Emily had held fast to the belief that she’d already battled the fiercest storm of her life when she’d brought her delightful triplets into the world. Nevertheless, the lingering discomfort she’d dismissed as mere remnants of her pregnancy refused to ebb away. Instead, it steadfastly persisted, every day, the feeling of unease grew stronger. After marking two weeks on her cherished journey into motherhood, Emily found her body reaching its limit. This physical strain sent her back to the very hospital halls she had left so joyously mere weeks ago. This time, however, her visit was filled with fear, not joy. An unexpected need for another ultrasound had caught her off-guard, an unforeseen hiccup on her road to recovery.
Despite the shock, there she was, her discomfort underlined by the watchful eyes of numerous medical professionals. Her heart echoed a frantic rhythm of worry. Compounding her distress, her triplets were at home without their mother. Her husband was grappling with the sudden burden of caring for the newborns single-handedly. Was he equipped to manage three newborn triplets on his own? This situation was far from what they had imagined. Their dreams of jointly cherishing and nurturing their babies during these initial stages of parenthood seemed distant now. The current situation was unexpected and hard to understand. What was really happening?
In the cold, sterilized room, the soft hum of the ultrasound machine felt eerily loud against the heavy silence. As the doctors navigated the wand across Emily’s still tender belly, their eyes grew wider, their brows furrowed deeper. The imagery unfurling on the black and white screen bore a startling revelation that left them gasping in shared disbelief. “What on earth had they glimpsed that filled them with such alarm?!”. The doctor’s words, once laced with professional surety, were now weighted with profound regret. “I’m… I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice shaking as he tried to hide the harsh truth. A truth that lay concealed within the innocent echoes of the ultrasound, a truth that was about to hurl Emily into the eye of another storm. The apology felt inadequate, the air heavy with impending despair, but the revelation could no longer be denied…
When Emily had stepped out of the hospital doors with her newborn triplets, she had felt like she was floating on cloud nine, cradling the epitome of joy in her arms. However, this euphoria proved to be transient, evaporating quickly when she noticed that something was gravely amiss.
As the days passed by, Emily’s discomfort intensified into a maelstrom of excruciating pain. She was tormented by persistent aches that gnawed at her body and sharp, piercing abdominal cramps. Even the simplest acts of mobility became a Herculean task. The brutal severity of her condition began to impede her ability to provide her newborns with the care they needed. She realized she couldn’t carry this burden alone anymore – her husband needed to know. Yet, when David heard her story, he was rocked by a tumult of shock and disappointment. How had she managed to conceal such vital information? He thought they shared everything together? Her silence had shattered that illusion. The fact that his wife had suffered in solitude while harboring such a significant ailment signified that something was dreadfully amiss…
David was shocked by his wife’s sudden health decline, and wished she had shared her pain with him earlier. Realizing the critical situation, he pushed for an immediate trip to the hospital. This decision was just in time, as Emily’s condition quickly worsened after they arrived.
Waiting at the hospital made her physical discomfort worse, raising it to an unbearable level that kept her on edge… It wasn’t until hours later, when her body could no longer take it anymore, that the doctors saw the seriousness of the situation. They quickly conducted a thorough examination of Emily, but what they found was shocking. They immediately scheduled an emergency operation. Because if they didn’t act fast, they would risk losing a life.
David’s mind was spinning with questions. What had made Emily so sick, so suddenly? Could the doctors save her with this urgent operation? And would Emily be able to fully recover, to be there for their new triplets? The idea of her not making it was too painful to consider. It felt like only yesterday when they were filled with joy and relief.
Just two weeks ago, Emily had given birth to their beautiful triplets. The delivery was tough and exhausting, but as soon as Emily held Eva, Leo and Sara their lovely babies, she told David it was all worth it. As David paced the hospital corridor, waiting anxiously for news from the operating room, he replayed that precious memory in his mind. They couldn’t possibly convince him that those precious moments of bliss as a united family were destined to be so fleeting. His fists clenched in frustration and despair. This wasn’t fair! Life owed them more than this mere glimpse of happiness!
The first week of their new chapter was a whirlwind, a time that truly embodied the phrase “sleepless nights”. Yet, Emily was unswayed, her attention devoted entirely to the well-being of her triplets, oblivious to the world beyond their nurturing cocoon. Gradually, they started establishing a family rhythm, harmonizing with their unique needs and routines. However, the serenity was shattered two weeks into their blissful journey when a pervasive sense of unwellness clouded Emily.
