I dont think you get it, McNabb. For a while youre going to require assistance getting in and out of bed, to and from the toilet and shower, and fixing food. Maybe Lola Vickers can come out of retirement to take on a private duty nursing assignment, the doctor mused aloud.
The resident interrupted. This morning I noticed Binney Taylor on the ER roster. Must mean she finished her private duty job for Bob Fosters wife.
Binney would see he keeps his braces and casts from getting wet. I suppose she can cook or she wouldnt have lasted caring for Raenell Foster. Is Binney strong enough to keep this guy from falling and taking her down with him? Itll be some time before he regains good balance. I still say rehabs the best place for him.
Rio scowled. Im not going to any damned rehab. Youre saying I could get a nurse to come out to the ranch?
Yes. A private duty nurse boards on-site for a set amount of time. Not cheap, but may be less expensive than the cost of being in rehab. A home nurse can handle initial physical therapy and see that you get to follow-up appointments here.
The resident went to a cabinet, opened a drawer and pulled out a business card he passed to the surgeon. You could give Binney a call and see if shes available.
Layton took out his phone. He punched in a number then handed Rio the card. Binney, Dr. Layton at City General, he said into the phone. Steve Mason tells me youve ended your assignment at the Foster ranch. He listened a moment. Uh-huh. Well, Ive a possible new client. A local rodeo cowboy whos been banged up pretty bad. Grimacing, the doctor said plainly enough, Rio McNabb has a stubborn streak a mile wide. Ive no doubt hell be a handful. Before you agree to take the job I recommend dropping by ICU to talk with him. I know Lola swore shes retired for good, but possibly you can twist her arm to take this one. Shed give back any guff shes handed. He listened again. Okay, Ill tell him.
Layton clicked off his phone. She heard about your accident on the news. Apparently you two went to high school together. Today she works a three-to-eleven shift in our ER, so can swing by around two. That way you can ask any questions you may have. Finished speaking to Rio, the doctor waited until Rio said grouchily that hed talk to the nurse, but added that he didnt recall knowing her. My ranch hand is older than me. He may know her. Ill ask him as soon as I get my phone back.
The two doctors stepped aside as a gray-haired nurse bustled into the room. I have Mr. McNabbs pain shot.
Dr. Layton nodded, then said to Rio, Either I or Dr. Mason will be back to check your breathing around supper time. This is Nurse Murphy. Do what she says. Say, Murph, Mr. McNabb wants his phone. Is it among his personal effects youve put somewhere?
She went to a cabinet and took out a sack with a list stapled to the front. Yes, we have his cell. Ill let him make a call while I record his vitals. This pain med you ordered will send him nighty-night.
Shrugging at each other the doctors left the room.
Rio took his phone and with some difficulty called JJ Montoya. JJ, its Rio. Im stuck in City Hospital. Will you ask Rhonda to take you to pick up my truck and camper from the rodeo grounds? I left Tag while I rode.
Im ahead of you, Rio. Rhonda already drove me over there, and I brought your rig home.
You did? Is Tagalong okay? Rio had been worried about the ginger-colored stray dog that had found him a couple of years ago in the Mesquite Rodeo parking lot. His vet had called the stray an Australian Labradoodle. To Rio the big mutt was simply a great companion on lonely treks between rodeos.
Tags fine. How are you?
Docs say Im pretty stove-up, JJ. He listed the injuries Layton had named. Say, will you check on the bronc that dumped me into the fence? His names Diablo Colorado. Hes from Weldon Walkers rodeo string.
I ran into Colton Brooks. He said a vet checked the horse. He may have fared better than you. Only had a few scrapes.
Im thankful he didnt break a leg and have to be put down. Not that I envy the next rider who draws him, Rio mumbled. But this was his first rodeo. You know, JJ, Id decided that ride would be my last in the PRCA. The surgeon says itll likely be my last bronc ride anywhere.
What do doctors know about cowboy grit? Youve been banged up before and have healed fine.
I hope youre right and hes wrong. He glanced up at the nurse who had finished recording his temperature and pulse. Listen, theres a nurse here with pain medication, and Im starting to think I should take it. Im, uh, not going to be able to help wean and train our young stock the rest of this year. We can talk about hiring you part-time help once Im home. The two men signed off and Rio let the phone fall to his side. That was when he realized hed forgotten to ask if JJ knew a Binney Taylor.
Ill set the phone on your tray table, Nurse Murphy said. After doing so she took the cap off a syringe, swabbed Rios upper arm and administered the drug.
Dont they have pain pills? I hate sh-shlots, he muttered. But clearly his ability to speak was already compromised.