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#Disclaimer: I do not own any of the ER cast just Ashleigh, DJ, Mr. O'Dell, Dr. Pratt and the idea for the story.
A/N: A.L.S- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease)- a progressive wasting away of certain nerve cells of the brain and the spinal column. It is a debilitating disease that affects movement, swallowing, speaking, breathing, and sometimes vision. There is no cure and the prognosis is death.
This story is dedicated to the memory of one of my favorite actors who passed away from the disease. Michael Zaslow, I miss you.
Any talking being done by Dave is via a talking computer.
Part 14
The next morning, Ashleigh went up to school with DJ. With affidavits from the doctors at County, in hand she went in to see his principal. She explained to Mr. O'Dell how sick DJ's poppy is, how close DJ is with him, DJ's fears about Dave, and how little time Dave has left. She presented him with the medical affidavits from the ER staff that stated Dave's condition in detail and how DJ's presence has helped Dave in his last days. Knowing that DJ is already way ahead of his classmates, with his excellent attendance record and grades and the doctors' report that Dave psychologically needs DJ with him as much as possible, Mr. O'Dell agrees to take Ashleigh's request, that DJ be home- schooled for the remainder of year, to the school board.
Mr. O'Dell: I will do my best to convince them, but, I'm not making any promises. Is there a number I can reach you at.
Ashleigh: Well, I spend most of my time these days at County General Hospital in the ER. I'll write the number down for you. Someone there will know how to get in touch with me. Thank you, Mr. O'Dell. I'll appreciate anything you could do for me.
Within an hour, Ashleigh arrives at the ER. She goes into Dave's room just in time for Dave's feeding tube to be cleaned and reset. Abby and Luka are in there and they wave her over.
Luka: Hello Ashleigh, why don't you show us how much you know about maintaining Dave's feeding tube.
Ashleigh: Mark and Malik showed me a lot about it.
As Ashleigh demonstrates what she knows, Luka and Abby stand-by and direct her.
Abby: Very good. You do learn fast.
Ashleigh: It just takes practice.
Abby: Does DJ know how to operate it, yet?
Ashleigh: Are you kidding? He had to help me understand all the technical jargon. Measuring in metric just isn't my thing.
Dave, who was starting to stir in bed, opened his eyes and squinted over at Ashleigh, who still had his hospital gown up. Ashleigh moved his computer over to him and placed his glasses and hand prong on him.
Dave: (cocky) I know it's been a long time, Ashleigh, but control yourself, not here in the hospital in front of others. Wait until we get home.
Ashleigh bashfully puts Dave's hospital gown back down and covers him with the blanket while she tries to hide the blush across her face. Luka and Abby snicker at the thought of no matter how sick Dave is, he will never change or get his mind out of the gutter.
Luka: Well, we can see you two want to be alone, so we'll leave. If you need anything, we'll be outside.
Abby: Have fun, but not too much. Remember this is a hospital and your heart is being monitored, Dave.
After Luka and Abby leave, Ashleigh tells Dave that if the school board agrees, DJ may be able to spend all day with him when he gets out.
Dave: That's great, Ashleigh. So I have to get out of here as soon as possible since they have visiting hours here, but not at home.
At the admit desk, Kerry walks up to Luka and wonders what he's laughing at.
Kerry: Have you been in to check on Dave, lately?
Luka: (giggling) As a matter fact, Abby and I just came from there.
Kerry: What is so funny, Luka?
Luka: Dave, he's just being his horny self in there with Ashleigh.
Kerry: I'm not exactly sure what you mean by that, but if it's what I think it is, I'm going to put him right back into his restraints.
Abby: Dave will love that. He's always given me the impression that he was into S&M.
Randi, who was nearby, couldn't help but add her two cents worth.
Randi: Hey honey, don't knock it to you try it.(popping her gum)
Abby:(rolling her eyes) Yeah Randi, I always thought you and Malucci were cut from the same cloth.
Just then, Ashleigh flew out of Dave's room.
Ashleigh: Come quick! Something's wrong with Dave!
Kerry, Luka and Abby rushed in to see Dave thrashing around violently in the bed.
Kerry: Abby, check his vitals.
Luka: He's having another seizure!
Haleh heard the commotion and ran in to see Dave seizing and Ashleigh hysterical.
Luka: Haleh, take her out of here!
Haleh: Come on hon, let the doctors do their job. They're helping him.
Haleh finally managed to get Ashleigh out of the room and into the lounge. She sat down with her and tried to comfort and calm her.
