by Pepper North
“I trust you. I just get embarrassed. You’ve been very nice to me. I don’t want to change nurses. I don’t like all these treatments. I guess being honest also means that I have to admit that I’m going to resist treatments sometimes,” she admitted to him and to herself.
“That’s very normal, Susan. That’s why you only work with one nurse. So, they can help you through the difficult times and celebrate as you reach improvements. Just remember to talk to me. I’m only here to help. Will you promise me that you’ll tell me when you’re getting overwhelmed?
“I promise Mark,” Susan nodded slowly.
Mark patted her on her shoulder. Standing back on his feet, he stepped away giving her some privacy. He began to talk to Annie in low tones. Susan had one more enema before she could relax. This rinse was designed to fill her intestine deeply and quickly. They would need to use a flexible hose that would be inserted higher in her system. They gathered the needed materials and decided that they would add a slippery agent to the plain water to help Susan be able to accept the tube deep in her system.
Susan started to stand up and immediately Mark was at her side with the bench handy. He helped her lean over first so he could begin cleaning her up while explaining, “Okay, Susan. You only have one more enema. This one is the rinse that will go in quickly. You’ll need to get on your hands and knees on the bed.” He helped her over to the bed. After she’d climbed in safely, Mark pressed her shoulders down to the bed’s surface. “Here, Susan. We need you to have your hips higher than your bottom for this last enema. Just rest your head on the pillow. Perfect. Now, widen your knees to make a little room for your stomach to expand. That will be more comfortable for you. Finally, just relax. Leave this to Annie and me. We’ll take good care of you,” he reassured her.
Annie had positioned all the needed equipment behind Susan where it would be out of sight. She picked up the slippery mixture to help everything move deeply into Susan and pressed the injector into her rectum where she depressed the trigger to force the mixture into her intestines. Immediately, Annie handed the end of the long, flexible hose to Mark, who talking softly to Susan to let her know what they were doing, began to push the hose steadily into her body. “Click,” Annie started the warm water. The water aided Mark in pressing the hose deep. Within fifteen minutes, he had the hose planted deep within Susan.
“Is it almost done?” Susan asked panting from the pressure.
“Almost, hon,” Mark answered her. He patted her on the back before urging her to move her legs a little further apart by pressing on the inside of her right thigh. “That’s it, Susan. Let’s give that rinse lots of room. I’m going to shift your stomach around a little, too.” Mark lifted her swelling abdomen and pulled it forward a little freeing it from its position resting on her thighs.
Susan sighed in relief. “That’s better.” She still sounded breathless as she struggled to take in the streaming rinse. “Is it almost done yet?” she asked again a few minutes later.
“You’re almost there. Count backward from one hundred and we’ll be done,” Mark suggested to distract her.
Immediately, Susan raced through the numbers, “One hundred, ninety-nine, ninety-eight, ninety-seven, ninety-six, ninety-five, ninety-four, ninety-three . . .”
“Whoa, Susan. That’s too fast. Try it a little slower. One hundred, ninety-nine, ninety-eight, ninety-seven,” he helped her start slowly. He motioned to Annie who increased the flow of the water. By the time, Susan had reached thirty-seven, the gurgle of the end of the enema sounded loudly in the room. “Hooray! Hold on, Susan. I need to pull the hose out. Keep your head on that pillow. Keep counting. We’re almost done. Let’s see you were on forty, right?”
Indignantly, Susan replied quickly, “No, thirty-six.”
Mark chuckled, “I stand corrected. Start there.”
“Thirty-five, thirty-four, thirty-three, thirty-two, thirty-one, . . .” Susan counted slowly. When she had reached five, her voice began to gain strength. She was almost there. At two, she felt the hose leave her rectum. Susan slumped down on the bed jostling her stomach. Immediately, she began to ask if she could get up.
“Let me help you, Susan,” replied Annie with a smile. She helped Susan walk quickly across to the toilet. When she had begun to expel the enema, Annie counseled, “Don’t push it out, Susan. Just let it come out easily. When you’re finished, we’ll all go down for lunch. I’m starving. What about you, Mark?”
