Chapter 65: Gwendolyn's Therapy Session

June 22

Both Amelia and Owen were breathless as they flopped flat onto the on-call room bed. As they laid there breathing heavily and catching their breath, Amelia mused, "Now that was stress relief."

Owen chuckled and panted, "Agreed."

"Again?" Amelia smirked as she turned to look Owen in the eye.

"Again?! Give me a chance to recuperate. I'm no longer in my 20s," Owen joked as he ran his hands through his slightly sweaty hair and then kissed Amelia's forehead.

"That shows…in a good way," Amelia purred as she crawled on top of Owen and kissed him repeatedly.

Owen sunk his head into his pillow and looked at his wife quizzically, "I think…that was a compliment."

"Yes. It was." With surly undertones and sexy eyes, Amelia slowly murmured, "You're obviously far too practiced to be at an early point in your sexual career."

"So, if this doctor thing doesn't work out, I've got options, huh?" Owen jested. Grasping his wife with a bear hug, Owen held Amelia's tiny body and hummed peacefully. The post-sex relaxation filled his soul. Their connection continued to deepen as they lay together without saying a word.

A few minutes later, Owen moaned, "All night. I could lay here like this all night." Amelia, exhausted, had fallen asleep on her husband. Owen gently slid out from under her and moved onto his side. He patted her hair slowly as he dreamily gazed at his wife as he began to fade to sleep.

After a peaceful and quiet 45-minute nap, Amelia's pager sounded to let her know that the patient was about to be transported from recovery to a room. Rather than jump out of bed to rush to her patient's side, Amelia called the nurses' desk and asked them to page Edwards. Edwards was ready and able to assess the patient at this point. Amelia only wanted to go back to sleep.

"Mmmm?" Owen asked without words. Knowing him as she did, Amelia answered, "Patient is awake and headed to a room. I delegated post-op eval to Edwards." Amelia set her head back on the pillow and closed her eyes. The two continued to lay beside each other silently for another few minutes.

Suddenly, and without opening his eyes, Owen wondered, "So, why don't we go home and sleep in our own bed?"

Also speaking with closed eyes, Amelia quipped, "I suppose we could, but that would involve walking down to the car, driving home, walking up our stairs, and getting in bed. After all that, I'll be wide awake."

Owen smiled even though nobody was looking at him and chuckled, "True." He turned his head and kissed Amelia's temple, which just happened to be the part of her face closest to Owen's lips. "Ok…" Owen trailed off as he surrendered to sleep once again.

The next morning, the couple began waking up at the same time as they rearranged their bodies on the small bed. Amelia mumbled, "Breakfast?"

"Sounds good," Owen agreed without moving. Meanwhile, Amelia was slowly stretching and sitting up. She looked back at Owen and laughed.

"Are you expecting me to throw on a French maid costume and bring you room service or are you going to start moving?" she asked sarcastically.

Owen chuckled with closed eyes, "I choose Option 1."

"Ha!" Amelia exclaimed. "C'mon handsome. Let's go. Get moving."

Owen held up his arm, opened one eye and grasped Amelia's arm. He drug her down beside him, pecked her on the cheek, and suggested, "In a bit. Come here. Let's just rest and then maybe you'll get that 'again' you've been waiting for."

As she snuggled on his chest, Owen wrapped his arm around his wife. Amelia mused, "You. You know the way to get what you want, don't you?"

"Mmmmm," Owen hummed as he chuckled softly.

At the Shepherd-Hunt residence, Lynne was organizing the melee and their morning. Even though it was summertime, there were dance lessons to attend at 10:00am, a summer soccer camp for Finley from 9:00-3:00, and a Zoo Camp for Oliver from 9:00 – 4:00. Once a person added in the babies and their food and sleep schedule, the day would be full until nearly dinner time. Also scheduled that afternoon was a 1:00pm appointment for Gwendolyn with the PT/OT team. The team worked with her twice a week, attempting to strengthen her leg and ensure that the muscles and area remained supple and flexible. Often, if other patients were not present and using the area, the women who worked with Gwendolyn would invite whomever brought the girls to do the same activities with Ella. Sometimes, if the schedule worked out, Bronwyn would be given a chance to work with Ella. Of course, Bronwyn relished the opportunity to be such a grown up and to ensure her sister's well-being.

