The Ransom of Dr. Dave
Part 15
Jing-Mei: How is he? How is Dave?
Peter: He's in recovery.
Elizabeth: He's in critical condition.
Mark: It certainly took enough time. He's been in surgery for over 31 hours.
Romano: There was a lot to patch up. Your Dr. Malatucci was really messed up.
Jing-Mei: That's Malucci. How badly messed up? What's wrong with him?
Peter: I think it would be easier to say what isn't wrong with him.
Carter: Meaning?
Romano: Meaning who ever did this really did a job on that kid. He was literately butchered.
Jing-Mei: Butchered! How?
Kerry: What exactly are we looking at?
Elizabeth: Well for starters, we had to put a total of 147 pins and screws and 33 plates in him. Sixty-five pins and screws just in his face to compensate for all the facial fractures he suffered and we wired his jaw shut.
Abby: Did you get the bullet?
Elizabeth: Yes, but he suffered massive cardiac damage. He crashed 4 times on the table. Either we got lucky or that boy is determined to live because we got him back each time.
Mark: What about his kidney?
Peter: We had no choice. We had to remove it.
Haleh: You mean he has no kidneys now.
Peter: Yes, but patients have been able to live without kidneys if we keep them on constant dialysis while they await a transplant.(pause) I'd like to know who the surgeon was who removed his other kidney and give him some lessons or kick his ass back to med school because he did a shit job of taking it out.
Romano: You can't imagine how many bleeders we had to clamp and tie off. There is so much tissue and nerve damage in his lower back that I'm not sure we will even be able to place a new kidney if we get one.
Jing-Mei(crying): But you will still try to find him one, right?
Peter(looking at Elizabeth and Romano): Of course, except it may not be that easy.
Jing-Mei: Why not?
Elizabeth: It's just that, even though transplants are confidential, the donor family has a right to know about where the organ is going and the condition of said patient. Just like the recipient's family has a right to know if there's anything in the donor's past that could affect the organ later in life.
Abby: So what does that have to do with Malucci?
Elizabeth: We put Dr. Dave's name on the UNOS list and if a kidney does become available, there's a chance the donor family will not agree to the transplant once they find out that the recipient has multiple life-threatening injuries. Usually, a lot of these families agree to donate because they have a chance to not only help another family but in a way it also helps them keep part of the donor alive. If they learn that Dr. Dave may not make it they might want to give the kidney to a patient who has a better chance at a longer life and they certainly have that right.
Jing-Mei: I don't even want to think about that. What else is wrong with him?
Romano: We replaced the steel rod in his back.
Kerry: You couldn't just fix his spinal defect so he wouldn't need that rod anymore?
Romano: No, the best we could do was put a new steel rod in and attach it more secure with pins and screws. To tell you the truth, that rod was the only thing holding the boy's spinal column together. The neurosurgeon placed shunts in his brain and spinal cord to drain off the fluid building up and to release the pressure and reduce swelling. He had massive cerebral hemorrhages that we had to clamp off until we got the bleeding under control. A new airway was built for him. He's breathing on a respirator now but we will probably have to trache him. He had a number of broken bones in his arms and legs, fractured ribs and a punctured lung.
Carter: Is that it or is there more?
Peter: He's lost a lot of blood. We had to give him 12 units but his pressure his still low. The neurosurgeon said that he wanted to replace the metal plate in Dave's head but it would have meant to cut deeper in to his brain and we didn't want to keep him on the table any longer than necessary. Maybe once he gets stronger we can take him back in and replace it but for now all we could do was re-position it so that it wouldn't cause the left side of his brain to cave in. There is something amazing about that plate, though?
Carter: What?
Peter: It actually saved Malucci's life.
Abby: Now how do you figure that?
Peter: Simple. Given the number of blows that Malucci took to his skull to fracture it that badly, the steel plate took most of the impact-protecting Dave's brain.
Jing-Mei: What about brain damage?
Romano: Too soon to tell the extent.
Jing-Mei: But there is brain damage, right?
Elizabeth: You don't get busted in the head like that and not come out of it without any damage.
Mark: Is it permanent?
Romano: Yes. But this is far from over. Dr. Malatucci is going to need more surgery later as soon as he stabilizes.
Kerry: Other than that he's going to be alright though?
Peter: Dr. Dave is in a deep coma and the next 24-48 hours will be crucial but...
Jing-Mei: But what?
Elizabeth: There's just too much damage. Malucci probably won't make it through the next couple of hours let alone survive.
Everyone bows their heads in moment of silence and prayer for Dr. Dave.
