Cry to Me

7.

Things were hazy at first, but his mind started to get clearer. He could not feel any part of his body, and when he tried to wiggle his fingers he was unsure if they even moved. He was submerged in blackness, but as the haze went away, there was a white light that slowly intensified in power. When he did not think the light could get any brighter, he forced his eyelids to slowly tear open, feeling as though they had been crusted into place.

The first thing he noticed was how it was not just the light that was white, but everything in the room was as well. The only other colours he noticed were the silver instruments spread out on a white counter and lining the walls. He could only move his neck slightly, but looking to the side he could see a red bag attached to a tube pumping blood into the catheter in his arm. Someone came into the room.

Nurse: Hi David! My name is Marianne, I'm the nurse working with you today – welcome back! You've been asleep for a long time, but we're going to get you up and moving in no time!

He tried to say something but realized the only thing he could do was blink.

Nurse Marianne: It's probably best if you don't try to talk – you just had a tube removed that was helping you breathe. Do you have any pain?

He shook his head slightly.

Nurse Marianne: Okay, great! You're getting a lot of morphine right now to help keep your pain under control, but we're probably going to be titrating that down pretty soon since you're awake now. I know this must be really confusing for you, but I want you to know that you're safe and we're looking after you the best we can, okay? I'm going to take your vitals and get everything ready for when the doctor arrives!

She pressed a button on one of the machines and he could feel a numb pressure on his arm. The nurse then wheeled a table over to the bed, laid out a sheet, and began to place different instruments onto the sheet. Within a matter of moments, the doctor walked in.

Doctor: David! Hello! My name is Dr. Tavares. I'm here because you just woke up and I want to do a thorough assessment on you - just to see where you're at right now. I know you're not going to be up to snuff for a while, but we just need a baseline so we know what's improving and what you might need some help with in the future. Vitals?

Nurse Marianne slid a sheet of paper towards him.

Nurse Marianne: Everything's within normal range.

Dr. Tavares: Excellent, excellent! Are you able to speak yet?

David tried to make a noise but nothing came out.

Dr. Tavares: Not yet, eh? Just give it some time. If I ask you to make a fist, are you able to?

David tried to move his fingers but was unable to.

Dr. Tavares: And wiggle your toes?

Once again, nothing happened.

Dr. Tavares: That's expected in your situation. Your ability to move should improve within the next few days. Next I'm going to test your eyes. You're going to see a bright light...

He shined an ophthalmoscope into each eye.

Dr. Tavares: And follow my finger.

He moved his finger up and down, left and right, and diagonally while David followed.

Dr. Tavares: Excellent. And I'm just going to take a peek at your wound.

He moved the blanket down and pulled up the gown so he could see David's abdomen. There was a small amount of blood staining the white gauze. The doctor lifted up the gauze and David saw a long line of sutures holding the skin together.