At first, she attributed it to the usual postpartum fatigue, but it wasn’t long before Emily discerned the severity of her symptoms, exceeding the ordinary realms of post-birth discomfort. A throbbing pain engulfed her, a relentless torment that exceeded any distress she had endured during her triplets’ birth. The intensity of this affliction triggered alarms, prompting her to acknowledge that something was indeed gravely wrong.
As days turned into nights, Emily found herself writhing in severe abdominal pain, accompanied by episodes of vomiting. After telling her husband, David urged her to seek immediate medical attention. Emily, however, was torn; she had three newborns to care for, and she didn’t want to risk being admitted to the hospital.
Her concern was amplified by the thought of her absence potentially affecting the care of her little ones. Regardless of her deteriorating health, Emily decided to endure the pain, hoping it was merely a phase of postpartum recovery. However, her hope began to wane as her condition worsened with each passing day.
It wasn’t until her strength gave out and she found herself unable to walk, did she finally concede to her husband’s pleas and agreed to seek medical intervention.
David promptly contacted his parents, who graciously agreed to take care of the newborns for a few hours. They hoped to return home before dinner, but Emily had thoughtfully expressed enough milk for the triplets in case their return got delayed. But little did they know, Emily wouldn’t be home for a while…
As soon as David’s parents arrived, Emily and David drove to the hospital. Emily’s condition was rapidly deteriorating, with beads of sweat rolling down her forehead as she clutched her aching abdomen. Each jostle of their car on the road induced a cry of agony from Emily, underlining the severity of her pain.
“Careful!” Emily cried out as David sped to the hospital. She could barely take it anymore, and the car ride felt like an eternity. Each bump on the road served as a cruel reminder of the excruciating ordeal she endured. In that harrowing moment, the realization washed over her like a chilling wave—this was no ordinary medical concern. This could possibly be a matter of life or death.
Upon their arrival at the hospital, they hurriedly made their way to the emergency room, hoping for immediate attention. However, what awaited them was a chaotic scene of a bustling crowd. The room overflowed with a diverse mix of individuals, spanning different ages and nursing a myriad of injuries. Despite the intensity of Emily’s pain, they found themselves caught in a waiting game, which only fueled David’s frustration. His impatience grew with each passing moment. “How could they leave his wife to suffer without immediate assistance?!”. Surveying the crowded room, he realized that their wait for help would be far from brief.
Emily carefully found respite in the sole unoccupied seat, her body trembling with each painful jolt. Meanwhile, David took charge of the check-in process, his mind clouded with worry and helplessness. The receptionist, attempting to offer some semblance of reassurance, provided a tentative time frame, ranging from a mere half-hour to the daunting prospect of three or even four hours. The weight of Emily’s anguish proved too much to bear. “Please do something David”, she cried out. David longed to have the power to alleviate her suffering, but the reality was cruel and unyielding. He could only hold her hand tightly, offering his silent presence as a token of support, but that wouldn’t take her out of her suffering…
After enduring excruciating pain for nearly half an hour, Emily’s strength began to wane. She started to slip in and out of consciousness, and before she knew it, she had collapsed onto the cold hospital floor.
The ensuing events were hazy for Emily, but David remembered each terrifying moment as if it had occurred just yesterday. It was horrifying to watch and he knew that he would have to try really hard to get this image out of his head.
David watched helplessly as Emily’s eyes fluttered, rolling back into her head before she finally slumped to the ground. His frantic calls for medical assistance finally triggered a swift response, and Emily’s suffering was finally acknowledged. She was swiftly placed onto a stretcher and wheeled off to an available room for further examination. Driven by fear and concern, David rushed after the team of doctors, afraid that they might take his wife away to a restricted area.
But one nurse saw the panic on his face: “We are not taking your wife anywhere without informing you first sir, don’t worry we will do everything we can”. Although partially reassured, David found his anxiety undiminished, his thoughts consumed by concern for his wife’s health.
Regaining consciousness, Emily found herself disoriented and struggled to make sense of her surroundings. Despite David’s reassuring presence by her side, she repeatedly asked for him, a testament to her dazed state. “Where is my husband?, “Where is David?”, she nervously shouted. David tried to reassure her that he was standing right by her side but it didn’t go through.
