One Day At a Time ✔️

Ch. 70 Surgery Day

Drift's P.O.V.
"Is it possible to put her to sleep in an in-patient room?" Sunstreaker asks, "isn't it unsterile for Drift to hold her in the OR, even while wearing sterile OR clothes?"
"That is a better option," Jolt agrees, "both for Drift to get her to relax, and I think the mask for the anesthesia will add to her anxiety. Unfortunately, I think for this; we can only hope next time she'll need surgery, she isn't traumatized by the memories."
The plan is to bring Jamie to the medbay at ten rather than the cafeteria tomorrow. I still worry she'll panic.

Crosshairs and I are not sure if we should tell Jamie or not. When would be a good time to tell her? At night seems bad because she could have nightmares, but right as we're in the medbay won't prevent her from panicking. The twins will come with us and try to help the best they can.

Jamie is not liking Jolt, and Ratchet wants to put a new monitor chip in. Crosshairs and I can tell she's thinking about what those so-called doctors did, even while trusting Jolt and Ratchet. I'm expecting to be up all night.

Ratchet's P.O.V.
Crosshairs tells me Jamie slept all night, but we see how terrified she is as Drift holds her once she is changed into a hospital gown.
Glad I can use the central line to inject the anesthetic.
"You're going to remove that, right?" Crosshairs asks, "while in the OR would be wise."
"Yeah, she's a little underweight, but not like two months ago," Jolt points out, "I think we can stop the immune boost infusions."
"How much underweight?" I ask.
"Ten pounds," Ratchet tells me, "it's not going to be a problem to get her to gain that. One or two months before we remove the G-tube."

Jamie is calm, but I can tell she's scared, even with the cart with the syringe.
"Easy, we need to put a new monitor chip, and we'll remove the central line," I explain, "this is an anastatic," I show her the syringe without the needle attached.
Crosshairs and the terror twins walk in. I told the twins Jamie should be asleep in five to ten minutes, but the twins still wanted to be here before Jamie goes into surgery.
"He's not lying," Sunstreaker says.
Jamie still isn't liking having to lie on the bed.
Drift and the others surround the bed. Drift holds Jamie's hand. Probably hoping to get Jamie to think they're watching to see if I'm doing anything but what I'm supposed to be.
"You're ok; we'll be here when you wake up," Drift assures her as I inject the drug.
They all stay until she's asleep. I tell them to eat. I carry Jamie to the OR.

Drift's P.O.V.
A few Autobots try to be supportive after hearing Jamie is in surgery. Even though Ratchet waited until Jamie wasn't severely underweight, my mind still thinks something will happen. I can't eat.
"Take him to the lounge room."
"Come on," I hear Crosshairs.
He pulls me off the chair and leads me out of the cafeteria.

He makes me sit on the sectional.
"This is why I worry," he says, taking my hand.
"Drift, you know how careful Ratchet is to decide Jamie is ready for surgery," I hear Optimus, "Jamie will be ok."
"Ratchet is not going to be happy neither of you ate," Sunstreaker comments as he and Sideswipe carry plates that are mine and Crosshairs' breakfast. Optimus stays with us, probably worried I'll pass out.

An hour passes, and the five of us go to the medbay and wait in the room Ratchet said he'd put Jamie in.
The room has two chairs. I'm told to sit on one of the chairs. I try not to look at my phone to know the time. Crosshairs sits on the other chair and holds my hand. I'm more terrified than embarrassed my friends, and superior see me like this.

Ratchet was right about the time, ninety minutes. He and Jolt wheel the bed into the room. The others aren't alarmed by the breathing tube, but it's terrifying.
"Jamie is ok," Ratchet assures me, "this is normal after surgery, remember?"
It's been years since Jamie had to have the monitor chip replaced. Jolt put Jamie on the monitor. Her vitals are stable.
"Can you remove that now?" Sideswipe asks, "I don't know if she'll panic."
"Not until she wakes up," Ratchet says.
Crosshairs and I sit by the bed, hoping to keep Jamie calm.

Crosshairs' P.O.V.
I hope Drift can relax now as Ratchet tells everyone Jamie is healthy and tells them what he told me. We only have her strength to work on. Hopefully, Jamie will cooperate and be back to training soon.
We don't have to wait long for Jamie to wake up. Ratchet quickly assures her he'll remove the tube soon and changes the settings on the ventilator. I assume to see if she's ready for extubation. That's what Ratchet tells Jamie. He'll switch to a venturi mask in the minutes if she does well. This is routine, but I worry Drift thinks something is wrong.
Sunstreaker is prepared to keep Jamie occupied with his sketchbook.

Jamie did fine, and Ratchet thinks she'll do fine with a nasal cannula. He'll keep her on oxygen for twenty-four hours. Drift isn't going to move from the chair for a while.

"I'm concerned about him," Ratchet comments.
"I think he's talked about how he feels enough," I comment, "he's traumatized. Only time will help him now."
As usual, I'm questioned about how I'm feeling. They know this has been terrifying to watch Jamie struggle with recovery. I'm more worried about Drift and Jamie's mental health. This scrap is almost over, but what's left to work on is still challenging.

Jamie is discharged the next day. She has asked about the G-tube being removed. Not pleased with the answer. Ratchet wants her to rest for a few days, even if she's not working out.
"Fine, I just want to kill Megatron," Jamie tells us.
Our warrior is back, even if she's not one hundred percent yet. Won't be long before she's fighting Megatron in battle.