A Horrible Episode – Part 12
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Chapter 12 – A Few Degrees.
Susan's POV
Carter and Abby are in x-ray at the moment. It was so nice to see Abby smiling again this morning. It has been a long and horrible road for both her and Carter, and although there will be more bumps to smooth over along the way, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. I'm just hoping that they get good news today. Abby needs this boost. She is one of the unluckiest people I know. Here they come. Oh no, Abby's crying. It must be bad news.
"Hey you guys. Are you alright Abby?" Gee what a great question to ask Susan, its clearly obvious that she's not.
"Yeah we're fine. Abby's healing well and can start to sit up later" said Carter.
"Then why the tears?"
"I'm sorry" Abby said between sobs. "I'm just so happy that I might finally be getting somewhere, its all a bit overwhelming"
"Oh Abby. You know, we're all so proud of you. You've coped really well with all of this. You're going to make it Abby, I think you know that deep down inside. You just have to start believing it"
"Thank-you Susan. It means so much to me that people care"
"Of course we care. I better get back to the mad house. Romano's been hanging round the last couple of days and he's bound to beat my arse if I'm late!"
"Oh, he's not so bad" said Abby.
"Are you sure you're feeling ok! I'll see you guys later" Susan went back downstairs to face the ER.
A little while later and Romano came to see Abby.
"Good afternoon Miss Lockhart. How are we doing?"
"Much better thanks"
"Any pain?"
"None, I just feel stiff all over"
"Well, that's the results of being immobile for weeks. How about the legs? Have you been doing the exercises we gave you?"
"I've tried to most days. I've been getting quite tired lately though"
"Ok. Well I had a look at your films. They show that you are healing well. The bones are all looking good and have knitted together well. So, we can start sitting you up"
"Great!" Abby exclaimed.
"We'll start at a few degrees at a time, and raise you more everyday. Hopefully by the end of the week, you should be sitting out in a chair"
"What about going home?" Carter asked.
"I think it's best to take it one step at a time. But, as long as everything goes to plan, I would say in about a fortmight" Romano said.
"I think I can just about live with that" Abby replied.
"Ok Abby, lets sit you up a bit"
Romano and Carter raised the headrest behind Abby by a few degrees.
"How's that Abs?" Carter asked.
"Its good. I still can't see out of the window, but by tomorrow I should be able to!"
"Ok, Abby, I'll leave you to it" said Romano.
"Thanks Dr Romano"
"Call me Robert"
Romano stepped out of the room.
"Gee Abby, he must like you – first name terms!"
"Of course – who wouldn't!"
A few days later, Abby was getting ready to sit out of bed.
"Are you ready Abby?" asked Carter.
"I can't wait"
Abby managed to manoeuvre her legs over to the side of the bed with some help from a nurse, and together with the nurse, Carter was able to lift Abby carefully into the wheelchair.
"There, how does that feel?"
"Weird. I've been in bed for so long it feels strange to be out"
"Where do you want to go?"
"I'd like to go downstairs to say thank-you to everyone for the flowers and cards, and then I'd like to go outside for a bit"
"Sounds good" Carter wrapped a blanket around Abby. He noticed how frail she had become and how gaunt she looked. She hadn't eaten properly since the attack and he hoped now she was out of bed, her appetite would increase.
"We need to get you eating Abby"
"I know, I just never feel like food anymore"
"Ok, lets go"
Carter wheeled Abby down to the ER. Everyone was ecstatic to see Abby out of bed and recovering. Even Weaver smiled.
"Ok, Carter, lets go outside. I need some fresh air"
Carter wheeled Abby outside. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the cool breeze blowing over her face. When she opened them she realised where she was and started to panic. They were at the back of the building.
"Why did you bring me here?" said an extremely distressed Abby.
"Hey Abby. Whats the matter? I thought it would be private here"
"This is where it happened Carter. Oh God, I can't breathe, get me out of here"
Abby was panting.
Carter quickly wheeled her back round to the ER doors and eased her inside.
"Gallant! Can you grab me some portable O2 and a blanket please?"
Carter shouted. He turned to Abby.
"Abby, I'm so sorry, I didn't think"
Abby didn't reply. Gallant came running with the oxygen and blanket. Carter put the mask over her face and connected the canister to the wheelchair. He wrapped the extra blanket around her. Abby was shivering from the effects of shock. Carter wheeled her back to her room and with the help of a nurse, put her back to bed. She still hadn't uttered a word. Carter left the oxygen on Abby whilst she slept and went to see Dr Legaspi. He explained to Dr Legaspi about what had happened, and a few hours later she went to see Abby. Carter waited anxiously outside Abby's room.
A short while later, Dr Legaspi came out to speak to Carter. She looked grim faced.
"How is she Kim?" He asked.
"Not good I'm afraid. She's regressing and suffering from delayed shock. It probably would have happened somewhere down the line, but what happened today acted as the trigger. She hasn't spoken a word to me and I'm not sure if it's because she doesn't want to or that she physically can't"
"How long will it last for?"
"It's hard to say. It could be a couple of days, it could be a lot longer. We need to keep a serious eye on her to make sure she doesn't do anything rash"
"You mean she could hurt herself?"
"She believes she is being punished for something. I'll come back in the morning and try again. In the meantime, just talk to her. Reassure her, you probably won't get a response but we have to try everything" Dr Legaspi patted Carter on the shoulder and left.
Carter turned towards Abby's room and walked towards the door. He wasn't sure what he was going to find, and wasn't sure he could face this, but he had to. He loved Abby. He had done this to her and he needed to make her better again. He opened the door and with a heavy heart and weary eyes, he looked up. Nothing could have prepared him for the sight he saw..............