Gina in the ICU

The artificial light hurt Gina's eyes as it clicked on.

"Good morning," said the nurse. "My name is Lauren, and I'll be taking care of you today."

Gina groggily opened her eyes. She was having the most interesting dream about playing tennis at the bottom of the ocean, when suddenly reality kicked back in. She was a patient in the Intensive Care Unit at Saint Winston's Hospital, after sustaining a spinal cord injury during a fall off of a rock face. Unfortunately for Gina, this resulted in incomplete paralysis from her T9 vertebrae down. Her medical team wanted her to be prepared for the absolute worst, but at the same time constantly reminding her that her injury was incomplete. She might regain some sensation. She might regain some movement.

Yeah, might. Her beloved Timberhawks might make it to the playoffs. Her brother might come home someday.

"How are you feeling this morning?," asked Lauren. Gina replied that she had been better, but the lack of feeling is what was really concerning her.

Lauren smiled, "I'm glad you can find some humor in the situation."

Gina looked ahead at the tall, plump, blonde woman in scrubs standing before her. Had she seen her before? She had been in the ICU for just over a week, so there were plenty of names and faces to keep track of. The haze of pain meds and the shock of paralysis was really taking its toll on Gina.

"Have you taken care of me before?," asked Gina.

"No, I don't think so." said Lauren, as she blushed. Truth be told, this was actually Lauren's third day in the ICU at St. Winston's. She was 21 years old, and she had just left a job as a nursing assistant in a nursing home to work there. Gina was actually the youngest patient that Lauren had cared for in her medical career.

Lauren studied her patient, the olive-skinned woman lying flat on her back in bed. The first thing she noticed were her long, pretty, muscular legs. She guessed that Gina was easily 5'8 or 5'9, but it was her to tell with her laying flat like that. Gina was in excellent shape before the accident, but time in the ICU was definitely showing on her. Her right arm was perfectly defined, and made even more fierce-looking by the presence of multiple well-crafted tattoos. Lauren guessed Gina's left arm was a similar story, but unfortunately that one was covered in both a cast and a sling.

"Alright," said Lauren. "I'm gonna go ahead and take your blood pressure and check the catheter, and then I'm gonna grab you some breakfast."

Gina complied, and Lauren slipped the cuff around her good arm. Gina felt her muscles tighten as the cuff tightened around her arm. Losing all of that sensation made everything she could still feel that much more sensitive.

"110 over 75. Wonderful, darling" said Lauren.

Lauren pulled the sheet back and helped Gina roll onto her side. From there, she pulled a bed protector from off of her metal cart and neatly tucked it under Gina's hips. She then gently helped Gina onto her back once again. She then proceeded to pull up Gina's hospital gown. Gina was fully exposed from just above her navel down, and Lauren couldn't help but notice the incredible definition of Gina's abs. A spinal cord injury and the associated paralysis were definitely making her a little doughy, but atrophy and diet hadn't quite set in yet. Even though she couldn't control half of it, Gina still had a body for anyone to be jealous of.

Lauren donned latex gloves and spread Gina's meaty labia apart and inspected the slim latex catheter protruding from her urethra. "No signs of infection", Gina noted to herself, mentally.

She then went to open her sterile wipes, when she noticed something on Gina's pubic mound.

"Hold on a sec," said Lauren.

Lauren reached into her pocket for her penlight, and shined it directly onto Gina's crotch. Gina's pubic hair was short and stubbly. She had maintained a small square directly above her womanhood before her injury, but since then she hadn't been able to attend to it. Her nurses obviously had more important things to attend to, but even if they didn't, she was too mortified to ask.

Lauren shined her light closer and immediately went directly to what caught her attention. There was a distinctive patch of discoloration in the middle of Gina's mound. A bruise, perhaps? Maybe some sort of rash? As Lauren's eyes adjusted, she finally made it out; a small, shaky tattoo reading "How many licks does it take?"

Lauren involuntarily cackled, then immediately covered her mouth. She had never lost her professional composure in front of a patient before, but she had never had a patient like Gina.

Gina chuckled weakly, "Is that what you're so worried about? I thought it was something serious."

Lauren tried to regain her composure. "I've just never seen a tattoo down there before", she said.

A soft grin appeared on Gina's face. "You're just a baby", she said.

Lauren blushed and said, "I'm 21."

"Just. A. Baby."