After a few puzzling moments, her cognizance improved, yet she remained in considerable pain. Unaware of the series of events that led her there, Emily was just relieved that she was finally receiving the needed medical attention.
The doctors launched their line of inquiry, echoing the questions previously posed to David. Their investigation was routine until they discovered Emily’s recent childbirth, a mere two weeks prior. In just a few seconds, David discerned a distinct change in their expressions. Grasping the seriousness of the situation, they wasted no time in arranging a series of tests and gathering samples of Emily’s blood for further lab analysis.
As the tension mounted, Emily and David anxiously awaited the test results, hoping for some hint as to Emily’s potential condition. However, the doctors remained noncommittal, avoiding any direct answers. To exacerbate the stressful wait, David received an ill-timed text from his father: they were unable to continue looking after the triplets.
Despite their initial willingness, David’s parents had prior commitments that prevented them from providing childcare indefinitely. The lengthy hospital stay was an unexpected turn for Emily and David, placing them in a daunting predicament. With no imminent sign of Emily’s discharge, they were cornered into making a difficult decision: David had to leave his wife’s side to care for their newborn triplets.
Alone in her sterile hospital room, Emily endeavored to divert her attention from the relentless pain. She attempted to lose herself in the distraction of television shows and mobile games, all while anxiously anticipating updates on her test results. A sense of desolation seeped into her, displacing her nerves. She yearned to return home, to embrace the normalcy of family life with David and their triplets. Yet, there she was, confined to a hospital bed, adrift in uncertainty. Frustration swelled within her, threatening to spill out as tears. What was happening to her? Why wasn’t anyone explaining? Just when she was on the verge of surrendering to despair, a nurse entered the room. Her words were a stark announcement: “Emily, I regret to inform you that we need you to stay overnight for vigilant observation.”
The thought of spending the night away from her newborn triplets left Emily unsettled. It was an unfamiliar situation, and she was anxious about David handling the babies alone. What if something happened to the triplets? Could David handle not one but three babies all by himself?! She decided to call him immediately.
David reassured her that he and the triplets were managing just fine. Emily desperately wanted to trust her husband’s words but struggled with an unsettling feeling. Attempting to get up, she quickly recognized her physical incapability to head home on her own. With no other choice, Emily reluctantly accepted her predicament – she would have to endure the night in the hospital.
Throughout the night, Emily’s attempt to catch some sleep was thwarted by the frequent visits from doctors, coupled with the incessant beeping of machines monitoring her vitals.
The next morning, Emily woke up feeling a bit more composed, but numerous questions remained unanswered. Besides, she missed the comforting presence of her husband and children.
Fortunately, David was already on his way to the hospital with Eva, Leo and Sara in tow, given the lack of a babysitter. But this wasn’t such a bad thing at all. Embracing her babies once again, Emily felt a semblance of normality returning. However, this brief moment of happiness was soon overshadowed as four doctors arrived bearing grave news.
Their expressions were grave, and David could sense the electric tension permeating the room. David could feel the tension in the air. “Emily, there’s a significant matter we need to discuss,” initiated one of the doctors. “On your ultrasound, we’ve detected something. We apologize, but its nature remains uncertain.” A wave of confusion washed over Emily at this revelation.
“What is it you’re suggesting, doctor?” she asked, her forehead creased in puzzlement, eyes clouded with worry. “Can anything be done to mend this?” The doctor, a steady picture of professionalism despite the grimness of the situation, locked his eyes onto the ultrasound image. “I regret to say,” he uttered, each word heavier than the last, “an immediate surgical intervention is our only recourse.”
“Surgery?!” David’s exclamation bounced off the sterile walls, his voice strangled with incredulity. “For what reason?!” Time had seemingly dwindled to its nadir. The doctor, placing his hand gently but firmly on Emily’s arm, reinforced the gravity of the ticking clock. “Emily, we need your approval without delay. Will you consent?”
Swept into the whirlpool of this startling revelation, Emily found herself without words. The room seemed to spin around her, reality unspooling at a vertiginous pace. “What should I do?” she whispered, seeking refuge in David’s gaze, only to find him equally entangled in a labyrinth of wordlessness.
