Star Pupil
Chapter 15
As a detective, Mike had learned how not to react to a victim's injuries, but even he had to admit it was hard not to with Katelyn's. Finding her covered in blood, body fluid, excrement, and vomit almost did him in. Thankfully, a couple very caring nurses bathed her before Christine arrived. It also gave them a chance to survey the injuries, which was an almost endless list. The paramedic had called into the ER and managed to have a team of all female doctors and nurses there when they got there and Mike was thrilled with how they treated his very traumatized daughter.
First and foremost, Katelyn was given a blood transfusion from Mike. Then the x-rays, CT scans and the MRI started. She was in pain, but she was really only complaining of being hungry and thirsty. Unfortunately, she would be unable to have anything to eat because once she stabilized, surgery would be imminent. Finally, Christine got there with Tom, just to listen to the lengthy list of injuries. Before she could even see her daughter, they had to meet with the doctor.
"She has a concussion, probably from the initial accident. A busted ear drum. Her cheek bone is broken on the left side. Of course, you're aware of the slash across her face. Broken nose Collarbone is shattered. Both shoulders are dislocated, the right worse so. Left wrist is broken. She has what looks like whip marks across her back, in addition to electrical burns under her arms, behind her knees and between all of her toes. She told me they used what she identified as a cattle prod on her. At least three broken ribs, but miraculously her lung never punctured. A bruised kidney. We will have to remove her spleen as well. There is also a great deal of trauma due being raped so many times. She's severely dehydrated and has lost close to fifteen pounds this week. She was already slender according to her records but she is only weighing about eighty-five pounds now." Dr. Stephens explained. In a perfect world, Mike would have been furious at how clinical she was being, but he understood. He'd also had to disassociate when he found Katelyn.
"When do the surgeries start?" Mike asked as he squeezed Christine's hand.
"That's where things get sticky. We need to get that spleen out before it ruptures, but due to her being so frail, surgery is going to be hard for her. We will be taking a chance." Dr. Stephens told them.
"But the spleen can't rupture?" Christine asked.
"It would be better for her if it didn't. We can fix the dislocated shoulders while she is out, but we would wait on the collarbone until she is in better shape." Dr. Stephens said.
"She's really hungry and thirsty." Mike commented.
"We are giving her fluids and nutrients, but we can't give her something to eat or drink until we operate." Dr. Stephens explained.
"And there is the problem. She can't eat before the surgery, but because she is so weak the surgery will be dangerous." Christine commented.
"Exactly. She is a tough girl, so I think she will pull through." Dr. Stephens said as she stood up from her chair. They had been meeting in a conference room.
"I'd like to see her before she goes in for surgery." Christine said.
"Of course." Dr. Stephens agreed. She began leading them through the maze of hallways.
"Christine; you need to be prepared…she looks really rough. He sliced her across the face." Mike warned.
"We are going to have a plastic surgeon stitch that up. It'll scar but maybe not as badly. She will also be able to tell us if there is a surgery to repair it. He did cut some nerves as well, and so her smile is a bit lopsided." Dr. Stephens said.
"Okay." Christine said. Mike was surprised at how well she was handling things, but seeing Katelyn would be another story. They got to the exam room and Mike put a supportive hand in the small of Christine's back. As soon as Katelyn saw her, she gave her a lopsided smile.
"Mama." Katelyn said. Christine rushed to her side and smiled down at her.
"Hey; sweetheart. How are you feeling?" Christine asked.
"I'm really hungry." Katelyn told her.
"I know. You are going to have to have a surgery first, but as soon as you're able and feel like it, we'll get you something." Christine reassured her.
"She had quite the list earlier." Mike said.
"I've thought of more stuff." Katelyn commented.
"Like what?" Christine encouraged as she smoothed Katelyn's hair back.
"Butterscotch cookies, deep dish pizza with lots of peppers, onions and sausage, strawberry milkshake, Dad's barbeque ribs and chicken, a root beer, a mini apple pie…" Katelyn told them.
"You are going to have a good home-coming dinner. Odd mix of foods, but we can handle that." Christine said.
"Need to start a list. I'm gonna forget something." Mike remarked.
"When I wake up; can someone get me some socks? My feet are so cold." Katelyn asked. Her feet were bandaged but the toes and heels were exposed.
"We can get you a pair now. The operating room is opening up, so she'll be going upstairs soon." The nurse told them before leaving the room to get the socks.
"Alright, sweetie. Dad and I will be here when you wake up. Just keep fighting. We love you, so, so much." Christine told her.
"I love you guys too." Katelyn said. The nurse walked back in with a pair of socks and gently put them on before unhooking Katelyn from some of the equipment and unlocking the breaks on the gurney. It was time for her to go to surgery. Both Mike and Christine gave her a kiss before she was rolled away. As soon as she was gone, Mike pulled Christine into a hug. He wasn't sure where the tears came from, but found himself sobbing into her shoulder.
"It was…so terrible." Mike stuttered out.
"I'm sure it was, but we've got her back now, and we just have to be strong for her." Christine said as she rubbed his back. It gave him back his composure. He gave her a long kiss before they left the room that Katelyn had been in. On the way to the waiting area for the operating room, they grabbed coffee and sandwiches. It made Mike feel guilty that he was able to eat but Katelyn couldn't. But as Christine had said. They had to keep their strength up for Katelyn and right now that involved waiting.