Jing-Mei: Can I see him now?
Romano: As soon as he is moved out of recovery and into the ICU.
Mark: Thank you for the update.
Kerry: Yes, thank you. (pause) Alright, let's get back to the work everyone.
Debating whether or not to tell Jing-Mei what other injuries were found on Dave, Elizabeth decides to wait a little while and give her chance to accept the news that was already given her.
Meanwhile, throughout the day Jing-Mei keeps trying to get up to visit Dave but between the board filling up with patients, vomiting in the bathroom and periodic naps she can't slip away.
Finally, later that evening Jing-Mei finally gets a break to go up to ICU and see Dave. His neurosurgeon is in taking down his vitals, when Jing-Mei arrives. She waits for him to come out.
Jing-Mei: Dr. Vasquez, may I go in now?
Dr. Vasquez: Yes, but just for a few minutes. He's in a deep coma but you can talk to him. We like to believe that he can hear us.
Jing-Mei: Yes, I understand.
Jing-Mei enters the ICU and sees a very badly damaged Dave laying comatose in the bed. He's on a respirator, has brain wave and heart monitor connectors on him. His entire head is wrapped in bandages, face and jaw swollen and bruised, both arms splinted and with IV's in them, casts on both legs, tubes coming out of every inch of his body and his head is encased in a steel halo brace to keep his neck and back immobilized while his spine adjusts to the new rod.
She shakes her head in disbelief and sits in a chair next to Dave's bed. Being extremely careful, she picks up one of his hands and holds onto it tightly.
Jing-Mei: You look terrible, Malucci. But, I guess just coming out of 31 hours of surgery I can't expect you to still look like Prince Charming. If you didn't want to meet my parents, I know they can be a little intimidating, all you had to do was say so you didn't have to go to all this trouble.(pause) Look at all this stuff they have you hooked up to. (pause) All the doctors and nurses are looking after you, whether you like it or not. (pause) We have to get you out of here. The scenery is horrible. (tearing up) Everyone down in the ER says hello. They're really worried about you and we all missed you so much. We're glad your back.(pause) Please Dave, you have to wake up. I need you. The baby needs you. Please Dave, just give me a small sign that you're still in there. Not much, Move a finger, a toe, an arm, a leg. (pause) OPEN YOUR EYES, DAMN IT!! (pause) Please Dave just wake up, just wake up, just wake up. (pause then bursting into tears) Oh god, Dave just wake up please.
As Jing-Mei sits by Dave's bedside begging him to wake up, Elizabeth walks by and watches and wonders when and if she should tell her something that will not be easy on her or Dave. What she needs to tell Jing-Mei will change her and Malucci's lives forever.
Elizabeth( to herself): I must tell her. She has to know. Besides, we are going to have to run tests. Maybe I could tell Mark and he could run the tests. If he does it without telling her and she finds out she will never forgive us. Anyway, she's a doctor she'll know what we are doing. It's best if I prepare her first, then she can decide how she wants to handle it.
Elizabeth is called away to check on a post-operative patient.
Elizabeth(to herself): I'll just have to speak with her later.
Nurse: I'm sorry Dr. Chen. But you are going to have to leave now. I have to suction him.
Jing-Mei: Alright, I have to get back to work anyway. If he wakes up, please page me immediately.
Nurse: Sure, but as a doctor you know not to get your hopes up.
Jing-Mei leaves the ICU and heads back down to the ER to work. Once down there she is confronted at the admit desk by a stranger.
Randi: Dr. Chen, this guy wishes to speak with you.
Mr. Sinclair: Dr. Chen, may I have a moment of your time.
Jing-Mei: Do I know you, sir?
Mr. Sinclair: Excuse me. My name is Liam Sinclair. I'm the reporter who's been doing the story in the Chicago Times on Dr. Malucci's abduction.
Jing-Mei: Oh. I haven't really been reading the paper. I've been kind of busy.
Liam: I understand. I won't take up much of your time.
Jing-Mei: What can I do for you, Mr. Sinclair?
Liam: Please it's Liam. I've been writing the story about Dr. Malucci but I really need some human connection to him. I've heard that you're Dr. Malucci's girlfriend. Am I mistaken?
Jing-Mei: No, your correct. Liam, are you asking me for an interview?
Liam: Please, if you don't mind?
Jing-Mei: I don't think so.
Liam: I promise only a few questions and nothing personal. I just want everyone to know who Dr. Malucci was and have an idea...
Jing-Mei: Who Dr. Malucci WAS!!!
