Chap 22 Coronary Care Unit
Date 1 Dec 2299 Friday continued
Pregnancy status: 4 1/2 months
Alone in the hallway of the hospital outside the coronary catheterization suite the two Takahashi patriarchs stood awaiting news. Overwhelmed with grief and shock, the only reason they could stand was that they were physically supporting each other. Sesshomaru's iron grip around his mate's shoulders kept the two men upright. The news of Yuki's plane accident and now Kyo's heart attack had hit them harder than anything in years. Even Rin's AVM paled because they were able to do something about it. This was different. Yuki was gone. And Kyo was in someone else's hands.
"Sesshomaru, she can't be gone," Inuyasha plead, tears swelling and pouring down his cheeks. "She can't go! We've got to find her. You've got to use Tenseiga. I can't lose my baby! Sesshomaru!"
As he pleaded the situation set in and his legs weakened. Starting to crumble onto the floor his claws held on to Sesshomaru's chest.
But Sesshomaru didn't notice. He stared at the closed doors of the cath suite.
Speaking more to himself than his mate, Sesshomaru uttered, "I should be in there. I should be in there."
Inuyasha sobbed softly in Sesshomaru's shirt as the iron grip never faltered.
Nurses bustled about.
Administrators with clipboards rushed to and fro.
Orderlies pushed patients in wheelchairs and gurneys past them.
Overhead calls and noises filled the hospital hallways.
Residents walked by quizzing their interns, preparing them for rounds.
The hospital florist carted get well balloons and flowers on his way to the maternity ward.
But the two stood alone, a statue in the midst.
Two hours later, a distinguished female exited the cath suite.
"Dr Takahashi?"
Both men looked and answered, "Hai".
The specialist nodded and walked to the couple.
"Please come with me. Kyo is resting and I'm sure you want to see him."
Sesshomaru slowly released his iron grip and took Inuyasha's hand. Following the specialist they passed through the cardiac suite doors and continued several hundred meters to the coronary intensive care unit. It was quieter there. She led them to a comfortable grouping of chairs.
"Let's spend a moment here. This unit is shaped like a square. We are currently just outside of the cube. Your son's room is around that corner to the right. The nurses are getting the lines and vitals done. The catheterization went smoothly. Your son presented after fainting when he heard the news of the plane accident. He woke in the ambulance complaining of severe chest pain 9/10, and shortness of breath. The first responders put him on a monitor and the rhythm was highly irregular. We opted to go straight to cath thinking we could stent any blockage, but we didn't find any blockage of his coronary arteries."
She paused to check if the men understood. When she noticed both nodding she proceeded.
"We did get a number of A-gram photos and that is why I can tell you he has Takotusubo syndrome."
Inuyasha looked up.
"Broken heart syndrome," Inuyasha stated matter-of-factly. "May I see the films?"
"Of course, Dr. Takahashi. There is a classic shot of the octopus fishing pot. I also have some nice shots that show his clear arteries."
Sesshomaru listened. Internally he was thinking about the diagnosis and prognosis of Takotusubo syndrome. Broken heart syndrome. The symptoms are similar to those of a heart attack, occurring in response to a physical or emotional stress. Yuki's accident. No blocked coronary arteries. Patients usually make a fast and full recovery. But it can progress to cardiogenic shock . Kyo's heart may not have the ability to pump enough blood to meet his needs. All the stress hormones stun the cells of the heart, causing them to malfunction.
'We can't lose both of them.'
"Sesshomaru! The specialist asked you a question."
"Hnnn. Yes, Doctor?"
"I just wanted to know if you had any questions," the specialist watched the taller of the two parents.
Sesshomaru stood. "I want to see my boy."
"Of course, sir. This way." She pointed to the right and started down the hallway.
"Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha tugged gently at his brother. "Are you okay?"
"No, not until I find our little Yuki. But I need to see Kyo first."
The doctor was standing at the glass doorway to Kyo's room. Through the glass they could see Kyo resting. Sesshomaru had heard the slow, irregular beat as they approached. The sound was too slow. Sesshomaru's back straightened. He marched into the room, flaring his youki as a reassuring blanket.
Walking up to Kyo's side he leaned in and whispered, "Fight son. I will bring your sister back." Then he walked out.
The cardiologist watched the interaction with interest. Although she could not feel the youki blanket she did hear the change in her patient's heart rate from an irregular beat to a steady 60 beats a minute. She was startled that the tall man exited the room so quickly. She blinked.
Inuyasha stood beside her his hand resting on his baby bump. He heard his brother's promise to the two of them. Now he would do his part, sit and wait. Inuyasha passed by the transfixed specialist. He leaned over Kyo's ear and whispered.
"We love you son. I'm here with you. Time to heal. He told you to fight, so you had better obey. Your father doesn't lie. He'll bring our Yuki back."
Golden eyes studied his son's face looking for the canary copies to make contact and indicate they heard and understood.
He spoke a bit more with the cardiologist while examining the films. Then he excused his husband's seemingly odd behavior and then subtly dismissed the physician by mentioning that she must be busy with her other patients and that he could watch Kyo. The physician smiled and bowed as she left to do her rounds.