“And long-term?”
“Anything can happen, of course, but barring
complications and if she sticks to her rehab program, watches her diet, and
accepts some reasonable modification in her lifestyle, she should do fine.”
“Define reasonable modification,” Derian
said.
“Well, her hypertension appears to have been
poorly controlled up until this time, and she’ll need to adhere to whatever
program the medical management team institutes. We always suggest cardiac
patients moderate their work schedule and reduce stress.” He must have read the
disbelief in Derian’s face as he shrugged. “Honestly, the future is up to your
aunt—we can only make recommendations. But the surgery was a success.”
“All right, thanks,” Derian said.
“Not at all. The nurses will let you know
when she’s been moved to the cardiac care unit.” He turned and walked away.
Derian had a feeling that was the last she
would see of him, but if he’d done his job, she was fine with that. She turned
to Emily, who’d come to stand beside her. “I didn’t know she had any health
problems, and I should have.”
Emily smiled softly. “You don’t really think
she would’ve told anyone, do you?”
Derian blew out a breath. “If I’d been around
she might have.”
“Derian,” Emily said, “none of this is your
fault. You couldn’t have changed this even if you’d been here. Henrietta is
Henrietta. You know that.”
A muscle jumped in Derian’s jaw, and she
nodded perfunctorily. “You might be right, but I still feel like I let her
down.”
Emily grasped her arm. “You didn’t. You’re
here, and that’s what she needs.”
“I think you’re a lot more of what she needs
than me,” Derian said almost to herself. “When I’m not here, you’re the one
she’ll be counting on.”
Emily flinched inwardly, Derian’s words a
cold dose of reality. Of course Derian wouldn’t be staying. She might be
leaving at any time. Emily squared her shoulders. “Once Henrietta recovers, she
is going to get on with her life, and she’ll expect you to get on with yours.”
“Expect me to disappear again, you mean.”
Emily jammed her hands on her hips and gave
Derian a look. “You don’t strike me as the kind of woman who beats herself up
over things that can’t be helped. Since you seem to be determined to kick
yourself, I think you need to take a break. Get something to eat and probably
some sleep.”
Derian grinned wryly. “Diagnosis and
treatment plan appreciated, Doctor, but I’m going to stay here until I’ve seen
Henrietta. And I promise to stop whining.”
Emily softened. “You can whine all you want,
but you still need to take care of yourself.” She glanced at her watch. “I’d
like to stay to see her, but I should get back to the agency. Vonnie probably
needs some help, and she wanted to come over here on her lunch hour.”