“I can’t wait. Today, is the pork tenderloin sandwich special. I’m never lucky enough to be here on that day. Thanks, Susan for letting me be your nurse. You have good timing!” Mark cheered. Everyone laughed.
Chapter Seventeen
The trio ate lunch slowly together. They chatted and laughed as they enjoyed the delicious food. Surrounding them were patients and their nurses. Many patients were nude or partially dressed. Several had medical poles nearby that held varying sizes of enema bags showing that many were receiving treatment during lunch. Occasionally, a technician would come to bring additional medication or to collect a patient for testing or treatment in a different area of the hospital. No one seemed bothered by the nudity or openness of treatments. Many seemed very comfortable in the atmosphere. Susan guessed that most had been here before. Every so often, Susan would catch the reaction of a surprised patient and she guessed that the patient must be as new to the center as she was.
When Mark, Annie and Susan returned to her room, Mark helped Susan off with her robe and in to bed. He did not cover her up but he urged Susan back onto her hands and knees with her shoulders lying down on the bed.
“I don’t have another enema, do I?” Susan questioned urgently.
“No, Susan. Your first prosthesis was delivered while we were at lunch. We need to try it on and have you wear it for a while to start the treatment process.” Mark explained as he applied lubricant to Susan’s anus. “I’m going to insert some lubricant inside as well to help everything slide in easily,” he added as he added an injector full of the thick lubricant. He nodded in a silent signal to Annie out of Susan’s view.
Susan noticed Annie come around to the other side of the bed. Annie placed a hand between Susan’s shoulder blades and on her calf. Seconds after Annie had taken this position, Mark spread her buttocks wide and began to press a large object into Susan’s rectum. His steady continual pressure moved the object into Susan.
“Wait, no, please, stop,” Susan pleaded. She tried to straighten out her position to lie on her stomach but Annie’s restraining hands kept her in place.
“This is just the first prosthesis, Susan. Remember, it’s supposed to stretch that narrowed section. Just relax. I’ll have it in soon,” Mark said soothingly without hesitating the insertion.
“It doesn’t fit. They must have made a mistake. It’s too big,” Susan said urgently.
“No, Susan. It’s a perfect fit. Almost there. Take a few deep breaths with me. In . . . out . . . in . . . .out,” Mark said slowly. Just a few breaths later, “That’s it, Susan. Good job. It’s in place now.”
“It’s awful. It’s going to tear me in half. Can’t you take it out now?” she tried to convince Mark.
Mark brushed down her hair and cupped her shoulder. “You want to get better. This prosthesis is going to help you. It’s not comfortable now but that’s because of the narrowing section. Let’s lay you down on your side to rest.” Annie lifted her hands from their positions holding Susan in place and helped shift her to lay on her right side with her knees bent up. She walked away from the hospital bed leaving Mark to reassure Susan.
“Is that better? Are you starting to feel a little more relaxed around the prosthesis?” Mark asked gently.
“No, this is awful!” Susan replied with tears falling from the corners of her eyes.
Mark wiped away her tears and rubbed her back. He stayed by her side for several long minutes until Susan sighed deeply. “That’s it, honey. Just relax.”
His back rubs and prese
nce was comforting to Susan. She might survive this prosthesis with his support. “How long does it have to stay in me?” she asked tearfully.
“Not too long this first time. We’ll add some extra time each day. It will get better. I promise,” Mark said soothingly. He stayed by her side for what seemed to Susan as four hours but was actually only ninety minutes. He knew it would take a long time to build her up to wearing the prosthesis throughout the day but she’d get there. They had plenty of time. He hoped she hadn’t realized that this was only the first version. The final version would be significantly larger.
Finally, the required time was up. He patted Susan’s shoulder and moved her back onto her hands and knees. “Head down, Susan. I’ll take it out now. Don’t tense up. Keep your muscles relaxed,” he advised as he pulled the prosthesis out of her rectum slowly. “That’s it. It’s almost out. Good job, Susan. That first time is always the hardest,” Mark said as he stowed the device in a cleaning tub out of her sight. Seeing it would only make Susan more upset when it went back in her rectum at bed tonight. “Look here’s Annie. She did a great job, Annie. Do you have her discharge papers?” Mark asked as he helped Susan again move onto her side to rest.