In actuality, Lauren had a gym membership and worked out a few times a week. As a result, in the locker rooms and showers, she had seen every type of vagina. Old, young, tattooed, pierced, bald, hairy, ugly, pretty, she had seen them all.

What Lauren really meant to say was, ""I've just never seen a tattoo down there on a patient before."

Eager to change the subject, Lauren said "Let's get you cleaned up and fed."

Gina couldn't help but to agree.

Lauren grabbed her sterile wipes and began to clean Gina's private area, starting at the front, and working toward the back, inside and then out. She then helped Gina roll over, and cleaned her perineum. Even after a week, Gina still couldn't get used to the feeling, or lack thereof as the nurses cared for the parts she couldn't fully feel. It was like watching a movie with a blindfold on, she could vaguely sense a hand touching what she was pretty sure was her crotch, but that was it. Hot, cold, soft, and sharp were now all things of the past. Lauren pulled Gina's gown back down and pulled her blanket back up. She recorded the color and amount of urine in Gina's bed bag, replaced the old one with a fresh one, and disposed of the old one. She removed her gloves and washed her hands.

"I'll be right back with breakfast," said Lauren.

Gina lifted her good arm and replied, "Promise I'm not going anywhere."

Lauren chuckled as she left the room. She was glad to have a patient that was able to remain somewhat optimistic after such a devastating injury, but she was also recovering from the shock of providing such intimate care for someone who would've been a peer under any other set of circumstances. She had dealt with the nastiest of the nasty at Jones Manor, a job she held from 18-21. At Jones, Lauren had cared for patients with colostomies, dentures, catheters, tracheostomies, and everything else in between.

But that was different, all of those people were old. Her youngest patient at Jones was a man in his early sixties dealing with early-onset dementia. She had lucked out on her first few days on the floor at St. Winston's, all of her patients were older people, with relatively minor needs. Before Gina, her youngest patient had been a quadriplegic man in his early thirties named Jason. Jason was riding his motorcycle drunk, hit a guardrail and ended up winning a complete fracture of his C5-C6 vertebrae, ensuring he would never feel or move below his collarbone again. Many, including Lauren, would say that his passenger got off easy, by dying on impact. Jason was not an easy patient to care for, he understandably had some drastic mood swings. He called her a fucking bitch when she moved his foot the wrong way when she was cleaning the sore on it. He bawled like a baby when he defecated in her hands. She gagged and silently stifled a dry heave. After the initial reaction of disgust passed her, she immediately felt empathetic for the poor man as she cleaned him. All she could think about was her brother Morgan, a state trooper assigned to the motorcycle division. She'd be devastated if something like this happened to him, she couldn't think about him laying absolutely still in an ICU bed. Lauren was stone faced and silent as she cleaned Jason's buttocks, rectum, and testicles. He was also silent, save for sniffles and the world's quietest "thank you" when Lauren cleaned under his foreskin, just to be safe.

Lauren finally made her way down to the dietary center. She walked up to the counter and was greeted by one of the dietary aides, Jimmie. Jimmie was a cocky, brash kid of about nineteen, but he showed up on time and worked hard. Lauren knew Jimmie quite well, he grew up in the house down the street from the one she grew up in, and he sold weed to her little brother.

"Aye, what's good?," asked Jimmie

"Hey Jimmie," said Lauren. "I'm picking up for a patient. DeCassanna. Gina K. DeCassanna."

Jimmie left, and returned a second later with a tray he handed to Lauren. The tray had a cup of oatmeal, a carton of milk, and a banana. Lauren grabbed the tray and began to turn around, when she stopped.

"Hey Jimmie," she said. "Could I please get a couple packs of cinnamon? And a small coffee?"

Jimmie took the ticket off the tray and said, "That's not on here."

"I know," she said. "But she's really having a rough go, and it's only a couple things. Nobody'll ever know.

Jimmie winked and said, "See what I can do." He returned a few seconds later with a few silver packs of foil and a small styrofoam cup. Lauren smiled, and thanked Jimmie.

"By the way, what's wrong with her?" asked Jimmie

"Paralyzed." said Lauren, pointing to the middle of her back. "Right here."

"Oh no," said Jimmie, starting to turn pale. "Up or down?"

Gina had began to daydream, but was interrupted by a knock at the door. Lauren then let herself in, with a tray in one hand.

"It's been more than fifteen minutes!", Gina said, playfully. "I'm not paying."