Since Owen had decided to go to the hospital the previous night, the regular Wednesday schedule was in disarray. Owen and Lynne had reconfigured plans before he had left the house. As previously planned, Amelia would pick Oliver and Finley up on her way home from the hospital. Owen, however, would meet Lynne at Gwendolyn's appointment and tag her out. Normally, Wednesday afternoons were Owen's only opportunity to sleep before an overnight 24-hour shift from 6pm Wednesday to 6pm Thursday. Since Lynne had so graciously agreed to work Wednesday morning, her regular time off, Owen agreed to forego sleep from 1:00-4:00. That way, at least Lynne had a bit of the day to herself before coming back at 5pm to help Amelia with dinner and bedtime.

After completing the not-so-easy feat of ensuring all the kids were dressed and fed, Lynne piled them into the car. Finley would be dropped off first, then Oliver. Finley's soccer camp lasted the entire month, so he was well into the routine. Many of his friends were attending as well, so Finley looked forward to each day. Being 12 and being Finley, he said very little on the way to the athletic club.

Oliver, however, was speaking non-stop about the animals he had already studied earlier in the week and the animals that remained on the docket. More than any other day, Oliver was looking forward to this day because the group would be learning about and studying the chimpanzees. Sensing an affinity with their ways, Oliver eagerly awaited observing so he could learn to imitate their moves and actions.

"And then after the first few minutes, my group gets to be the first ones to watch from the upper observation deck where we can see them climbing and swinging in the trees," Oliver began without taking a breath between sentences. "Then we have snack and get to see the babies with their mama's in an area where other people don't even get to go – only we get to, and then we have free time on the jungle gym and…"

"Oliver," Lynne observed and praised, "your memory amazes me. How do you know the day's routine?"

"The teacher told us before we left yesterday," Oliver shrugged as if his recitation was nothing extraordinary. Turning to his sister, Ollie offered, "Bronwyn, next year, you gotta tell Mom and Dad that you want to go to Zoo Camp – it is super fun."

"Maybe I will," Bronwyn sighed dramatically, "as long as I can still do dancing. I want to be a dancer so I gotta keep going to that."

"What kind of dancer?" Finley asked, pressing his sister.

"One that dances, silly," Bronwyn retorted with a hint of shock. "What other kinds of dancers are there?"

"Bronwyn, there are dancers who dance in movies or plays and there are dancers who dance ballet all the time, and dancers who work at places like Disneyland, and all sorts of other dancers," Finley enlightened his sister.

"She wants to be a Disney dancer, then," Oliver responded for Bronwyn.

"Yeah, Oliver's right. I want to dance at Disneyland. Then I can be a Princess Dancer and when my legs or feet get tired, I can ride some rides and be with Mickey and Minnie and stuff," Bronwyn reasoned.

"Mamammamamamama," Gwendolyn hollered in an attempt to join the conversation.

Ella answered her with, "Gabababa, mamapapa ba." Then both twins laughed, as if they were speaking in code in their own twin language. The twins carried on their own conversation as Oliver shifted back and forth between them, asking them questions and responding to their words. Oliver absolutely loved his current spot in the car – he not only helped with the babies; he was also a safe distance away from his brother.

After dropping the boys off at their camps and settling Bronwyn in at her dance class, Lynne had an opportunity to sit down with the twins at the dance studio. Lynne placed the babies on a blanket and sat down with them as she set a container with Cheerios between them. V immediately reached for the snack and discovered she had no competition for the food. Ella was on the cusp of crawling and was on all fours rocking back and forth. Once or twice in the last few days, she'd been spotted scooting along on her stomach an inch or two. Owen took particular pride in her efforts as a potential Army recruit.

After Bronwyn's dance class, Lynne and the girls returned home. After they all ate lunch, the babies napped while Bronwyn helped Lynne tear up lettuce for a salad the family would eat at dinnertime. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, the clock indicated it was time to head to the hospital for Gwen's appointment.