Ashleigh: Haleh, I know I said I was ready for this, but I'm not! (crying uncontrollably) I can't lose him now. DJ's not here. Marianna's not here. Dave wants his family around him.
Haleh: You are not going to lose him now. WE are not going to lose him, yet. He's got the best doctors working on him. He's in excellent hands.
Haleh held Ashleigh not knowing what she would do in Ashleigh's place. If her husband was dying right in front of her and she's a nurse. She should know how to handle it but she doesn't.
Ashleigh: You probably think I'm weak because I can't handle a crisis.
Haleh: You're doing great. I don't think I could hold it together half as well as you are.
Ashleigh: Can I ask you something, Haleh?
Haleh: You go right ahead and ask. That's what I'm here for.
Ashleigh: Haleh, you've been around a lot of dying people. What is it like for them?
Haleh: Well, most of them go into a kinda trance. They're not unconscious, but it's like they're only half here. Those of them that are still able to speak, usually talk about a tunnel with a light at the end and they have the urge to go to it. But, for some reason they're compelled to stay, not wanting to leave their love ones behind. Most all of them finally make the decision to go and when they do there's this unbelievable look of relief that comes over them and that's when you know that they're safe and at peace.
The lounge door opens and Kerry and Luka walk in.
Luka: Ashleigh, we are sending Dave down for some more tests.
Ashleigh: What happened? He was fine one moment and then the next.
Kerry: We'll know more when we get the test results back. Why don't you go to the cafeteria and get something to eat. It's going to be a while.
Ashleigh: I don't want to leave here.
Luka: It's okay, Ashleigh. We'll page you when we know anything.
Ashleigh agrees. After she leaves the lounge, Haleh looks at the doctors and they just shake their heads. Haleh runs out of the lounge and catches up with Ashleigh. She heads down to the cafeteria with her.
Ashleigh: Do you know that DJ is so much like Dave that it's scary.
Haleh: He certainly looks and sounds like him.
Ashleigh: It's more than that. Dave has always had this love for life and DJ has that same love. I don't think I have ever seen either one sad, depressed or miserable when the other is there. They are so wonderful together. I don't know how DJ is going to be when his over-sized playmate is no more.
Haleh: The best thing you could do for him is to be there for him. DJ, is going to start depending on you a lot.
Ashleigh: You don't know DJ. That's another way he and Dave are alike. Both are so independent. At least, Dave was before he got sick. I think that crippled Dave more than the A.L.S ever could, knowing that he wouldn't be able to do all the things he once took for granted. Simple movements and gestures became impossible. The harder it got to do them, the more frustrated Dave got. He always did his best to hide his feelings from me and DJ, no matter how much it would tear him up inside.
Haleh: He's just like any man. That damn male pride.
Ashleigh: I use to tell Dave, for once in his lifetime, let his feelings out. Let us know what is going on inside of him.
Haleh: What did he say to that?
Ashleigh: He said DJ's always seen him as this big, strong, tough guy. He's DJ's hero and he couldn't let DJ see him fall apart into the big wimp that he says he truly was.
Haleh: Dave may be a lot of things, but a wimp, he definitely is not.
Ashleigh: I told him the exact same thing, but, you know Dave, he has this habit of being deaf when he wants to be. He hears and sees only what he wants to. He is so stubborn, sometimes he infuriates me so....
Intercom: Will Ashleigh Patella please come to the ER admit desk?
Ashleigh and Haleh headed up to the ER where they were greeted by Kerry, Mark and Luka.
Ashleigh: Well, did you get the test results?
Mark: Let's go into Dave's room. I think he should hear this.
They walk into Dave's room. Dave was barely conscious but seemed responsive.
Kerry: Dave, are you up to this.
Dave nods.
Ashleigh: I know you're probably too tired to type, but do you want me to set you up just in case?
Dave nods. As Ashleigh gets Dave prepped in the normal way, Luka starts to explain the test results.
Luka: I'm afraid it's not good news.
Ashleigh:(sarcastically) There's a surprise.
Luka: The latest scans shows that the disease has progressed and is now attacking Dave's central nervous system around the medulla oblongata.
Ashleigh notices the grim look on Dave's face because he knows what that means.
Ashleigh: What does THAT mean?
Mark: It means that Dave's brain stem and the nerves around it are becoming seriously affected. Dave is more susceptible to seizures and severe muscle spasms. Also, his vision is almost completely gone, He's legally blind, now.
Kerry: There is some good news, though. His lungs are healing and have started to expand. We can start to remove his chest tubes.
Ashleigh: So what happens, now?
