Chapter 9

 

I was left on my own for quite a few minutes. I swallowed I needed a drink but unfortunately because I was doing slightly better I went from those rotten gauze restraints to ones that had to be buckled. I moved my arms but couldn't even lift them off the bed. I dropped my head back against the pillows my bangs falling into my eyes. I did it to get her attention and to get her to stop yelling at Richie. Yes I was pissed at him but I am a grown man and I can make my own decisions. It wasn't like he could have stopped me. It was my decision to let the damn doctor give me the shots. It was my decision to keep singing when I was told that I needed to take a break I was the one in charge of the band not Richie. What was he going to do sit on me and tell me that I couldn't sing? I sighed and turned my head to look down at the site in my arm. The place where I had ripped it out stung like hell an was bandaged, I was lucky they didn't stick it back in my neck. It had been uncomfortable as hell there.

I closed my eyes again my whole body felt exhausted like it was just drained of energy. Yet I had to find a way to talk my wife and the doctor into letting me go home. I couldn't stay here there was no way. I opened my eyes again when I heard someone come in. I winced as it was my pop and he looked pretty pissed off. Everyone thinks I get my temper from my ma but its kind of from both. My dad can get angry but his is less vocal than my moms. “Jon Francis what the hell were you thinking.... you were told to leave those lines alone... and what happens you get your restraints off and what do you do … you rip out the one line that is doing its best to get you better... why?”

I sighed “it was the only way to get D to stop yelling at Richie she blames him for what happened to me...” I whispered. It hurt to talk but I couldn't write it down with my wrists bound to the bed. I lifted my head blinking my eyes tiredly at my father. I rolled my eyes when he moved my hair from my face. I sank against the pillows licking my lips. “Thirsty pop...” He moved to the side pouring water into the cup then held the straw to my lips. I took a few pulls then turned my face away. “She got pissed...”

“Before you pulling your dialysis off?”

I sighed nodding. “Cause she asked me how much I weight....” I rolled my eyes. “It’s not that bad....” I tried to sit up further but couldn't as the restraints kept me pretty much where I was.

“Jon it is that bad  ...according to your doctor you are supposed to be at least one hundred fifty to sixty.” he sat on the stool by my bed.

Jon's Doctor escorted Dorothea out of the room. “Mrs Bongiovi I know you are angry and I understand you are worried but you cannot scream or yell in this hospital there is more than just your husband in here.” He folded his arms. “also I don't think yelling is going to get through to him.... your husband is in serious condition right now.... yes he's doing better but I foresee a long hospital stay for him. We finally were able to flush some of the drugs out of his system via the dialysis... but his kidneys are still a worry... also … he is looking at other problems ...”

Dorothea frowned “Like what?”

“Do you know what prolonged exposure to anabolic steroids can cause...” when she shook her head he sighed.

"Ok Mrs Bongiovi, I will explain, There are some things that Jon may experience due to his prolonged use of steroids, and please I am not saying he will have all these problems but you need to be aware of what Jon could be facing.  issues with his liver, heart, Musculoskeletal complications and injuries, aggression ,neurological problems, weight problems, the list is not exhaustive. Jon's body has been exposed to steroids for quite some time; and I am 99.9% sure he will endure one of these problems in the coming months if not years, Mrs Bongiovi, your husband has a very long road to recovery. You need to be committed for the long haul. Jon will need close monitoring. I am sorry its not better news "

Dot was shocked, and visibly started to shake, 

"Dr,  I am confused, I thought steroids were medical to help with problems? how can they be allowed to be prescribed with all these dangers, I don't understand?"

"Mrs Bongiovi, prescribed in minimal doses steroids do a brilliant job, they can treat infections on the chest etc., unfortunately when they are prescribed and administered long term that is when damage occurs."

"So, this Dr that prescribed Jon the steroids, he didn't stick to the guidelines?"

"I cannot comment on what that Dr did or did not do Mrs Bongiovi, but given your husband's current weight and health he has received high doses over very many months." touching Dots arm, "I'm sorry, now if you will excuse me." the Dr walked away and left Dot stood taking in what the Dr had told her. 

ma saw the Dr leave and walked over to talk to dot, seeing that she was so shaken.
"Dot, are you ok sweetheart?" 
"Erm, what yes, ma, I'm fine." 
"Well you don't look it, what did the Dr say?" 
"he, erm, told me about how very ill Jon is and then went on to tell me the damage that Jon is facing because of taking steroids." 
"Yes, I know but the dialysis is working, he is getting better, look..." 
"Ma, that is only the tip of the iceberg, Jon could have caused irreparable damage to his body, most of which we don't now about yet." 
"like what?"
"like, his heart, liver, mental issues, and other stuff I can't remember, the Dr said Jon may not have all of what he told me but he was sure there would be some other problems and that we had to monitor him very closely. Ma, I'm scared, for first time in my life, I feel out of control and there is nothing I can do...."    

"Dorothea Bongiovi, pull yourself together. ok, there could be more health problems in store for Jon, but getting upset now is no use to anyone. He does not have all those problems yet, lets face those problems if and when they happen. right now we need to get Jon through this. the Dr has warned us that's all and shared his medical knowledge. lets be thankful, now come on lets go back in there and see Jon. Lets show him our love and support" Dot nodded and together they came back into the room. 

Ma took a seat next to pop and Dot sat with Richie on the other side of me, each one seemed to take turns giving me fluids and stroking my head and moving my hair from my face. Don't get me wrong, I loved all my family but I was feeling suffocated, if only I could talk I would let everyone know. fact, I couldn't my throat and voice still hurt like hell and being in restraints I felt like a god damn prisoner not a patient. I had to get these removed. I whispered to my Pop, 

"Hey, Pop now you know why I ripped out my line, can't you explain to the Dr for me?"

"Son, what if you do it again?, I know you Jon Francis and you want outta here, I think the restraints are the best right now. I will talk to him in a day or two ok." 

For gods sake, why was everyone against me; I am a grown man trapped with people who are treating me like a fifteen year old boy. What the fuck did I have to do to be treated with respect. I know pulling out the line was stupid but how else could I stop Dot from her blow up at Richie. This sucked I turned my head away from them all and looked up to the ceiling closed my eyes and let the tears fall totally out of frustration.