"Daddy!" Bronwyn yelled as she ran to Owen as soon as Lynne and the girls entered the main doors to the hospital. Unlike his usual hospital attire, Owen was in a button down and jeans. As Owen swept Bronwyn up in his arms, Bronwyn inquired, "Why aren't you wearing doctor clothes?"

Owen chuckled and explained, "Because I'm not working until later. Right now, we're going to Gwendolyn's appointment." Setting Bronwyn down, Owen took possession of the double stroller and switched car keys with Lynne. He and his three girls walked to the PT/OT area of the hospital.

Jodi, one of the therapists, greeted them and led them back to an exam room. After measuring Gwen's range of motion and assessing her leg and foot movement, Jodi shared happy news, "Dr. Hunt, her range and strength have increased since last time we assessed them. Gwen's doing great. Are you holding her in a standing position on the floor or on your knees regularly?"

"My wife seems to have better luck with Gwen cooperating than I do," Owen admitted. "For me, she'll often just let her leg go limp. With Amelia, she seems to be bearing some weight."

"What do you do when she turns into a spaghetti noodle?" Jodi asked as she used her own term to describe Gwen's behavior.

Bronwyn interrupted with widened eyes, "She can turn into pasgetti?!"

"Not really," Owen chuckled, "it's a way to explain what she does when she lets her leg bend instead of trying to stand." Bronwyn nodded at the clarification and returned to showing Ella how to crawl.

"What do I do?" Owen began to answer Jodi. "Let's see…I guess I usually lift her up above me and play with her. Then I try again, and we repeat the same routine."

"Hmmm…I think you might be rewarding her, Dr. Hunt," Jodi observed. "I'd suggest you ignore her, look away from her, or try again to have her stand on both legs when she melts."

Owen's face saddened slightly as he claimed, "That probably won't make her very happy."

Gritting her teeth and widening her lips, Jodi countered, "True, but the play method won't help her learn to rely on her numb limb. In fact, she'll probably escalate in avoiding any challenging movements because she'll count on playing instead."

Knowing Jodi was right, but disliking her answer, Owen grimaced and grudgingly agreed.

"In fact," Jodi suggested, "let's try the shift here. I'll stand her up first and then let's have you practice your new method. We can trade Ella back and forth too, if you like."

Gwendolyn smiled and had no hesitation bearing weight on both legs when Jodi held her torso. Jodi praised the baby and they repeated the process a few times. Then, Jodi and Owen switched babies. Gwendolyn immediately let her leg go limp and Jodi reminded Owen of his new options.

Owen looked away as he continued attempting to hold her. Gwen began an unconvincing cry. "Don't look at her, just pick her back up about an inch off the surface and have her try to stand again," Jodi instructed. "Turn your gaze back to her as you're bringing her down to try standing again."

Gwen was none too pleased with this new routine. Her lip quivered as she let out quick little cries that did her no good in obtaining Owen's attention. Owen tried unsuccessfully three times to not look at Gwen and to attempt to have her bear weight. Jodi encouraged him to keep trying, explaining that Gwen would learn that she could wait him out if he gave up.

Owen looked at Jodi after three more unsuccessful attempts and mumbled, "Maybe Amelia will just have to do this with her."

"Nope. C'mon, Dad. Show her who's boss," Jodi insisted. After three more unsuccessful attempts, Jodi suggested, "This next time, I'm going to place and hold her leg where we want it. When I do that, praise her like crazy." The team tried Jodi's intervention and suddenly Gwendolyn's tears changed to laughter as she stood with the help of Owen's grasp as he praised her.

"Now try by yourself," Jodi suggested. Gwen reverted to her previous habits, so Jodi explained, "Let's give her a little break. Go ahead and place her on her tummy on the blanket. Bronwyn, can your Dad lift you up to stand like he does with the babies? Then Gwendolyn will see you do it and she might want to do it the way her big sister does it."

Bronwyn skipped over to Owen and put her hands on her hips, "Do you think your musk-uls are strong enough to do this with me, Daddy?"

