=Normal POV=
(Saturday, 5/19/2018-6:15 pm)
(Archian Island, Berk)
(Berk General Hospital)
Spencer, Glenn, Shawn, Francine, Addilyn, Nicole, Ella, and all the friends went to the hospital almost immediately following Hunter and Keith's departure from the school in the back of the ambulance. Shane and Travis caught up by 2:30 pm. All of them were just sitting in the waiting room to wait for an update, but after they got it; the friends would leave as the room would not hold them all once it was allowed to see Hunter. Glenn ended up driving Hunter's jeep to the hospital while Shawn drove Spencer, who was too emotional and scared to drive. Unfortunately, arriving to the hospital by 2 pm for all except Shane and Travis, since they were finishing up the game, didn't receive any updates. The only thing they got was that Hunter was still being evaluated by doctors to determine the cause before treating him for whatever the reason was that made him pass out and stay unconscious. It was hard, emotional, and a very long wait before finally, the emergency room doors opened and a nurse walked out to see everyone.
"All here for Hunter Haddock?" The nurse inquired softly.
Spencer was instantly on his feet, nodding. "Yes, I'm his father…Everyone else is family or friends. I-Is my son okay?" He demanded quickly, but clearly with a tone of anxiousness and worry.
"Dr. Strondsen said you'd all be waiting still. Please, come with me. Your son is okay, Mr. Haddock."
"Oh, thank Odin…" Spencer sighed with some relief, but he knew this wasn't over as he still didn't know what caused everything before. "Is he awake?"
"Your son won't be awake for another twenty-thirty minutes, I'm afraid. He's still under the anesthetic from before surgery." The nurse informed.
The words stilled Spencer. Surgery? Hunter had surgery? "Su-Surgery?" Spencer asked, fearful for what was actually wrong with his son.
"Spencer…" Glenn warned with a hand on his shoulder.
"Please, you can come with me and I'll take you to his room, sir, Dr. Strondsen said he'd explain things there, which is big enough for all of you." The nurse informed. Swallowing his fear, Spencer nodded and moved with the nurse towards the doors; the group, as they'd been invited, followed as well. After a few minutes of a walk through the emergency room, and the large group staying out of the way as much as possible; they were brought to where the Operating Room waiting area was, and then through to a large room towards the back of the nurse's and doctor's station where they monitored all patients in recovery. The nurse knocked on the door twice and waited.
"Lys?" Came Keith's voice.
"Yes, Doctor Strondsen. I've brought Mr. Haddock's group as requested, sir." The nurse stated.
"Thank you, bring them in, please…" Keith said. Nicole slid open the curtain to reveal Hunter laying, still unconscious, on the hospital bed hooking up to several machines but they were all the basic ones you'd see someone fresh out of surgery on. Heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen mask, and IV drip. Hunter was wearing a hospital gown and covered up to his stomach by a blanket, and Keith was wearing his clothes from earlier, but now added to the outfit with his doctor coat and ID badge along with a stethoscope around his neck.
"Is there anything else for me to do for you, Dr. Strondsen?" Lys, the nurse, asked.
"No, thank you. You're free to hand your duties off to the next on shift and head home. And tell the others on my surgical team to do the same. Also, my deepest thanks that you all came in on such short notice for this." Keith smiled.
"Yes, sir. And it was our pleasure. Have a good night!" Lys backed out of the room, closing the curtain again.
"What happened to my son, Keith…" Spencer asked, not taking his eyes off Hunter, still in shock to see his son laying in a hospital after a scar experience and surgery.
"Give me a moment, Spencer…" Keith said as he checked over all Hunter's vitals, and listened to his heart and breathing, then checked his pulse. "Good, all of that is back to normal…" He sighed in relief softly. Keith set the stethoscope back around his neck and marked a few things in Hunter's file before setting it back in place next to the white board with all the room information and attending doctors for that shift written on it. "Now…Before I start, do you care who hears?"
"No, I don't…I want to know why my son collapsed, refused to wake up, nearly gave me a heart attack, and need surgery…" Spencer stated. "Everyone here is friend or family…" He added softer.
"It was a tumor, Spencer," Keith said bluntly as Spencer's eyes widened with fear. "To be specific, the disease is called Atrial Myxoma. Given what you said at the school while we waited on an ambulance; I'm led to believe that the cause of Hunter having developed it may have been genetic…As in carried down from his mother…" Keith mentioned.
