When Cars Go Bang!
Chapter 3 – The Details
Thanks everyone. I have read a lot of stories with Maura taking care of Jane. There aren't many with Maura needing medical attention or TLC. I felt the need to change things up a little. Thanks for reading!
"Maura has suffered a what?" asked Jane looking at the Doctor wishing she spoke a language she could understand. Where was Google when you needed it? Where was Maura?
Dr. Martin continued, "We did a head CT and discovered Maura has suffered a subdural hematoma. Put simply she is bleeding between the membranes that surround her brain. An injury like this is almost always caused by a blunt trauma. It can happen spontaneously after a very minor head injury. In Dr. Isles' case it was caused by hitting her head in the accident. She needs immediate surgery."
"Do it," Jane demanded without thinking about it. She had tears sliding down her face as she pleaded with the doctor standing before her, "do whatever you have to do just keep her here with me."
Dr. Martin placed a consoling hand on Jane's arm, "I intend to do just that."
Jane shook herself then putting on a brave face, "What's going to happen now?"
"Well, we have called in a neurosurgeon, Dr. Rainy. Basically the tiny veins between the surface of the brain and its outer covering have stretch and tore, allowing blood to collect. What he's going to have to do is drill a small hole in her skull to try and relieve the pressure from the collection of blood on the surface of the brain. Right now we have her on Diuretics used to help reduce swelling and an Anticonvulsant medication, phenytoin, to prevent seizures."
From the talk of swelling and seizures Jane was in shock trying desperately to grasp the Doctor's words. It was a difficult struggle but she was able to ask, "Dr. Martin, will she make it?"
Dr. Martin looked momentarily at the papers in her hands choosing her words carefully. Doctors never make promises they could not keep. "The truth is, this is a very serious situation. Although, people do make full recoveries from this kind of injury any surgery where the brain is concerned is always risky business. You have to be aware there is a chance she may have experienced some degree of brain damage ranging from low grade amnesia, coma, or," pausing before saying the last word, "death." The truth is a wild beast that will certainly bite you as hard as it can.
'DEATH' that one word echoed loudly in Jane's ears as if the Doctor screamed it through a megaphone. This was all too much for her to take in. Her face drained of all color, "I don't" Jane said quietly before wavering where she stood. Dr. Martin reached Jane to steady her. "Breathe easy come over here and sit down."
"How are you feeling?" Dr. Martin asked.
"A little dizzy but I'm okay. Must low blood sugar or something," Jane said unconvincingly.
"This is all shocking when it is happening to someone you care about. You should not be here alone. Why don't you call someone to sit with you? Maybe get you something to eat and as soon as I get an update I will come out to speak with you more."
Jane nodded as she watched Dr. Martin walk away. She pulled out her phone not sure who to call. For a long time she just held it in hands staring at it. She really wasn't sure if sure could deal with anyone. But she also knew she had to call her family because Maura was family. She had to call Frost and Korsak because Maura was part of the team. It was just that her resolve was on the verge of breaking as it were if anyone came she wouldn't be able to hold it together. This is was Maura.