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John woke up in the room at the hospital. He looked around him and noticed he was attached to an IV for fluids and a heart monitor. He must have passed out from exhaustion and had some intense dreams during the brief time he felt he was there. He looked around the room and saw Nancy sitting by his bedside reading her book. Nancy looked up and smiled at John, but he could tell she was worried about him.
The doctor entered the room. He looked to be in his late forties with gray hair removing the black that once stood. He looked to be a doctor that cared about his job and his patients, hence the tired eyes from the look of determination to heal the world. John knew in his line of work that was a goal that would never be accomplished but decided to let time break the news to him.
“Hello, Mr. Remington. I am Dr. Jones. How are you feeling today?” Dr. Jones said cheerily.
“I feel pretty good, what happened?” John asked knowing the answer would be exhaustion. Since he is quitting alcohol, he should drink more water.
“That is good to hear. You had us worried there. If you do not mind me being frank, there is something we need to discuss. Would you like your neighbor here?” Dr. Jones asked.
“It is fine, I think he is old enough to have a conversation without me around,” Nancy said as she was putting her book away.
As Nancy was leaving the room, she looked back at John and smiled as if she was apologizing. John knew this was not going to be a conversation as cheerily as the doctor is presenting himself.
“What’s up, Doc?” John said jokingly.
“Well, Mr. Remington, you were brought in a week ago for a seizure. I wanted to ask if you have had a history of epilepsy?”
“A week? Have I been here that long? No, I do not. This was my first one as far as I can recall. Am I going to be ok?” John said concerned as he looked outside and noticed it was morning.
“I think you will be fine, you also suffered from delirium tremens and that is why you have been here this long. You are lucky your neighbor called 911,” Dr. Jones said.
“Delirium tremens? Is that a form of epilepsy?”
“It is known to cause seizures as well as other symptoms such as hallucinations, high fever, dehydration, and high blood pressure. Forgive me for being blunt, but for alcohol withdrawals, symptoms such as seizures, hallucinations, tremors, and delirium tremens can occur. Delirium tremens is the most dangerous and has been known to cause death. I hope I do not offend you, but how long have you had a drinking problem?”
“Drinking problem? Alcohol withdrawals?” John was in a loss for words. He was thinking about an excuse, and it clicked. He realized that Nancy knew all along and never approached him on the matter. John sighed and looked at the doctor.
“I think eight or nine years ago. I thought I had it under control, but it creeped up on me. Last week, I decided to quit drinking,” John said, feeling slightly relieved to not be holding a secret.
“That is a tough decision to make on your own. I am glad you did that. If you are serious about giving up alcohol, we have treatment centers available,” Dr. Jones said.
“Dr. Jones, I will not go to a treatment center. I am going to do this on my own. I do not even want to be here right now,” John said agitated.
“I understand, but the worst of it has passed. Your labs look good but just to be on the safe side, I want to keep you here for one more day. Please remember what you went through to get to where you are now. You have been sober for a week. Congratulations,” Dr. Jones said as he handed him pamphlets on alcoholism, treatment centers available, and AA meetings in the area.
The next day, John was discharged from the hospital. Nancy came to the hospital to bring John home. John felt a little bit unsteady on his feet after being in bed for a week that he needed a wheelchair to bring him to the door. The numbness passed his legs, and he was able to walk from his chair to Nancy’s car.
During the ride back to John’s house, it was mostly quiet. John felt embarrassed, angry, and ashamed towards Nancy. He always thought he had his drinking under control and with the captain knowing and now Nancy knowing, he felt like he was truly out of control.
“Why didn’t you tell me you knew, Nancy?” John asked, filling the silence in the car.
“John, it is your job to face that. I cannot force you to tell me these things. In my heart, I knew eventually you would make the right decisions. I waited a long time for you to help yourself. You need to stick with it and get past this problem, which I know you can do. Now you need to quit those cigarettes,” Nancy smiled.
“One thing at a time,” John said smiling back.
The car pulled up to John’s house. John got out of his car and waved to Nancy as she waved back. He lit up a cigarette and stared at his car. He was happy to be home.
John finished his cigarette and threw it in the ashtray. He gazed at his yard and decided after he eats lunch that he was going to mow his lawn. He got in his car and grabbed a burger and fries to satisfy his craving. As he was eating, he felt as if he could move a mountain. John thought that the worst was behind him, but he knew he had an uphill battle ahead of him.