With every passing second, Emily’s panic intensified. The doctors’ insistence for swift answers bore down heavily on her. It was a significant decision to make, especially without understanding why she needed surgery. However, the medical team was persistent and seemed unlikely to leave without a completed consent form.
Eventually, Emily agreed, placing her faith in the medical professionals’ expertise. Despite this, uncertainty lingered. She felt as though she and her family were left in the dark about the reasons for her surgery. With her agreement to an operation, the enormity of the situation and her lack of knowledge about it began to unnerve her.
But much time to think about it wasn’t there. The moment Emily completed the consent form, the doctors darted out to prepare an operating room. It felt like just a few seconds before they were back and started to prepare Emily for the operation. David was instructed to wait outside. There was just enough time for a quick kiss goodbye before they whisked Emily away. Hopefully this wasn’t goodbye forever…
As Emily was carted through the hospital corridors, her fear escalated. With the speed at which they navigated the bustling hallways, it was clear the situation was serious. Everyone moved aside in haste to clear their path to the operating room.
But what was going on? And why didn’t anyone tell her? In that moment, doubts began to cloud Emily’s mind, causing her to question her decision. Should she go back? Panic set in and Emily opened her mouth to try to stop them. She tried to yell for a nurse but the anesthesia kicked in and she drifted off to sleep…
At the same time, David found himself marooned in the stark waiting room, the refrains of his babies’ cries echoing in his ears, while he clung to the hope of his wife’s safe return. An uncanny sense of unreality gripped him as he cradled the triplets in his lap. It felt as though he was caught in a dream, a grotesque pantomime of their everyday life. Moments ago, he had shared a tender kiss with Emily, her warmth and life palpable against his lips.
Now, she lay somewhere beyond these sterile walls, vulnerable beneath the surgeon’s knife, a mysterious anomaly threatening her from within. As he tried to keep his babies content, his mind mirrored their unrest. Thoughts spiraled into a vortex of anxiety, the opaque curtain of uncertainty about Emily’s condition serving only to amplify his unease. “What if something went wrong?!”, “What if the doctors made a mistake or couldn’t help her?!”.
The first hour of Emily’s operation was excruciating for David. With the triplets inconsolable, he found it difficult to focus on them as his mind was preoccupied with worries about his wife. Fortunately, his mother was able to come to the hospital, because oh boy, was it needed.
It almost appeared as though the triplets had an intuitive sense of their mother’s peril, and they deeply felt her absence. Despite David’s best attempts, they were unmanageable. Bottle feeding was rejected outright, and even David’s attempt at pulling playful weird faces failed to calm them down.
”There you are!”, David breathed a sigh of relief when his mother finally arrived. He promptly handed her the infants and began to pace anxiously around the waiting room. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as his mind was consumed by the worst possible outcomes.
Would Emily survive the operation? How could he possibly raise the triplets on his own if the unthinkable happened? His thoughts were filled with all kinds of anxious questions.
Desperate for a semblance of normality, he lent a hand to his mother with the care of the triplets. Taking one infant into his arms as she cradled the other, their simultaneous efforts seemed to bring a measure of calm to the fractious newborns.
The waiting room, surprisingly devoid of other occupants, offered them a private sanctuary. Was this solitude a stroke of luck, or did it have something to do with the crying babies? David was so immersed in his tumultuous thoughts that he jolted slightly when he finally noticed the doctor’s reemergence.
David fixed his gaze on the doctor, a silent question lingering in his eyes. However, the downcast expression on the doctor’s face sent a pang of dread through his heart. “David,” the doctor began, letting a heavy pause punctuate the silence, “the surgery is proving more time-consuming than initially anticipated. Your wife’s condition is stable, but we encountered complications.”
He continued, a thread of determination weaving through his voice, “We knew venturing into this surgery carried risks, but we’re doing everything within our power to restore her health.” David stared at the doctor, disbelief anchoring him to his spot. Could this really be happening? Words eluded him. The doctor’s casual tone, as if discussing an everyday event, jarred against the gravity of their situation. But what could he do? He was left powerless, forced to endure this helpless vigil. He silently nodded his head and sat down. This was going to be a long wait…
Finally, after what seemed an eternity, the doctor reappeared. His expression was noticeably lighter, though not gleefully so. Regardless, David sensed that his wife was going to be okay. His instincts were confirmed when the doctor informed him that Emily was out of surgery and on the road to recovery. However, when he requested to see her, he received an unexpected response.
