Harmless little expedition. Murphy's Law once again shows it's ugly head. A close call. To close. Thank God for Helicopters and cell phones. Thank God his first born son, had such a strong will and good health prior to the snake incident. Hard to believe that a cut, a small cut on his finger had almost ended his life. Charlie identified the snake as a Mojave rattlesnake. Just Don's luck. At first no one believed it could be that type of snake. But a snake exhibit near the area they were hiking had recently lost one. The weather hadn't turned cold enough to kill it yet, but in the winter it would die. Complications. No it couldn't be a simple here's the antivenin. Don had to be one of the few people that had an allergic reaction. But thankfully, he was still alive and breathing. Well, not quite on his own, he needed an aid to do that. But he was getting stronger, his vitals were improving. He would make a full recovery in time. Time. They had time now. Watching his son sleep and every once in a while he would open his eyes for a bit. Usually slightly disoriented – confused why a machine regulated his breath. So to keep him from fighting the treatment, drugs helped him rest. For sleep was the best medicine. For those few moments of awareness, either he or Charlie would help him to remember. Funny how his youngest had taken on the role of the protective older brother, at least till Don got back on his feet and could fight them both off. A young doctor in his thirties enters and interrupts his thought. Waiting until he finishes his exam, he decides it is time for an update. "How long will he be on the ventilator?" Alan asks.
"Hard to say, depends on him. Could be just another day or a couple of days. Will just have to wait and see. His entire system took a severe shock. It really was a close call…considering how close to death's door when we got our hands on him. But everything is improving…his heart rate…his breathing. Not that's unusual for him to have breathing problems with that type of snake bite. Well, really can't call it a snake bite.
"No, you can't. But that's my boy. Never takes the easy road and always finds a way to stand out. Never thought a little cut could be so dangerous," replies Alan.
"Well, he was very active, over three hours of physical exercise, then a slight concussion, a sprain right ankle. The Mojave rattlesnake's venom is extremely virulent - 10 times more toxic than any other rattlesnake in the U.S.…A lethal dose is only 10-15 mg. So had he been bitten, well it's doubtful he would have survived due to the time frame. However, I expect a full recovery. Prior to this incident, his physical health was excellent and he is turning around nicely - now. I imagine the hard part is yet to come. He'll be weak at first and will need to sleep more than he's accustom to and I bet that he will try to do more than he should."
Alan laughs. "You've gotten him down pat. Yes it will be a battle, but not one I'm unacquainted in dealing with.
"His vitals are improving. It's encouraging. If he keeps it up, he might only need nasal tube. I'll be back to check on him later," replies Dr. Spencer. He leaves. Alan turns and watches Charlie holding Don's hand. Resisting the need to sleep. Don you've got to stop resisting your meds…Thank God, he's a fighter, otherwise... Alan sits and listens. He chuckles as he hears a familiar story, one Charlie will probably keep telling until his brother is well enough to remember.
"I get it now. Why you sometimes go overboard in protecting me…But I'm not fragile. I didn't break. You scared me to death…Don't you dare do that again. This is temporary." He points to the ventilator. "Probably hurts like hell. Can't imagine you're enjoying that thing. But you'd almost died…" he smiles when he feels the pressure on his hand. "See, stronger already…a nice strong squeeze…when you get better…we need to talk. How a strong G-Man like yourself, unwilling to follow some simple instructions, like resting. The cut on your right index finger was the culprit. That's how the venom got in your bloodstream. Only you would tangle with the most poisonous rattlesnake. Did everything wrong. Instead of being still, you go trekking through the woods…But you're fine now. You need to rest. Sleep so you regain your strength. Lungs too weak right now, you still need the assistance." Don's eyes grow big as a breath is forced into his body. His hand moves towards the ventilator, but Charlie once again gently secures it by grasping the escaping hand. He understands how disoriented his brother is feeling at this moment, so doesn't take it personally. But instead becomes the teacher, patiently restating everything till his restlessness passes and he once again succumbs to sleep. "I know you want them to remove it. You're getting stronger and before you know it, you'll be breathing on your own." Don fights to stay awake, tries to resist the drugs. But the pull is too strong. "That's it…you're safe now…rest…" He continues to hold his brother's hand. His life line. He'd made it.
"Getting pretty good at reading you're brother's thoughts. He's not fighting it so much now." States Alan as he watches Charlie wipe his eyes with his shirt sleeve. "Charlie, you did everything humanly possible. He's alive, because of you. You saved his life. I'm so proud of you."
"Never understood before. I use to get so mad when he did the overprotective crap. I'll still fight him, but I understand it better. I guess looking out for each other isan older brother's prerogative, or in my case a brothers." With an evil gleam in his eye, "Dad, I think I know how we can get him to behave when we get him home. If he doesn't do what I say...I win the bet. What do you think?"
Laughing Alan sits and watches his boys. "Oh, I think Don's in for the time of his life." Some might think the little expedition a major failure, but in his eyes it was a huge success. Together as a family, they would care for his firstborn. United they stood and maybe two brothers understood each other a little better. Alan smiles as hope fills his heart. Hope that both his sons would never be separated again. An as long as he was alive, he would continue to instigate togetherness and love. Grabbing his puzzle, he gets comfortable and waits. Don has a few more hurdles to overcome, before he would leave this hospital room, but he would live. It was just a matter of time. Time the family would spend together, till once again Don would go off on his own. Luckily, when his independent nature once again inserts itself, they could count on him coming back to visit. Because home wasn't a place, it was being together.
Do you want a continuation? Someone has requested to extend the ending. With only 2 reviews, I question whether there is interest in this? So if you would like more please review and let me know. Interest could inspire me to do more. Without it, my inspiration is missing and I will just leave it as it is. Not about holding the story hostage, just that I don't feel that people like this story, unless you prove it otherwise, I'll let it go. I've written what I needed to say for me.
A/N: The idea came from real life. The experiences were a little different, and I took some creative license to create some Don whumping, but I thought it would be interesting.
As a child I accidentally stepped on a copperhead while it was blind and it of course didn't like it so it attacked. Luckily, I had on thick socks and I moved while it was striking. Funny, at the time - I thought I was standing on a water hose!
The second idea came from a church camp experience during my teenage years.
A boy about 14 or so was in to skinning snakes. He had gotten excited cause he found a copperhead and killed it. No one thought anything about it, because he had done it before. But he had a cut on his finger. You guess it, got into his bloodstream and he was a sick. I think he had to stay in the hospital one night. Not as dramatic as what I did to Don. So the problem became how can I make this at all real? I think I did it, if not, it is still a lot more realistic than what they use to do in TV shows. Starsky and Hutch comes to mind and yes, I admit...I loved it as a youngster!