The Ransom of Dr. Dave
Part 32
A/N: Anything in bold italic is being spoken in Italian.
Sophie: Oh god! Is she alright? No wonder I couldn't get her on the phone.
Abby: What happened to her?
Paramedic: We found her on the floor unconscious.
Kerry: How long was she out?
Paramedic: Not sure. The guys on 9-1-1 said they never spoke with her.
Carter: Who called 9-1-1 then.
Paramedic: Her little boy.
Sophie: Her little boy? Rusty? Where is he?
Haleh: Chuny took him to get a snack and find a place to lay down. Without Malucci around, she's about as close as we have to an interpreter since Spanish is similar to Italian.
Kerry: Let's get her into Trauma 1, stat! Who's her obstetrician?
Abby: Dr. Evans. I'll page her.
A few minutes goes by and Dr. Evans comes down to the ER to examine Jing-Mei. While they wait, Chuny comes back with Rusty.
Mark: Chuny, take him into Exam 2. He has to be examined.
Chuny: Right now. He's so tired.
Mark: Yes now. This has to be done now. We can't let him wander around if he's contagious.
Sophie and Chuny take Rusty in for his exam. Mark follows them with the needed equipment. Mark does a rountine check on Rusty and Chuny draws some blood. Then Mark looks at Chuny and tells her to help Rusty lie down on his side.
Sophie: Maybe I should wait outside?
Mark: Actually I'd prefer if you'd stay. We might need your help?
Sophie: Help for what?
Chuny: Dr. Green has to do a spinal tap on Rusty.
Sophie: Why? I didn't have one done when I was examined.
Mark: I know. None of us did. But Rusty is just a child and that makes him more susceptible to the virus. Unlike us, his blood test might not be conclusive. We need you to explain to him and keep him calm down. If necessary, you might have to hold him down.
Chuny turns Rusty on his side with his back facing Mark and Sophie runs in front of Rusty and looks into his eyes and explains what is happening.
Sophie: Rusty, baby, the doctors have to make sure your healthy and not going to get sick. They have to give you a shot in your back.
Rusty: Needle?!
Sophie nods.
Sophie: Yes, with a needle.
Rusty starts to cry and get up off the exam table. Sophie and Chuny grab him and hold him down. Sophie looks into her tear filled nephew's eyes with tears in her own. She knows the pain he will be in for shortly. Mark approaches with caution.
As Mark does the spinal tap, Rusty screams so loud that everyone in the ER hears him.
After the tap, Mark has Chuny take all the samples down to lab and Sophie comforts Rusty. She gives him back his cookies and milk that Chuny bought him and holds him in her arms while she strokes his head and calms him.
Sophie: There, there sweet little angel. It's all over. No one is going to hurt you anymore. I promise.
Rusty finishes his snack and falls asleep in his aunt's arms. She lifts him up, lays him flat down on the exam table and gets a pillow and blanket for him. Then she slips out of the room and sees how Jing-Mei is.
Sophie: Abby, how is Jing-Mei?
Abby: Conscious but weak. Dr. Evans is still with her.
Abby escorts Sophie into Jing-Mei's room.
Sophie: Jing-Mei, how are you?
Jing-Mei: Tired. How's Dave?
Sophie: The same. They moved him to isolation until the antibiotics take affect and make him better. So, none of us can get into see him for awhile. They just examined Rusty and I guess you heard him scream. He wasn't too thrilled about the spinal tap.
Jing-Mei: I can imagine. I don't even remember what happened. The last thing I remember is trying to get some sleep but my stomach hurt. I thought it was another craving so I got up to eat but I was still having the pain.
Dr. Evans: A contraction?
Jing-Mei: I don't think so. I had just eaten some horse radish so I thought maybe it was acid reflux. I tried to call the hospital and then the next thing I remember was waking up in the ambulance. The paramedics said I passed out. But how did the ambulance get there?
