Waking
Well I had a day off so I thought I'd add another chapter for you all! Once again it's quite short so no complaining you lot!
Please read and review this chapter it's what keeps me writing.
Big shout out to all my readers, who constantly review this story, you guys make it worthwhile!
Swenglish once again is an integral part of this story she keeps me driven!
Enjoy!
Sandy was awoken from his much needed slumber by the moaning emanating from the bed. He looked down at his sleeping wife snuggled safely in his arms, removing some blonde hair from his lips he stretched his neck out to look at his son.
Ryan lay held in position by the unwarranted restraints, the ones which had been at the centre of a heated debate not so long ago. Sandy noticed that he was shaking all over, trying to moan against the ventilator which was placed in his throat.
Disentangling himself from his wife as gently as he could Sandy stretched out on his way over to his son's bed.
"Hey kid, morning already huh?" He positioned himself on the edge of the bed so that he was facing the same way as Ryan. Wrapping an arm around Ryan's head he stroked the bangs from his forehead, carefully avoiding the respirator.
Feeling a shudder run through his son Sandy shifted in a little closer, "Hey sweetie it's okay. I know you must be so scared right now but Kirsten and I are here. Right by your side honey and nobody could ever get us to leave you."
Sandy continued on for over an hour, he never touched on the subject of how Ryan had landed in the hospital, but he felt he owed it to the boy to explain what was happening while he was here. He explained all about the ventilator and the beeps he was sure were driving Ryan crazy, he told him that Seth would be in this afternoon to see him – just for ten minutes – but he was sure that would be long enough.
He was chuckling slightly when he heard another voice join his, "And you were complaining about me? That's your own son you slating."
Kirsten was lying wide awake on the fold out bed staring at her husband and son lovingly. Getting up she mimicked Sandy's movements, stretching out as she crossed the room, leaning down to kiss Ryan softly.
"Sorry honey didn't mean to wake you."
"Oh it wasn't your voice that woke me; it was the lack of heat." She smiled teasingly at Sandy and lowered herself on the opposite side of the bed. "You're up early?"
"I heard him stirring, thought I better be near by."
They both shared an apprehensive look, the doctor was hopeful that when he took the ventilator out today Ryan would be strong enough to stay awake and calm. He would probably panic at first, they had been warned about that, but the doctor was optimistic that with Sandy and Kirsten's help he would settle down.
"You ready to wake up baby? Don't worry sweetie we'll be right here all the time, everything's gonna be okay."
The two took turns going to the bathroom to get changed, never wanting to be far from Ryan's side. Eventually the doctor entered the room; he smiled at the Cohen's before checking Ryan's chart and vital signs. After ticking off a few boxes and fiddling with the settings Dr. Fleming looked up at the anxious parents.
"He's doing very well; it's time to take out the vent." He smiled at the looks of relief on the parents faces; this was the best part of his job telling the parents good news.
Sandy smiled and kissed Kirsten's temple tenderly, she looked so beautiful even though she was only in jeans and one of his sweaters, this latest incident had really made him appreciate his family.
Once the doctor had left to start making preparations for the extubation, Kirsten and Sandy had returned to Ryan's side. The hoped that by explaining the procedure to him in advance he might be less apprehensive when they actually began.
"Hey kiddo, Kirsten and I have something we need to talk to you about. I know that you're pretty…well you're not really with us right now but I need you to listen carefully to us."
Kirsten's hand had unconsciously started to stroke Ryan's upper arm, the other hand intertwining with his. She was pleased to feel a slight pressure around her fingers; she squeezed back to let him know she was there. She looked up at Sandy and nodded slightly to let him know that Ryan had heard.
"Great, good boy. Right the doctor's gonna be back in a couple of minutes and he think it's time for you to wake up. Ryan sweetie when the doctor comes back he's gonna try and take the tub out of your throat, so you'll be breathing all own your own." Pausing he looked over at his wife to see if she had anymore of a reaction from Ryan, she sat still, gently stroking his arm in a rhythmical motion. She took over from Sandy hoping to make her son understand the situation he was about to be placed in.
"I know its scary sweetie but we know you can do it. We'll be here the whole time, don't worry it might be a little…painful but it'll pass. Then you'll be able to stay awake for us and soon you'll be back at home."
Kirsten's smile was radiant, especially when she felt the twitch in Ryan's hand. This smile was soon erased however when she caught the glare from her husband, she looked at him quizzically, his eyebrows drew together and he shook is head.
They stayed quiet awaiting the return of the Dr. Fleming, each slightly annoyed at the other for actions they couldn't interpret, but they were too aware of the trials Ryan was about to go through to argue right in front of him.
