Following My Sister's Rules

Chapter 9

My head hurts.

I mean, it really hurts.

I struggled to open my eyes, but it was just too much effort, so I gave up and kept them shut.  I was surrounded by an unfamiliar scent, and it felt like my mouth was as dry as the Sahara.  I went to take a deep breath, but couldn't get the air into my lungs.  Something was blocking it, and there was a loud beeping noise when I tried again.  What the hell is going on?

"It's okay, Max."  An unfamiliar female voice broke through the beeping.  I felt a small hand softly run in small circles over my chest.  "Just relax.   You're doing a great job, just hang in there, buddy."

Buddy? Great job?  What is going on?

"Is he okay?"  Meghan's voice broke through.  She sounded nervous, and completely unlike himself.

"He's waking up a bit, and fighting the vent."  The first voice told her.  "I'm going to push another bolus of ativan and hopefully he'll settle down."

"Are we going to trial him again today?"  Meghan asked.

"Once he is a little more relaxed, respiratory will disconnect the vent and do another trial.  He's doing great, but now that he's waking up, his anxiety seems to be increasing quite a bit."  I have no idea what these things mean, but they don't sound good.  "He's going to be fine, Meghan.  His heart is in pristine condition and has been able to tolerate the trauma.  They pulled the chest tube over night and everything is looking up.  I know it's scary, but it will all work out."

"Thanks, Reina.  I just can't lose him too."  Meghan said sadly.

"Meg, maybe you should go home and get some rest."  Matt's voice added.  "You've been here for four days straight.  Your kids miss you.  I promise I won't leave his side, but I need you to take care if yourself.  Let Evan take you home."

"You're right.  Kate must be exhausted with all four kids."  She agreed.  "Call me if anything comes up, okay?  Anything at all."

"I promise."  I heard a chair scraping against the floor, and someone's large hand was in mine.  It had to be Matt, but it must have been ten years since he last held my hand.  I felt a light kiss being placed on my forehead, gone just as quickly as it had appeared on my skin.

I have no idea what is going on, so I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to get back to sleep.

"Okay, let's begin, shall we?  17 year old Caucasian male, five days post MVA, PEA times 4 minutes in the ER, admitted to the ICU after stabilization.  Developed a left hemo thorax, pigtail chest tube inserted, which we pulled overnight.  This morning's chest X-ray showed marked improvement.  Ventilated for airway protection.  He passed his breathing trial yesterday, and we were going to trial again today.  However, he is doing quite well from a respiratory standpoint, and I think we can extubate today, so let's have respiratory on standby for that. I'd like to discontinue the fentanyl now.  Reina, can you do that?"

"Absolutely."  The girl from earlier said.  "Before you extubate though, you need to call Meghan Johnson, she's his power of attorney and legal guardian at this time."

"Wonderful, is she here?"  The male voice asked.

"She went home to get some rest."  Matt told the room.  "I can get her on the phone if that is enough for you."

"Absolutely."  The first voice said.  "Moving on.  We are three days status post total right knee replacement, incision line looks good, and ortho is following.  The laceration on his abdomen is healing nicely, but his blood counts are still low so let's get another two units of red blood cells up and running.  Anyone have anything to add?"  No one spoke up, so the group left the room.  Were they talking about me?  I went to speak but gagged on whatever is lodged in my throat.