Poor Zeb! I put him through another bad situation in this chapter! This is based a bit on what I went through when I had a knee operation as a kid. Was not a pleasant experience and the complications that occured afterwards. The story will have a happy ending!
Chapter 9 "Zeb's Surgery"
The next morning, Zeb woke up before everyone. He didn't sleep well nervous about the upcoming operation he was having on his arm the next day. The idea of spending time in the hospital again made him even more anxious. He busied himself with getting the campfire going and a pot of caf brewing along with some water for tea and hot chocolate. He sat on a stump chair and poked a stick back and forth through the fire when Bette walked by getting water for a caf pot for her and Alex. She saw the Lasat looking more than a little apprehensive.
"Good morning, sweetie," she said going over to sit next to him.
"Morning," he muttered not looking up at her.
"You look troubled."
"I'm...uh...scared of going back into the hospital. Never had an operation before."
Bette placed a hand alongside his face to turn his head back to her. His eyes held fear and sadness.
"It's normal to feel a little scared at having surgery. Especially for a kid. Don't you worry none, I'll be there with you and so will Alex. We've talked it over with your parents and they want us along to help you. Would that be all right?"
Zeb just nodded and gave her a lop-sided grin.
Awhile later, the rest of the family woke up and sat around chatting while drinking caf or hot chocolate. Orla was out taking her morning walk and saw that Zeb and his family were up. She walked over hoping the Lasat would like to take a walk with her before he had to go to the hospital.
"Good morning, Garazeb," she said her voice even more sultry sounding.
Zeb looked over at her and swallowed hard but part of him was happy to see her. He really liked being around the female Wookiee who didn't care that he was a Lasat. Orla turned to Hera and Kanan.
"Can Garazeb go for a walk with me?"
"Yes," Kanan said feeling through the Force the affection the Wookiee was showing Zeb, "Don't wander off too far. Zeb has to have breakfast and get ready for his trip to the hospital."
The Wookiee nodded and took Zeb by the hand leading him away. He held onto her arm with his good one his face blushing a shade of purple and red. She leaned over and nuzzled her face to his making him blush more. She was showing affection for him, there was no doubt of that! They saw Priscilla making her morning rounds of the campground and she smiled at them.
"Zeb," she said, "Is your family up yet? I have to let them know that a shuttle will be waiting to take you to the hospital a little later. You two kids have fun walking."
Zeb swallowed hard nodding, and his eyes widened at the notion of going to the hospital...again. Orla saw his fear and put her hand next to his face to turn his head towards her. She moved her face close to his and to Zeb's surprise gave him a tender kiss...on the lips!
"Orla...no...," he whispered pulling away from her.
"I'm...sorry," she said, "You are afraid. I wanted to..."
"Comfort me?" Zeb finished for her knowing how hard Basic was for her at times.
"Yes...I wanted to comfort you. You need it?"
Zeb looked into her eyes seeing the affection in the blue orbs. He realized he liked her too.
"Orla," he said his voice a little shy sounding, "Will you comfort me again?"
"Yes, I will, Garazeb."
She gave him another kiss which this time he enjoyed.
"Zeb!" came Kanan's voice from the road interrupting them, "It's time for breakfast!"
"Orla...gotta go."
He turned to leave but not before giving her a kiss on the cheek. Orla smiled rubbing her furry face where the Lasat kissed her.
Zeb ate breakfast with his family but he picked at his food. Hera and Kanan knew he was anxious and afraid at the upcoming surgery. Hera had him get washed up in the refresher and into a pair of shorts and a short-sleeved tunic. The broken arm was beginning to cause him some pain and he tried to hide it. Kanan felt through the Force the waves of discomfort the Lasat was feeling...as well as fear.
Priscilla came by less than an hour later to let them know that the shuttle was ready for them to go to Woh River Hospital. Zeb said goodbye to his three "uncles" and his "siblings". He got hugs and gentle punches from the troopers, Ezra and Sabine. Orla came by to say goodbye and gave him another kiss that made the other's eyes widen.
"I think the big guy has himself a girlfriend," Gregor whispered to Rex and Wolffe.
The shuttle took off and inside Zeb sat next to Hera, head on her shoulder. She felt him trembling and murmured comforting words to him. They arrived at the hospital to waiting orderlies and nurses to take the Lasat inside and get him settled into a room. Kanan and Hera went with him seeing how scared he was getting. Dr. Betok, the female Twi'lek physician who would be performing the surgery came in to meet Zeb and his family.
"Good morning," she said smiling. She turned to Zeb and her smile grew making him feel a little better. She reminded him of an older version of Hera, "I'm Dr. NePyl Betok and will be doing the surgery on Garazeb's arm tomorrow."
"What will be done in the surgery?" Hera asked seeing Zeb squirming a bit on the bed and a frown appeared as a nurse began to remove his clothing.
"I will go in and reset the break and insert several pins to promote healing of the bones. This is a normal procedure for repair of compound fractures of bone. The operation will last about four hours and Garazeb will be in recovery for a few hours after that."
