DARK DAYS AND DARKER NIGHTS

"When can I get out of here?"

A short time later Dr. Delaney arrived in the SICU to begin rounds. Picking up Miles' chart, he quickly studied it, making note of the latest notations. "Please get a dressing tray and meet me in Dr. McCabe's room," he told the nurse who was standing nearby.

"Yes, Doctor," she replied.

Miles was still staring at the ceiling when he heard the door open but didn't bother looking to see who it was. They'd be making their presence made soon enough.

"Good morning, Dr. McCabe. How are you feeling this morning?" the trauma surgeon asked as he approached the patient's bed.

"You're the doctor. You tell me," Miles replied, suddenly feeling very tired.

"First I need to check you out and then change your dressings before I can tell you anything," Dr. Delaney told him, reaching for the stethoscope around his neck. "Do you think you can sit up a little?"

"Yeah," Miles said and carefully sat up trying not to pull at the incisions.

The doctor noticed his patient's hesitant moves and asked, "Still hurting some?"

"A little," Miles admitted.

"I'll see if I can order something for it," Delaney said as he began his examination. "Carol, could you please check his temp?"

She quickly took the reading and reported, "Temp is 99.5"

"Getting better. Okay, Dr. McCabe, I'm going to listen to your lungs now. Take a deep breath and exhale," he said and placed the stethoscope on Miles' chest.

"Well?" Miles asked as he settled back in the bed once the examination was over.

"Well, your lungs are remaining clear. I see that Respiratory assigned you Rosalie. She can be quite a motivator at times," the doctor answered. He stepped aside to let the nurse begin removing the dressings.

"I think I've seen an example of her motivation," Miles said with just the faintest smile on his face.

Dr. Delaney chuckled and replied, "I've heard a few other choice words used to describe her though. As soon as I finish with the dressings I'll see about removing the NG tube. You seem to be tolerating the water well enough so I think you can try a clear broth for lunch. How does chicken sound?"

Miles shook his head. "No chicken. Vegetarian. Natalie promised."

"It should be in your chart then. If your stomach tolerates the broth, I'm going to see about expanding the liquid diet. You need to get your strength up before I release you."

"When can I get out of here?" Miles asked after a moment.

"Out of the hospital? It'll probably be a couple of months at the earliest. I'm sure Dr. Trainor will want you to stay here until your leg heals. As for out of the SICU, let's see about the middle of the week. I'd like to see your lung function be a little better. That means doing whatever Rosalie tells you, no matter how bad it hurts," Dr. Delaney was saying as he examined the surgical sites satisfied they were healing well. "I think I can remove the stitches in the next couple of days."

"That's good," the younger man said without any enthusiasm.

"I usually get a better response than that," the trauma surgeon replied as he redressed the incisions.

"Just tired I guess," Miles said.

"I can understand that. Now, it'll be easier to remove the NG tube if you sit up," the doctor said, pulling on a fresh pair of gloves and then carefully began to withdraw the flexible tubing. "There maybe a little bleeding as it comes out but nothing to worry about."

"Once the tube was free Miles felt a damp cloth being wiped over his face cleaning off the trickles of blood from where the tube had rubbed a raw place in his nostril. "Now maybe you can remove the cathether," he said.

"We'll see about that later. Meanwhile, Dr. McCabe, I'll be in to see you before I leave for the night," Dr. Delaney said as he began gathering up his equipment.

Miles nodded and settled back in the bed to wait for Rosalie.