Seeking Solace
Chapter Four
By GCS
DISCLAIMER: "Emergency!" and its characters © Mark VII Productions, Inc. and Universal Studios. All rights reserved. No infringement of any copyrights or trademarks is intended or should be inferred. This is a work of fiction, and any similarity to actual persons or events is purely coincidental. This story is only written for entertainment. No financial gain is being realized from it. The story, itself, is the property of the author.
While Captain Stanley and the others waited quietly in the surgery waiting area there was a frenzy of activity in the operating room.
Dr. Brackett and Dr. Joe Early worked flawlessly trying to repair the damage to Johnny's liver. Due to the severe blood loss they were having trouble keeping his blood pressure up. They repeatedly studied the x-rays as they explored his abdominal cavity for other injuries from the blunt trauma. There was also a great deal of flushing out of the area with saline to prevent infection. Once the two doctors were sure there was no unseen damage to the other organs they began the arduous task of debridement of the laceration. Since there was the risk of tendon and nerve damage, Dr. Brackett allowed his colleague to take over that part of the procedure. While Joe worked on repairing the tendons and nerves as he applied absorbable subcutaneous stitches to close the area deep within the wound, Kel started another blood transfusion. It seemed as if they were pumping blood in only to see it pump out again. Johnny was bleeding out, and they had to get things finished up before they could slow down on the transfusions. The wound itself was not that long, but it was deep and jagged. The debridement was a slow process. The doctors had been working on Johnny for two hours now, and they were growing tired and weary. There was one thing for sure. They both cared deeply for the injured paramedic and intended to be very thorough in his care. Once the inner area of the wound was stitched together Dr. Brackett took over to close. He wanted to make sure that Johnny had as little scarring as possible. "As soon as we get him settled in post op we need to start him on a strong round of antibiotics," Dr. Brackett told Joe. "I want him on some anti-nausea medication as well. The last thing we need is for him to pull out this beautiful stitchery."
"We'll need a respiratory therapist to start him on deep breathing and have a spirometer sent up as soon as he's awake," Joe shook his head as he thought about the many times Johnny had been in need of respiratory therapy.
"Okay I think we're done here. Let's get him to post op and start another transfusion. Hopefully his hemoglobin and hemocrit levels will start improving now that the bleeding is under control." Dr. Brackett made the necessary notes in Johnny's chart as he and Joe made their way towards the surgical waiting area and Johnny's shift mates.
By the time they reached the waiting room all five men were on their feet and hovering just inside the doorway. "Doc?" Roy was first to speak. He could tell from experience that the two doctors he admired most were concerned. It showed in their facial expressions and the way they carried themselves.
"Relax guys he made it through surgery. His blood pressure is still a bit low. He is still on transfusion therapy which I expect to help with that. Of course he will be very weak from both the surgery and the blood loss. I expect him to be anemic. That goes with the blood loss. Hopefully the anemia will correct itself. I'm sure Dixie told you about the liver laceration. We repaired that with little difficulty and found no other internal damage. He did break three ribs on the right side which is what cut into the liver. There isn't much we can do about the ribs with all of the stitches, but he won't be moving around much for several days anyway. There are some concerns. One complication from this type of abdominal trauma is the possibility of internal hernia. Of course there is possible infection of the site. We are starting antibiotics to hopefully counteract any infection, and he has already received a tetanus booster. As you know Roy any abdominal surgery can lead to respiratory complications. You will need to make sure he uses the spirometer every chance you get. We will have respiratory therapy start him on deep breathing and coughing exercises as soon as he's awake. The last thing we need is for him to develop pneumonia." Dr. Brackett gave a good rundown of the overall situation with their friend.
"He will be okay though right Doc.?" Chet asked.
"I think so Chet, in time he should be all right," Joe answered.
"How long will he be laid up?" Mike was next to inquire about Johnny.
"Well with this type of abdominal trauma and surgery you can expect him to be out a minimum of 8 weeks, but with the blood loss on top of the surgery we may be looking at more like three months. He will need physical therapy and exercise to strengthen his abdominal muscles. He may have to be re-qualified to return. That will be up to the chief. I will personally see that he keeps up his paramedic certification. That will not be a problem," Dr. Brackett patted Roy on the shoulder offering his assurance that Johnny would remain his paramedic partner. "We will have to check his blood work every six to twelve hours for a couple of days to be sure his blood levels are improving, and will do everything we can to prevent respiratory problems that might delay his return to duty. He will be on total bed rest for several days. Then we'll start getting him up for short periods. He'll be hospitalized for at least 4 to 5 days probably a week."
"Listen guys, we all know that these are generalities when it comes to the recuperation time for this type of injury. This is John Gage we're talking about. John's healing time will be determined by John and John alone. Knowing him the way we all do he could be back in the 8 week time period no matter what he goes through with complications. What we need to do is support him and encourage him to take the time needed to heal properly," Dr. Early voiced what everyone was thinking. "Let's just hope he avoids any complications."
"When can we see him?" Captain Stanley asked.
"Well there is a great risk for germ exposure. He is very weak and susceptible right now. I think it would be best to limit contact until at least tomorrow afternoon," Dr. Brackett turned to Mike, Chet and Marco. "I'm sorry guys, but I think for today we need to limit visitors to Roy and your Captain."
"No problem Dr. Brackett. We're just glad Johnny's going to be okay," Marco answered for his friends who nodded their agreement.
"Hank, you and Roy can see Johnny as soon as we move him up to ICU. I think that should be in about an hour." Dr. Brackett excused himself and went to shower and change.
"Guys I just want to remind you to encourage Johnny to take things slowly. He will have a great deal of weakness from the blood loss. We all know that he will expect himself to do better than he physically can at first. He's going to need all of your support to get through this. Remember how quickly he bounced back after that virus? He won't be that fortunate this time. Not with this type of injury," Dr. Early wanted to make sure Johnny had the support network he fully expected him to need in order to heal properly.
"We read ya loud and clear Doc," Chet answered for the group. "We'll take good care of Joh…uh…Gage." His little slip of the tongue almost calling Johnny by his first name let the others know how worried Chet had been about Johnny.
"We sure will. We'll make sure he does what he is supposed to do and not over do it either." This time Marco spoke up.
"Well good. John Gage is a very lucky man to have you all as friends. How could he not get better?" Joe patted Chet on the back and still smiling he turned and left the room.
"I think that was our cue to leave too," Mike said to Chet and Marco. "Cap will you or Roy keep us posted?"
"Sure Mike." Captain Stanley was relieved that his men understood that only he and Roy would see Johnny tonight. He for one had not intended on leaving until he saw John for himself. "I'll call you after we've seen him."
"Well I guess we'll see you next shift then Cap. Let's go guys." Mike rounded up Chet and Marco. He obviously would someday make a great captain. Mike Stoker was a born leader.
"Roy how 'bout you and I get some coffee while we wait?"
"That sounds great Cap. I need to call Joanne first."
"Yeah I guess I had better update my wife and the chief as well."
The two men strolled over to the bank of pay phones once again. Once their phone calls were complete they got their coffee and headed back to the waiting area to do just that….wait.
