Chapter 12
On day two there was still no significant change in Jed's condition. The ventilator was still in place and Jed was being kept lightly sedated. Occasionally he would open his eyes but they didn't seem to focus on any specific target. They quickly closed and he would lose the brief battle with consciousness.
Abbey stayed by the window, watching Jed constantly, hoping for any news.
"Mrs. Bartlet?" Dr. Wilson came up beside the First Lady.
"Hi. Any changes?"
"A few."
"When will we know if the medicine has worked?"
"I think it finally has. His temp is down and the x-rays show the pneumonia has started to clear."
"Well, that's some good news."
"Are your daughters on their way?"
"Yeah. I couldn't keep them away any longer. I was trying to wait until I had some good news to tell them but they insisted. What does the neurologist have to say?"
"The same thing he told you earlier. There's no indication that this is causing a relapse of his MS but we won't know for sure until he regains consciousness."
"And when will that be?"
"I don't know."
Abbey nodded. "I appreciate you talking with the press. Jed's Press Secretary is having a hard enough time keeping them updated so your brief statements are very helpful. Now that it's been confirmed that it is indeed avian flu, we need your knowledge to calm the country down."
A report had stated that the three victims had been walking through several chicken farms that apparently had not been thoroughly disinfected. Their walking had stirred the virus from the feces on the floor and they had inhaled it. But why only those three had been affected nobody knew. And it was doubtful that anyone would ever know.
"You're welcome. By the way, I have your results back."
Abbey turned to face Dr. Wilson. Even though she hadn't had any symptoms she still needed to hear the actual information. "And?"
"You're not infected. But I still want you to continue to take the anti-viral medicine I prescribed. As a precaution."
Sighing with relief, Abbey responded, "No problem." Now she could focus completely on getting Jed well.
"You look totally exhausted. Why don't you go upstairs and get some rest?"
"I've caught a couple of naps but I'm not leaving him until he wakes up."
"We don't know when that will be.
"I'm not leaving him."
Dr. Wilson looked at the lined, exhausted face of a determined woman. A woman who would not give up no matter what the circumstances. "Yes, ma'am. I understand."
The country waited along with Abbey.
Waited for the conclusion.
Any conclusion.
But hoping for the best conclusion.