“I do,” Annie answered cheerfully. “I bet you’re ready to go home, Susan.”
“It’s 5:00 already?” Susan asked in disbelief. This day had flown past.
“Almost. By the time we finish all the paperwork, it will be your discharge time,” Annie said. “Mark will be taking care of your follow-up care but there’s a few dates that you’ll need to put on your calendar. Dr. Anderson would like to see you on the next four weekends. You’ll come after work on Friday and stay through Saturday with the release time of 5:00 on Sunday. Just like your visit this time. After that fourth weekend, Dr. Anderson will have enough information about your progress and he’ll share with you the next steps of your treatment program. Mark has the schedule that you will be wearing your prosthesis. Remember, Dr. Anderson has ordered enemas every day next week so don’t give Mark a hard time. He’s just following the plan to make you feel better. Those daily enemas may be a series of enemas as well based on whatever your system needs that day. Mark will be taking great care of you so cooperate with him fully and perhaps the following week, you won’t need as many enemas.”
Mark returned to Susan’s room carrying her clothes and purse from the locker in Dr. Anderson’s office. As Annie had Susan read and sign several forms, Mark applied a salve to her anus to soothe her sore entrance. He nodded with a smile when Susan thanked him softly. “That’s what I’m here for, Susan. Just let me take care of you,” he answered.
Anne smiled to herself. This was going to be a great match. Susan already was depending on Mark. Annie looked forward to seeing the two back next weekend. She would be able to tell a lot about the chemistry she was sensing between them by then.
Chapter Eighteen
Soon all the paperwork was done. Mark helped Susan into some soft scrubs instead of putting her dress slacks and sweater back on that she’d worn to work on Friday. He packed all her clothes into a bag along with some supplies that they would need from the Digestive Center. Tucked into another bag was her prosthesis. Mark was going to keep that out of her sight for as long as possible.
“Did you drive to the Center?” Mark asked as they got ready to leave the room.
“No, I just took the bus. Could you call a cab for me?” Susan said looking at all the bags that would leave with her.
“No need. I’m going home with you. I’ll just take you in my car. That way you can give me directions,” Mark answered easily.
“You’re going home with me?” Susan said hesitantly.
“Home health nurse, remember?” Mark said pointing at himself. “I’m going to be with you every evening.”
“Starting tonight?” Susan said.
“Yes, is there a problem?” Mark asked.
“Well, my house is a mess . . .” Susan began. “I was going to go to the store. I don’t have anything to eat.”
“Don’t even think about your house. I’m sure my bachelor pad is worse. And we’ll find something for dinner. Don’t worry. I can go shopping tomorrow while you’re at work,” Mark said solving the problem.
“How much time are you going to spend with me?” Susan asked. She hadn’t counted on Mark shopping for her.
“I’m going to be taking care of you at home, Susan. I’ll be there to see you off to work in the morning and I’ll be waiting for you to come home in the afternoon. You’ll have to tell me your work schedule and we’ll set up your treatments around them,” Mark answered without hesitation.
“Really? That’s like you’re living with me,” Susan said amazed. She couldn’t image how much around the clock assistance would cost. “I don’t think I can pay you for all those hours.”
“I get paid from The Digestive Center, Susan. Don’t worry about my salary,” Mark said as he and Annie started gathering their belongings to leave. “I’ll just need a spare key so that I can come and go with supplies while you’re at work.”
Susan didn’t know what to say. Thankfully, Annie approached her at that moment to give her a big hug.
“You’ve been a delight this weekend, Susan. I’m so happy that Dr. Anderson has you on the road to feel better. I’ll look forward to seeing you and Mark next Friday afternoon. Follow his directions completely, Susan. He knows his stuff.” Annie started to walk down the hall with her hands full.
