What Now? - a Rhekker, Chicago Med Story

Chapter 18

*** Later that Day***

Ava and Clare had spent three hours in the cafeteria catching up, when both were paged back to the ED. A 10 car pile-up on the highway was about to flood the hospital with dozens of patients and all on call doctors, nurses and orderly's had been called. They stood up and immediately rushed downstairs to prepare for the influx of injuries that were due any minute.

A: Maggie, can I have Clare shadow me for this?

M: Yes of course, we need as much help as we can get and she will be most comfortable and more likely more effective if she works with you.

A: Thanks Mags. Ok sissy, what are the main things to keep in mind for a mass trauma event?

C: Damage Control, stop the bleeding, maintain an airway and then move on. We are trying to save as many people as we can in a short space of time. Stay focused, stock up on O neg and pile on the gloves now to save time.

A: Perfect. Now my task is to asses for surgical evaluation with Connor. That is the system we have. I want you to focus on keeping that airway and listening to the heart sounds. If we get overrun with patients just go where you are needed. Keep your head on. Take a 2 minute breather if you need. You are no good to anyone if you pass out.

C: Got it.

M: Ok Incoming. Choi triage!!!

Ethan ran to greet the EMT's with the first gurney.

E: Red tag, intubate and then move him to surg eval.

A: Alright C that's us!

Will quickly intubated the patient and then he was rolled into Baghdad where Ava and Clare were waiting.

A: Maggie where the HELL is Connor. Tell him to get his ass down here now!

M: I paged him 10 times already.

A: Typical. Of course he's not here! I should of seen this coming.

Clare: What is going on?

A: We don't have enough hands. There's at least another 20 incoming.

Connor suddenly ran in through the main ED doors, he was puffing and panting like he had been running for miles. Maggie sprinted over to him and gowned and gloved him just before the next influx of patients were rolled in.

M: Me and you are gonna have a little chat later.

C: Sounds ominous.

M: Just get to work Dr Rhodes.

After 3 hours most of the patients had been treated and were now being admitted to the ward or sent to the ICU. Clare had sat down in the lounge, her scrubs saturated in blood and sweat. Ava walked in and sat down as well. Her scrubs were in an even worse state. Clare leaned over and rested her head on Ava's shoulder before standing up and opening up the supply closet door and grabbing two sets of spare scrubs. We gotta change and head back upstairs sis. Connor paged you up to OR 2. Maggie told me to let you know. Ava sighed loudly and began to change into her clean work clothes.

C: Hey, what was Connor doing when the call came in? It's not like him to miss something like that. You told me he is usually the first one here.

A: He used to be, but for like the last week he has been acting very strangely.

C: It hasn't got anything to do with me, does it?

A: No of course not! He likes you. He told me.

C: Hmmm, strange. You can ask him later but for right now lets focus on this patient.

Ava and Clare left to go upstairs. Maggie and Connor were in the OR.

M: So do you think they bought it?

C: I don't know they are two smart women, but we will know any minute once they get up here.

M: Ok lets pretend like I am telling you off for being late when they arrive.

C: Roger that.

The Bekker's walked into the scrub room just off the OR and Connor and Maggie could see they were watching.

M: aaaand..... action!

C: Maggie I am telling you I was just out for a walk!

M: Look Dr Rhodes, I couldn't care less if you were at a funeral, when paged you IMMEDIATELY return to the hospital. NO EXCUSES!

C: I think I made a mistake asking you to be on my team.

M: You're darn tootin it was, but let me correct you. It was MY mistake for saying yes.

Ava opened the door to the OR and walked in followed closely by Clare.

A: Everyone enough! It has been a hard enough day without all this yelling. Now SHUT UP AND LISTEN! This poor man here is relying on us so can we, for the sake of his life, just pretend to get along for 20 GODDAMN MINUTES?

Maggie and Connor both fell instantly silent and exchanged a sneaky look before turning their attention back to the patient.  Clare was standing by Ava's side watching every move, when suddenly a pulsing jet of blood hit her straight in the face. The monitors starting going crazy and Connor jumped into action. A tech came in from the observation room and wiped the blood of Clare's face and gave her a cup of antibacterial mouth wash to clear her mouth.

A: Clare get your butt over here we need more hands!

C: But I'm only a stude...

A: WELL RIGHT NOW YOU ALL WE HAVE GOT, SO GET IN HERE RIGHT NOW.

Clare ran back over to the patient and held the artery that was bleeding where Ava placed her hand.

A: Now all you have to do right now is keep that artery closed while Connor and I try to figure out why this happened.

Clare: Oh that's all? THAT'S ALL? No pressure then.

Ava gave her sister a burning glare and then continued searching for the cause of the sudden rupture.

*** Three hours later***

Clare was standing over the patient. He had survived the surgery but had been on bypass for an extended period of time due to the complications. His mental capacity was still unknown. Connor and Ava were outside explaining to his wife and son what the situation was. Clare could see through the glass that his wife was crying uncontrollably and the son was trying to be the classic stoic male character. After a moment lost in thought she continue to adjust the flow rate on his IV and then checked his urine output and other vitals. She had a bad feeling about this one.