoke and she was melting with his every word.

maybe this nurse could be the help I needed to get me outta here too. Yes sir for my sanity and recovery I would do everything I had to, and work on my plan to get released  and back home as quick as I could.