Chapter 33

Being early morning the traffic into the city was slow, I sat in the back of the cab and watched people going about their business, people shuffling along to get to their jobs, shopping or meeting friends. I'd never really paid this much attention before, and it kinda struck something inside me.

Being a musician you kind of take it for granted that life moves at an easy pace, well apart from being on tour when things are manic, but tours last for a year or two at most, these people I was watching did the same things day in day out, I could not imagine for one second what it was like to hold a regular job. I was so pleased I could do what I loved. 

We were sat stationary in traffic for over thirty minutes, and really I could of walked to the hospital, but my side was a aching a little and I promised Ma not to over do it, and with only four days left before I could return to my own home I was not going to get my stay at The Bongiovi's extended.

I sat back and soon enough the cab starting moving and ten minutes later he pulled up outside the hospital, I took the drivers card so could call and book a return cab when I wanted to head home, out of the cab I paid my fare and gave a tip and headed into the hospital. 

As i walked the pain in my side was causing me to wince a little, as the elevator arrived I got on and pressed number six, which was Jon's floor.

We arrived in seconds, getting off before checking in and heading to see my bud, I needed to take some pain killers. I knew where the bathrooms were and went in that direction, down the hallway and turning left I walked into the mens restroom.
They were empty, no  one was using the room, I was grateful, normally as soon as I am recognised I'm asked for autographs and stuff, let me be clear when I'm feeling fine I really don't mind  but today, well I don't know but I was not up to seeing my fans, in my heart I now did not feel like seeing anybody, for some reason I wanted to be home in bed.

I pulled at the paper cups and got some drinking water, checking my pockets I took out my pain killers and opening the bottle I Shook two into my palm and took them with the water. 

I Swallowed hard, and hoped the pain would ease real quick, it was intense, moving to the full size mirror on the restroom wall I lifted my shirt and removed the dressing a little, it was red and sore.

Only two hours previous the pain was under zero, now it was riding at a nine, i re stuck the dressing and moved to the basin and faucet, running the water I splashed myself with cool water, face dripping I leaned my arms on the basin and looked at my reflection in the mirror, it was evident I was in pain it was etched over my face. I stood leaning and gently breathing in and out until the worse of the pain had subsided, enough for me to feel better. 

leaving the restroom I went out to the nurses station to report in and go see Jon.

I made a note to myself to take things much easier from now on and rest was still needed. I concluded Ma knew more than I did, walking slowly to the nurses desk, I felt guilty now for being the jerk  I was to them both, now I could see they only ever had my best intentions in their hearts. 

At the nurses station Lainey was behind the desk, as I approached she looked up and smiled at me, then her face turned to concern, "Richie, are you ok?" Truth be known I was in agony, my breathing became rapid as I tried to answer, acting fast Dr Markus was paged, the other nurse went and got a wheel chair, gratefully I sat down, my breathing became more ragged and I felt cold and shivery, what was wrong with me. 

The Dr arrived in minutes, everyone was rushing round, my vitals were checked, blood taken, I didn't fight them as I was too weak, eventually Doc Markus spoke to me,
"Richie, you a serious blood infection,  its called scepticema, I need you to be admitted for 48 hours, we need you on a intraveneous antibiotic drip, no arguments ok? it's serious and we need to keep a close watch on you,  nurse ill leave him with you"

I nodded my head to weak to argue, did my walk cause this?, my mind was wondering and I was in and out of consciousness. when I awoke, I was in a hospital gown and in my old room in my old hospital bed.  

I thought everything was healing fine, what had I done.........that was my last thought as I drifted out of consciousness again.