General Hospital Nathan and Maxie story

The Shot: True Love Comes Once in a Lifetime

Chapter 14

When I have Dante, Maxie, Lulu, or anyone else talking one on one with Nathan, I'm not going to put "_" around them talking. I don't know if its proper writing or not, its just easier for me when I write not to do it. But if you want me to, I'll go back and correct it. Bold words are what Nathan is thinking because he, of course, has a tube down his throat.

Nathan did continued to improve, but there was still a few things that were undecided. First, when would they try to have him breathe on his own and second, will he walk again. Those two things were in the back of everyone minds and hearts but they couldn't bring themselves to ask the doctors.

Maxie was glad that he didn't kick her out like he did so many other times. Dante and Lulu were happy that he was willing for them to visit him. Police officers were cheering him on and praying that he would make a full recovery and be back on the force in a year or two.

The doctors and nurses were astonished that he was slowly returning the corner but still had a month to two to be moved to a regular room and start with the basic things such as regain strength in his arms and legs, learning to sit up for a couple of minutes or two and learning to talk again. Those things were months away from starting and a long road to the end.

He would do one of the hardest task he would ever do to begin his road of recovery; he has to relearning to breathe without the mechanical ventilation breathing for him. The other tasks would follow after learning to breath on his own.

The group agreed to meet in three weeks to decide if they thought he was ready or not because they didn't want complications to arise because they waited too long.

Dante was in the room when he hears movement from Nathan.

Hi

Who_you?

My name is Dante. I'm your partner for the Port Charles Police Department.

Okay_ so?

You moved here in January.

Don't remember_ but Okay_

We became friends. My wife name is Lulu.

Okay_

The blondie who has been so worried about you and constantly visiting you, is my wife's best friend, Maxie.

So_

Maxie and you are dating.

Ok

I know you don't remember me but one day you will. You got to believe that as do I. Looking forward you coming back and work with me as my partner."

Wish_ remember you, too but_ I don't

Probably wish that tube was out? I remember when I had one...

What? You_wonder when_ that was?

Twice, actually

WOW_ happen?

If I tire you out with my talking, just let me know

Blink_

I got shot by Sonny. They put a tube for the surgery and then after surgery for 24 hours because the bullet hit close to my heart. They wanted to make sure that my heart had some help until they were satisfy that I wouldn't have problems with it.

What_

I was in the hospital for two half months.

Oooo_

The other time I got shot in the back and they had to take out part of my right lung. That time, I had the awful tube for a week and I hated it. When I wanted to talk, I did that by writing on a pad and that was if I could stay awake long enough to write. Most of the time, I had to communicate by blinking, too and that even sucked more.

I agree_ it sucks_ Wonder when I'm_ going to get rid_ of this tube

Don't want to give you false hope, but I have heard they might test you to see if you can handle breathing on your own within the next two weeks.

Wish it_today

Look on the bright side, you have Maxie and the nurses on your 'beck and call'.

Great_only_eyes_ her

I see that you are getting tired, so I'm just going to sit here for a little bit. Rest while you still can because when you are strong enough, you are going to be having therapy and you will be begging for sleep. I can tell you from personal experience, it sucks, big time. I had it because I needed to relearn how to breathe with only having one full lung and a partial one and 'boy' did I hate doing it. My mom and especially Lulu would asked if I was okay. If I breathed wrong or was out of breathe just by walking a few steps, they would come running to see if I needed to go back to the doctor. One time, Lulu was so worried that she came to GH and got my doctor to make a house call. Of course, the doctor was dating my mom and they had just finished eating when Lulu came flying into here. It wasn't funny that the time but later I realized that I scared them and they just wanted me to be okay. Done talking, sleep.

OK

Dante knew that looking at his partner would feel weird to the both of them if his partner knew that he was staring at him but Dante couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right about his friend's color. He went to find the doctor, but he found Elizabeth instead.

"Liz, I was wonder if you could check on Nathan for me, his color doesn't look right to me. I don't know if its just how the light is or if I'm just imagining it." asked Dante

"Not a problem. I was just about to head there after I had updated another patient's chart," replies Liz. "He's color does look a little pale but I need you to leave so I can do a further examination before I decide if it is warranted that I need to call the doctor."

"I'm going to call M...

"Don't call her. I don't want to cause her any more unnecessary grief unless I need to," Liz asked. "She needs sleep more than worrying about Nathan."

"Okay, but if its something serious, I'm calling her." Dante tells her with a calm but stern voice. He then leaves.

Liz comes out. "His color isn't good, but nothing to worry about now. I'll let the doctor know and see what he says."

