Daryl gazed at Nikki he was truly blessed to have her , and now the worse part was over for now .
"Thanks, Nik. I mean it. I hardly felt that. I figured I'da been screaming bloody murder." Daryl sighed in relief .
"You are so much stronger than you even know. I'm so proud of you, baby."
"Now relax Daryl ok dr jones is analysing your results and will be round shortly we're also bringing a cot in for Nikki so she can stay with you" Gloria smiled
"Can he have more pain medication? He's not had any since the ambulance came and I'm sure he's in pain."
"Nik I'm fine I am" Daryl lied
"Daryl, we've had this conversation. You have to stay on top of the pain. You can't wait until it's bad before you try to handle it."
"It's time for him to have some meds anyway," Gloria advised. "We're going to try some Percocet for now. If he needs something stronger, we can do that in a bit."
"Just hate it , just want it to stop , get so scared Nik"
"I know baby but I'm here remember I'm not leaving you I will help you through this"
She then turned and faced Gloria
"What's Percocet how will it make him feel"
"It's a narcotic. It'll probably make him tired and a little loopy, but it'll make the pain stop." She turned to Daryl and asked if he wanted one or two.
"Just one. I'm tired of sleeping all the time. Wanna be awake when we talk about this surgery."
"I'll get it sorted" Gloria smiled
Nikki carried on stroking Daryl's head
"You are gonna be ok I promise you"
The next moment dr jones walked in
"What's the results say does he need surgery" Nikki asked
"Straight to it, I see," Dr. Jones smiled as he pulled a chair over to Daryl's bedside. "I think that surgery will give Daryl the best shot at a complete recovery. There's something that we didn't see before, and it's what is causing the pins and needles sensation. A tiny chip from your vertebrae is pressing against a nerve. That's why you're not healing as well as we'd like. All I need to do is go in and put in a few pins and screws to patch the vertebrae together and that's it. You should feel a great deal of relief almost immediately."
Daryl looked at Dr Jones
"Surgery is there nothing else y'a can do more therapy please I'm begging y'a I just can't do surgery I can't "
"It's a very simple procedure. It will likely only take about an hour. If we do nothing, we risk that fragment going further into that nerve and causing much more damage and pain. If you allow me to patch the vertebrae and remove that fragment, you'll be up and moving within a few hours of surgery. And, you won't have that pins and needles feeling anymore."
"Nik I'm really scared" Daryl sobbed
"Look I know baby but dr jones is right we need to do this we need to help you get better , I really want you to you know and I know RJ and Judith would love to have there uncle Daryl back there playing with them again"
"Daryl, we'll keep a steady dose of anti-anxiety medicine going to help keep you calm and relaxed. We can give you something very mild while you spend time with your family and friends, and something stronger as needed. Nikki will even be able to walk with you to the operating room doors and I'll make certain that she's there when you wake up. I promise that I'll take very good care of you." Dr. Jones squeezed Daryl's shoulder reassuringly.