“I’m afraid it’s not possible for you to see her at this moment. It would be best if you returned home and came back either tomorrow or perhaps the day after. This will allow your wife ample time to recuperate fully,” explained the doctor, leaving David flabbergasted. He had waited anxiously for hours, expecting to comfort his wife once she emerged from surgery, and now this?
This time, David was unwilling to back down. “With all due respect, doctor, I insist on seeing my wife. I find it hard to understand your suggestion. I know my wife, and I’m confident that not seeing me after such a grueling surgery would only distress her more,” he asserted. But the doctor remained resolute.
This obstinate denial triggered an uncharacteristic reaction from David, one that neither he nor his mother had ever witnessed before. It was as though he felt he was losing his wife all over again. He vented his frustrations at the doctor, demanding to be allowed to visit his wife. However, this emotional outburst only made matters worse, as such behavior was frowned upon within the hospital.
Following David’s outburst, the doctor summoned security to usher him out. But David didn’t depart quietly. He made a dash, leaving his mother and his children in the waiting area. However, his primary concern at the moment was his wife and the secrets he suspected the doctors were keeping from him.
Racing through the hospital corridors, he searched fervently for his wife. Initially, he attempted to do so subtly, but it wasn’t effective given the security guard hot on his tail. He didn’t know where he was heading, but he was certain he couldn’t exit without a glimpse of his wife.
Did the doctors make a blunder? Was his wife in a coma? Why were they barring him from visiting her? These questions filled his mind as he rushed through the hospital, shouting out his wife’s name, with security personnel in pursuit. Suddenly, after another call for Emily, he heard a feeble response, “David?” It was weak and barely audible, but he recognized the source.
David called out her name even louder, and each time she responded, he followed her voice. The task felt akin to locating a needle in a haystack, yet he managed to accomplish it. He was now so near that he could almost sense her presence. His heart pounded with adrenaline, fueled by the prospect of being reunited with his wife.
As he approached a room, he peeked through the tiny window in the door, spotting his wife inside. She appeared drowsy but otherwise fine. Just as he was about to enter, however, the security guard apprehended him, tackling him to the floor. “It’s time to leave, sir. You must exit the property immediately,” the guard commanded. A sense of defeat washed over David, but he chose not to resist. He had last seen his wife brimming with life, and he held onto that image.
He resolved to return home, to tend to their children, promising himself to return at the earliest opportunity the next day. His mother waited for him at the hospital’s entrance. Together, they traveled home, their silence echoing the heavy burden they carried in their hearts.
Back at home, with the babies finally asleep, David found a moment to rest. His mother had remained silent throughout their journey home, but David could interpret her thoughts. If she were the one in the hospital, she’d never forgive her husband for leaving her side.
His mother viewed his actions as cowardly, but what other options did he have when two security guards were closely monitoring him, waiting for his departure? Then, an idea struck him. He could attempt to sneak into the hospital when the night shift began; these staff members wouldn’t recognize him.
But he couldn’t bring his sleeping children along with him. They needed to remain at home. Sighing, David realized he had to ask his mother for another favor, regardless of how he felt about it. He knew she’d never let him forget this day, but he was left with no alternatives.
Thus, David begged his mother to babysit for one more night. Initially, she refused, but after persistent coaxing, she conceded. “But remember, this is the last time!” she warned. David knew she was serious; she had never enjoyed the responsibilities of being a grandmother. However, she also understood that this was the only feasible solution for him to reunite with his wife.
David remained at home until the clock struck twelve, banking on the shift change at the hospital to shield his identity. He harbored a silent prayer that the guards had switched out too; if not, his covert plan could falter in a heartbeat. With a deep breath, he decided it was time to act.
As midnight cast its shadow, David navigated his way back to the hospital. The emergency room was a hive of activity, just as he had anticipated. Assuming an air of nonchalance, he wove his way through the crowd, blending in effortlessly. Careful to maintain a neutral expression and avoid prolonged eye contact, he navigated the bustling throng, hopeful his subterfuge would go unnoticed. His wife’s room, its location imprinted in his memory, served as his guiding beacon, steering him on his surreptitious path.
