The Aftermath part 2

Thanks for all the great reviews and sorry this chapter took longer to submit to then the others. I've been busy lately since College is coming to the end of the year. A lot of the medical talk I researched briefly just so I could get the proper dialogue for it and make it seem more realistic.

Scene is in Dr. Ross-who is the Chief Surgeons-office. Sandy and Kirsten are there. Dr. Ross is explaining Seth's condition to them. Julie and Caitlin are waiting in the waiting area while Neil visits Summer.

Dr. Ross: First of all let me say how strong Seth is. He's a fighter. He took a sever blow to the head and most people wouldn't have made it close to this far as Seth has. So that gives us hope. But his injuries are quite severe.

Kirsten: How severe?

Dr. Ross: He has two kinds of injuries. He first injury occurred at the same time of the impact. Her brain decelerated against the skull. Basically its pretty much badly shaken around. Perhaps it even has rotated and if that's the case then nerve fibers probably got stretched, and arteries and the veins could quite possible have gotten torn. And all this can cause tremendous damage. Both Sandy and Kirsten looked at Dr. Ross trying to grasp what he was telling them.

Sandy quietly: And his second injury?

Dr. Ross: Its actually not as frightening but there is a good possibility that its not. The bark is worse then the bite so to speak. He has an open wound where the skull was cut through, and that bone of the skull is broken. And so right now his brain is actually exposed right now, in that area, probably where he was struck by some sharp piece of seel in the car just after the impact.

Kirsten put her hand on her mouth and Sandy tightened his grip on her other hand, his face paling at what Dr. Ross was telling him.

Dr. Ross: There is a good chance that the area away from the open wound is actually un damaged. We often see very minor long-term disability from these open head wounds. It's the first injury that has us more worried then the second as will as the complications from both situations. He has also lost a fair amount of blood, and her blood pressure would have automatically dropped severely because of the trauma. He's badly weakened by the blood loss. In addition, there is a loss of oxygen to the brain though we do not know how much. However much it could be it could still be catastrophic or hardly any at all The bottom line is we need to get in there and help him right away. We need to lift the bone that was depressed in the fracture to relieve some of the pressure. We need to address the wound. And there is some additional repair work we're going to have to do around the eye sockets. He has sustained a tremendous blow which could blind him for good. And there are other stuff to worry about. Infections and the fact that he is having trouble breathing. Even though that is expected in situations like this it could have some catastrophic complications, and so we are keeping a breathing tube through his Trachea. The one that the paramedics put in. And we have had him on a respirator since he have got here. We have already done a CT scan on her which gave us some very important information. He sighed a bit out of breath with all this medical talk. Even though it was important for the kids parents to understand what was going on. I know this is a lot of medical talk Mr. and Mrs. Cohen. I need to know though that you understand what is going on and why we need to operate again despite the risks. Am I making things clear?

Sandy struggling to keep control of his voice: So you're saying that Seth has two major injuries, basically a shaking of the brain, and an open wound which results from a fracture of her skull and as a result of the damage, he may die or he may have permanent brain injury...or he may be blind...

Dr. Ross: That sounds about right, yes.

Kirsten her voice shaking: Is there a chance that he'll ever be normal? That he will be the same Seth?

Dr. Ross: That is a possibility, as long as we all understand that there are degrees of normal. Her motor skills could be affected, for a time, or even indefinitely. They could be affected in minor ways or very, very major ones. His reasoning response can be affected and his personality could change. But on the whole yes. If he is very, very lucky, and blessed with a small miracle he could be normal.

Kirsten: But you don't think that is very likely do you?

Dr. Ross in a softer tone: No I don't. I think it is unlikely to sustain this extensive an injury and not see any long-term ill effects. But if all goes well they could be relatively minor and that's only if we're lucky. I am not making you any promises Mr. and Mrs. Cohen. Right now Seth is in a lot of trouble and we can't ignore that. You are asking me for the best case and I am telling you what's possible. That doesn't mean that will happen though.

Sandy: What's the worst case?

Dr. Ross: That he won't make it and if he does he'll be severely impaired. He could remain in a coma permanently, or extensively brain damaged if he regains consciousness at all. Loss of motor skills, powers of reason. He could in essence be severely brain damaged, if he has sustained too great a shock, too many injuries, and we are unable to repair them. How much swelling occurs in the brain will have a lot to do with it as well and how successful we are at controlling the swelling. We need all our skills and a lot of luck and so will your son. If you sign the papers we would like to operate immediately.