Spencer was stunned and nearly lost his balance at the information. Shawn got Spencer a chair to sit in and a cup of water as well. "Easy brother…" Shawn patted his shoulder, Glenn stood on the other side and did the same. "Yes, Dr. Strondsen; that's what was found as the cause of Valerie Haddock's sudden death last year…The autopsy revealed it. Am I to assume that Hunter's collapse earlier would have resulted in death without the rushed move to the hospital for surgery?"
Keith gave a nod. "You're correct, Mr. Jorgenson," He stated. "As soon as the cause was determined; my team and I moved Hunter into the OR and removed the tumor and any pieces that broke off. Those pieces are likely the culprits behind the sudden collapse, and usually; the reason for an unexplained passing. Depending on the status of the tumor, of course." Keith explained.
"So…he had cancer that broke into pieces and almost killed him?" Ashley asked.
"No, you misunderstand the condition." Keith said now. "Atrial Myxoma is a noncancerous tumor, that forms in left or right side of the heart. Hunter's was on the left, and what happens when pieces break off before surgery can be performed; they can go to the heart or brain, causing instant death. This tumor is rare, but also at the same time, the most common of it's type if it develops and it's more common in women. About one in ten are passed in families. Surgery is the only way to treat this tumor, to remove it. There are no treatments or medications." Keith explained.
"Hunter will be okay now?" Nicole asked her father.
"Yes." Keith nodded. "Bit of a recovery period, but that should go smoothly."
"Keith…Was this tumor the cause of all of Hunter's fainting spells and being sick?" Glenn inquired.
"Atrial Myxoma has various symptoms, but yes…A good majority of things Hunter may have experienced over the last couple of months were likely tied to the myxoma. It can cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, coughing, heart palpitations, fainting spells, lightheadedness, fatigue, blue-ish tinge on the fingertips, shortness of breath, joint pain, generalized swelling, chest pains…" Keith stated.
"Just like with Val…Started with being sick, the fainting…And then she died. We didn't know until after she passed what caused it…" Spencer looked down sadly.
"I'm sorry for your loss, Spencer…But something to be grateful for is that we acted quickly when Hunter collapsed today, and that rushed response saved his life because we were able to get him here fast to stabilize him long enough to find the cause, and then move right into operating. Which went very smoothly, by the way. No complications at all." Keith offered.
"You were operating on him for four hours…" Addilyn stated.
"That's the nature of the surgery, Addilyn. The only way to remove the tumor is through open heart; that can't take a great deal of time considering all the work that goes into setting up the means that keep his heart beating while we're working on it. Very invasive surgery, and time consuming. Basically…Hunter's collapse was caused by abnormal heart rhythm, or restricted blood flow, which makes it deadly and time is of the essence. So, once we know the issue, Hunter gets put under anesthetic so we can crack his chest open by sawing the breastbone in half to get at his heart to remove the tumor…Then there is also replacing valve. We put everything back together with wire stitches, and now he's just out because of the anesthetic…Which," Keith checked his watch. "Should be another ten or so minutes before it wears off and he'll wake up on his own."
"What will be his recovery time?" Ella questioned softly.
"I'll explain more when he gets up, as he'll need to be aware too and easier to say it once…But he's looking at about six weeks total. One of those weeks in the hospital, to make sure things are okay and no infections after surgery." Keith informed. "So for now, we can all just sit and relax a bit until he awakens. Maybe count our blessings…" Sadly, no one could disagree with him after today. It was already a bad one for Hunter, but this mad it worse for everyone knowing that Hunter could have died just like his mother had a year ago today.
. . .
(6:45 pm)
The room was abnormally quiet as Hunter remained under the anesthetic. No one really talked, just kept watching Hunter for signs of waking up. Spencer was still sitting, but now on the other side of Hunter's bed and just staring while probably deep in thought about knowing what he did about Hunter having the same thing his mother had, and by the grace of the Gods, they managed to catch it and save him before he died like his mother did. Keith stayed on checking over Hunter, making sure his vitals didn't shift too much or that there was any causes for concern. Everyone wanted to stay, at least until Hunter woke up the one time and then they'd likely take turns visiting him while he was in the hospital or at home.