"C'mon, there was traffic," replied Lauren.

Lauren sat the tray on the bedside table, then helped Gina sit up in the bed. Gina looked at her tray and immediately developed a puzzled expression.

"Ooooh, the cinnamon is new!" Exclaimed Gina.

"You looked like you needed a treat," said Lauren.

"Since when do I get coffee?"

"You looked tired."

"Tired and bitter," said Gina. "Kid, I certainly hope when you're my age, you aren't as tired and bitter as I am." Gina said with a laugh.

"Oh my god, stop it! Said Lauren, turning bright red. Lauren poured the milk into Gina's coffee, peeled the banana, and stirred the cinnamon into the oatmeal.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?" Lauren asked.

"Think I can handle this," said Gina.

Lauren left the room and Gina began to feed herself. Oatmeal, fruit and coffee. She laughed a little, this was the only thing from before that seemed to be the same. This was the breakfast she had at home most mornings, the same thing she'd order if she decided to spoil herself with Starbucks. Even though their interaction so far had been brief, Lauren easily claimed the top spot on Gina's list of favorite nurses. Lauren was the only one to really go above and beyond, everyone else was just kind of okay. Except for Meredith. Meredith was by far Gina's least favorite. Meredith was an older lady of around fifty, and she had an attitude of fake pity that Gina just couldn't stand. Things had crossed a line one morning when Meredith was cleaning her catheter. Meredith had also noticed her tattoo, but instead of giggling, she looked at Gina sternly and told her, "You know, my boys always wanted tattoos when they were small. But I always told them it might look cool for your friends, but it won't be when you explain it later."

Gina stopped just short of reminding her that she didn't need to explain anything to anyone. She had a million and one things she wanted to say, but the reality of the situation kicked in. She was naked and paralyzed, confined to this bed and urinating through a tube, at the total and complete mercy of this rude old woman.

She buried her face in her pillow and shed a few silent tears.

Gina finished her breakfast, and Lauren walked in the door five minutes later. Lauren's demeanor was considerably less bubbly than it had been. Gina saw the gloves, bed pad and suppository, and immediately understood why.

"Hey. So uh, has anyone talked to you about how your uh...digestion and-"

"My bowels?" Gina interrupted. "Yeah, they gave me the whole spiel. Done it a few times so far."

Unfortunately, Meredith was the nurse to introduce the concept of a bowel program to Gina, she was less than sensitive in both the metaphorical and physical sense. Gina really wasn't thrilled about being emptied by another adult, much less the kid in front of her. But if it had to be done, she wanted it done quickly. Lauren donned gloves, helped Gina roll onto her side, and slip another bed protector under her hips. She moved Gina's leg up to her chest, lubricated the suppository, spread Gina's cheeks and popped it into her rectum. Without making eye contact, she placed the call button into Gina's hand and told her to call when she needed help. Lauren could hear Gina holding back tears as she said okay.

Lauren took out her phone and discreetly opened Facebook. While curiosity had killed the cat, it was satisfaction that brought it back, and Lauren's curiosity was getting the best of her. She searched for Gina's profile, just to see what would come up. Instantly, it popped up. She was wearing makeup and standing in the photo, but it was unmistakably Gina. Lauren went to the basic info section first. She found out that Gina was 26 years old, grew up on the East Coast, but moved out west for a Volleyball scholarship. Hired at an ad agency fresh out of university. She scrolled through various profile pictures, including Gina at a film festival, Gina purchasing her first home, and her college graduation. Lauren's blood ran cold when she scrolled to the next picture, in it Gina was on a rock wall, easily 20 feet off the ground. One hand was on the wall, the other giving a "hang loose" sign. Lauren didn't know what to think of Gina's vibrant smile in the photo contrasted with the grim reality of her present situation. Before she could go any further, the call light went off.

As soon as Lauren left the room, Gina grabbed her cell phone and unlocked it. Even though she was in the hospital, her life never really lost speed. Her Facebook was full of messages from well-wishers and acquaintances, friends and family were constantly checking in with calls and texts. Her inbox was constantly full of emails from both clients and coworkers alike. The advertising agency she worked for was incredibly accommodating after the accident, but she was determined to do whatever she could from her hospital bed as a means of career and self-preservation. However, even before her accident she had a strict rule that bathroom time wasn't to be used for business, even if she wasn't technically in the bathroom. So she opened the emulator app on her phone, and started playing Pokemon: Gold Edition. She was able to play for about half an hour before she heard and smelled the flatulence. About five minutes after that, she could hear and smell even more, even though she couldn't feel it. When Lauren inserted the suppository, Gina could feel something happening, but by touch alone couldn't tell if something was being taken or left; if it was inside her vagina, or her anus. She grimaced as she heard more flatulence, accompanied by the sound of liquid. She exhaled and pressed the call button.