They didn't have to wait long before the doctor returned with a string of helpers; Sandy didn't like the look of the developing situation, and all these people were going to scare Ryan.
Nodding at Kirsten the doctor signalled to her that he was ready; he took up position above Ryan's head.
"Here we go sweetie, Dr. Fleming's ready to start. Just stay calm and we'll see you in no time."
"Okay Ryan all set buddy, I need you take a deep breath for me and when I tell you blow as hard as you can."
Ryan's eyelids merely fluttered in response, taking it as a sign Dr. Fleming removed the tube from the mouth piece and took a firm hold.
"Right kid deep breath." He waited until he saw Ryan's chest rise a sufficient amount then braced himself against the bed, "Good boy now blow as hard as you can."
As Ryan forced the air from his lungs as hard as he was able, Kirsten could only twist her head away into Sandy's chest – past grievances forgotten.
Sandy closed his eyes tight and tears escaped from the corners of his eyes, as he listened to Ryan's hacking coughs and choking. He continued to listen as the doctor shouted commands and ordered meds, one noise called to Sandy through the racket.
It was the sound of Ryan's laboured breathing, his son desperately trying to draw in vital oxygen.
Griping onto his crying wife he led her over to the bedside, pushing a few nurse's pout of his way; it was more he be near his son than them.
Upon reaching the cot he looked down at his son, who now appeared paler than before, a feat which Sandy thought was impossible. He had his eyes clenched tightly shut, his fist were balled in a similar state while his chest rose up and down furiously trying to take in precious air. Dr. Fleming had now replaced the tube with an oxygen mask, holding it tightly to Ryan's face.
Releasing Kirsten he reached his palms out to his son, resting them down on Ryan's chest he began to coach him throw his ordeal.
How do you teach someone to breathe?
"It's all right kiddo. I know that was hard but it's over now. You're doing just great, deep breaths. Good boy Ryan, steady breaths, there you go, just like that, clever boy…"
The sat either side of him all through the morning and afternoon.
When his breathing had eventually calmed down enough that the doctor was happy to leave, he had lay rasping for a long period of time.
Thinking he was calm enough for the restraints to be removed and now that he could move around in his bed, the doctor ordered them to be taken off. Before an orderly could enter to remove them Kirsten had unbuckled them, all be it with a bit of a struggle, letting her son's hands and feet be free from their constraints.
Ryan had been dosing on and off all day, every time he had awoken with a start panting and gasping for breath. Each time this had happened Kirsten and Sandy had been right beside him coaxing him through it, uttering soft assurances.
He had responded well to their presence, each time taking less time to calm down. He had yet to surface from his slumber and show any form of coherent thought, merely blurrily surveying his room and then slipping back into sleep.
Kirsten attention was drawn to him as his breathing and heart rate began to increase, a sure sign that he was about to waken.
She brushed hair from his eyes and stroked his cheek waiting for his eyes to flutter open sleepily. She was shocked when his eyes shot open and his body flew up off the bed.
"Ryan! Ryan, sweetie it's okay…its okay baby your safe."
His eyes were darting rapidly around the room searching for something familiar, his hands clenched tightly around the blanket beneath him while his arms trembled.
Sandy had approached the bed haphazardly depositing the coffee on the bedside table; he had heard Kirsten's cries emanating from the room. Kirsten was stroking the cheek of a now bolt upright Ryan, tilting his head slowly to face her trying to seek out some from of recognition in his eyes.
"Mom?" A whisper escaped Ryan's lips; his childlike features full of bewilderment.
"Sweetie? You're in the hospital Ryan, Sandy and I are here okay. Everything's gonna be okay."
Still gaining no response from Ryan she tried to capture his gaze giving him a reassuring smile.
"Mom," Ryan repeated, he looking directly into Kirsten's face.
"Hey honey, its okay sweetie I'm here."
Kirsten twisted round and took Ryan by the shoulders pulling him toward her. He placidly laid his head in the crook of her neck, allowing her to sooth him. Kirsten look up at Sandy worriedly, as she smoothed Ryan's hair rocking him gently from side to side.
"Mom?" Ryan tightened his grip on Kirsten's sweater, pushing his head deeper into her. "I want him to leave. I don't like him Mom, he's mean. Make him leave Mom, please."
Not knowing what to do Kirsten wrapped her arms firmly around him, "Okay sweetie, I'll make him go. I promise."
As she lay there rocking her teenage son to sleep Kirsten was determined to keep that promise.
She would find out who Ryan was talking about and she would make him leave her son's mind.
As a mother that was one promise she was going to keep – she would do anything to protect her son!
There you go another chapter added please read & review NOW!