"You said ten minutes, Dad…It's been about twenty…" Nicole frowned, her eyes not leaving Hunter's form.
"It is a bit odd to be taking longer, but you have to consider what his body has been through. There's no telling when the tumor formed, how long his body dealt with the physical side effects of all those symptoms I mentioned earlier. Don't forget also, that he hit the pavement pretty hard when he fainted at the school. But all my tests show that he's not comatose, so it could just be his body catching up from the collapse." Keith explained. No sooner than the words left his mouth, Hunter's head moved, going off to the side a bit and then back to it's first position.
"Son?" Spencer said quickly. Hunter moaned a bit, his eyes working on trying to open. Everyone watched closely and held their breaths as Hunter's eyes finally fluttered open, blinking to focus on his surroundings. "Hi, son…"
Hunter's head slightly turned towards his voice, and focused more. "Da-Dad?"
"It's me…It's me, I'm here, Hunter…" Spencer said softly, holding his hand to reassure him everything was alright. He knew that waking up from anesthesia could make someone groggy and perhaps a bit disorientated.
Hunter turned his head again, looking around to see everyone there. "Where…Am I? Why is everyone around me?" He asked.
Spencer was going to tell him, but Keith put his hand up to stop him. This passed the message of not to lay it on heavy and let him determine where Hunter's mind was at first. "You're in the hospital, Hunter…Can you tell me what the last thing you remember is?" Keith asked.
Hunter thought a minute. "Being at the game." Hunter replied.
"That's right. And do you remember what happened there to you?" Keith inquired.
"I got hit in the chest by someone on the other team…And then started getting sharp chest pains, being unable to breathe right…Everything goes black after that." Hunter stated. "What happened?"
"You passed out, lad. You just stopped running with the others, held your chest and dropped to the ground." Glenn informed.
"Your heartbeat was irregular and you ended up having a weak pulse, we rushed you to the emergency room to find out what was wrong, and it was determined you needed surgery right away." Keith said.
Hunter gave an odd expression that no one really understood; he looked deep in thought, but sad. "It was the tumor…Wasn't it?" Hunter asked, looking at Keith now. Everyone in the room froze. No one had said what the cause was, so how did Hunter already know what caused his collapse. Now, the entire room except for maybe Nicole and Keith, expected Keith to confirm that they found a tumor. But that's not what was said.
"It was," Keith nodded to him, then sighed when he saw Hunter look down and close his eyes again. "Hunter, I told you time and time again that this wasn't something you could put off and how important those appointments were to get the x-rays and sonograms so we could watch the status to keep this very thing from happening where you drop and need surgery to save your life." Did Hunter and Keith know about the tumor? The group didn't understand.
"I know…" Hunter replied.
"I don't think you really do, son. Do you understand that had it not been the fact I already knew what the problem was; you would be dead because too much time would have been wasted in doctors trying to figure out the cause of your collapse. I had the operating room set up when we arrived. I had my surgical team called from the back of the ambulance. The only thing we had to do before you had surgery was give you a little time on the anesthetic. Had it not been all that time saved…The time it would have taken doctors to discover the tumor and understand surgery needed to happen, we would have lost you." Keith explained firmly. "I told you surgery to remove the tumor was the ONLY way to stop it and that you couldn't put this off because at any time; it could kill you and it nearly did."
"Wait, hold on just a second…You knew my son had a tumor in his heart? Hunter, you already knew about this and didn't say anything to anyone?" Spencer asked, in shock of the information that had been revealed.
Keith was about to explain things when Hunter adjusted a bit, cringing, and opened his eyes to look at his father. "Lay off him, Dad…Keith couldn't tell you about it because he's been my doctor for it since the end of February when we learned of the tumor…He was my doctor, and under legal obligation to keep all medical matters regarding me between me and him…"
"Hunter…Why wouldn't you tell anyone about this? You've known for months!" Spencer demanded.
Hunter sighed. "Because I knew you'd make me get the surgery right away, or take away all the things I love to do in order to make me…So I didn't say anything…" Hunter replied.
"Yes I'd make you get the surgery right away! It was the only way to save you, Hunter!" Spencer glared.
