"Is this the family of Callie Jacob"
They all stood up and responded in union, "yes."
"How is she is she okay?" Lena asked on behalf of everyone.
stomachs."Can I talk to the two of you alone?" The doctor asked gesturing to Stef and Lena.
They nodded and smiled to the others doing as best as they could with the nervous feeling in their stomachs."Can I talk to the two of you alone?" The doctor asked gesturing to Stef and Lena.
"Ok so Callie is..." The doctor paused trying to think of the best way to say what is wrong.
Noticing the doctors hesitation Stef and Lena grew even more nervous.
The doctor took a deep breath and continued, "Callie is worse than we originally thought. She will be fine eventually but the next couple of weeks she will be in severe pain and need help doing almost everything. Most of her injuries were from today but some seemed some were slightly older and she has had them for a few weeks."
"But that's impossible she has been walking and seemed fine to us," Lena said mouth gaping in shock.
"Yes it is possible if a patient has been too used to having injuries to a certain degree they can hide it from others even though it causes the same amount of pain."
"What are all her injuries, doctor," Stef asked.
"Ok so what I can tell she has four broken ribs two from tonight's occurrence but two from a previous encounter. Her wrist is left wrist is broken along with her left leg which seemed was already injured and just made worse. Her right ankle is sprained also from another time. Her nose is badly broken and she has a concussion. Her right shoulder has been dislocated so her whole arm is put in a sling. She has many other bruises but none of them are serious and should go away on their own."
The two mothers just stood there with their eyes wide. Neither one of them could believe that all this time that this young girl was with them she could hide all her pain she so obviously must have been feeling.
"Ok so what is the treatment for when she comes home?" Stef asked breaking the silence.
"Okay for at least the next two of weeks until I see her again she is to do no walking except to go to the bathroom and then a lot of help and a wheelchair. Her legs should be elevated at all times. Her arms should be put on pillows until equal height to her body. I have prescribed some pain pills that she can take as needed but keep in mind it will make her woozy. Also and most importantly she needs a lot of rest. I do not want to start physical therapy yet to see if her injuries will heal on their own. It is vitally important that she eats and drinks often as to keep her body as healthy and strong as possible. I want to keep her overnight as a precaution to monitor her but if all goes well you should be able to take her home tomorrow morning. I would like to see her again in two weeks so you can make that appointment at the front desk. Now any other questions?"
"Yes. I was wondering if you could tell us of any signs of something wrong we should look out for during her recovery?" Stef asked
"Just anything out of the ordinary like major discomfort in a certain area even after the pain medicine is taken. Of course any fever found should be reported to me right away. Other than that just keep a close eye on her and make sure she takes care of herself first," the doctor answered.
"OK, thank you. Can we see her now?" Lena questioned.
"She isn't awake quite yet so I would like to refrain from having visitors until she does wake up to see how she is feeling but we will notify you as soon as she wakes up."
After both Stef and Lena thanked the doctor again they went back to the waiting room to the other kids to tell them of what is going on.
When both of the Moms had told their children what was going on with Callie everyone was silent for what seemed like a lifetime. Nobody was sure what to say or how to react.
After what seemed like forever a nurse rushed in with a huge smile on her face. She always loved when a patient was doing well but her favorite part was telling the family. She loved how their faces light up and they all seem to let out a breath they hadn't known they were holding.
She didn't have to ask who they were because she was saw when the doctor was talking to the family.
"Ms. Foster, Ms. Adams, I have good news Callie is awake and the doctor thinks she is ready for visitors but at first only two at a time so as not to overwhelm her.
Lena looked over at her partner and the two of them silently told each other they would both go first.
Stef looked back at the kids in the waiting room and started speaking, "Lena and myself will go first for now but we will be back shortly."
Jude quickly ran over to the women, "Wait please let me come with you. She is my sister I know her the best she won't be comfortable with you please."
Lena's heart broke for the young boy as much as she wanted the two siblings to be together again she knew it would be best for both of them if someone else went first.
"I am sorry Jude we will come and get you before you know it I promise."
"No I need to see her! I need to make sure she is okay."
Brandon could see this was escalating quickly and since he knew Jude trusted him the most he walked over to the younger boy.
"Come on Jude when they are back you and I will go together I promise."
Jude thought this over to himself. As much as he wanted to see his sister he knew that if his sister trusted Brandon enough to trust him with Jude then he should trust him too.
Jude didn't respond to that but slightly nodded and allowed himself to be led away with Brandon.
Stef and Lena breathed a sigh of relief before they started heading towards Callie's room. But what they saw when they got there was shocking and the two women rushed into the room as quickly as they could.