Intertwined

Part 11: The Lord Is My Shepherd

He felt everything shifting.

Like an earthquake rumbling through him- splitting him down the middle.

On one hand, he always cursed whoever it was who got to live while his wife had to die.

On the other hand, the thought of Helen suffering in pain at this time made him panic and worry that he would lose her as well.

Sitting in the hallway, for the last half hour was not something he wanted to go through—again.

The first time he sat out here like this, was when he was waiting to receive the news if Georgia was going to make it or not.

That day, everything came crashing down around him and he wanted to die along with her, because he never even got to say goodbye or tell her he loved her one last time.

Instead he was left to feel the weight of being a single father and never truly have time to mourn his best friend and wife.

And now.

Now he was experiencing it all over again.

They have yet to say anything to him. Nurse after nurse entered her room and none provided him with information or solace.

As he leans forward on his knees and grips his hair, he is going back and forth on if he should call Lauren or the boys to let them know what's going on.

How terrible would it look if they showed up and she was fine- but just angry at him for his hurtful reaction to her simply asking him for assistance.

But how horrific would it be if he didn't call them and God forbid she didn't make it.

He would never forgive himself. He shakes and his hands tremble in his hair as he tries to decide what to do.

"Mr. Goodwin?" A good looking man with vibrant green eyes stands before Max and he immediately bursts out of his seat. "I'm Dr. Nathan Ellis- I'm Helen's cardiologist. How are you doing?"

"Helen? Is she alright?!" He frantically asks, his heart racing a mile a minute and his gut wrenching inside him.

"She's alright. Her ECG came back normal and her panels all look fine. She experienced a Coronary Artery Vasospasm- or CAS-brought on by stress and anxiety. That's when the arteries suddenly constrict and give off heart attack like symptoms. It causes the heart to lose its correct rhythm and is very painful and can be very serious if not monitored. So we're going to put a Holter Monitor on her that she's required to wear for the next 48-72 hours- especially while she sleeps. It will monitor her heart's electrical pulses. I'm also sending her home a prescription for nitroglycerin tablets that are to be placed under the tongue during any future attacks. They will help relax her heart, stop the spasms and reduce any chest pain as well. Any questions, I know I'm throwing a lot at you."

"She should stay home from work for a while- right?"

"I would say at least Monday and Tuesday. If she gets up Wednesday and feels horrible or at any time if the pain is progressing or not going away- she should definitely come back in. Other than that, just keep her relaxed and calm for a while. Though, I know her and she's a firecracker with a strongwill...so..." Dr. Ellis tries to joke with Max, but he doesn't find it funny. "Anyway, I contacted her next of kin- Lauren Bloom— and let her know what's going on as well. She is currently on her way over with the boys."

"Thank you."

"Of course. If you need anything or think she needs to be seen again- don't hesitate to call me or bring her by." He hands Max his card and heads off. Max remains outside the room for a few moments before finding the strength to go in- even though his better judgement is telling him to run before Bloom finds out he caused this. He's seen her wrath and doesn't wish to be on the other end of it.