After the Storm (manxman)

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Stephen...
(Luis'Roses)

Raising my arms above my head, I felt the sore muscles in my shoulders protest against the stretching movements. I could hear my tired vertebrae surrounding my spine snap back into place, and I almost sighed with relief when I felt the warm rush of blood returning to my stiff lower limbs. Under the bright surgical lights above the operating table, I studied the fresh skin grafts on my patient's face, throat, and upper torso.

This surgery had been an intricate one, it had taken me almost eleven hours to complete the delicate grafts, and I was more than happy with the results. I gently applied the protective gel to my patient's new skin. A patented all natural topical treatment I had spent years in developing. It skin gel is a careful mixture of essential oils and vitamins necessary for healthy skin, and so far it's worked wonders in helping my patient's take to their new skin and it has also reduced their chances of getting infections by protecting the affected areas from everyday elements.

I stepped back out of the sterile area indicating to the staff that I was finally finished tending to my patient and surgery has come to a close. The surgical team swooped in to perform their routine of caring for the patient by taking stock of the equipment used and so forth. I looked over to Dr. Sydney, the Anesthesiologist, and he gave me a quick nod of his head letting me know the patient's vital signs are stable and he was going to start weaning the patient off the meds and bring the patient out of anesthesia.

With one final glance at the vital sign monitors, I moved out of the way and the staff bustle around the OR table. I backed out of the room and into the scrub area. My whole body sagged with exhaustion as I peeled off my gloves, my sterile gown, and finally my face mask. I didn't worry about my personal equipment I left in the OR, the staff will make sure they are cleaned my gear and returned to my office.

I had one last ask left before I was able to go home after settling my patient, Mr. Addison in the recovery room. I had to talk to his wife and his parents. They have been waiting all day, and I need to let them know that all went well and what to expect in his treatment from here on out.

I splashed some water on my face in a last ditch attempt to rejuvenate myself enough to answer the family's questions. I could only hope and pray that their inquiries will be brief since I had already spoken to them at length over the past few days trying to prepare them as much as I could for today. I had just finished washing my hands when Rose bustled into the scrub area, and bless her, this was her routine after any of my surgeries that where all affairs.

My ever efficient practitioner shoved an energy bar into my mouth with one hand and an open ice cold bottle of Gatorade in the other. She stood there tapping her foot while I ate. She patiently waited until I chewed, swallowed, and took a few gulps of my drink before shoving another bar into my mouth and bustling out of the room again like the little hurricane that she is.

I just shook my head as I swallowed my second protein bar and finished off the drink. I felt a little better and I threw the empty bottle in the garbage before making my way to the surgical family waiting room.

Once I located the family, I kept my explanations of the procedure short and simple. I patiently answered their inquiries and explained the recovery time and the expected length of stay in the hospital for their loved one. I tried to be as understanding as possible when I told them they had to wait for a while longer before Mr. Addison is transferred to a regular room, and they were finally going to get the chance to see him after their nerve wrecking sixteen hour long wait.

By the time I left the relieved family members, I wanted nothing more than a chance to see Luis, to feel his delectable body against mine, but damn, I needed a hot shower first. I returned to the scrub room, washed my hands all over again, and went through the sliding glass doors towards the patient recovery area. I made one last check on my patient. He was heavily sedated as expected but his vital signs were stable and I left him the nurses capable hands.