Chapter 10- The Operation
The operation itself was a blur; Erik could barely remember how he got back to Dr. Fournier's office. The nerves in his stomach overwhelmed him and clouded the logic that normally maintained his emotion. All he could recall was lying on Dr. Fournier's operating table and seeing Christine's face before the drugs doused his consciousness.
Erik woke up with a distant pain in his face. The bandage wrapped around him and he could barely see thought he slits cut in the dressing. He moaned in drowsy awareness and Dr. Fournier addressed him,
"Erik… I'm amazing you are already conscious, most of my patients do not wake for several hours but if you can understand me I will explain a little bit about what you are feeling."
A tired Erik nodded and thus Dr. Fournier continued,
"The pain in your face will not subside for awhile, unless you find yourself impervious to pain. You will bruise, you may bleed, you most likely will swell, all of these are natural reactions to such intense surgery. Most importantly I would like to inform you that I believe the surgery went very well. It took about five hours, but I think you will be pleased."
Erik shifted on the table in a stupor and then closed his eyes beneath the bandages in an attempt to sleep away the throbbing. He felt so concerned about the results of his surgery despite Dr. Fournier's positive feedback. Had he done the right thing?
Isabelle could not have been a better nurse to Erik. He brought him ice when he swelled, blankets when he had fever from slight infection, she dressed and redressed his bandages, covering his face with cool cream that Dr. Fournier had provided, and spoon fed him meals when his lips tinged with agony. Erik had felt worse pain in his life, but never was that pain coupled with the regret. As Dr. Fournier predicted, Erik's face turned the shades of plum and mango with bruises and his face contorted far more from swelling than with his original misshapenness. Isabelle never flinched; she knew this kind of healing from experience and brought perspective to him. Her words of optimism kept Erik alive during the months it took him to heal.
Erik always felt guilty for burdening Isabelle with his surgery. She would work twice as hard to keep him healthy while paying her own expenses. After four months it had begun to take its toll; Isabelle fell slightly ill. By this time, Erik could move about and help out cleaning or cooking. He nursed Isabelle whilst she nursed him.
After six months, Erik took his final visit to Dr. Fournier; today would be the day he would take off the bandages and see the new face that had been created for him. Isabelle came with him and they sat in Dr. Fournier's office anxiously awaiting the big reveal.
Dr. Fournier first examined the bandages, Erik's heartbeat, and breathing, as usual, "All excellent Erik, you have had some worse spells than most of my patients but Isabelle seems to have worked her magic on you, today you are ready to see your new face.
Erik shivered as Dr. Fournier cut through the layers of gauze that separated him from the world. It took some time but at last the gauze was removed, Erik's eyes closed upon instinct, aware that his naked face was exposed to the world. Dr. Fournier examined Erik's face, feeling the cheekbone, lips, and forehead with precision. Seemingly satisfied, he took a mirror from one of his drawers, "Everything looks perfect Erik, I think you will be more than happy. Take a look at your new face."
Erik slowly opened his eyes. The mirror appeared in front of him like a cold vision from a dream. His image first blurry and then… clear. Erik stared at his new reflection and gasped. What had he done?