Lauren could smell the mess as soon as the door was cracked. She bit her lip and walked in. She greeted Gina, Gina grumbled softly. Lauren could immediately tell that Gina had been crying.

"I know this isn't easy," said Lauren. "But I need to make sure you're finished."

Lauren donned gloves, lubricated her index finger, and started rubbing the wall of Gina's rectum in a circular motion for ten seconds. Gina's bowels voided more, and she started crying again. Lauren repeated this process twice until Gina was only passing gas, and was empty. Lauren grabbed her wipes and gently cleaned Gina from front to back. Gina was embarrassed about her helplessness and vulnerability, but also frustrated with herself for the permanent consequences of a dumb, three-second mistake. Gina could feel Lauren's hand, and that the hand had something in it, but that was it.

"I'm never gonna get used to this," Gina said, flatly.

"It won't be like this for long," Lauren replied, optimistically. "Soon, you'll be doing this on your own."

Gina didn't understand how everyone could be so optimistic for her all of the goddamned time. Sure, Gina wanted to be independent with her bowel program, but not as badly as she wanted to not have a bowel program. But still, this was the way things were.

"It's gonna take forever," said Gina. "And I won't be able to until my dominant arm heals."

"You could probably learn with your other hand."

"I doubt it."

"Guess we'll have to try then."

With Gina still on her side, Lauren helped her hand into a glove and lubricated Gina's finger. Lauren gently guided Gina's finger in and out of her rectum a few times.

"There it is," said Lauren.

For Gina, it was the most peculiar thing, she could definitely feel something inside of her, but she wasn't sure which hole. However, her finger, unaffected by the injury, was most definitely inside of an anus. For the first time in her life, Gina's finger failed to realize it was actually inside of her hole.

To help GIna get a better understanding, Lauren grabbed a hand mirror and hedp it up so Gina could see exactly where her finger was, as she slid in and out a few more times. Gina looked in the mirror and saw the rest of her reflection, sprawled out naked with a catheter and one gloved finger inside of her anus.

Chuckling through tears, Gina asked Lauren when this issue of Penthouse would be hitting newsstands.

Lauren re-dressed Gina and laid her back into bed. She left, and returned with a bowl of soapy water and a stack of washcloths.

"You'll feel a lot better when you're clean," said Lauren. Gina agreed. Lauren pulled Gina's blanket down, and helped untie her gown. Gina was now fully nude in front of Lauren. Lauren saw Gina's breasts and felt a little self-conscious. Gina had nice, round C-cups that were good and firm. Gina was no stranger to attention, and could instantly tell the second someone was checking her out. High off this quick confidence boost, Gina shot Lauren a playful grin and said "They're real."

Embarrassed, Lauren immediately took Gina's hand into the bowl and asked if the temperature was okay. Gina said it was perfect. Lauren soaked a cloth in the bowl, and handed it to Gina for her face. Gina thanked her and washed her face. After her face, however, Gina still needed some help in the bathing department due to her arm injury. Lauren dunked another cloth and began washing Gina's good arm. She was immediately taken aback by how muscular her arm was, and realized that pushing a manual wheelchair was only going to make it bigger. After the good arm, Lauren washed Gina's injured arm, making sure to stay away from the surgical sutures. Lauren was a little sad, the surgeon had to cut through a really awesome cherry blossom tattoo on Gina's shoulder to repair it. Lauren began to scrub Gina's chest, and she was feeling herself sweat. While Lauren didn't consider herself bisexual, she had definitely fooled around with a couple of girls before, but nothing too serious. However, that was exactly it, those were girls she knew, but never a woman like Gina. Lauren gently rubbed small circles around both of Gina's breasts. She had felt a woman's chest before, but she didn't realize how much she could enjoy it. She moved down lower to Gina's fim abs. As she neared Gina's navel, she saw the unmistakable hole from a navel piercing that was beginning to close up.