"Stop yelling at me, okay?!" Hunter snapped, taking Spencer by surprise. "I know! I've known since the end of February when you forced me to go to the doctors to find out what all the fainting was about! When you refused to let me drive, work, and even play basketball."
"I didn't do all that, son…Yes, I wouldn't let you drive…You weren't being safe. Having fainting spells and driving right afterward…" Spencer said. "The rest was your coach and Glenn, all we wanted was for you to be okay and you weren't."
"That's my point. Everything was taken away until I went to the doctors. And you all would have done it again if you knew about the tumor, forcing me to get it done to get back the things I like to do." Hunter remarked, arms folded over his chest, but wincing again.
"Easy, Hunter…You had open heart surgery…Your chest is gonna be hurting like hell until you recover fully. I really rather not have to rush you back into the OR if that wound opens, so please try to calm down and take it easy…" Keith said softy. "Perhaps this isn't the best time to be having this out…" He tried.
"Hunter…" Glenn stepped closer now. "Why didn't you get the surgery done right away? Ignore the not telling us…You're eighteen, you didn't have to…But why would you put off the surgery, knowing it was your only option, and risk your life like that?"
Hunter sighed, looking out the window. "Because I wouldn't have been able to play basketball…It's one of my favorite things to do, and I knew if I told anyone or agreed to do the surgery right away…Coach would have booted me off the team for the rest of the year. I wanted to stay in and keep playing, hoping to end up with a scholarship to AIU in the Fall where I can keep playing, and earning my degree for Engineering…So I put off the surgery to not lose that chance…" Hunter said. "Doesn't really matter now…" He added quietly.
"You put off the surgery that would save your life for a sport?" Spencer stared. Hunter gave a nod, but never looked at him. "Hunter…" He started as Hunter glanced at him now, knowing that tone. "What you had, that Atrial Myxoma, is what your mother had," He continued.
"I figured it was…Even Keith suspected it…" Hunter said.
"And knowing that your mother died because of that condition…That she got sick and suddenly dropped, dying almost instantly…You chose to ignore the surgery to avoid the same fate? You knew about this when it wasn't life-threatening and you ignored it! Hunter, that tumor killed your mother, today, a year ago! Do you have any idea how scared I was when you dropped and needed to be rushed to the hospital?! Do you have any idea how afraid I was that I was going to lose my only son? Do you not care about your life, to the point you'd purposely endanger yourself just to play a blasted high school sport?!"
Somewhere in the middle of Spencer's rant about Hunter having made a really stupid and dangerous choice regarding his health, the others took notice that Hunter only looked back towards the window in the room, sadly, and appearing to get lost in his thoughts. "Spencer…" Glenn stopped Hunter from ranting. "Enough now…The lad gets it…" He tried.
"No, Glenn, I don't think he does. As soon as he knew about this; he should have gotten the surgery, or said something to anyone. He almost got himself killed! I could have lost him, the same way I lost my-," Spencer was cut off by Hunter finally turned his head and glaring back.
"I know what I did, alright? I've known since the end of February about the tumor, so has Keith; he was my doctor the day you made me see my physician, who had been out, so Keith filled in. He's only been doing what I asked, against his better judgement. We had a surgery date all picked out for after graduation, so I could use the summer to recover. That date remained pending the results of weekly tests to make sure I wasn't in any danger…Stop scolding me like a child, I'm eighteen and I knew what I was doing under doctor supervision. Today becoming a medical emergency wasn't my fault."
"In his defense, Spencer…The day I filled in for his doctor, he confessed to me everything he was experiencing, and when I asked to have him come to the hospital for tests run to determine a cause; he agreed. We had tests run every Friday after the diagnosis was made, to watch the status of the tumor, and Hunter previously agreed that if his life was in danger; he would get the surgery earlier than June's chosen date. Unfortunately, many things came up in the last month and we missed about three or four appointments. I also suspect that the things might not have gotten where they did today if Hunter hadn't been hit in the chest by that opposing player. I do believe that may have caused shifting, or pieces to break off and put his life at risk. But this isn't Hunter's fault, Spencer…I allowed him to continue normal activities as long as the tumor wasn't getting worse, and it had not been."
"Hunter, I'm sorry, okay? But I was scared…I already lost my wife-," Spencer started.
