Quiet vs. Loud

Hospitals

We had all been sitting in the waiting room for what seemed like forever, when I heard the door open and I saw a doctor in dark blue scrubs walk in.  He looked around until he saw my mom, then he made his way over to us and sat down in a chair facing us.  "Well, how did everything go?"  Mom asked.  The doctor ran his fingers through his hair and said "As you know, we had a lot to do, and it took a lot of time, but we finally got everything fixed.  We had to put screws in his ankle to stabilize the repair of the break, and there are pins in his wrist, but overall his leg and arm should heal fine. He does have two fractured ribs, but we really can't do anything about those.  He will just have to take it easy until they heal."  "Is he awake?" Evan asked as Mom just put her head in her hands and cried.  "Not yet, but he should be soon. They were taking him to recovery when I came out here.  You should be able to go back and see him in about 30 minutes.  That should give them time to get him settled."  We all thanked the doctor and he left the waiting room.  I looked at Riker, and he just wrapped his arms around me.  "I'm glad he is going to be OK." Riker said.  "If it's OK, now that we have an update, I'm gonna go call Mom and let her know how things are.  But don't worry, I'm not going far and I won't be gone long."  I nodded my head and after Riker gave me a quick kiss, he walked out of the waiting room with his phone in his hand.  

After Riker walked off, I just sat in the chair with my head in my hands.  I had been worried all day, but now that the doctor had been in, I felt better.  I was still worried about how things would be once Jackson got home.  The only way Jackson could communicate was with sign language, but that would be impossible now with a broken arm.  I had to think of something.  But right now I just wanted to see Jackson.

After a few minutes, Riker came back in.  "I just spoke with Mom.  She and Ryland went over to your house to take care of the dogs.  Dad and Rocky just picked up Rydel and Ratliff, and they are gonna finish up at the cabin and then head back home.  Mom knew that you and your family would not want to leave Jackson, so Ryland and Ross are bringing all of us some dinner.  If we let her know who will be staying here tonight, she will gather some clothes and send them as well."  

"Tell your Mom thanks for everything.  Mom and Evan will probably stay tonight, but I will need to take Jayce and Whit home and stay with them.  I don't do well staying in hospitals." I told Riker.  "If you text your mom, just tell her that Evan and Mom just need their sleep clothes and bathroom stuff.  If she doesn't feel right going through their stuff, I guess you and I could run home so I can get the stuff and bring it back."  Riker looked at me. "That will make for a long night for you.  Let me text my mom and see what she says."  Riker pulled out his phone again and sent a quick message to his mom.  

As soon as he finished the message, a nurse came in the waiting room and walked over to us.  "Are you Jackson's family?" she asked my mother.  "Yes," my mom replied.  "I am his mother, and this is his father, his sister and her boyfriend, and his two brothers.  How is he?  Can we see him now?"  "Yes mam, he is in recovery and he just came out of the anesthesia.  He was starting to wake up when I came to get you.  If you will come with me, I can take you to him."  We all stood up to follow her.  Riker pulled on my hand to stop me.  "This is something for you and your family.  I'm gonna wait for Ross and Ryland and help the with the food.  I'll be here when you get done, I promise."  I gave him a hug and a quick kiss, then I turned to follow the nurse down the hallway.

When we got to Jackson's room, the nurse turned to us and said "Remember, he is just coming out of the anesthesia, so he is gonna be really groggy.  But once we make sure all his vitals are stable, we will be moving him to a regular room.  After this first visit, we ask that only two people be in the recovery room at a time.  We just don't have a lot of room in the recovery unit.  OK, here's his room.  Just remember, he is on monitors and oxygen, and he has a lot of bruises, but other than that, he's ok.  The monitors will be coming off when he gets moved to a regular room and the oxygen will be removed in about 24 hours.  Also, we are waiting until tomorrow to put the casts on.  We want to make sure the pins are going to work.  So that will be done in the morning.  Have a good visit and I'll be back in a little while to get Jackson ready for the transfer to his regular room."