FULL CIRCLE
Chapter 31
As soon as the head CT and the skull x-rays were done with Miles was taken to the Observation Ward just off the ER. After he was settled into bed, Dr. Cassidy said, "I'm going to keep you here at least overnight and then see about how you're doing."
"The CT and x-rays?" Miles asked.
She smiled and replied, "The head CT was clear and the x-ray showed no sign of hairline fractures or cracks. I'd say you were pretty lucky."
"Somehow it doesn't feel that way," Miles commented.
"Well, I'm going to order some Tylenol and codeine for your headache. I don't want to give you anything stronger. And it will help. Now I want you to get some rest since the nurses will be waking you up every four hours. And since you being a doctor, I don't think I need to explain why," she continued. "I don't see any allergies listed but I need to make sure you aren't allergic to the
codeine."
"As far as I know I'm not," Miles replied.
"Good. I believe that Dr. Durant and another young woman are waiting to see you. I'll let them come in but only for a few minutes because you really need to rest."
"I think they've been worried," Miles said.
Dr. Cassidy stepped out to where Eva and Natalie were sitting in chairs outside the ward. "You can go in for a few minutes. No longer than that because Dr. McCabe really needs to rest."
"We understand," Natalie said, getting to her feet and looking at the other doctor.
"His head CT and x-rays both were clear. My diagnosis is that he appears to be suffering from a severe concussion."
"That's good to hear," Natalie replied, feeling very much relieved.
"I'm on duty all night so I told the nurses to page me if I'm needed. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got other patients to see to," Dr. Cassidy told them. She pointed to the cubicle with the number
four on it.
Miles was lying back in the bed and Natalie was happy to see that he didn't look quite as pale as he had earlier. "The doctor told us the good news," she said.
Miles managed a faint smile and said, "I guess that just goes to prove how hard headed I can be."
"I doubt Connor will give you any argument on that," Natalie teased.
"How are you feeling?" Eva asked.
"Better. Now if I could just get rid of this damned headache," Miles answered.
"What did the doctor order for it?" Natalie asked.
"Tylenol and codeine. She said it will help," he answered.
The door to the room opened and a nurse entered medication cup and water in hand. "Here you are, Dr. McCabe," she said cheerfully. "Just what the doctor ordered."
Miles sat up in the bed to take the medication. Handing her the empty cups, he lay back down and closed his eyes.
Natalie and Eva exchanged glances and Natalie said, "I think we'd better let you get some sleep, Miles. I'll see you in the morning, okay."
"Okay. Goodnight, Nat, Eva," he said without opening his eyes.
"Goodnight, Miles," Natalie said.
"Goodnight," Eva added as she followed Natalie out the door.
Natalie stifled a yawn and said, "I think I'm going to head for the hotel to grab some sleep before starting on the autopsies."
"I'll drive. You call Connor and fill him in," Eva told her as they headed for the car.
Once they were outside the hospital building, Natalie pulled out her phone to call Connor. "I talked to Miles' doctor and she said thatthe head CT and x-rays showed nothing serious. Her diagnosis is a severe concussion. He should be released in the morning."
"That's definitely good to hear. I'll have the bodies sent over to the hospital morgue so you can start the autopsies anytime you're ready," Stephen told her.
"Okay. Just let me grab a few hours sleep and then I'll get started. Eva and I are getting ready to head back to the hotel," Natalie told him.
"Frank and I will meet you there in a little while."
"Okay." She closed her phone and got in the passenger seat yawning as the day finally caught up to her.