"I'll try," Owen said tentatively as he began the routine with Bronwyn. When Bronwyn stood, Owen tickled her, and she giggled. When Bronwyn giggled, the babies joined in the giggling as well.

Jodi prompted, "Try this method at home if you end up with Gwendolyn resisting your encouragement. You can also use Ella as an example sometimes. Now, go ahead and pick Gwendolyn up and let's see what she does when you try to have her bear weight."

Owen took in a deep breath, concerned Gwen would continue to melt toward the ground. He looked at her and smiled, then held her up playfully. As he brought her down, Gwen stiffened her leg and stood with Owen's assistance.

"Now celebrate like you just won the lottery, Dr. Hunt. Really celebrate with her," Jodi encouraged.

Owen praised the baby and hugged her, then Bronwyn wanted to praise and hug her too. Jodi asked Owen to attempt the same process four more times. Each try succeeded.

"Just because she began cooperating here doesn't necessarily mean she'll continue to cooperate at home. Make sure you work with her at least two more 3-5-minute sessions today. Believe it or not, that's all the time we have today. Any chance you could be the one to bring her on Friday at 1?" Jodi requested. After checking the calendar, he, Amelia and Lynne shared, he confirmed that he could attend and noted it in the calendar.

On their way out the door, Bronwyn asked, "Daddy, can we go see Dr. Doughnut and all the babies he helps make better?" Even though Bronwyn knew Alex's first and last names, the moniker she bestowed upon him when they first met was her favorite way to reference him.

Owen pulled out his cell phone and offered, "Let me see if he's even up there, Bronwyn. He might be at home or at surgery." Owen typed out Miss Bronwyn is wondering if you have time for a brief visit here at the hospital? Are you here and available?

As they waited for a response, Owen took the girls to a nearby waiting room. Before Alex's response arrived, Amelia went walking by. She and Derek were walking quickly and were deep in conversation, "But if you enter through that lobe, Derek, the risk of rupture is even greater. Why wouldn't you approach it from above?" Amelia asked her brother.

Derek retorted insistently, "Because then you are going through more brain tissue to reach the aneurysm, Amy. More brain tissue equals more chances to permanently harm the patient's motor skills."

"You wouldn't have to go through that portion of the brain, brainiac. You could change the angle and face much less risk," Amelia argued.

Bronwyn cleared her throat loudly and announced, "Brothers and sisters aren't pus-bow-zzd to fight."

Derek looked back first and ran up to Bronwyn. He grabbed her and threw her up over his head as he exclaimed, "There she is, my dancing niece. Did you have camp today?"

"I did," Bronwyn said as she flirted with her uncle. "Today, we danced tap."

"No way?!" Derek responded. "You'll have to show me your routine when you know it all, ok?"

As Derek and Bronwyn chatted, Amelia walked over to Owen and the babies, kissing them all and sinking into a chair.

"Everything ok?" Owen asked under his breath.

Amelia mumbled, "He won't listen. Nothing new…it's like he thinks it's impossible for me to actually come up with a great idea."

Owen sat next to her and grasped her hand as he looked at her with compassionate eyes. He suggested, "Draw it out for him. If he sees a visual, he'll be able to envision your point. He may not agree with you, but he will at least consider your suggestion."

Offering a mild smile, Amelia asked her husband, "How was therapy?"

"We spent an entire hour trying to get your mini-me to cooperate and bear weight for me," Owen grumbled.

Amelia laughed softly, "Really?"

"I guess I was rewarding her for playing with her when she didn't bear weight," Owen admitted with a tinge of embarrassment. "So, Jodi had me ignore her, not pay attention to her fake cry, and keep trying until we had success."

"And that worked?" Amelia inquired.

"It did," Owen groaned as if he were disappointed in the result.

"Good for you, Owen!" Amelia beamed. "It's tough to not get frustrated when she refuses to cooperate. Great work sticking with it until she came around."

Owen grimaced, wishing he'd come up with the magic solution rather than Jodi.

How do you think Owen did in therapy?