Abby: Well according to the paramedics, Rusty called 9-1-1 and got the ambulance there.
Jing-Mei: Really? I owe that boy.
Dr. Evans: Yes you do. He probably saved you and your baby's lives.
Sophie: The baby. How is it?
Dr. Evans: Jing-Mei, you were probably having Braxton-Hicks contractions. We have you on a muscle relaxer to control them and placed you on a fetal heart monitor.
Jing-Mei: My baby can't be born yet. I'm only 30 weeks. I'm not due for at least another six weeks.
Dr. Evans: Calm down. We are doing everything we can for you and your baby. Are you in any pain?
Jing-Mei: Not right now but what if the pain comes back?
Dr. Evans: We could give you some medicine to stop the contractions all together.
Jing-Mei: Then do it!
Dr. Evans: Wait a minute. There are some side effects of this medication.
Jing-Mei: For the baby?
Dr. Evans: Yes, I'm afraid so and for you.
Sophie: What are the side effects?
Dr. Evans: Jing-Mei could experience rapid heartbeat so we'd have to put her on a heart monitor, increase blood pressure, nausea for a few.
Jing-Mei: Do it.
Kerry: Those are some pretty serious side effects.
Dr. Evans: I agree. Maybe you should discuss it with the baby's father first.
Jing-Mei: I can't. I only wish I could. Dr. Malucci isn't available right now besides he has his own problems.
Dr. Evans: Oh that's right. I forgot that Dr. Malucci was the father.
Jing-Mei: I don't care about the side effects unless one of them is death. I want the medication. I'll do whatever I have to do to save this baby.
Dr. Evans: Alright, I'll order the meds and as soon as your strong enough we will transfer you upstairs where I can monitor you closer.
Sophie: Dr. Evans, what about Jing-Mei being tested for meningitis. Is that what brought this on?
Dr. Evans: That's possible. All we can do now is take a blood sample and hope it comes back negative for meningitis. Unfortunately, we can't administer any antibiotics to her in her fragile condition. Now I think we should step out and let her get some rest.
Kerry: Good idea. We have to get back to work anyway.
Sophie: I have to check on Rusty.
Jing-Mei relaxes in the bed hoping to get some of that rest that Dr. Evans was talking about while Sophie went into Exam 2 and sat with Rusty.
Sophie watched Rusty sleep. He looked so peaceful. He looked just like Dave when he slept. Mark came into the room with Rusty's test results. Sophie was relieved to find out he wasn't infected. Wanting to get some sleep too but feeling restless, Sophie stood up and stared out the hospital window. Then she heard Rusty move.
Rusty(rubbing the sleep from his eyes): Aunt Sophie?
Sophie(walking over to Rusty): Yes, Rusty. I'm here.
Rusty: What is going on? Where am I?
Sophie: In the hospital.
Rusty: Am I sick? I don't feel sick.
Sophie: No you're not sick. But Jing-Mei is. (pause) Which is something I'd like to talk to you about.
Rusty: I was bad.
Sophie: No, no. You were good. You did real good. You probably saved Jing-Mei and the baby's lives. I am so proud of you and so will your papa when I tell him.
Rusty: When can I see papa again?
Sophie: Not for awhile. He's still very sick and we can't see him until he's better again.
There was a knock on the door and the Petersons entered.
Mr. Peterson: Sorry to interrupt. Dr. Green said you were in here. I'm Lee Peterson and this is my wife Cassandra.
Sophie: Hello, your the parents of the boy who donated the kidney to my brother. I'm Sophie and this is my nephew, Rusty. He's Davey's son.
Mr. Peterson(holding his hand out for Rusty to shake)Well hello Rusty.
Sophie urges Rusty to shake his hand. Rusty does and she interprets to him who these people are.
Sophie: I'm sorry. My nephew and I just flew in from Italy a short time ago and he doesn't speak any English.
Mrs. Peterson: That's okay. Cute little boy. Reminds me of Grant.
