Although I didn't admit it to Kynlee, I was very concerned about how Kedron would do today. Upon arrival at his ICU room, I greeted Kedron, even though he was sedated, and then went to the computer to see his vital sign recordings for the night. Nurse Tammy was working and quietly gave me an update. There was little change other than a low grade temperature, possibly due to inflammation from the surgery and the body trying to heal. All his other vital signs were within normal limits.
The sun was now rising and it was supposed to be a gorgeous October day. Just as I finished sorting through the vital signs, medications, and such for the night, in walked several residents snd a staff Neurologist that was covering rounds.
I stepped up to introduce myself. Putting my open hand out with thumb up, I stood in front of him and said, "good morning. I'm Dr. Wambleeska Teton. I'm the surgeon that did Kedron's surgery yesterday."
The Neurologist shook my hand and replied, "pleasure to meet you Dr. Teton. I'm Dr. Hussein Katar. I was asked to help out with rounds until the Head of Neurology position is filled."
"Thank you for helping Dr. Katar. There are some very talented residents and interns that simply need training, experience, and someone to guide them," I said with a smile. I made eye contact with everyone of the young doctors rounding here this morning. I wanted them to know I meant what I said.
Kynlee remained in her chair at Kedron's bedside, holding his hand for support and comfort. I was well aware she was taking in every comment and every expression each of these doctors made. Lee didn't miss much. At the end of the discussion, it was decided that the sedative would be turned off to see if Kedron would wake independently.
It was positive that Kedron hadn't needed blood pressure support throughout the night. Much like before, it was a waiting game. Time would tell what the outcome of his situation would be.
I sat briefly with Kynlee after the other doctors had left and the nurses had switched shifts. I made sure Lee was doing okay before I slipped out to my makeshift office to call my insurance company about the house. "Ron? Good morning, this is Wam Teton."
Ron's deep but jovial voice came back over the phone line, "good morning Dr. Teton. What can I do for you this fine fall morning?"
"I'm calling to find out if I can move ahead with estimates, on my cabin," I questioned.
"Oh yes, the adjuster was there yesterday and got all the pictures and such she needed. So if you can provide me with quotes from a couple different contractors, we can get you back in your cabin," Ron replied.
"I'm not familiar with contractors in the area. Ron, do you have any suggestions of who I should call for these estimates?"
I heard Ron rustling papers on the other end of the line before he finally said, "yes, I know of a number of reputable contractors. We try to keep a list updated of all those that work with us. Can I text or email you the list Dr. Teton?"
"That'd be perfect Ron. This is my cell, so please text them to me. Much appreciated, thank you," I exclaimed.
"It's my pleasure Dr. Teton. Just let me know when you have the estimates and we can move forward with the repairs," Ron explained.
"Will do. Have a good day Ron," I answered.
"You as well Dr. Teton," I heard before the call disconnected.
Within minutes I had the list and began to call contractors to line up estimates. As luck would have it, I was able to find two contractors who were free Monday morning. I then called Aggie to make sure she could be present since I had surgeries Monday. As usual, Aggie was more than willing to be present. Until the house was repaired, there wasn't much for her to do. At some point I would have to sort belongings to see what needed to be professionally cleaned or replaced due to smoke or water damage. What a mess!
I took a couple deep breaths before I returned to Kedron's room. Kynlee remained in her seat, her long, brunette hair hanging down her back in a ponytail, shined in the sunlight coming through the window. She was looking down at her phone and talking to Kedron about the news. As I watched her from the doorway, I couldn't help but think how beautiful, yet vulnerable, she looked. Kynlee sat in the metal folding chair next to the huge hospital bed with wires and tubes going every which way to and from Kedron. She looked so small in this setting. Ironic since I know she has a huge personality.
I pull up a chair and sit next to her, my arm on the back of her chair. Kynlee stops reading, looks at me, and gives me a huge smile as she says, "hi Wam."
I feel my heart melt just a little bit more. I return the smile as I push a loose strand of hair back behind her ear with my index finger. "Hello beautiful," I whisper in a rather sultry tone I hadn't meant to take on. Lee just has that influence on my heart, my body, and my soul.
As we stare into each other's eyes, we hear a strange noise come from the bed. We look up and see Kedron's eyes are partially open. Kynlee shoots up out of her chair and exclaims, "Kedron, your awake! Oh my gosh..Wam, he's waking up!" She bounces from one foot to the other with excitement.
Kedron appears to be trying to get his eyes to focus as he looks at Kynlee. I approach the bed and speak in a calm, reassuring voice, "Kedron, you're in the hospital. We had to do surgery after an incident at the rehab center. If you can hear me, blink once."
Kedron's eye lids close and then open again. He answered me, but his eyes remain focused on Kynlee. "Okay, one blink for 'yes' and two blinks for 'no'. I need to ask you some questions okay Kedron?" Kedron blinked once in response.
"Do you remember what happened at the rehab center before the ambulance brought you here?"
Kedron shifted his eyes in my direction and blinked twice.
So he didn't remember…guess I'd better explain. "One of the nursing assistants said they were going to give you a bath. Supposedly they stepped out to grab something, and when they returned, found you slumped over in the bed."
Kedron's eyes became large and his facial muscles tensed at my explanation. "It's okay Kedron," Kynlee reassured in a calm voice as she pushed his hair off his forehead. Kedron's eye looked at her again before returning to me.
"When they found you, supposedly you weren't breathing, but they never lost a heart beat. They helped you breath with an ambu bag until they got you to the ER. Once here, they intubated and placed you on a ventilator. We did surgery late yesterday and then shut off the sedative early this morning."
Kedron blinked once. I took it as his way of asking for more information. Kynlee continued to stand at his bedside and held his hand as we talked.
"We used man made materials to reconstruct your cervical vertebrae. Our hope is it will prevent further damage to your spinal cord and give you stability. I'm cautiously optimistic that you woke up so quickly. I'd like to change the settings on the ventilator to allow you to try to breath on your own," I continued to reveal our treatment goals with my hands in my pockets. I wanted to appear as laid back and non threatening as possible.
Kynlee cut in worriedly, "wait, are you so sure that's a good idea? He wasn't breathing when they brought him in."
Kedron looked again at Kynlee and then moved his eyes back to me. I met Kynlee's gaze briefly before looking back at my patient and expanding on my explanation. "We won't disconnect the ventilator, just change the setting so it only gives a breath if Kedron doesn't take one. Right now it's set on SIMV and gives a set number of breaths and volume every minute. We can change the setting to Assist Control and it'll allow Kedron to take more breaths, but will still give him a minimum number of breaths in case he doesn't take them involuntary."
Kynlee looked at Kedron and then back at me. Kedron blinked once. Obviously he was on board, even if his sister wasn't.
"I'll have Nurse Juan call the Respiratory Therapist," I said as I glanced at Juan who was at the computer in the corner of Kedron's ICU room.
Juan nodded in response and began to type out what I assumed was a message to the RT.
I continued to disclose our procedures in situations such as these to Kedron, "the Respiratory Therapists are the experts with the ventilators. I like to consult with them to make they agree with my assessment before we implement the changes."
Kedron blinked once.
Kynlee took a long shuddering breath and said quietly, "I'm going to step out to use the restroom." She turned on her heel and left.
Kedron met my eyes in what seemed like a pleading gesture, so I clarified, "is it okay if I go check on your sister?"
Before I'd even finished speaking, Kedron blinked once. I took it for what it was and walked out after Kynlee.