Ch 12 - Medivac
It didn't matter how many times Kate paced the floor in her hospital room over the following hours nor did it matter how many times she tried to get through to someone in the know at NAVCOM, no further information came her way until later that evening after a harrowing 6 hours alone. Her mobile rang and Commander Marshall allowed her to conference with an incoming call from the HMAS Kingston.
"Navcom this is Radio Officer Bartlet, calling from the Kingsley, I have Lieutenant Catano for you."
Kate released the breath that she was holding and relaxed the muscles that had been held in tension for the last 12 hours.
"Thank God" she whispered to herself before turning her ear and attention back to the radio communication being held on the other end of the phone.
"Commander Marshal, this is Nicky Caetano"
"Good to hear your voice, Lieutenant" Commander Marshal stated professionally although one could tell there was relief in it. " Sit Rep?"
"Sir, the Hammersly was disabled during the storm and we took a battering. All communications are down, there were several fires due to the engine being under great strain and I'm afraid the hull itself has sustained damage. She is currently under tow from the Kingsley and the Thorton. We're hitching home sir"
"About the Crew, Lieutenant!!! We can deal with the property later."
"Sorry sir… I thought you'd been advised…"
Kate flinched at the rising panic she could hear in Commander Marshall's voice and the hesitation and worry in Nav's. The hairs on the back of her neck stood to attention as she started connecting the dots. Why was Nikki giving the sit-rep and what had she assumed they had been advised of? Kate felt her own breathing becoming uneven and distressed.
Nav cleared her voice and said professionally "No fatalities sir but we have several crew members injured – burns, concussion, minor cuts and bruises" Nav paused before continuing "Sir, one of them is Lieutenant Commander Flynn and he has yet to gain consciousness"
Kate's world started to close in around her.
"I have Swain here to give you a report."
"Commander Marshall, this is Petty Oficer Blake. As Nav has told you, the Captain has yet to gain consciousness since he took a heavy beam to his head during the height of the storm. Fleet Medical has arranged a helivac. The rest of the injured will be under ship's care until we return to port"
"Can you be more specific about Flynn's injury, Swain?"
"Well Sir, it was a nasty gash and it was bleeding profusely but the captain was determined to continue helping with the situation that was fast approaching critical. About 15 minutes after the incident, the Boss started to stumble and then collapsed against the wall. His vitals are weak but steady and he has remained unresponsive throughout the day. I have monitored his vitals, gave him fluids and continued to carry out coma risk assessment every half hour which to date has shown he is not yet fallen into a coma state although the time frame is getting quite extensive. I'm afraid that is the extent of my abilities sir… I am sorry I couldn't do more…."
"You did well Swain. I have just received Fleet medical's report and ETA. They will rendezvous with you in approx 35minutes. He will be in good hands from then on. Can I talk to Lieutenant Caetano….."
At this Kate moved the phone away from her ear and stumbled into the chair beside the bed having stood all the while throughout the horrific conversation. Tears were streaming down her face and her breathing was becoming increasingly laboured.
"Mike, you fool, you bloody fool" she whispered to herself over and over again.
Kate became away of someone calling her name and she realised that Commander Marshall was virtually screaming down the phone to her. She took a deep breath to compose herself and brought the phone to her ear.
"Yes Commander, I'm sorry about that. I was just a little thrown by the news"
"That's understandable Kate" he said in a comforting voice that made Kate wonder just how much of her mumblings he had heard. "Flynn's ETA from Fleet Medical is 0130hrs. Am I correct in assuming you will want to be informed?"
"Sir, I wonder if I could meet the medivac and ahh, um……. Well sir, he has no family here."
"Permission granted Lieutenant but only if you clear yourself medically, although he will be going to your hospital so at least there will be no discharge needed. I will see you in casualty at 0130hrs."
"Thank you sir"
Kate hung up the phone and began to mentally take stock. She was relieved that the rest of the crew were alive and safe but could not focus on anything but Mike currently being choppered back to the mainland with a serious head injury.
"How did I end up here?" she asked herself for the millionth time today.
"What am I going to do if Mike doesn't wake up?" But with that she violently shook head knowing that that thought didn't bear thinking about.
"What am I going to do when Mike wakes up? I can't handle this….."
