Song: Haevn - We Are (Symphonic Tales)
Thirty minutes later and no one had left Elliot's room. Dr. Thompson had entered ten minutes after his seizure along with two nurses who had gone in right as the seizure started. Olivia, Don and his kids all waited in the hallway next to the hospital room.
"Dammit, how much longer." Dickie said angrily.
"They should be giving us an update. It's already been long enough. I can't handle this again." Maureen bent her head sobbing in her chair.
"I will go check at the nurses station." Kathleen turned and walked down the hall.
"They are in there trying to help him. Whatever happens we will get through this together. You are not alone. Both myself and Liv are here to lean on." Don walked to the chairs sitting next to Maureen rubbing her right shoulder.
Ten minutes later the doctor exited. "I will be back in a minute to give an update." He quickly walked down the hall.
"Thank god." Olivia whispered as she stood up.
"Kathleen, the dr. coming." Eli called down the hallway. Kathleen quickly walked back.
"Is everyone here?" Dr. Thompson asked as he walked up to them.
"Yes, we are all here. What happened? I thought he was doing better." Dickie asked nervously.
"First and most important. This is not life threatening. Everyone please take a deep breath. My deepest condolences on the loss of your mom. Your dad has serious issues, but this is not something he could die from." Dr. Thompson stood in the center of everyone.
"This is what I was concerned about and the reason I had him admitted into the ICU unit instead of a regular hospital room. We know Elliot has a severe concussion. It is possible past accidents are making this recovery much harder. The brain is very fragile. The more times a person injures themselves, especially the brain, the harder it is to recover."
"Your dad had a grand mal seizure. The reason it was taking us so long was at first, he wasn't responding to medications we use to stop a seizure. He is now sleeping."
"We are going to be taking him for two major tests. An MRI scan to get a detailed scan of his brain. Also, he will have an EEG which measures his brain waves. Now that he had a major seizure we need to see if Elliot developed a seizure disorder called Epilepsy.
"Some things I would like to warn you about before you see your dad. He may have some issues with his speech, balance when walking and his vision. These are a result of his brain issues.
"He will be gone for a few hours. I will be back this afternoon with an update. It may not seem like it but this is good news. The closer we get to a diagnosis, the closer we get to a plan for his recovery. Hang in there. I will see you soon. Dr. Thompson patted Eli on the back and then he quickly walked down the hall.
"That is good news." Kathleen smiled.
"Yes. We finally have some hope." Maureen wiped her eyes and sighed.
"Agree, whatever happens we will get through it together." Dickie smiled, patting Eli on the back.
"Dad will be an awful patient. He doesn't follow rules very well." Eli smirked. Everyone laughed knowing how stubborn Elliot was.
"I think we should take turns being here. It has been a long day and breaks are good for everyone. A nap and something to eat will really help. It is almost eleven thirty. How about coming back around three thirty? My guess is the doctor won't be back until after four." Don asked Elliot's kids.
"Good idea. I will go back to dad's apartment for a few hours. His place is the closest and I'm exhausted. Who is coming with me?" Dickie asked as he yawned.
"I'm coming. I also could use a nap. I've been stressed all day." Maureen stood up putting on her jacket.
"I'm hungry. I can also get dad some clothes." Eli grabbed his backpack and jacket from the chair.
"I'll stay with Don and Liv. If we hear the dr. will be earlier, I will give you a call." Kathleen sat down on a chair next to Liv. "See you soon." Kathleen said as her siblings left and walked to the elevator.
3:36 pm
Four hours had passed since the dr. gave an update.
Four hours had passed since Dickie, Maureen and Eli left the hospital.
Five hours since she saw Elliot.
Olivia paced the family waiting room. She couldn't sit still. Waiting was the hardest part for her. If she could only see Elliot. She needed to see with her own eyes he was okay. It had been easier when she was helping Elliot's kids. She had something to focus on. Now for the last few hours all she had was time to think. The longer she waited the more her thoughts started fearing the worst.
"Liv, how are you doing?" Don asked as he walked into the room.
"I feel numb. What if we lose him not even a year after he came back? I need to know what's wrong and see him even if only for a minute." Olivia walked to the window looking outside.
Don walked next to her giving her a hug. "We will get through this."
"I sent Dickie a message. The dr. should be here soon. They just brought Dad back from his tests." Kathleen quickly walked into the room.
"Good." Olivia wiped away her tears.
"Can he have visitors?" Don asked as he turned around to face Kathleen.
"We are going in there regardless. Liv, I'm sorry this must be hard for you. You were in the room when dad had his seizure. I think you should see him first." Kathleen walked next to them standing at the window.
"What? You are family. You should go." Olivia replied, surprised.
"Dad needs you just as much. Even if he is awful at showing it." Kathleen smirked.
"Liv, go. It doesn't have to be long. You need to see him. We will be there in a few minutes." Don patted her on the shoulder.
"Ok." Olivia left and walked down the hallway to his room. She was nervous not knowing what to expect based on the dr. earlier warning. She took a deep breath and walked into the room.
"Elliot, round two. I'm back." Olivia said as she walked to the left side of the bed.
Elliot was laying down with his eyes closed. Olivia pulled a chair next to the bed and sat down. It was comforting too just be there. She watched as his chest rose and fell with each breath.
"I'm here." Olivia grabbed his right hand giving it a quick squeeze before placing his hand back on the bed. Elliot's eyes briefly opened as he looked at the ceiling. Before they closed again.
"No matter what happens I will be here." Olivia sighed a deep breath of relief. She finally felt a sense of hope.
An hour later the dr. came with an update. Elliot had a subdural hematoma which was a small blood clot on his brain caused by the car crash. Elliot would be staying in the hospital for the next week so he could be closely monitored.
Elliot would need rehabilitation and someone with him for the next few months. It was strongly advised to hire a caregiver if he would live alone. Surgery would not be done unless more issues occurred.
