Nana is unconsciously breathing.
he sits
on a blue plastic chair (breath) hospital bedside, her white hair, all to one side, thinking she’ll be annoyed (breath) when she wakes
with her hair all to one side.
A nurse explains that though not present
Nana may be (breath) able to hear.
The nurse leaves and Nanas breath stops
(Too long)
Then starts hurriedly, then settles down
A nurse explains it is Cheyne-stokes breathing. He can moisten her lips like this. She wets cotton bud out of white plastic cup, carefully draws bud across Nannas dry lips like painting a line, with water.
He searches web for clues
Nanas breath stops
(Too long)
He paints a line
Typically, over a period of 1 minute, a 10-20 second episode of apnoea or hypopnoea occurs (breath) followed by respirations of increasing depth and frequency. The cycle then repeats itself.
He talks to her, each day
(Breath) Remember the white Sunderland farm
where you were born, Nanna. Stories round its courtyard fire at night. Perched on your Dads horse and cart, delivering milk down streets your Dad knew everybody coming out with jugs.
Nanas breath stops
(Too long)
He paints a line
(breath) Grandad a railway porter laughing with his mate as you and your sisters struggled (breath) with luggage
to Knaresborough B&B. You got together following evening at River Nidds spectacular ‘Down Mexico Way’, river boats all multi (breath) coloured lit up
(breath stops)
BirminghamWartime Munitions worker, you hated it, all (breath) dirt and grime, but got to see Grandad, (Railway worker in North Wales, but mostly hospitalised).
Returned Sunderland (breath) pregnant with mum. Later Grandad told you no more kids as he’d had mumps.
Paints a line.
Harrogate, Mum (breath) persuaded you to buy detached house. Starbeck Coal depot, weighing lorries in and out. Later you cleaned fridges, stocked shelves, on till at M&S. Grandad, (breath) black bike, black metal bicycle clips delivered post. Did Littlewoods football coupons, Spot-the-ball on a small (breath) laminated brown kitchen table.
Paints a line
Sunday dinners smallest room, tables out into hallway weighed down with feast. Nights friends, (breath) played Newmarket, Yahtzee. Holidays abroad, Germany, France, Brazil.
After mum, only daughter died of Cancer, Grandad (breath) Alzheimers, messed bathroom, bed, till he died, too.
Paints a line
On your own, (breath) I did shopping, sorted bills, admin. We chose (breath) nursing home where you fell into unconsciousness, packing to return home.
Nanas breath stops.
Too long.
Too long.
Too long.
The Wombwell Rainbow 