I find myself feeling almost giddy to return to the cabin tomorrow night as I prepare for work. Kynlee promised to cook for me. Wait, is this a date? No...she simply said a 'thank you' meal. I need to remember she is off limits as long as Kedron is in my care. I've a good feeling I know what would happen if there are many more of those kisses. It was only one, fairly brief kiss, but I cannot get it out of my head.
If I'm determined to keep our relationship platonic, maybe I shouldn't go to Rochester? I could make up an excuse and stay in Red Wing instead. No, I want to see her. I almost need to see her, for my sanity. This has been a long week. I feel almost drawn to her, and cannot imagine much of anything could keep me away.
I checked in on Wanda and then Halian after arriving at the hospital. Wanda would be going home tomorrow with subcutaneous lovenox injections in place of the IV heparin, to act as a blood thinner. Wanda's color was better today and she seemed more alert and comfortable. All good signs. It would be hard to be home while Hal was still here. Mom and Mona had already offered to take turns coming to the hospital and watching Kara on weekends when no daycare was available.
Halian would likely wake up today after they shut off the sedation. He will wake up, unless the damage to his brain from the traumatic accident is worse than we predict. I would definitely check back on Halian after I finished work today. Mona and Mom were there for my sister and nephew again. Evidently Alec's boss gave him an ultimatum last night. According to Wanda, "Alec was told he either comes to work today or don't bother coming back."
This admission from Wanda made me extremely angry. What kind of employer won't allow their employees to be with a wife and son in need? I need to keep my calm and file this tidbit away for later. Right now I needed to be present to operate.
I spent a great deal of time scrubbing my hands and arms with anti microbial soap, before entering the surgical suite, and completing my pre-surgical routine.
My first surgery was a bilateral carpal tunnel release. I wouldn't have agreed, but the author has a huge family that assured her they would assist her after surgery. It's much more common to do one forearm at a time, but not unheard of to do both. Being a writer, she needed to be back to work as soon as possible and said she couldn't afford to be laid up twice.
My second surgery was a paranasal sinus cancer removal. Luckily for the patient, it was caught in time and did not appear to have metastasized outside the nasal cavity. Initially they had told the patient it was likely allergies causing the post nasal drip and congestion. Once the repeated nose bleeds started, the Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist used a scope and found the tumor. Pathology would tell for sure, but I believe we were able to remove all the cancer.
I always felt better when the outcome is positive. Unfortunately the reality of our job is that even when we do everything perfectly, sometimes the outcome can be grave. Kedron's case was very serious, and I worried the first time I assessed him he may not have much longer to live. So far he has beat the odds by surviving the first 24 hours, bouncing back after the code blue, and now beginning to improve from the ventilator acquired pneumonia. If only he would regain consciousness. The waiting game can be extremely difficult on family members. Just that quickly, my mind is back on Kynlee. If only I could figure out what it was with this woman that drew me in, that continually had my mind thinking of her. I began fantasizing about her, what I could do to her body. Whoa... down boy!
I talked with the family of the second surgery patient and headed to the locker room to change. I knew a run would be good for me tonight, but I didn't want to waste time when Hal should be awake or waking up soon. Once I was presentable, I locked my locker and headed to Halian's room. When I entered, he was already awake. Mona looked over as I entered and smiled. As I looked across the bed, I saw Mom, and Wanda was there in a wheelchair. I couldn't help but smile at seeing them all relatively okay. Until that moment, I don't think I realized how much their accident had been weighing on me. I suddenly felt a ton lighter than the days since the accident. "You all are a sight for sore eyes," I announced with a huge smile on my face.
Mom jumped up from her chair and ran over to give me a tight hug. I heard her whisper just loud enough for me to hear, "thank the good Lord they are okay. I was so scared Wam." I felt her body tremble slightly as she rested her head on my chest and took a deep breath. I rested my head against the top of my mother's, and just held her as she regained her composure.
Wanda was facing toward Hal, but Mona was watching us. I winked at her as I held Mom. When Mom finally pulled back and plastered a pretend smile on her face, I went over and gently hugged Wanda, being careful not to jostle her injuries. "It's so good to see you up sis," I said to Wanda as I went in for the hug. Wanda winced slightly when I hugged her and I released her to not cause her more discomfort. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."
Wanda attempted to brush it off as nothing, but I could see the discomfort in her eyes and likely scowled in response. "It's okay Wam. It's nice to see you too. I was actually about to head back to bed. I just had to come see my boy when they told me he was awake." At the mention of Hal, we all turned and looked at him.
