Bitter
Chapter 30
Mike hated waiting. It was usually him out doing something and Christine waiting. Katie was still recovering and her doctor didn't want her visiting a hospital, where she could get sick again so it was Mike pacing the floors. Finally, he was called to the nurse's station and was met by Dr. Davis and another doctor.
"Admiral Slattery; this is Dr. Charles Smith. He was Christine's surgeon today. He can explain what we found and I can explain ramifications." Dr. Davis said.
"So, she is okay. The nodule was a bit wider spread then the ultrasound showed. We had to cut a vocal cord to get to a tumor. There might be some hoarseness for a bit. She will have to not raise her voice too much. It also had spread down and wrapped around her clavicle. Fortunately, I didn't have to break it but she will be sore. I took everything. All of her thyroid and parathyroid. Sometimes we leave pieces in to hopefully produce some of the hormone. In Christine's case, it is not beneficial. She will be going through menopause in a few years as it is, so the change in hormones could have caused another tumor to grow." Dr. Smith explained.
"We've sent everything to pathology. At most, I believe it was maybe some pre-cancerous cells. Nothing wide spread or dangerous. Due to everything being taken; she will be on medicine for it for the rest of her life. She could gain some weight and there is a pretty vicious looking scar. She's woke up, and has a drain line in, to reduce some swelling." Dr. Davis explained.
"She should have had this surgery long before now?" Mike asked.
"At least a year ago would have been beneficial, but its alright." Dr. Smith said.
"It is for you guys and maybe even Christine. Thanks. Can I see her now?" Mike asked.
"Yes. We may keep her an additional night due to how the surgery went. She's recovering well, but I think it might be wise." Dr. Smith said. Dr. Davis shook Mike's hand and pointed him towards Christine's hospital room. She was sleeping when he stepped in and so he sat down next to her and squeezed her hand.
About an hour later, Christine slowly woke up. Mike helped her with a drink of water and helped her sit up. She was in pain and seemed very disoriented. Instead of doing anything else, Mike settled next to her on the hospital bed and put his arm around her.
"Hurt." Christine said with a groan.
"They got it all. It was a bit more than they planned on, hence the pain. Now, all you have to do is recover." Mike told her.
"The kids?" Christine asked.
"I texted and they are fine. The boys and Hannah just got home from school. I ordered them a pizza to be delivered. I may stay with you tonight and go home for awhile in the morning. I'll bring them by to visit after school. The doctors say you maybe in an additional night, so we'll figure that out tomorrow." Mike explained.
"Expensive." Christine said.
"You are still on my insurance. It is all covered." Mike said. Christine had always been frugal and she worried about money when Mike didn't. He kissed the top of her head and let her cuddle into him.
"Can you just hold me for a little bit? I've missed this so much." Christine asked.
"I'm right here. Not going anywhere." Mike assured her. He laid to where she could put her head on his chest and once she was settled, he rubbed her back. He could hold her but it didn't give her back the year that Mike should have been home. He was going to be beating himself up for how advanced her medical issue had become, because he had been out trying to save the world.
Christine had made her family her priority for many years. Mike hadn't. Sure, he had done some good things but where his family was concerned, he had done far more damage. He had a choice. He could walk away again or he could man up and become the husband Christine had always deserved and the father his kids needed. He knew all he really had to do was be there. For him, it was an easy choice to make. He was going to stay home and he was going to try to get Christine to forgive him.