CHAPTER 3- CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL
Upon arrival at Children's Memorial there was instant action as Ryan was removed from the ambulance. Sandy was frightened to see he was no longer conscious and was being assisted in breathing. A trauma team quickly surrounded him and listened in to the medics report.
"15 year old male, Ryan Atwood, history of asthma no known attacks in the past seven years. He first experienced shortness of breath after soccer practice today at around 4:30pm- some minor wheezing and coughing throughout the evening but it seemed to resolve quickly according to his family. Around 2am he woke up unable to catch his breath with audible wheezing. When his guardian joined him ten minutes later he noted the wheezing and the blue discoloration of his lips. He received a breathing treatment on scene and an amp of epi. Pulse ox is only 85 with full flow oxygen- breathing continues to be labored and we are hearing almost no breath sounds. Patient lost consciousness in route and we began bagging him."
A tall ER doctor took over.
"Alright let's intubate. Call up to pediatric ICU and get a bed." Looking over at Sandy he spoke again. "You'll need to stay out here while we help your son we'll let you know soon what's going on."
Sandy nodded hesitantly not wanting to comply and leave Ryan's side but also not wanting to get in the way of the medical team set at saving his life. He couldn't remember ever being this scared. Sure when Seth had hernia surgery it was frightening but he never though he might lose him and today he just didn't know. Ryan had only been with their family a short time but to Sandy it was like he had always been his son and he couldn't imagine life without him. He sent up a prayer to God that this would not be his last time seeing his son.
Meanwhile the medical team went about quickly inserting the breathing tube and taking blood work. An x-ray machine was wheeled in and out quickly and new medications mostly steroids where injected through the I.V. to help the ailing teen. The doctor seemed satisfied with the tube placement and the current meds and now it would just be a waiting game. With a nod of his head he moved out to the waiting room to update the family.
"Ryan Atwood's family?"
"That's us" Sandy said instantly walking towards the doctor Seth and Kristen fast on his heels.
"I'm Sandy Cohen, this is my wife Kristen and my son Seth we are his legal guardians."
The doctor nodded acknowledging the unique family situation.
"Well we have stabilized Ryan for the moment. We have the breathing tube in and are moving him to the ICU where he will be on a ventilator until his lungs begin functioning properly. Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later. His initial blood work doesn't show any signs of infections which is good meaning we are unlikely to be complicated by secondary pneumonia. It is most likely just a severe attack brought on by exercise and the bad weather conditions. It happens sometimes. Hopefully he will respond well to the medications. It is just a waiting game right now though I am optimistic. He's young and overall pretty healthy which will all work in his favor. Once he's out of ICU we will discuss follow up and ways to avoid similar attacks in the future. I'll let you all see him briefly upstairs but then only one of you can stay with him at a time. Any questions?"
"No. Thank you for helping Ryan."
The doctor nodded and then looked at a nurse by the admitting station.
"Jacky will you lead the Cohen's up to ICU bed 4 so they can see Ryan."
"Of course Doctor Williams. Come right this way."
Soon the Cohen's found themselves outside a glass sliding door leading in to a hospital room. Ryan looked so pale and young lying on the bed. Seth gasped at the sight of his normally healthy foster brother. A hug from his mom encouraged him to walk in closer.
Sandy laid a hand on Ryan's forehead and whispered. "Keep breathing son. We love you and are with you. No letting something like asthma knock you down you've come too far."
"Yeah bro" Seth spoke up grasping one of Ryan's hands "I'm used to you now. I can't go back to fighting off the parental units alone you have to get better soon."
Kristen grabbed his other hand. "We are praying for you Ryan get better." She leaned over and softly kissed his forehead.
After a few minutes Seth and Kristen regretfully walked out of the room leaving Sandy to take the first watch of the night.
Grabbing a chair and pulling it beside Ryan's bed Sandy grabbed Ryan's hand and gave a gentle squeeze and then let his eyes watch the slow rising and falling of his son's chest. Hopefully soon he would be looking into Ryan's soulful blue eyes and all of this would just be a forgotten nightmare. Until then though he would keep guard and allow Ryan to feel his presence and love.