The longest drive of my life

Thank God,  I was at the Detroiter truck stop in Woodhaven, Michigan when I got the phone call.

Was standing around talking with the woman security guard about 8:00 in the morning. My co-driver and I had delivered our load early in the morning, so I was just killing time waiting on a new dispatch. He was sleeping in the truck, I didn't want to bother him while he slept. We both drive and he had driven the night before. It's important to sleep whenever you can, when you drive as a team, the truck is almost always rolling. It was so strange to be that close to home, but had just came back out to work, so you just don't go home because you are only 200 miles from the house.Kathy had her reconstruction surgery the month before, so she was in Cleveland Ohio at Kindred Hospital for recovery of the surgery. I had a husband and wife driving my truck and they were under a load so everything was good, I thought.My phone rings, looked at the number it was from Cleveland Ohio. Excused me "I have to take this call" she acknowledged me. I walked away from the guard and the female voice on the other ends say " Mrs. Fletcher please". "This is her" I replied. "Mrs. Fletcher this is Kasandra from Kindred Hospital we have been trying to hold of you since 6 o'clock this morning. We left several messages on your home phone". I proceed to explain that I drive truck and I was not home but, in Woodhaven Michigan. She begins telling me that Kathy had to be taken to Cleveland Clinic that morning, the nurse checked on Kathy that morning around 5:00 and she was not responding to her name being called. After many attempts to revive her, they could not, so they sent her to Cleveland Clinic. "Mrs. Fletcher you need to get there as soon as you can". Thats what I thought she said.  What she really said was "That the head nurse at Kindred needs to talk with you" But, he was not available just then.Went to the truck to let my co-driver know I had to go get my car, which happen to be just 35 miles away, "Kathy has been taken to Cleveland Clinic this morning " I told him. Called the owner of the truck I was driving for and informed him my daughter was taken to Cleveland Clinic and I had to go "She was not responding to the medical staff this morning" I told him. After going to the yard, where we parked our cars when driving the truck,  I pulled my gear from the truck and hauled ass towards Cleveland. The trip was 177 miles, less than 3 hours driving time. The next 3 hours was the longest trip I have ever drove. At this time I think she is still alive. 

Had many phone calls over the next 3 hours. Just trying to locate Kathy was a challenge.
Kathy and I had a standing joke, she would call me and say "Mom, I'm at the spa". Which I knew she was back in the hospital. But this time she did not call, so I knew it was serious.

Called Cleveland Clinic and asked the front desk for her room. The lady said there was no Kathryn Martin checked in, "Maybe she is still in the emergency room" she said. "Would you like me to transfer you to emergency"? "Yes please". Emergency answer the phone, again I ask for Kathryn. Again, I am told there is no Kathryn Martin checked in. Explained to the lady on the phone I was told by Kindred Hospital that she was brought there this morning around 6:00 am. The Lady says "I told you there was no Kathryn Martin brought in here"!!!

So, I call Kindred and tell the woman on the phone that Cleveland said she was not there,  I asked "Was she brought back to Kindred"? She says to me " No, but you need to speak with the head nurse". She transferred me to another extension. Again, I am told that Kathy had been taken to Cleveland that morning. Again, I explain Cleveland says she is not there. You need to talk with the Head Nurse who was on duty, transfer the call, get voice mail. Left a message to please call me, because I can not find my daughter.

Talked with my son to tell him I was heading to Cleveland because his sister was taken back in Cleveland.

By now, I am really getting a sick feeling in my stomach and my head is starting to hurt. Digging in my purse looking for aspirin, but can not find them. I know they are in there, always carry aspirin.  My phone rings and it's the head nurse from Kindred Hospital. "Hello, Mrs. Fletcher, This is Mark Anderson from Kindred Hospital". "Yes Mr. Anderson I have been trying to find Kathy, Cleveland Clinic says she is not there".
By now I am parked in a rest area on the turnpike. "Mrs. Fletcher what have you been told"?
"That Kathy had been up talking with the night nurse about 4:30 this morning and she told the nurse she was tired and was going to bed.". About 6:00 am the nurses were making their rounds when checking on Kathryn she was not responding to her name, so they tried to revive her and nothing was happening, so they sent her to Cleveland Clinic". "That's right Mrs. Fletcher" I said "She passed away, didn't she" He says "I believe so".

He says "You don't have to go", "Yes, I do". By now I am less than an hour from the hospital.

Called my son back to let him know his sister had died. He wanted to know if I wanted him and his brother to come and get me. By now my head is hurting the worst headache I have ever had in my life. Told him no I was going on to Cleveland to identify Kathryns body, my daughter.
Then I called the guy I was driving with that Kathy had died and I wouldn't be back for a few weeks.
Called the couple that were driving my truck and told them I wouldn't be available for a few days, only call if it was an emergency. My daughter had died.

A man I had drove for called when he heard about my daughter and we talked until I got to the hospital, it really helped.

What was I thinking? I should have told my son's yes, because I don't remember the drive back home after leaving the hospital.

I get to the hospital and go to emergency asked for my daughters location. "I told you on the phone there is no Kathryn Martin here". I explain to this rude woman, while I am in shock. "I was told by Kindred Hospital she was brought in this morning and she died". Now this woman tells me to have a seat she was going to find out for me. It seemed to take them forever to have the liaison call my name.
"Mrs. Fletcher would you come with me". so, I follow her down the hall to a room where Kathy had been laid out.
I drive home. The life of a truck driver.


You see I had given my daughter up for adoption when she was born. I wanted her to have all the things I was not going to be able to give her. She found me when she was 24 years old and we stayed together for 16 years. Lived, worked, loved, helped her give birth to my grandchildren, cried and laughed. I do miss my best friend.