Luka: We will increase his Prednisone to help ease his breathing, try him on baclofen and quinine to reduce his muscle stiffness and cramps. There is a drug that is specifically for A.L.S. patients called riluzole. It will help slow down the release of brain chemicals and neurotransmitters that play a large part in the progression of the disease. Also, we will up his Dilantin. That won't stop the seizures but it will help gain control of them quicker.
Ashleigh: So do it. Give him the meds.
Mark: It's not that easy. For example, the riluzole has some very bad side effects. Although the drug has shown to increase survival rate by a few months, it doesn't stop the symptoms or disease.
Ashleigh: What are the side effects?
Mark: Nausea, Vomiting, dizziness, weakness and coughing. It can also cause liver problems so Dave will have to have regular liver function tests performed so we can monitor it. Basically, we've done all we can for him, medically.
Kerry detects Dave's inattentive behavior and questions it.
Kerry: Dave, are you alright? Are you listening to any of this?
Dave: I heard you. There's nothing wrong with my hearing or my mind. I am very well aware of what is happening. It's just...
Kerry: Will everyone please excuse us? I'd like to talk to Dave alone for a moment.
Ashleigh: Is that alright with you, Dave?
Dave: Whatever.
As everyone exits the room, except Kerry, Dave lets out a big yawn under his oxygen mask.
Kerry: I won't keep you up long. I can see your tired.
Dave: What do you want?
Kerry: Have you ever thought why this happened to you, Dave?
Dave: Yeah, all the time. When I first got sick, I thought I was being punished for my past--with the drugs and the gangs. But I said to myself, God you can't be that cruel. I don't care if you want me to suffer for all the bad things I did in my life. I can handle that. Even to get back at Ashleigh for keeping my son away from me for 15 years and then bringing him into my life only to be taken out of it again--permanently. But there's DJ to be considered. He is such an innocent little boy who's never hurt anyone in his life and he's had to face death more times than someone ten times is age. He doesn't deserve this. There must be an unseen reason for this to happen. I just haven't found it yet.
Kerry: I know Dave. But do you ever ask--why you?
Dave: I've been a doctor for long enough to see others in pain, suffering tremendously. Excruciating pain. They didn't ask for it any more than I did, but we have to play the game with the cards we'll dealt. Like it or not. So, no I never ask--why me. Why not me? I've had almost five wonderful years with my grandson and the rest of my life hasn't been so bad. There are a lot of people out there that are much worse off than me. Somebody has to be Dave Malucci. Why not me?
Kerry: You know what happens next, don't you?
Dave: I die.
Kerry: Before that. What do you want to do, Dave?
Dave: I want to go home to die in my own house with my family around me. Not in a hospital.
Kerry: Okay. I'll let you get some sleep.
Dave: Thank you.
Kerry removed Dave's glasses, hand prong and computer. She put his bed down and covered him with the blanket. Then she bent over and kissed him on the head.
Kerry: Sweet dreams, Dave.
She slipped quietly out of the room and was met by Ashleigh and the other ER staff.
Kerry: SHHHH!!! (whispering) He's sleeping. He'll probably be out for awhile. If you will excuse me, I have a couple of phone calls to make.
After nearly two hours, Dave started to wake up again only to see that he had guests. Ashleigh and some staff were there checking up on him again. Out of habit, Ashleigh set Dave up in his customary way, with his computer, etc. Then an unfamiliar doctor walked into the already crowded room.
Doctor: Well, I came for a Dr. Malucci.
Mark: And you are?
Doctor: Dr. Pratt. There's a bed up in neurology for him, now. So, if one of you will sign him off he will no longer be your problem, he's ours.
Kerry: Excuse me, are you a resident?
Dr. Pratt: Yes.
Kerry: The first thing you need to know is that every patient here is someone's son, brother, father, boyfriend or grandfather. They are here for treatment not just for your own personal play toy?
Dr. Pratt: I don't know what you're worried about. It's not like he knows what I said.
Kerry: I beg to differ with you. This disease takes a lot away from it's victims, but their hearing and minds aren't either of them. Dr. Malucci is well aware of you and what is being said around him. If I ever hear you disrespect a patient like that again, your ass will be on the unemployment line so fast you'll have to run to catch up with it. Do I make myself clear?
Dr. Pratt: Yes, ma'am.
Dave: Dr. Pratt, I was a lot like you before when I worked here. So trust me, she means it. She told me the same thing and now look at me. Scary isn't it.
Dr. Pratt stood there with his mouth held open.
Kerry: Dr. Pratt, please go back up to neurology and tell your supervisor that we no longer need the bed. I'm discharging Dr. Malucci.
To be continued. Please read and review.