Chapter 6

After unsuccessfully attempting to stop the hemorrhaging, Kim made an immediate decision, the only one she could make given the circumstances. "Prepare for an immediate hysterectomy!"

Millie's heart sank. This routine procedure was now life changing, in ways that no one could have foreseen. But from what she was witnessing, that was the only way to save the Abbey's life. And a decision that Millie completely supported.

The surgical techs quickly changed instrument sets while new drapes were placed on the surgical field. These people trained for these emergencies all the time and knew their responsibilities.

Everyone knew their jobs and cared about every patient they were responsible for. But this patient was different. She was the First Lady of the United States and each person in there felt like they were a personal friend of hers. That made them that much more anxious to stop what was happening.

Millie looked at the monitors and saw only bad news.

Abbey's heart rate was still rapid, a sign that the body was having a hard time compensating for the decreased blood volume. Blood was being hand-squeezed into her by one of the nurses. She was losing blood faster than it was being replaced. A second IV had been quickly inserted into Abbey's other arm and fluid pumped in as quickly as it could safely be replaced.

Dr. Cox's partner quickly came to the OR to assist. Both doctors worked feverishly to make the required incisions and remove the source of the bleeding. They both knew that time was of the essence.

After thirty minutes, the surgeons were finished and the bleeding had been stopped.

Kim and her partner sighed with relief as they closed the final incision.

"How's her blood pressure?"

"Coming back up," Dr. Carter replied. "Kim, you know how close we came to losing her, don't you?"

"Yes. I'm well aware of it." And so was everybody in the room.

"How blood did she lose?"

"Almost 2 liters."

Abbey had lost more than enough to send her into Hypovolemic shock. She was in very critical condition, and would be for some time to come.

Millie was also aware of how close they had come to losing her best friend. And she dreaded the next action she knew she had to do.

Jed had to be called.

And this time Jed would be told everything. Millie shuddered, thinking about his reaction.

There would be hell to pay.