Lourdes took Harper’s hands. She shivered at how cold they were. “You are a wonderful nurse. I’d be very happy to have you as my regular nurse. I believe we have five patients due to receive their chemotherapy this morning. After, I’d like you to join me for lunch to introduce you to the people from Ovax pharmaceuticals.”
“I’ll let you know when everyone is finished.” Harper left to tend to her patients.
Mrs. Margot Janel was a woman in her late sixties, her face weathered from working on a shrimp boat with her husband, her hair the color of snow. Diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, she remained positive and upbeat. Today she was accompanied by one of her sons. “Good morning, Mrs. Margot. How are you feeling?”
“Oh, Harper, you know, one day at a time. This is my son, Andre. He’s my bucket holder today.”
“Well, I’ll try to make sure there’s no vomiting today. Marie took your vital signs. Let’s get you comfortable. Here is the remote control for the TV, and I’ll be right back.” As Harper handed her the remote, her sleeve rode up. A handprint was visible on her arm.
“Harper, what’s this?” Andre asked.
“I tripped, and Dr. Jerrold grabbed me to stop the fall. It’s nothing,” Harper dismissed the abuse and went to get the meds.
She returned pushing a cart. “Okay, I’m going to access your port, draw some blood and start some fluids. Dr. Lourdes said since you did so well with your first dose, we can speed it up a bit. I have orders to give you some Zofran, Tylenol and Imodium.”
“I’d rather have a hurricane,” Margot said.
“I hope you mean the drink; we’re due to get a real one in a few days.” Harper worked as she spoke.
“I’m taking my mom to my house in Baton Rouge,” Andre shared.
“And your dad?” Harper knew the answer.
“He insists on staying with the boat,” Margot said.
“I will make sure Dr. Lourdes prescribes some just-in-case medication, and you need to make sure you have Tylenol and Imodium too.” Harper started an infusion of saline.
“Thank you, Miss Harper. I’m excited to say, I just took a new job working for the place upstairs. As an employee, we have access to a full onsite medical unit for the company’s clients, employees, and their families.” Andre held his mom’s hand.
“What do you do?” Harper asked.
“I work in IT.” Andre sat up a little taller when his mom smiled.
The morning moved fast. None of the patients had any unexpected reactions. Sitting at the nurse’s station, she finished her charting.
Lourdes leaned over the counter. “Harper, are you ready?”
“I need to put a brush through my hair and wash my hands,” she answered.
Inside the locker room, she washed her face, combed her hair and took two ibuprofen for her now pounding headache.
Lourdes and she walked to a small restaurant around the corner from the practice. As the hostess seated them, they were joined by a man and a woman carrying briefcases. And, unexpectedly for Harper, they were also joined by Jerrold Sommerstone.
“Jerrold, what are you doing here?” Harper’s face pinched with anger as she turned to Lourdes.
Jerrold joined the table. “My name is on the trial research. I deserve to be here.”
“Jerrold is right. He needs to hear what we have to say.” The female of the team preened at the handsome doctor. “Hi, I’m Beverly White from Ovax Pharmaceuticals.”
She gritted her teeth. “I’m Harper Rousselle.”
“I’m Colvin Hellman,” the man said, holding her hand longer than necessary.
“Really, Harper?” Jerrold fixed his eyes on her hand.
“She’ll be administering the drug,” Lourdes explained, missing her son’s intent.
Get through the day. No rash decisions,Harper warned herself.