Halian's face had a few bruises and his head was still wrapped in white gauze bandages. Although he appeared tired, he was conscious. As I inspected my nephew, he met my eyes, but there was little response. This concerned me slightly because he was the one nephew that usually flew into my arms when he saw me. My brain immediately switched from uncle to doctor mode, and I began to do a neurological assessment on him. I talked to Hal as I did so, "do you know who I am?" He nodded slightly. "Can you talk to me please?"
Again he nodded slightly but said, "my uncle."
I smiled at him as I continued, "very good. What's your name?"
"I'm Halian Herold."
"Yes you are. Do you know where you are Hal?"
"I think in the hospital?" He said as more of a question than a statement.
"Yes. Do you know why you're here Hal?"
Hal looked me in the eye like he was thinking and finally shook his head slowly.
"You and Mommy were in an accident. An old man failed to stop and ran his car into yours. Luckily, I think you and Mommy will both heal up in time. How do you feel Hal? Does anything hurt?"
"I'm tired...and my head kinda hurts," he said as he patted the bandage.
I gently pulled his hand down, "we had to operate on your head because you hit it pretty hard during the accident. Try not to touch it okay sport?"
Again Hal nodded slowly. "My throat kinda hurts too."
"That's not surprising. Have you had a drink yet?" I saw a cup with a bendy straw on the bedside table and brought in up to Hal's mouth. "Slow sips okay?" Hal again nodded slightly. "Can you tell me what day it is?"
Hal let go of the straw and said, "Monday?"
"It's Thursday. We had to keep you asleep for a few days to let your brain heal. Today we were able to let you wake up and take out the breathing tube. Your throat should be better tomorrow." I wasn't used to seeing Hal so serious. Hopefully this lack of emotion was temporary and Hal would return to the outgoing, happy-go-lucky, young man I was used to seeing.
Even though Hal's neuro check wasn't completely normal yet, it continued to improve from the time of the injury. Improvements could continue for up to a year, with rest and rehab, before we considered the results fairly permanent. Children however had a bit of an advantage because they were continuing to grow. Many times pediatric trauma patients healed much more quickly than adults. They also were more likely to develop new skills and use other parts of the brain to learn to adapt to their injuries. Time would tell. Either way, our family would be there as much as possible to support Halian and Wanda as they recovered.
I headed home, fed Sammy, then I chose to run outside and catch some vitamin D from the rays. After my shower, the urge struck me to touch base with Kynlee, so I sent her a text.
Dr. Wam Teton: Good evening Kynlee. Any changes there?
Kynlee: Still waiting for Kedron to wake up. Some eyelid movement, but he has yet to open his eyes. I hope you aren't texting to cancel on me tomorrow night?
Dr. Wam Teton: If I didn't know better, I'd think you like me. (Embarrassed emoji).
Kynlee: Wam, if I didn't like you, I certainly wouldn't be staying at your house.
Dr. Wam Teton: Touché, and I wouldn't have offered.
Kynlee: Could you take a look at Kedron and try to figure out why he isn't waking up? I'll be at the hospital anyway until you come back into town. I'll just leave supper on warm.
Dr. Wam Teton: That sounds like a plan. I'll let you know when I'm on my way and meet you at the hospital.
Kynlee: Thank you Wam. For everything. I know you're a busy doctor/surgeon, but I've missed you this week.
Dr. Wam Teton: Ditto. I'm looking forward to the weekend. Try to get some sleep, we have lots to do. (Wink emoji).
Kynlee: Is that doctor's orders?
Dr. Wam Teton: Why yes, yes it is.
Kynlee: Okay Wam. I'll try my best. I admit I've been sleeping much better at the cabin. That Aggie is a sweetheart. She is spoiling me with coffee when she works.
Dr. Wam Teton: I'm glad she is there in my absence. I hate the thought of you being alone so much. I wish I could be there more often.
Kynlee: I appreciate the time and support you've given me and couldn't ask for more. Hey, any changes there?
Dr. Wam Teton: Wanda is going home tomorrow! Unfortunately Hal has to remain in the hospital a while yet, but may be out of ICU tomorrow. He is awake and off the ventilator. He isn't quite himself, but he continues to improve.
Kynlee: That's great!
Dr. Wam Teton: Now, we just need to see if we can wake Kedron. It's been great chatting with you Kynlee. I'm heading to bed and hope you are too. Sweet dreams.
Kynlee: Nighty night. Don't let the bed bugs bite.
Dr. Wam Teton: If anything bites me, I'll bite it back.
(Wam sent a meme of a shark taking a bite out of a piece of a surfboard).
Kynlee: Haha. Remind me never to bite you then.
Dr. Wam Teton: You never know, I may like it if it was you. (Embarrassed emoji) Good night Kynlee!