Mark and Susan left the room to follow her. Susan hesitated in the doorway to look back in the abandoned hospital room. Her life had definitely changed in the last 72 hours.
Mark stopped as well. “Is everything okay, Susan?” he asked softly.
“I think it’s going to be better,” she replied slowly. “Unless you have plans to put that prosthesis back in my bottom,” she added cautiously.
“That’s the plan, Susan. Let’s get you home and I can help you get better!” Mark said ushering her ahead to precede him down the hall.
Chapter Nineteen
Mark helped Susan stow all her possessions in the back seat of his large black SUV. There were already several bundles of supplies and something that looked like a folded table in the back. With Susan in the passenger seat to give directions, he drove them through the light Sunday evening traffic to her small house on the outskirts of town. Mark pulled up into her driveway and parked the car. He looked at the outside and was delighted to see that although it was a modest home, she had added splashes of color in various flowerbeds to decorate.
“Let’s get you inside so you can rest,” he suggested lightly as he opened her door to help her out.
“There’s so much to bring in. I can help you carry in the packages,” Susan replied.
“You’ve had a busy weekend and you have to go to work tomorrow. Just let me handle the bags,” Mark insisted as he helped her up the stairs and took the key from her to open the door. Mark walked into her home, entering in what must be her family room. There was clutter here and there but it was well maintained. “Why don’t you give me a quick tour?” he suggested to Susan.
“Oh, yes! That’s a good idea. You’ll need to know where the bathroom is at least.” Susan said and then blushed remembering that he would be there every evening to implement her treatment program which included daily enemas for the first month. “How am I ever going to have an enema every night? That seems really excessive,” Susan thought to herself.
“, I’ll need to use the bathroom at some point,” Mark answered cheerfully breaking in on her negative thoughts. He seemed to know that she was starting to question whether she should follow Dr. Anderson’s directions.
Susan led him through the family room to the kitchen. It was a bright yellow color and had both a small eating area and an attached formal dining room. Susan did not own a fancy dining room table so she used this space for many uses. A treadmill to tempt her to exercise stood on one side. There remained plenty of empty space. Mark nodded
to himself. This was where he would set up her treatment area. He would have access to her deep kitchen sink for filling an enema bag or basin and he could set up the adjustable treatment table in the empty space. The treadmill was a great bonus. Walking while getting an enema or after getting an enema would help agitate the mixture inside to add a cleansing boost. He followed her down the hall to a moderate sized bathroom with a tub and shower combination. Finally, Susan opened a room to a guest room. It was filled with boxes and several piles of off season clothes were stacked on the bed. Finally, she opened her bedroom with its fluffy pillows and blankets piled on the bed. Susan had several shelves of romance novels by the bed. One sat on her bedside table. It had one drawer that was open. A medium sized vibrator was visible as well as a tube of lubricant. Mark made a note in his head that both would be handy to use at some point.
Susan nonchalantly closed the drawer as she moved to straighten the covers. “Sorry, for the mess.” Turning to face him, she added, “You know if you’d like to take the night off, I won’t tell anyone. You’ve already had a long day.”
Mark shook his head immediately. “I love my job. It sometimes has long hours but they pay off when we get to the end. Especially if the treatment plan has been followed exactly! Dr. Anderson is a very intelligent man. It may seem overwhelming now but you’ll see. His plan will help you tremendously. Okay, Susan. Let’s get you settled in and happy to be home. Then, I’ll bring in our supplies and we’ll figure out what we are going to have for dinner.” Mark began to pull off her top. He stopped as Susan stepped back sharply to keep him from lifting her top. “Susan, we need to get you undressed. You’re tired and about ready to drop. I will restrain you if you don’t cooperate.” Mark moved forward and quickly took off her top as she thought about his promise to restrain her. He pulled down her scrub pants and pressed her into a seated position on the bed. He lifted each foot and pulled off the hospital slippers that she had worn home from the Center. Finally, he pulled the pants over her feet. She had not worn any undergarments under the scrubs so Susan shivered in the cool air that filled her house. He folded the scrubs and placed them with the slippers on top on her dresser.