"Thanks. I'm going to back in to sit with him. Please let me know what he says."

"You know I will. All the staff is rooting and praying for him." Liz acknowledges.

An hour later, Dante looks up and see Nathan awake again.

Wow, that was quick, you were asleep for three hours. Are you awake enough to play a game?

Blink

It's called an alphabet game. Its where I say a letter and when I come to the letter, you blink and then we start over again until we finish the word and/or sentence. Does that sound like a plan to you?

Blink

Let's start with an easy question? Okay?

Blink

How are you feeling? a... b...c...d...e...f...

Blink

We got 'f'. g...h...i...

Blink

Okay, 'i'. j...k...l...m...n...

Blink

Okay 'n'. o...p...q...r...s...t...u...v...w...x...y...z... a...b...c...d...e...

Blink

Okay, 'e'. Fine?

Blink

That's good to hear. Do you need anything?

Blink_ Blink

Okay.

There was a knock and Dr. Lenney comes in. "Hi, Dante and Nathan. Dante, I'm going to ask you to leave, so I can exam him."

Blink Blink Blink Blink Blink

The doctor sees his patient's agitation and tries to calm him, "Dante will come back in once I am done."

Looking right at Nathan, Dante says, "I'll be right outside the room, Okay?"

Blink

"You won't be alone." Dantes adds. He leaves.

An hour later, the doctor opens the door and said, "You can come back in. He fell asleep halfway through the exam."

"How is he?"

"He is going as well as we expected. He has a slight fever but nothing to worry about, I did order some Tylenol for it. The team of doctors and myself decided that we weren't going to take him off the machine for another 3 weeks but I think it would be in his best interest to get him off the vent as soon as possible. I'm going to confer with a team of doctors and then there is a need for another set of tests before I make the final decision. I don't know how long it will take but it should be within the next couple of hours."

"How long will it take for him to be completely off the ventilator?" Dante questions.

"Since he has been on the vent for over 4 months and with the surgeries he has been through it could take a week or more. We don't want his heart and lungs to suffer any more stress or damage from taking it out too soon." Ethan responded back

"Does he know this?" Dante asks

"I didn't get a chance before he was asleep." the doctor states. "I will be back after the meeting with the team. If he wakes up, please let a nurse know so she can page me."

"I will." Dante responds. The doctor leaves.

Dante calls Maxie before he heads back into the room. She answers and tells him that she isin the parking garage and will be up to see Nathan shortly.

Dante sees that Nathan is awake again. "Good to see you awake. Maxie is on her way up."

Great_

The doctor was here but didn't even finish the examination before you were sleeping. I need to let a nurse know that you are awake. I will be right back...

Blink_ Blink

"Not going far, I'm just stick my head out the door and find a nurse," Dante slowly tells Nat before he goes. "Hey, Liz."

"Yes, Dante."

"Nathan is awake."

"Thanks for letting me know." Liz walks towards the phone.

"See I told you I wasn't going far." Dante said while he looks into his friend's eyes as he spoke.

Thanks...

Maxie enters and asks Dante, "How is he doing today?"

Blink_ as well as I can_ with this thing_down my throat.

"The doctor said that he is making progress," Dante continues, he got as far as, "Things are looking up except for..." before the doctor stops him.

Dr. Ethan Lenney "Um... Excuse me," he said as he clears his throat. "I will take it from here, Det. Dante," as he walks up to where his patient. I got a couple of questions to ask you. I know you probably sick to death of nurses and me asking you the same old questions, but 'Are you doing okay?'

Blink_ Just took a three hour nap? Why do I feel so tired?

Ethan sees that his patient is having trouble keeping his eyes opened, so he says, "The reason you might feel a little disconnected is because you were fighting the ventilator before you are well enough for us to take it out, so we had to sedated you. Do you understand so far?

Blink_

"Okay. I will continue. My associates and I have decided to start the process of removing the tube. We will begin the process tomorrow morning around 11 am. We are doing it tomorrow because it will take about a week to get you completely off and we want you to be well rested for the long day that will be ahead for you. In another three hours, a nurse will be given you a sedative to help you sleep through the night. Okay?"

Blink_

"I will explain in more details on how this will work tomorrow but for now, just spend some time with your friends and I will see you in the morning."

Blink

Ethan shuts the door as he leaves to give them some time alone

"I wasn't expecting that when I came back." Maxie stands up and leans over the bed so that Nathan could read her lips and ask, "Do you want me to be here with you when they start the process?"

He thought for a minute... Blink

"Good." replies Maxie. "I was afraid that you wouldn't want me here."

I don't_ but you would be_ driving the nurses crazy_walking up and down the_hallway.