June 16th, 2007
Amelia's View
I swiveled nervously on the chair as I watched Sam and Dr. Paxton worked on Addison. So far her brain bleed was staying within the safe zone. I watched Sam's hands closely as he worked to stabilize her rib fractures. One wrong move and he could puncture her lung. Addison's heart monitor switched into sinus tachycardia. I jumped up from my seat.
"What did you do?" I asked. Sam shook his head and stepped back from the table a step.
"I didn't do anything!" He said defensively. Dr. Paxton grabbed the crash cart and pulled it over to the operating table. "No! You can't use that. She's had heart surgery before. That could be what's causing this." Sam stopped him. Dr. Paxton stepped back as Sam grabbed the scalpel to crack Addison's chest. I forced myself to look away and instead stared over at the monitor that was keeping track of Addison's brain activity. Thankfully it was all normal. I kept my eyes glued on the monitor until Addison's heart rhythm regulated again. I took a deep breath and dared myself to look at her again.
"Did you fix it?" I asked Sam. He nodded and let out a long breath.
"Yeah. The right ventricle tore. Thankfully it was an easy fix." Sam answered. I nodded.
"How much longer until her ribs and other fractures are stabilized? I'm afraid to keep her under much longer." I asked.
"I'm almost done with her elbow. The ankle is already stabilized." Dr. Paxton answered. I nodded.
"I'll be done in less than a half hour." Sam answered. I nodded and sank back down onto my chair.
June 18th, 2007
Addison's View
The faint beeping noise of a heart monitor was the first thing that registered to my senses. Then I felt the pinching of the heart monitor clip on my right pointer finger. Slowly other sounds like the crinkling of paper became noticeable. Then I felt the pain. It started in my chest and then traveled down to my left lung and elbow. Finally, it stopped at my left ankle. I moaned softly and the sounds in the room instantly changed. I briefly registered pressure spreading throughout my left hand.
"Addie. Can you hear me?" Derek's voice asked. At least it resembled Derek's voice. It was sort of muffled and scratchy. Like it was coming from a poorly recorded cassette.
"Addison, if you can hear us I need you to try and open your eyes." Someone who sounded vaguely like Amelia prodded gently. I groaned again and tried to focus my energy on opening my eyelids. It was hard considering they really felt like lead. I felt the pressure on my right hand get a little heavier. Finally, my eyes blinked open just a crack. All that registered was fuzzy whiteness before they slipped closed again. I was so tired, I didn't feel like opening my eyes. "Addison." Amelia tried again. I moaned and finally pulled my eyes open. At first, I was just blinded by light again, but slowly things started to focus again.
"Addison thank God." Derek breathed and grabbed my right hand. He squeezed a little too tightly and I felt my IV dig into the back of my hand. I groaned softly at the pain and Derek released it a little bit.
"What happened?" I croaked. Amelia smiled gently.
"You and Callie were in a car accident. Someone ran into your cab." Amelia explained softly. I moaned and let my eyes slide closed again. "Addie, I need you to stay awake just a little longer so I can assess your brain injury." Amelia prodded. I sighed and forced my eyes open. Amelia smiled widely at me. "Awesome. Follow the light for me okay?" Amelia instructed and pulled a light from her lab coat pocket. I nodded and she clicked the light on. I followed the light slowly with my eyes. Amelia's smiled widened a little and she flicked the light off. "Pupil response is great." She said happily. I smiled weakly and tried to blink the sleep from my eyes. "Okay Addison, almost done. I just need you to squeeze my hand for me." Amelia instructed and took my right hand from Derek. I effortlessly squeezed her hand. She nodded, clearly pleased and released my hand. "Now I need you to lift your pointer finger up for me." She asked. I focused hard on my right hand and the pointer finger rose shakily up so that it was slightly above the others. It was shaking violently though. "Can you steady it for me?" Amelia asked. I furrowed my brow in frustration and concentrated hard but it wouldn't stabilize. Derek frowned. "How about just laying out your whole hand flat for me?" Amelia suggested. I nodded and relaxed the finger back down into the fist and then I slowly opened my whole hand. It stayed still for a moment before it started to shake. Amelia nodded and grabbed my patient chart from the table at the foot my bed. She scribbled something down on the chart before flipping it closed and shooting me an encouraging smile. "You're doing great Addie. Just a couple more things." She promised. I nodded and rubbed my eyes with my right hand.
"Okay. I'll do anything if it means I can go to bed." I joked. Derek cracked a smile and shook his head.
"I promise you can go to bed after this." Amelia said. I nodded.
"Bring it on then." I said.
"What's your full name?" Amelia asked.
"Addison Adrianne Forbes Montgomery-Shepherd." I answered.
"What year is it?" Amelia asked and shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
"2007." I answered.
"What's the last thing you remember?" She asked.
"Going to lunch with Callie."
"When is your wedding anniversary?" She asked.
"September 10th, 1994." I answered. Amelia smiled and flipped the chat back open to document her results.
"Your memory and cognitive function are flawless, and with physical therapy I'm pretty sure we can get your hand to stop shaking. I am confident you will make a full recovery. I'll let Dr. Paxton and Sam know you're awake so they can assess your other injures and I'll come by later to chat Addie. Get some rest." Amelia said and left the room, clutching my chart to her chest.
Wow guys. I can't believe this is chapter 50! What?! Craziness. Thanks so much for sticking with this guys! I'm really enjoying writing this and I plan on keeping it up for several more chapters. I hope you guys continue to enjoy a look into what could have happened if Addison had never cheated on Derek. As always never hesitate to review and tell me what you think I honestly would love to know what your thoughts are. Much love, Jane Torres-Cooper.
