Changes

Spoilers: Freefall

Chapter 7

Chaos

 This isn't the first time that there has been chaos in the hospital. I can remember a few times…

Neela told me that they got the ultrasound, but that there was no one available to help Chuck.

"Yeah, he needs an intubation," I said. Both of them looked at me. I was terrified to do it but I knew that Chuck needed it, or he was going to die. Could I do it? Did I have enough skills to do it? As I was putting the tube down his throat, there were so many thoughts going through my mind. What if I do it wrong or something goes wrong? I was never this unsure when I was a nurse.

When I was putting the tube down his throat, I was so scared. I'd seen it done millions of times before, but that was when other doctors were doing this. Only me, Neela and Lester were here, and I knew that I needed to do it. Chuck needed medical attention right now. He couldn't wait for Susan or Luka.

When I finally got the tube down his throat, I felt great that I did it. It was scary, but sometimes as a doctor you have to know when to take a risk.
**

I was at the admitting desk when a nurse showed me a picture and I heard them talking about Carter.

"How's he doing?"

"I don't know," I said. I haven't spoke to him since the day he left for Africa.

Carter… I haven't heard that name for a while.

I think about him sometimes, but I am so busy with work and school that I don't really have time to think about anything else.

I wonder what he is doing on Thanksgiving. When I saw Susan with Chuck, worrying that he wasn't going to be okay, I thought about Carter, wondering if he was okay in Africa.

But it doesn't matter anymore. I'm not his girlfriend. I just hope he is happy in Africa.

**

I was on my way out when I heard Susan call my name. I turned around. "How's Chuck?" I asked.

She smiled. "He is out of surgery, and I am on my way to see him right now. Thank you again, Abby. As a doctor, I know you shouldn't have done that without an attending there, but as a friend, I think you did a great job."

I smiled. "Thanks, I had to make a quick decision."

"That is what being a good doctor is about: knowing when to make a quick decision," Susan said.

I smiled. "Well, I better go see Chuck now," Susan said. "Are you off now?"

"Yeah just finished my nursing shift. I remember why I don't work as a med student and a nurse on the same day now."

"Tired?" Susan laughed. I nodded.

"See you tomorrow," she said.


**

As I was walked outside, I saw that Neela was waiting outside. "Hey. What are you still doing here?" I asked, as I walked up to her.

She told me that she was waiting on labs for a patient, and she took a break while it was slow.

"Today was amazing. I've never seen anything like it. I didn't think we could handle it but we did. We did really well. We saved lives. It was like a roller coaster. I've always hated roller coasters, but I sort of can't wait for the next ride." Neela said, still wired up from the excitement of the day.

"Just as long as it's not in the next twelve hours....You want any coffee? " I asked.

"Oh, I'm not in the club."

"I got an extra," I said, as I handed her a coffee.

"Thanks," Neela said with a whisper. She paused. "You did a great job working on Chuck. How did you know you could do it?"


"I didn't. I just know I had to do something."

"Neela, we need you back in here," Pratt shouted.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Neela said. I was about to walk away from her when I turned around.

"Is that offer still available? To study with you?" or "I'd like to

Neela nodded, then walked back inside. I turned back and looked at the ER. 'What a day,' I muttered to myself as I walked away from the hospital."

**
As I put my keys into the door, I thought about the day's events. The day started out okay... I messed up my test with the dummy, but that was nothing compared to what the day was going to bring us.

A helicopter crashing into the ambulance bay, how often does that happen?

You just never know what your day is going to bring when you work at hospital.

I took my jacket off and walked into the kitchen, looking into the refrigerator to see if I had anything to eat for Thanksgiving, but all there was were some ham and potatoes. I guess that is my thanksgiving dinner, I laughed to myself, as I started to fix my meal.

 What a way to spend Thanksgiving…at work.

After I finished eating my dinner, I went into the living room to and collapsed on the couch. I flipped on the TV. Tonight, I wasn't going to study. I was too exhausted to do anything. I wouldn't get anything productive done.

At the end of my night I plodded into my room and fell down on my bed. I had had one very long day, in more ways than one. As I laid my head on my pillow and started to drift off to sleep, I wondered what tomorrow might bring. Because in the ER, you never know.

 

To be continued!!