Chapter 10.
Sydney.
LSCK "Bomber" Brown disembarked form Canberra, and caught up with ABBM Billy Webb. "Spider!" she called. He turned around. "Hey, Bomber, what's up? Did you see the signal?"
"About Captain Flynn? Yeah, I did. That's bad. I was going to see Ryan and Bird, to see how they're coping." Bomber continued: "I think they're trying to get up to Cairns. Bird told Dutchy about it too. Robert sent me an email and he gave me more detail. Mike was just leaving NAVCOM when he was hit by a drunk driver who shot through. Mongrel didn't stop. Robert says he's in hospital in an induced coma, and he's critical."
"That's really bad," said Spider." Seriously bad."
They walked on for a while, then Spider said, "I'm coming to Ryan and Bird's with you."
"OK", said Bomber, "that should be fine."
They reached Ryan and Bird's flat just as the sun was setting. The sea breeze had sprung up, following the typical Sydney weather pattern. Ryan opened the door, smiled at Bomber, but looked at Spider enquiringly. Bomber introduced him. "Ryan, this is Spider Webb, he served on Hammersley."
"Pleased to meet you," said Ryan extending a hand.
They spent the evening talking about their time on Hammersley, the good times, the hard times, the obvious chemistry between the CO and X.
Spider said, "What chemistry?"
They all laughed at his comment. "What rock were you under?" said Bomber. "It was plain for all to see. Even Robert knew."
They sent out for take-away then resumed the discussion. Memories were flowing as freely as the beer at this point. Everyone had a story to tell. They were subdued when Bomber re-lived the time, she helped Swain treat Mike after he was injured on Samaru Islands. Nobody could bring themselves to talk about what happened to Swain on their last patrol together.
Silence fell, then Bird changed the subject. She talked about Mike and Kate's wedding. All of them had attended, except Spider who was at sea. He enjoyed hearing about it, and was pleased to hear they now had a little girl.
They decided that they would send a card and flowers to Kate. Bird, being the ever-practical Medic suggested that the hospital ICU wouldn't appreciate being cluttered up with cards and gifts. Ryan said as soon as they knew they could see Mike; he and Bird would fly to Cairns.
Little did he know how quickly that would happen. Neither did the others.
Cairns Airport.
Kate saw her father before he saw her. Her heart warmed and she called, "Dad!" Philip turned and his face lit up as he saw his daughter and granddaughter.
"Katie, there you are. And Jessica my wee darlin'." He was embraced in two warm, heartfelt hugs; one around his shoulders, the other around his thighs.
After collecting Philip's luggage, they walked either side of him to Kate's car.
Jessica showed off her Hammersley cap, and squealed with delight when Philip produced a doll in sailor's uniform.
"So mo ghaoil, how are you holding up?"
"I'm singing, Dad, I'm singing."
Philip smiled gently. Then he turned to his granddaughter. "And you, little one. You're growing into a fine big girl, aren't you?"
"Yes Grandpa. I'm being a brave Navy girl. But I want my Daddy."
"Of course you do, sweetheart, but Daddy needs to be in the hospital where the doctors and nurses, can care for him."
Then once again, Kate heard his baritone voice start; "Oh there once was a ship that put to sea, and the name of the ship was the Billy of Tea –"
In spite of herself, Kate couldn't help but join in, and Jessica clapped her hands in time. Odd that Dad would sing the same song I sang to Mike, she thought.
Cairns Hospital.
Kate and Philip walked into the ICU. The same nurse was on duty, and Kate introduced her father. The nurse said, "Mr Flynn's improved today. Your visits are helping him. He is less agitated when one of you is here."
Sitting next to Mike's bedside, Kate took his hand in hers, stroked his hair, and started to sing "Galway Bay". Next, they sang ballads and shanties in a duet. Then Philip did something surprising. He took out a small book of poetry, and read, of all things, The Iliad. As she listened to her father's voice rise and fall with the rhyme of the poem, she remembered that Mike loved classic literature. How good of Philip to read that to him! She made a mental note to bring Mike's copy of The Odyssey on the next visit.
They left to allow the nurses to check Mike's vital signs. Kate was grateful at her father's thoughtful gesture. "Dad," she said, "you're amazing. You always seem to know what someone needs at the exact right time. The doll for Jessica. The poetry for Mike. How do you know these things?"
"Easy. When you get to know the people you love, you know exactly what they need, and when they need it."
Kate tucked her arm into her father's. "Come on Dad, let's get you home and unpacked. I have to make a few calls."
When they arrived home, Kate took Philip's bag to the room where he usually stayed when he visited, and with Jessica's help, Philip unpacked.
Kate called NAVCOM and asked to speak to Cmdr. Marshall.
"Cmdr Steve Marshall," she heard the familiar gruff tone on the line.
"It's LCDR Kate McGregor-Flynn, sir. I thought I'd let you know how Mike is."
"Kate, good of you to call."
Kate gave a brief summary of his condition, saying that he was showing signs of improvement. She said there was a point where he was close to death, but had rallied and the doctor seemed pleased with his progress.
Steve said quietly, "'Mighty' Mike, hey, Kate?"
"Yes, sir. I have also been to see Hammersley. She'll be in good hands with Lt. Miles. You know my crew clubbed together and bought a hamper of groceries and toys for Jessica. They are a great crew sir. And thanks for the lovely flowers."
"You just concentrate on looking after yourself, Kate. You've a long journey ahead of you, both of you. Let me know when we're allowed to see him. We've already had plenty of flowers and cards here. The chaplain has been run off his feet looking after them. He's put himself at your disposal, should you want to see him."
"That's kind sir, thank you sir."
"Fair winds, Kate," said Steve and hung up. He made a mental note to go and see Kate when he finished work.
One week later.
Cairns Hospital.
It was after the latest of many visits that Dr Li called Kate, Amelia, Gregory and Philip into his office. He waited until everyone had arrived and was seated before he began.
"Your husband and son," he took them in all with his gentle eyes, "has made remarkable progress. When I consider his condition on arrival, I gave him a 20% chance of survival. In ten days, the swelling on his brain has subsided, the fractures are mending well. Your efforts in talking and singing to him have contributed to this. Today we will bring him out of the coma. He should be fully awake within the next 48 hours."
At this point Dr Li paused, carefully choosing his next words. He said: "However, we will not know if there is any permanent damage to his brain until he awakes fully. The operation to relieve the pressure on his spinal cord went well, however, it's too early to determine whether or not he will walk again. We are still monitoring the condition of his spinal cord, and it may be necessary to operate again if compression is still present."
Gregory asked, "was Mike's spinal cord severed at all?"
Dr Li answered, "There was no severing, either partially or fully. Which is good, because that would indicate permanent paralysis from the waist down. There was pressure on the cord from his other injuries, and we removed tiny fragments of bone from the fractured vertebrae around the cord. With a pressure injury, patients may recover partial or full use of their limbs over time. I cannot offer any opinion beyond that he might walk again."
Philip said, "Thank you, Doctor. You have been honest with us, and it is appreciated. When can we see Mike again?"
"I will advise you when you may come back in. I do warn you, that often when patients come out of a medically induced coma, they are disoriented, unsure of their surroundings and who people are. They may even be aggressive. Again, I can't give you a clear picture as it varies from patient to patient."
They all stood, and after expressing their thanks to the doctor, they left the office. Dr Li gave a bow, and left to supervise the procedure.