Liam: I don't know why I said that. Slip of the tongue. I meant who Dr. Malucci is and have an idea of how this is affecting his co-workers and girlfriend. Look at it this way, Dr. Chen you may be helping others by giving us a heads up on a kidnapping ring in the area.
Jing-Mei: Alright, but just a few questions and I have the right to stop the interview at anytime I see fit.
Liam: You got it. Can we go somewhere quiet and talk.
Jing-Mei: I think the lounge is empty.
Jing-Mei escorts Liam into the lounge and start the interview.
Liam: Please, in your own words, Dr. Chen tell me what happen to your boyfriend, Dr. Malucci.
Jing-Mei: First off, he likes to be called Dr. Dave and he was kidnapped by mistake.
Liam: By mistake?
Jing-Mei: His abductors thought they had another doctor that works here.
Liam: Which doctor?
Jing-Mei: I'd rather not say. I want to respect his privacy.
Liam: Of course, you do. When did you realize it was Dr. Dave that was abducted and not the other doctor.
Jing-Mei: We were waiting for the next ransom call to come in when the intended victim walked in.
Liam: Then what happened?
Jing-Mei: We compared notes and figured out that Dr. Malucci was driving the other doctor's car when the incident took place.
Liam: That had to be horrible for you and your co-workers. Tell me, what kind of doctor is Dr. Malucci?
Jing-Mei: A good one. A very good one. Someone I would entrust my life with and the life of our child.
Liam: So, you two have a child together?
Jing-Mei: Not yet, but in about 7 months we will.
Liam: How exciting for you. Are you planning on getting married?
Jing-Mei: In a matter of speaking. Dave was on his way back with an engagement ring when he was attacked.
Liam: Let's talk about that moment. How did they get hold of Dr. Dave? Gunpoint?
Jing-Mei: Maybe, I'm not sure of all the details but I do know for a fact that Dave was chloroformed.
Liam: Well, I've never met Dr. Dave but I have been told he's a big guy so the chloroform would explain how they were able to kidnap him. It doesn't sound like he had much of a chance to defend himself.
Jing-Mei: No, he couldn't. But he would have.
Liam: I'm sure he would. Well Dr. Chen, how is Dr. Dave doing now?
Jing-Mei(looking at her watch): He's critical. He just got out of surgery after 31 hours. He lost alot of blood and will need a kidney transplant, other than that we just don't know.
Liam: Well, I won't keep you any longer Dr. Chen. Thank you for your time and I know I speak for all of Chicago when I say that we will all be praying for Dr. Dave.
Jing-Mei: Thank you. I appreciate that. Now if you will excuse me I really have to get back to work.
Jing-Mei and Liam make their goodbyes and Jing-Mei heads back to the admit desk where she is confronted by Elizabeth.
Elizabeth: Jing-Mei, can we talk somewhere private?
Jing-Mei sighed out loud and put the chart she had in her hand back down on the desk.
Jing-Mei: Sure why not. This day is just about done. I'm never going to be able to see anymore patients today, just don't tell Dr. Weaver. Without Dave, she'll be looking for someone else to yell out.
Elizabeth nods in agreement and the two doctors head back to the lounge which is filled with others on break.
Elizabeth: Maybe, we can find a more private place to talk?
Jing-Mei: Look, I'm really too tired to be wandering around looking for somewhere to talk. We're here now. Let's just talk.
Elizabeth: Are you sure? I would think that you would want to talk about this somewhere secluded.
Jing-Mei: Is it about Dave?
Elizabeth nods.
Jing-Mei: By now everyone in this hospital knows our business or soon will. So Dave and I have nothing to hide. What is it?
Elizabeth: If that's how you feel, alright. When they prepped Dave for his surgery, I went in before I scrubbed and I noticed something.
Abby: What?
Elizabeth: Bruises.
Carter: No shock there. He's covered in them.
Elizabeth: Not like these. Jing-Mei, are you sure you want to talk about this here.
Jing-Mei: Dr. Corday, please just tell me.
Elizabeth: Alright. These bruises were in Malucci's groin area where they shouldn't have been and we found semen where it shouldn't have been. I took the liberty of getting the nurse to remove a sample of it and have it sent to the lab. I just got the results back.(pause) It's not Malucci's.
The room falls unusually quiet. Jing-Mei starts to shake her head as tears fill her eyes and she tries to focus on the others obvious and knowing faces.
Jing-Mei(crying hysterically): No, please no. Don't tell me. No.
Looking back at Elizabeth as she nods.
Jing-Mei(still crying hysterically): OH GOD!!! THOSE BASTARDS RAPED HIM!!
To be continued. Please read and review.