"I won't be awake... will I during this?" Zeb asked his eyes getting big. He frowned feeling the nurse remove his tunic. He sat looking embarrassed as the nurse put on a hospital tunic that snapped at the shoulders.
"No, Garazeb," she said, "You will be asleep during the surgery. You won't feel a thing. I have to examine your arm now, okay? Your parents can stay here if you like."
Zeb looked over at Hera and Kanan nodding, his eyes taking on a sad look.
The cast/brace was removed and Dr. Betok gently took ahold of Zeb's arm to bend it. He let out a cry of pain and tears appeared in his eyes. She murmured softly to him and continued to see how far the arm would move. By the time she was done, Zeb was nearly in tears and the nurse gave him something for the pain that made him sleepy. Dr. Betok took the time to talk to Hera and Kanan and to get Zeb checked into the hospital. She reassured them that he would be fine and probably spending a week or more in the hospital. Kanan knew that he had to contact Commander Sato to let him know that they would be gone from Attolon longer than expected. The Rebel commander was very understanding and hoped Zeb would be okay.
The two rebels would be staying at a nearby cottage next to the hospital for parents to stay while their children were in for surgery or other treatments. The place was pleasant and cheery making Kanan and Hera less worred about Zeb. He was more afraid at them leaving but the nurse named Tranya reassured them that the Lasat would be well cared for. She was used to caring for frightened children no matter what their size or species.
The next morning Zeb was prepped for the surgery and to his dismay he had to have all the fur shaved off his left arm from wrist to halfway up his upper arm. Tranya told him it would grow back eventually. He nearly cried when Hera and Kanan came to see him off to the operating room.
Four hours later, the two rebels were lead to the recovery area and they were shocked at seeing how the Lasat's arm looked. The limb was in a huge brace-like device and they could see the numerous sutures that went from his upper arm to above his wrist. The purple-striped skin was bruised and swollen alot. The nurses were positioning his arm onto several pillows to keep it elevated. Zeb began to wake up from the anesthesia and he groaned. Tears streamed down the sides of his face from the pain he was feeling. Hera went over to sit next to the gurney he was on. She caressed his face and murmured comforting words to him. Kanan sat on the other side and layed a hand on the Lasat's head and through the Force tried to ease his pain.
A few hours later, Zeb was moved back to his room and his arm made more comfortable. He was a little more alert and in alot of pain. Tranya gave him some more pain meds to make him comfortable.
"The nerve block is beginning to wear off," the human nurse said to Hera and Kanan, "He will be very uncomfortable the first twenty-four hours so don't be surprised if he gets very cranky and perhaps cry some. This was a major surgery he just had and expect him to hurt...alot. You both stay here as long as you need to. Call me if he needs anything. I'll try to get him to eat something a little later.
Kanan nodded to her and saw Hera go over to sit on the side of Zeb's bed caressing the soft fur on Zeb's head. The Lasat opened his eyes partway and a real pout appeared on his face. He felt Hera's maternal touch and that was a calming influence on him easing him into sleep.
Both rebels stayed by the Lasat's side as he was in and out of sleeping. The pain grew worse and he burst into tears. Tranya upped the pain meds but they began to make him sick to his stomach. Soon Zeb was throwing up constantly and that added to the tears. It was all Hera and Kanan could do to keep him calm. It was finally decided to sedate him so he would be more comfortable. Satisified that he would sleep the rest of the afternoon and possibly night, they went back to the family cottage. They contacted Priscilla at the campground to let them know how Zeb was doing. Ezra and Sabine had been worried sick about their big brother and wanted to come see him but were told no...for now.
The next day, Zeb was still in a lot of pain but in a better mood. He still was sick to his stomach but was able to drink some jogan juice. He was more alert and smiled seeing Kanan and Hera come back.
"How's the arm this morning?" Kanan asked.
"Hurts pretty bad," Zeb said frowning, "I can take it."
"You look alot better today, Zeb," Hera said sitting on the side of the bed, "The swelling has gone down a little on your arm. You're calmer too."
"What do you mean by that?"
Hera patted his good arm.
"You weren't exactly yourself yesterday," Kanan answered, "You were in alot of discomfort after the surgery. In fact...you cried alot."
Zeb looked embarrassed.
"I'm...sorry," he muttered his ears flattening.
"Don't be," Hera answered, "You just went through a major operation and pain is expected after having several pins put into your arm. Don't worry about it. We won't tell Ezra, Sabine or Chopper."
That got a chuckle out of the Lasat.
"How long do I have to stay in here?" He asked hoping not for as long as when he had the bout of pneumonia.
"According to Dr. Bolek, it could be as long as two weeks or more, if your arm heals like it should. Don't worry, I've already contacted everyone on Attolon to let them know we'll be here for awhile longer," Kanan added.
"Some camping trip," Zeb muttered, "At least for you guys. I've spoiled it for all of you."
"It's not your fault," Hera said patting his head, "How would you know that you would get sick and also hurt? Don't blame yourself."
Zeb's eyes filled with tears and he let out a sniffle.
"Now, no crying," Hera added, "Let's see if you can hold down some food this morning..."
