As I sat in the office, set aside for visiting doctors, I thought about how I could help Lee through this situation with her brother. Kedron was not handling his diagnosis of quadriplegia well at all. I understand him being upset, but unloading on every female he comes in contact with isn't okay either. We may have to explore his head injury more closely to see if it indeed causing the changes in behavior. From what Kynlee has told me, Kedron is generally level headed and in control of his emotions.
I hated the idea of calling Dr. Adams, but since he was her patient, I feel like I need to keep her updated on his progress. Tonight was her 'party for neurology staff', that I had no intention of attending. Maybe an email will suffice since she won't return until Monday? As I began to type my update to Dr. Adams and the hospitalist, I overhear voices in the hallway. "Hey, Karen are you going to Dr. Adams's party tonight?"
The voice of who I was guessing was Karen responded, "it's a catch-22. She only invites us because it would be suspicious to invite all males. If we don't make an appearance though, she will be cold and maybe even rude for feeling snubbed."
"I know.. I just don't want to be the only other female there, that's why I ask. Of course if we all boycott, she cannot possibly hold it against us all. Right Karen?"
"Right you are Sandra." They both giggled and must have returned to work, because the gossiping stopped.
So the whole staff knew Dr. Adams had relations with the male staff members? That is so not good for the reputation of the hospital. Of course, with Lee staying at my cabin, who am I to say anything? Dr. Adams would throw me under the bus faster than you can blink. I've seen her do it to residents and hospitalists before. Kelly is not someone you want on your bad side for sure.
I'd visited three patients counting Kedron and was finishing up my charting about 5pm when I received the text from Lee.
Kynlee: I'm ready to go when you are. Kedron doesn't seem as angry, but he is still very tired.
Dr. Wam Teton: Okay, I'll finish up my charting and be down.
I finished the email I was working on about Kedron, pressed 'send', and logged out of the computer. I was simply down the hall so locked the office and made my way back toward Kedron's room. Lee saw me standing in the hall and kissed her brother's cheek saying, "I love you Kedron. Remember I probably won't make it in tomorrow, but I'll be back on Monday morning about 6am."
"Love you too Kynlee," Kedron replied to his sister.
Kynlee looked up at me as she swung her purse over her shoulder, and we headed toward the elevator.
"Looks like it went better this time?" I inquired as the elevator closed and I pressed the 'L' for lobby. I looked over at Lee who nodded slightly.
"Yeah, whatever you said to him calmed him right down. Thanks for that." She stood with her back pressed to the back wall of the elevator, but both her lips and brows were drawn downward.
"I simply pointed out to your brother that you love him, you've been there every single day for him, and that none of this is your fault." I backed up against the wall to stand next to Kynlee as the elevator descended quickly.
"He actually apologized for losing his cool this morning," she admitted.
"That's good. He should have after yelling at first Nurse Chloe and then you. Anger is a common issue with traumatic brain injuries, and certainly part of the grieving process. Try to keep in mind that his life will be completely different than prior to his fall. It will take a lot to get him to a place where he can accept that."
Lee sighed and studied the floor of the elevator as we neared the lobby level. "It's what he didn't say that's bothering me though Wam."
I looked over at her and raised my eyebrows, waiting for her to answer, but she never looked up. "Care to elaborate?" I asked as the doors opened.
We began to walk toward the parking garage VIP section. The hallways this time of day were pretty empty, especially on a weekend.
"What he didn't say is that he still wanted to be alive. He had told me he would have rather died, and he apologized for yelling, but I worry he still wants to die. Like he sees no worth in living the rest of his life in a wheelchair. That scares me."
I couldn't stop myself from running my hand down Lee's long dark hair and off the end of her ponytail. She needed to be soothed, and that was my job. "There is just as much counseling involved in his rehabilitation as there is Physical Therapy. Once he enters the rehab facility, they'll do Physical Therapy three times daily as well as daily counseling. He will be forced to look at his issues and learn to live with them."
Kynlee finally looked at me as I held the door open for her, "I hope you're right, but Kedron is stubborn. Let's hope he uses his stubbornness to improve and not to bide his time until he can end his life on his own terms."
I shut her door after she climbed up into the SUV and walked around to the drivers side. I started the ignition, but didn't pull out immediately. We were actually talking, Lee was opening up, and I didn't want to do anything to stop her or discourage her openness. "I cannot promise nothing will happen, but I have faith in the rehabilitation process. Most come out of the 1-3 month program much happier and healthier than when they went in. I'm hoping that'll be true of Kedron as well."