Sophie: Grant? Your son? The one that donated the kidney.
The Petersons nodded.
Sophie: Jing-Mei told me. I am so sorry about your son. But I wanted to meet you and personally thank you for what you did. She translates for Rusty.
Rusty: Gracia, Mr. and Mrs. Peterson.
Rusty runs over and hugs both the Petersons.
Mr. Peterson: Well you both are very welcome. Where is Jing-Mei?
Sophie: She's in a room down the hall. They just brought her in. She was having stomach pains.
Mrs. Peterson: Oh dear. Is she and the baby alright?
Sophie: For now. Would you like to see her?
Mrs. Peterson: I don't think we should disturb her if she is resting.
Sophie: Well let's check on her. I know she'd like to see you guys.
Sophie, Rusty and the Petersons walk down to Trauma 1. Sophie pops her head in and sees Jing-Mei trying to get some rest.
Sophie: I hope we aren't disturbing you but there are a couple of people who would like to see you.
Jing-Mei: No please come in. I can't sleep anyway. They gave me some medicine to stop the contractions but there is still some pain and my heart feels like it's pounding out of my chest.
The Petersons, Sophie and Rusty came in. Rusty ran over to hug Jing-Mei glad that she was alright.
Sophie: Careful, Rusty. You don't want to hurt her.
Jing-Mei: He's fine. Tell him thank you for everything he's done. I really owe him big time.
Sophie translates and Rusty smiles, proud of himself for a job well done.
Jing-Mei: Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, how are you? It's been awhile.
Mrs. Peterson: We're fine but I hear that things aren't too good for you or our friend upstairs.
Jing-Mei: I'll be alright and Dave...well... he's still alive, so that has to be good, right.
Mr. Peterson: It is. (pause, seeing the sadness in Jing-Mei's eyes) Something is still wrong though.
Jing-Mei: I can't understand what brought these contractions on. I thought I was doing everything right.
Abby overhears and comes in.
Abby: You were doing everything right.
Jing-Mei: I know I've been under a lot of stress with Dave, but I've been to all my doctor's visits, getting enough rest, eating properly, don't smoke, drink or take drugs.
Abby: Jing-Mei, I have been an OB nurse long enough to tell you that you're young, healthy and had excellent prenatal care.
Jing-Mei: That means a lot, doesn't it?
Abby: Yes, you bet. It means everything in the world.
Jing-Mei: Then maybe I'm being punished for something I did. Maybe cause I didn't help Dave when he needed me. Or because I gave Michael up for adoption.
Mrs. Peterson: No sweetheart. You aren't being punished. That's not what this is about.
Jing-Mei: If it's not because I did anything wrong physically or morally than what? What brought on pre-labor?
Abby: Jing-Mei, nobody knows what triggers normal labor, much less premature labor.
Kerry enters the room.
Kerry: How are we doing in here?
Jing-Mei: Well, I'm still having the contractions and the pains.
Kerry: I'll talk to Dr. Evans about increasing the meds, but not too much.
Jing-Mei: Don't bother. The medication isn't helping. All that's happening is my heart is beating so hard I can't believe you guys can't hear it. Billions of people in the world and they all had to be born, why am I having so much trouble with this little one?
Kerry: Jing-Mei, do you think an epidural will help?
Jing-Mei: I don't know but I'm willing to try anything as long as it doesn't harm the baby. I'd rather die before I let this baby die.
Sophie: That's not going to happen. None of you are going to die, Davey included. The three of you are going to be a very happy family one day. I know it.
Jing-Mei(pulling Rusty and Sophie close to her)The five of us will make a nice family.
Sophie nods.
Abby: I'll get the epidural.
Jing-Mei: Oh, oh no.
Everyone turns and looks at Jing-Mei.
Kerry: Another contraction, Jing-Mei?
Jing-Mei: Not this time. (pause) My water just broke.
To be continued. Please read and review.