Kirsten: What happens if we don't operate right away?

Dr. Ross seriously: I don't think she'll live another two hours, Mrs. Cohen. And if he does I don't think there will be any viable brain function left he'll probably be blind also.

Sandy: It looks like you don't leave us much of a choice Dr. Ross.

Kirsten: Wait a minute Sandy, before we sign shouldn't we talk about this first?

Sandy turns clearly upset: What choices do we have Kirsten? We have to have the surgery to save Seth!

Kirsten: But there is a good chance that he wont come out of that surgery alive and if he does he wont be my Seth! He'll be in a coma or brain damaged.

Sandy: So what do you want us to do? Do you want us to just let him die?

Kirsten: I want to make sure we well have our son back. I don't think Seth would want to live on life support for the rest of his life!

Sandy: Well that's not really his choice is it? Yes he's over 18 but he never had Ryan or us or Summer or anyone sign his will saying he wants us to pull the plug!

Kirsten: But shouldn't we discuss it at least?

Sandy: There's no time to discuss it! Our son is dying damn it! Don't you want him to have a chance to live?

Kirsten crying: Of course I do! I love Seth and would give my life for him if that would help him live.

Sandy: Then what do we need to discuss?

Kirsten: I just don't want to stare at a vegetable that used to be Seth. I'm afraid that if we do this surgery our Seth may never come back.

Sandy: Kirsten, honey, there's a better chance of him making it with the surgery then without. Besides it's the Christimkah season right? A time for Jesus and Moses to team up again and give us an Orange County miracle.

Dr. Ross: Christimikah?

Sandy: Hanukkah and Christmas combined.

Dr. Ross smiling : Ah, clever.

Kirsten smiles back: Seth's favorite holiday. And he's going to spend it in a hospital bed in a coma with tubs on him.

Sandy: Honey please, I'm begging you to understand the necessity of this surgery

Kirsten shaking : I do understand. I just don't want to lose him.

Sandy: Neither do I. And this surgery will give us a better chance of having him come back.

Kirsten nods: All right then, lets sign the papers.

Dr. Ross handing them the papers: Trust me your doing the right thing.

Sandy signing: I sure hope your right Doctor, I sure hope your right.

Next scene shows Julie and Caitlin in the waiting room. Ryan and Marissa came running in.

Ryan quickly: What's going on with Seth? Where's Sandy and Kirsten.

Julie stands up: Take a breath Ryan. Sandy and Kirsten is with Dr. Ross who is explaining Seth's injuries.

Ryan: What? Who's Dr. Ross?

Julie: The Chief Surgeon.

Marissa: Mom where's Summer and Neil?

Julie: Neil's with Summer who's getting her the finishing touches of her stitches done. Suddenly Sandy and Kirsten came out, Sandy was holding Kirsten who was crying softly.

Julie: Ke, Ke what happened? She went over to hug Kirsten who hugged Julie tighter then what Julie was expecting.

Ryan to Sandy: What's wrong with Seth? What's his injuries?

Sandy: Sit down Ryan. Its kind of complicated. Sandy and Ryan sat down and Sandy told Ryan everything that Dr. Ross told them.

Ryan quietly: So it doesn't look good for Seth?

Sandy: No it doesn't. But a lot of things are up in the air right now for him recovering. Ryan leaned over and put his hands over his face again and Marissa rubbed his arm.

Sandy: The good news is that Seth is stronger then a lot of other people would have been and it's because of his strength that he's still alive and if he's strong enough to be alive now then his strength might just bring him through.

Marissa: See? I told you Seth is stronger then we give him credit for. Neil is leading a very badly shaken Summer out.

Marissa looks up and sees Summer: Summer! Oh thank God! She ran over and hugged the still shocked Summer gently but at the same time tightly.

Summer: Seth...

Marissa breaking the hug: He's still alive Summer.

Summer crying: Oh thank God, when I saw him he looked so...so much blood. Neil held her tightly while a nurse came over.

The Nurse: Mr. and Mrs. Cohen?

Sandy: Yes?

The Nurse: Your son is ready for you to see before surgery.

Kirsten: What about Ryan? Can he come? He and Marissa?