She went around and around, doing circles inside her head but all the time coming back to the one thing
"Can I really give myself to Mike when everyday I risk loosing him again?"
Kate was waiting in Casualty for the arrival of the Helivac and replayed the two phone calls that she had made before coming down to meet Mike.
Kate had first called Margaret Flynn, for although she knew that the family would have been informed officially of the situation, she knew that they would appreciate the more detail that she was able to share with them. Kate smiled to herself now, remembering how the phone call had changed perspective about halfway through when Margaret began to comfort her from afar, soothing her fears and even touching on the very personal torment Kate was having about being close to someone and at risk of losing them. Kate once again, marvelled at Mike's mother's intuitive nature when she softly spoke such wise words to her toward the end of the call.
"And Kate," she reminded her before saying goodbye "It is worth it. No matter what life throws at us, the living makes it worth it. You'll see…. You'll see when you look into Mikey's eyes. Love makes the risk worth it. Trust me, dear"
Kate stifled a sob and nodded silently although she knew Margaret couldn't see. "Thank you, but how'd you… I mean that…."
Margaret chuckled "I am a wife and mother of three, two of whom are sons who compete for the daredevil status, Kate. You don't get to where I am without the worry, the questioning of self and risks that I know you are going through. I am living proof that every step is worth it. I wouldn't change it for the world."
"Thank you Margaret, I will keep you updated"
"Thanks Kate, We'll talk soon dear."
Kate once again mused about what Margaret had said and then recalled the happenings of the second phone call that Margaret's advice had spurred and that was to Bob and Anne in Brisbane.
Although Kate called them with trepidation and an apology having left Brisbane suddenly and without explanation, both Bob and Ann were relieved at hearing her voice. They were very pleased to hear that the Hammersly was found and although concerned for Mike's injuries remained positive about him being OK. Kate was even happy to speak to Hannah who was doing immensely well. After hesitantly apologising to Kate for not letting her know about the kidney disease, Hannah moved onto the current drama. Kate allowed Hannah to assume she was actually on the Hammersly during its recent storm but Hannah was more concerned about her new knowledge of exactly who Mike was.
"Wow Kate, I didn't peg you for breaking the rules. Fancy, dating your boss. I thought I recognised him at the breakfast. He was the one from the bar wasn't he?" Hannah giggled down the phone. Kate realised that Bob and Ann had told her of the connection. "Of course he's going to be fine. There's no way I am missing out what's going to happen next"
There was a slight hesitation in Hannah's voice as she realised she may have overstepped the mark with the new relationship with Kate.
Kate had smiled at the youthful perspective of the drama and it seemed to help somewhat
"Well. Hannah, just watch this space because I have an inkling that our superior may have heard a few of my worryings throughout the drama …..You may not have to wait long"
"Ohhh sounds juicy. I can't wait…. I mean, I wonder if…." Hannah, once again hesitated.
"What is it Hannah?" Kate had asked suddenly nervous
"Well, would it be Ok if Mum, Dad and I visit you once I have been discharged and before we return to Perth. It will be so much better not having to rush off to dialysis all the time?" Kate had melted at the timid and yet hopeful way Hannah had asked and at the same time felt a rush of warmth and comfort from this family that she had agreed without hesitation.
Now waiting for Mike, Kate replayed both phone calls and began to come to some form of clarity. Allowing yourself to be loved and part of a family certainly put you at risk and that was frightening. Also, judging from Mike's frustrations, being part of a family can also be annoying and Mike can certainly drive her crazy at times. However over the last hour she had received understanding, care, support, compassion, forgiveness and even a youthful positivity that seemed to lift her into a hopeful and more confident person then she could ever be alone. As amazing as the journey has been, as terrifying as it is now and as unknown as the future will always be, over the last 6 months, Kate had found herself in love with a man, surrounded by friends and supported by family. Kate smiled contentedly as she realised that, just as Margaret had said, she wouldn't have it any other way.
It was the inner strength that this understanding gave her that Kate drew upon when she stood up with Commander Marshall as a very pale Mike was wheeled into the Casualty ward attached to various beeping portable machines. With a deep breath, Kate stood to receive the update from the fleet medical officer as he gave a sit-rep to Commander Marshall.