Everything unfolded with a surprising ease. The smoothness was unsettling, even suspicious. No inquiries were made about his presence, no questioning glances thrown his way. Although he had yet to encounter a security guard, he maintained a constant state of vigilance.
He was on the cusp of reaching Emily’s room, and a wave of relief washed over him, knowing the end of his clandestine journey was near. However, upon reaching the room where he had last seen Emily, he was met with a chilling surprise. The room was empty; she was gone. An internal curse echoed through David’s mind, followed by a frantic question: What next? Yet, he remained undeterred, determined not to abandon his mission.
David had ventured too deep into his mission to turn back now. So, he initiated his search, casting surreptitious glances into each room while striving to remain inconspicuous.
Finally, after cautiously inspecting nearly two dozen rooms, he spotted her. Emily lay there, in the throes of peaceful slumber. Gently, he leaned in to plant a soft kiss on her forehead before taking a seat beside her. Holding Emily’s hand in his, he observed her sleeping form, eventually succumbing to the pull of his own fatigue and drifting into sleep.
For that moment, all his anxieties seemed to dissolve, providing a much-needed respite from his worries. Finally he could breathe again. For a minute he could relax. However, this moment of quietness wouldn’t take long…
Just a few hours later, David was abruptly awakened by a loud sound. A nurse’s startled gasp woke David as she walked into the room, surprised to find him there. Glancing at his watch, David saw that it was only five in the morning. The nurse told him, “Sir, you shouldn’t be here,” but David pleaded for permission to stay.
After describing his circumstances as best he could and appealing to the young nurse’s sympathetic nature, she relented and allowed him to remain. It was a breach of protocol, but she couldn’t turn him away after hearing about his ordeal. David was deeply grateful and vowed to forever remember this nurse’s compassionate gesture.
Repositioning himself in the chair, he watched his wife. She appeared tranquil, a sight he hadn’t witnessed in a long while. She truly needed this undisturbed sleep after the relentless caregiving for their triplets since their birth. His hope was that she would wake up refreshed and recovered in a few hours.
Three hours later, the doctors came into Emily’s room. Although taken aback to find David there, he wasn’t entirely surprised. He had noted the depth of David’s love for his wife during their earlier conversation. Hence, he conceded to David’s stay with Emily.
The doctor was there to present Emily with her test results and discuss the surgical procedure. He gently roused her, and upon waking, Emily was visibly elated to find David by her side. She managed to squeeze his hand and offer a smile, even though her weakness was apparent. She was still very much in recovery.
“Well, Emily,” initiated the doctor, “That was quite the journey, wasn’t it?” He issued a soft chuckle, casting a glance towards David. However, David failed to see the humor amidst the seriousness of the situation. The doctor cleared his throat, continuing, “Okay, let’s get down to it. The operation was not without its hurdles. Your heart ceased to beat twice during the procedure, so you may experience some discomfort due to the use of the defibrillator.”
“What?!”, David shouted out loud. He was left reeling from the news. He couldn’t understand why this crucial information had been withheld from him. However, the doctor proceeded to explain. “Your persistent illness and exhaustion were due to a sizable mass on your ovaries,” the doctor paused, locking eyes with Emily. “Regrettably, we had to extract your ovaries to preserve your life.” Tears welled up in Emily’s eyes as she absorbed the news. Her ovaries were gone, and with them, any prospect of pregnancy in the future. Grateful as she was for their three healthy children, this news was a massive blow. “This procedure was vital to ensuring your survival, which is why you are here with us, alive and recovering,” the doctor explained. Emily nodded, understanding the necessity of the doctor’s actions.
The entire ordeal was profoundly distressing for both David and Emily. Though Emily made a complete recovery, the path was far from straightforward. She struggled with accepting the reality of her missing ovaries. Physiologically too, her body had to undergo significant adjustments. In due time, though, she came to terms with her new reality.
Both David and Emily moved forward, leading a fulfilling and healthy life together. They acknowledged the blessing of Emily’s survival after such a traumatic event. No longer taking life for granted, they dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to raising their three children to the best of their abilities.
The entire ordeal was profoundly distressing for both David and Emily. Though Emily made a complete recovery, the path was far from straightforward. She struggled with accepting the reality of her missing ovaries. Physiologically too, her body had to undergo significant adjustments. In due time, though, she came to terms with her new reality.