The Nurse: Who's Ryan?

Sandy: His brother, Marissa is Ryan's girlfriend and a close friend to Seth. Summer here is his girlfriend.

The Nurse: Well that's a lot of people. She looks at them What the hell I guess we can make an exception.

Neil: Summer honey, maybe you should stay out here.

Summer: No daddy!

Neil: Sweetheart your still in a lot of shock, seeing Seth in his state it might not be good for you...

Summer: What wouldn't be good for me daddy is that if Seth dies and I never get a chance to say goodbye! I need to... She starts crying again. Neil holds her saying "Shhhh. Shhh."

Neil: All right then. They walked in the room where Seth lay. Non of them hardly recognized. Seth lay, watched by a resident and two specially trained ICU nurses. There was a breathing tube in his tube in her throat, and another tube was in his nose, a transfusions in one arm, an IV in her leg, and machines and monitors everywhere and his face was battered to where non of them could hardly recognize Seth.

Kirsten leans over to Seth and kisses him on the cheek: I'm here sweetie. Mommy's here. And I love you so much. She starts crying and kisses Seth again. You have to fight okay? You have to fight like you've been doing and come back to us. I don't want to lose you sweetheart. You mean everything to me. I don't think I could live if you... She starts to sob and Julie hurries to her and holds her tight. Sandy stares at his son unsure of what to say. He sits down on the chair next to his son and looks at Seth trying to keep his composure.

Sandy: Seth...I, I don't really know what to say. And I don't know if you can hear me but... I guess all I can say is that I love you and please, please come back to us. I don't want to his voice starts to crack I don't want to lose a son... He put his hands into his face. I'm sorry. He says shakily and stood up and went to the door to regain his composure. Summer then looked at Seth and started to cry, she bent over and kissed him on the cheek.

Summer: Just come back okay baby? That's all I ask. It's not much of a wedding if the groom doesn't show. A look of shock went on everyone's faces.

Sandy: Seth asked you to marry him?

Summer nodded: Yes...she started to sob some more turned to Seth And you didn't propose to me and then die right? Please, come back to us. I don't want to have to live without you. I'm not sure that I could, I love you too much. She kisses him again and then walks into her fathers arms sobbing. Ryan who is sitting at the chair that Sandy was looks at Seth unsure of what to say but knows he needs to say something.

Ryan looking at Seth: Wow, I mean I never would have thought I'd be seeing you like this or hearing about your accident, especially after we just got done talking to each other on the phone. A bit crazy huh? I...I'm not real good at this sort of thing. I... I can't lose you Seth, sounds corny doesn't it? But its true, I lost my father, my brother, and for a while my mother. You, Sandy, and Kirsten, and Marissa are all I've got. If something happened to either of you I don't know what I'd do. Just come back okay buddy? We have a double wedding to plan remember? Marissa opens and then closes her mouth and the others looked shocked once again.

Julie to Marissa: You're engaged! Since when?

Marissa: Mom!

Julie: Well?

Marissa hissing to Julie : Now isn't the time. Ryan looks up at Marissa sheepishly and Julie looks at him and Seth.

Julie: Sorry. Ryan looks back at Seth.

Ryan: I guess there's nothing really more to say accept that to come back to us and keep fighting. A bit softer I love you man, come back okay? He looks at Seth a bit awkward and then stands up. Marissa looks at him

Marissa: I guess it's my turn. She sits down next to Seth I'm not as close to you as Ryan and Summer are but I consider you one of my closest friends. I'm not really sure what to say accept what the rest of been saying and then it come back and fight. I couldn't imagine losing you. And I'm sorry if I was ever mean to you before Ryan came, or the fact that I ignored you even though I lived next door to you. I feel horrible about that, especially now that I got to know you. You would have been a better friend to have then a lot of those creeps that I used to hang out with. I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm sorry. For anything that I might have said that might have hurt you. She stands up and Julie puts her arms around her. Caitlin was outside since she didn't know Seth well enough to be able to talk to him like he was awake when he wasn't. Sandy Looks at the nurse.

Sandy nods: We're ready. The nurse smiles kindly and walks in the room to prepare Seth for surgery. They all walk out of the room somberly sits down in the waiting room ready for a long night and the doctors and nurses get Seth into the OR. Ryan hung his head and when he looked up he saw a person he'd least expect, his father...