"You're not the only one who fucking lost her, so stop acting like you are." Hunter glared again, taking everyone by surprise with his swearing. "Yeah, you lost your wife…But I lost my mother. Uncle Glenn lost his friend. Uncle Shawn and Aunt Francine lost their sister in law. Shane and Addy lost their aunt in law. Even some of my friends, who saw mom as their second mother because we've known each other for years, lost her. But you are not the only one, so stop making it about you. We ALL lost her last year. I get you were scared, but how do you think I felt? Why do you think I didn't tell you, or anyone? You think I wasn't scared to tell everyone I had a tumor in my heart that could kill me any time? But did it stop me? No. I didn't let fear control me, and I pressed on, as normal, while making sure I was okay to do so." Hunter remarked.
"But son-," Spencer tried.
"Fear does not give you the excuse to treat me like I'm an idiot who carelessly chose the things I wanted over my life. I did choose to keep living my life as it was because I was informed weekly that I was alright to do so. And I did agree to give it all up and have the surgery if things turned bad. Today only happened because I got hit in the chest and it triggered everything else, but before that; I was fine." Hunter stated in a serious tone. "I wasn't even going to play today because I didn't know there was a game. I thought it was a practice, which I had permission from Bludvist to miss because of what the day was. And I only missed yesterday's appointment because I explained to Keith that it was supposed to be the championship game, and we agreed to a Sunday appointment to have the tests done to check everything. I told you this morning I wanted to be left alone, but when coach called and begged me to come in because it was the championship and they'd have to forfeit and lose over missing one player. So despite my mood, I agreed, and I would not have if I suspected that I wouldn't be able to handle it." Hunter stopped, pausing to take a breath.
"So lay off because I didn't just choose to ignore my health and life…I knew I might have what mom did, and I took steps to make sure I was alright until the decided surgery date of June 18th, two days after graduation. And I did agree to have it earlier if it was necessary. And I did all this by myself, my decisions on the okay from my doctor." Spencer looked down a bit. "I'm not stupid, Dad…I don't know why you think I am, but I wasn't going to do anything to risk the future I have planned for myself. I made sure to tell Keith all the symptoms I've been dealing with since probably the end of October. I agreed to tests to find out the cause. I agreed to be seen weekly for condition updates. I agreed to surgery early if it was going to be bad. I took precautions during practices and games not to get hit in the chest. Keith prescribed me meds to keep the symptoms down during everything. I had it under control, until something out of my control happened and then this happened."
No one said anything as Hunter folded his arms over his chest, and looked out the window. "Son…I'm sorry."
"Yeah, I bet you are…" Hunter replied. The room was silent for a few moments. "Go home." Hunter said, stunning everyone.
"Laddie…" Glenn said, but Hunter closed his eyes.
"I did not stutter. Go home…All of you." Hunter's voice was firm in his demand, but his facial reaction said otherwise. "No doubt you've been here for hours waiting for news, and I appreciate the dedication and concern displayed…But now you know what happened and everything is done. I'm awake and you know I'm okay. There is no reason to stay longer and it's getting late. I'm sore, I'm tired…And as I said this morning; I want to be left alone. So go home…Please…" Hunter wouldn't look at them; he was trying to stay strong, but he was hurting and not just physically. Today was still the anniversary of his mother's death, and he'd nearly escaped death himself. But more than that; he seemed upset with his father and how he was over everything.
"I'm afraid that if Hunter is telling you to leave; you will have to. The patient makes the final decision on visitors, and it seems he doesn't want any right now. So I'm going to have to ask that you please leave; I am still his doctor and my duty is to caring for him; he needs to rest in order to recover. Come now…I don't want to have to call security to remove you by force…" Keith advised. He wasn't wrong, no matter who he was outside the hospital to them; his job now was to Hunter, who asked to be left alone. None of them could argue, so they started making their way out of the room. Nicole was one of the last out as Keith was telling Ella he'd be home soon; Nicole could see that Hunter was slightly on his side and a tear slipping down his cheek. Feeling bad because she knew he was hurting, Nicole left with her mother and the room was cleared out of everyone except Hunter and Keith.
Keith checked over Hunter once, but nothing was said. Keith told Hunter to relax and try to rest as it was best for recovery. Hunter didn't say anything, just nodded and Keith left the room. Hunter didn't move at all, at first, then he finally got as comfortable as he could and fell asleep.
