Room 11

Today, I visited a friend of 25 years in the ICU. I met Athena in junior high, and let me tell you, we caused all kinds of trouble during those years. We even had to go to court one-time (Practicing my 5th amendment on that one). Athena is one of those friends that you can go years without talking, but when we get together it seems like it has been only a week. I love her laugh. I did not know if she would make it out of ICU. Laura (her daughter), tells me she cannot feel anything from her chest down, but doctor's took out the ventilator. I took a minute to take this in, and said, “When will she be able to feel again? We do not know if she will, Laura replies.

I walk in room 11, and I see a woman with blonde hair, but that woman has a neck brace on, tubes coming from her mouth, nose, and is on life support. I stand still by the door questioning if I am in the correct room. The nurse walks in, and smiles. I asked, “Is that Athena? “Yes it is”, she replied. I walked over where I could take a good look at that beautiful face. I see cuts, and two black and blue eyes. This cannot be her, this lady looks like she is knocking on deaths door. I take a moment, and say a little prayer, and when I open my eyes I see two beautiful blue eyes staring up at me. I smile, and ask her, “Do you recognize this aging face”? She shakes her head yes, and I see that smile in her eyes that I have seen so many times before. I always have been able to make her laugh, and enjoy making her laugh. I told her I loved her, and so did the rest of the gang. She blinked twice, and shook her head yes. I bend down, and whisper in her ear, “I am going to come back, and break you out of this place, cause girlfriend they got you looking a hot mess”. I see that sparkle in those beautiful eye’s, and she starts to shake her head yes. I knew she would like my idea.

I kissed her, and told her I would be back, and gave her a little wink. I know she probably will not remember me there, but it felt good to see her eyes smile. I left there asking myself questions. Question’s like why? She is a nurse, and helps save lives. Will she be able to work again? Will her scars be permanent? Will she dance again? Will she find love again? Will she be able to drive again? Better yet, will she drink and drive again?

Let's pay respects to yet another who has lost the battle.
Devin Stacey-- 17 years old. Suboxone and Xanax

http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/Jamestown-Man-Died-from-Drug-Overdose---Not-From-Police-Taser-207793271.html