Disclaimer: Kylie will not die in this story
"You're doing really well Nick, you should be feeling a lot better now", Alan says as Nick continues to inhale and exhale slowly. Both Nick, Alan and Carla were in a spare patient's room. It's been a few minutes since they have arrived and Nick has significantly calmed down, while he sits in the wheelchair. Watching from the other side of the room, Carla keeps on reminding herself that she has stayed strong, yet she's struggling to hold back the tears.
"Ok... ok, I'm fine now", Nick exhales, he hasn't said anything since they left the Bistro.
"Are you sure? There's no need to rush", reassures Alan.
"No, it's fine. I'll feel a lot better now"
"You sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure"
As Nick gets off the wheelchair, Carla smiles, while her tears gently roll down her cheeks. It was really tough for her to see Nick in that state, but she's relieved that he has fully recovered from his attack.
"Ok, shall we go then Carla?", Nick asks his wife which caught her off guard. The way he said it so casually made it sound like nothing just happened. It was like they were about to leave a shop, not a hospital.
"Hang on, wait a sec. There is still some stuff I need to talk to you about", Alan declares, just before Nick opens the door.
"Like what?", Nick snaps as he turns around to look at the paramedic. The worry that Carla had towards Nick has now turned into anger, as she cannot understand why her husband is suddenly being completely rude to the man who has done nothing but helped him as he was having a terrible attack. She's really has had enough of Nick's ill-mannered behaviour:
"What do you mean "like what"? Do you have any idea what Alan has done for you? He just helped you recover from a panic attack and you haven't even said thank you. What on earth is wrong with you Nick?!"
Giving him some home truths, Nick gazes at Carla as he swallows his guilt. Plus, he knew that when Carla said, "What on earth is wrong with you Nick?!", she wasn't just talking about today.
"I'm sorry. It's um... it's been a long day. Thanks um, I mean thank you for all your help", Nick tells Alan, to which he smiles and nods:
"No problem, just doing my job. But I still need to talk to you and Carla. It's that alright?"
"Of course it is", Carla replies while Nick walks up to her and sits next to her.
"Ok, so Nick, have you had a panic attack before?", Alan asks.
"Um yeah, but it's never been this bad", Nick replies.
"Have you been to see your GP about them?"
"No. Um, the thing is, um..."
Nick stops midway on what he was saying and turns to look at Carla.
"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry", he apologises. Carla looks down for a second and then looks back to Nick:
"Don't worry about it. Just tell Alan about your injury"
"Injury?", Alan questions.
"Yeah, I have a brain injury. I sustain it in an accident three years ago. I got treated for it, but I still get the symptoms from it. One of those symptoms is panic attacks", Nick explains as Carla holds his hand.
"I see. So I suppose these panic attacks are not going to go anytime soon then", Alan jokes.
"Yeah, I suppose you can say that", Nick chuckles.
"Well if that's the case, it's important that I tell you two what to do for when it does happen again"
Both Carla and Nick nod as Alan gives them a piece of paper and a pen for the two to make some notes. He then gives them an explanation of what to do when Nick has another panic attack:
"Ok. Well, it's important to know that a panic attack can't harm you in any way. So, you should always have that in the back of your mind Nick anytime you have another one. It would be great if you can remind him of this Carla. The breathing techniques that I taught you, make sure you do them every single time you have a panic attack. So, breathe in slowly, deeply and gently through your nose and breathe out slowly, deeply and gently through your mouth. You can even do it in front of him Carla for Nick to copy. You could even close your eyes, Nick, if that helps, and picture something that makes you feel calm while focusing on your breathing. Having said this, it's very important that you don't try and fight the attack, otherwise, you will be making a lot worse. Just, try and ride it out. The attack should last between five to twenty minutes. If it still carries on after twenty minutes, then you should call an ambulance, but other than that, there isn't really any need to call 999. The only reason that we brought Nick here is that the attack lasted for about half an hour. Perhaps it is because you guys didn't really know what to do and actually you may have been making it a lot worse. But I can see you have taken some notes, so hopefully, now, you will be able to handle it in the future"
As Carla folds her piece of paper and puts it into her handbag, Alan looks directly at Nick and talks to him very seriously:
"Listen, Nick, I would strongly advise you to go and see your GP as soon as possible. You need to them about your other symptoms from your head injury. It's really important that you do. It's better that you face your problems head-on than to hide away from them"
Nick takes a deep breath, while Carla lets out a giggle.
"Hehe, sorry for the pun", Alan chuckles.
"Hehe, don't worry about it", Carla laughs.
"What, what pun?", Nick asks which causes Carla to sigh.
"I think they open from 8 am till 6:30 pm", Alan says.
"Ok, thank you. I will book an appointment at 8 am sharp", Carla replies.
"Good"
"Thank you so much, Alan, for everything you have done. You have been an amazing. We're really grateful for all the help you have done"
"Hehe, it's nothing really"
Nick looks down at the floor. He's thinking about his marriage to Leanne and how it broke down when she couldn't cope with his injury.
"Ok, well, that's it really", Alan says.
"Ok, well thank you again", Carla replies.
"No problem"
As Carla walks out to call for a taxi, Nick turns around to face Alan:
"Thank you for everything you have done today"
Alan smiles as he can tell Nick was being very sincere:
"You're welcome. Look after yourself"
Nick nods as he leaves the room. He sees Carla still talking on her phone to get a taxi. It is not like he is scared of what his injury can do to him, he's scared of what his injury can do to other people. He's scared of what his injury can do to Carla.