Kynlee finally looks up and turns her head to meet my gaze, "I sure hope your right Wam. I guess I need to pray and turn it over to God. There is only so much I can do anyway."
I nod and back out of my space, exit the parking garage, and head for home. "So, is there anything particular you'd like for supper tonight?"
Kynlee smiled at me but shook her head, "I'm not picky Wam. As long as we avoid....now granted, these are of things I've actually tried...alfredo, mustard, and any fish that stares back at me or is used as a topping. I could make supper since you made lunch."
I dropped my right hand from the steering wheel and squeezed Lee's hand that was in her lap. "You helped, I didn't do it all. We make a pretty good team, don't you think?"
Lee nodded. "I could make a salad if you'd like to make meat to go with it? Or if you have other things to do, I can whip up something. Whatever works best for you Wam."
"Do you liked grilled food? I could throw something on 'the Barbie'," I said in a sad attempt at an Australian accent that made Lee laugh. Exactly the response I was after.
"Who are you, Crocodile Dundee? What did you do with Wam? I want him back," she said, crossing her arms over her chest for affect.
I couldn't help but laugh as well. "Aye mate, I'm Crocodile Dundee from The Land Down Under."
We both continued to laugh at my lame joke until I glanced at Lee laughing and smiling and I became serious. "Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are when you smile?"
I saw her cheeks turn pink as my compliment sunk in. I wasn't trying to flirt or embarrass her, I was just stating a fact. I'm not sure I've even seen a more beautiful smile.
"I'm sorry Kynlee, I wasn't trying to embarrass you. It just slipped out. I love to see you smile."
Finally she looked over at me from under her long, dark eyelashes and gave a sheepish smile. "Thank you Wam. You give me a reason to smile. I haven't had many since our parents died."
"So who do you take after, Mom or Dad?" I asked on a whim. The only way to figure this woman out and help her brother, was to get to know them.
Kynlee is quiet a few minutes before answering, "I'm built like Mom, short and curvy. My coloring certainly came from my dad. Both our parents were hard workers but Mom was always helping someone through our church. Mom had a strong faith and believed in good works to strengthen the church and our community. Our church's religious leaders all said it was as much a loss for the church as for Kedron and I. We often had extra people over at holidays simply because they either didn't have the means or were alone on the holiday. I've no doubt my parents are smiling down on us from heaven."
My eyebrows must have risen and I had to close my mouth so I didn't look like a guppy. "Wow! They sound like amazing people."
Lee nodded, "yeah, what we lacked in money, we made up for in love. They were pretty strict though. Of course it was as much Kedron keeping an eye on me as my parents."
"That sounds about perfect. Exactly how I hope to raise my kids someday. How about you Lee, you want kids someday?" I tilt my head slightly in question as we pull into the driveway of the cabin and park.
"I guess I've always pictured myself with a couple of dark eyed, dark haired kids. I don't care what gender as long as they are healthy and happy."
I nod, "that's a well thought out answer." We both climb the steps and I say, "I'm going to preheat the grill. I'll be in shortly."
Kynlee nods as she enters the house, shutting the doors behind her. I light the grill and allow it to heat while I go inside to wash my hands, then find the frozen patties to cook. Next I grab the seasonings I need from the kitchen cupboard, but stop short when I hear what sounds like crying.
I follow the sound to the living room and find Lee curled up in the fetal position on the couch. She is indeed crying with her cell phone in hand. I sit on the middle cushion next to her body and brush a few errant hairs, caught in the tear tracks on her cheeks, behind her ear. "Hey, what's going on? What changed in the last five minutes?"
Kynlee takes a couple slow breaths to calm herself before she pushes herself up in the corner of the couch, arms hugging her knees to her chest and says, "I got an email from Social Security and Disability. They've denied Kedron's claim. What are we going to do?"
"Lee, it's a money game for them. They usually deny the first application. We will refile within the time frame listed and they will likely okay it. The coverage is retroactive to the time Kedron, or you as his representative, applied. You put the date of his injury on the forms correct?"
Lee nodded, then looked up, "yes, Mark told me to because then the medical assistance would cover from date of admission since Kedron had no insurance and now no income."
I felt awful no one had explained to her that it's commonplace to be rejected the first time.
"Please try not to stress. Kedron definitely meets the criteria. Maybe it was a missed dot on an 'I' or a missing signature. Our insurance department has lawyers that can help you if it comes to that, but it shouldn't. Okay?"
Lee nodded.