Home Three Kingdoms #44 - To my future self, and to you who are struggling in the same way, may this reach you

This is the Home Continent where the King (Father), the Queen Mother (Mother), and the Queen (Me) live.
Due to the dementia crisis, something is breaking out again today.
This time, it's a story of miscalculations and convictions.
It is a record written entirely from the Queen's perspective.
*These are strictly personal views.

#44 The Queen's Prophecy - The hunch that hits the mark, the judgment that misses

The Queen Mother slipped and fell, so we went to the hospital.
We had an X-ray taken of her lower back, and since there were no fractures, we came home.

No fractures.

That's what I was told, but something about her condition just doesn't seem right.

I reported the outcome of the incident to our care manager, Ms. Yashiro.

"They told me there were no fractures, though."

"I see. If there were a fracture, she would need to rest. But if there isn't, she actually needs to move, otherwise she'll get weaker."

So, I also told the Queen Mother to keep moving as usual.

—That's true, but.

Something feels different than before.

When she moves, she has a clouded expression and stays silent. Sometimes she mutters, "...It hurts."

She isn't the usual cheerful Queen Mother. Even watching her makes me feel uneasy, wondering if she's really okay.

Basically, I don't want to give her painkillers if I can help it. But this is really... should I give her some? It's at a level where I start thinking that.

"Actually, could she have a fractured rib or something?"

Ms. Yashiro listens to my grumbling with a complicated expression.

Two or three days after I felt like something was off.

A call came to my smartphone. A voicemail from the attending physician.

"Please call me back."

—Maybe I am a prophet. No, I must be a prophet. I return the call with that conviction.

"So, it was broken after all?"

To that opening question, the doctor replied immediately.
"Yes, that's right."

—As if to say, it's helpful that we can get straight to the point.
The explanation continued smoothly.

"Since we need to discuss what comes next, could you come in for a visit?"

A few days later, I went to the hospital by myself for the time being.

I was told with great solemnity.
"After that, the radiologist found it."

Oh? So a specialist found it, did they?
Let's see.

"It's right here."

An X-ray of my ribs was displayed.

............

It's snapped clean through.
Even to an amateur's eye, it's a refreshingly clear break.

I wondered how delicate a hairline fracture it could be if it took a radiology specialist this long to find it...

—Isn't that build-up a bit too grand?

I'm impressed they didn't leave it overlooked, and actually re-checked and reported it honestly.

This is no time to be... impressed by their integrity.

"If it's broken, rest."
The basics of recovery, Ms. Yashiro's words, crossed my mind.

—I had been telling myself to keep moving even if it hurt.

My blood ran cold.
Sorry, Mother of the Nation. No wonder it hurt. It's snapped clean through.

Thank you for reading until the end.

By the way, I am not a prophet.

It's the same as a mother's intuition being sharp because she watches over her child every day.
Because I am always by your side, I can see things.
It is just a "compilation of observations."