CHAPTER 11- A NEW DAY
Thankfully the doctor's prediction of no more complications appeared to be true. Ryan had been put onto a different antibiotic one he seemed to not have a negative reaction to and he had managed to sleep through the rest of the night. His fever had climbed a little, but not so much as to be overly worried. His coughing had continued throughout the night also, but it wasn't accompanied by the frightening wheezing of earlier in the week. Sandy had called Kirsten to update her and had been hard pressed to convince her to wait till morning to come back to the hospital, but in the end he had been able to with a promise to call if anything changed. It was now 6am and Kirsten walked in.
"How is he?" She whispered softly.
"He's okay. Not feeling that great- a minor respiratory infection the doctor said, but his new meds seem to be helping some and not causing additional problems. It has probably set him back a few days in discharge which he will hate, but it won't kill him."
"Thank God! I don't think I can handle any more surprises. When he does wake up we need to let him know to get better soon and not try giving me any more heart attacks." Kirsten replied with emotion in her voice.
It was another hour before Ryan showed any signs of waking. Sandy had gone home to be with Seth and Kirsten was quietly reading her Bible once more by Ryan's bedside.
As his eyes fluttered open Kirsten marked her page and leaned over to stroke the hair out of his eyes and let him know she was there.
"Hey there sweetheart. Good morning."
"What time is it?" Ryan managed to croak out giving a few harsh coughs afterwards and rubbing at his sore throat. Seeing his distress Kirsten found a water cup and helped him take a few sips before answering.
"A little after 7am. I imagine breakfast should be here soon and probably a Doctor Peter's to check in on you."
"Not hungry." Ryan mumbled softly.
"Oh Ryan, I know, but you should try and eat something to help get your strength back so we can work on getting you home."
"Maybe." Ryan said without committing to anything.
"Where are you reading from this time?" He asked changing the subject away from food. His stomach felt a little queasy at the moment a possible side effect of the new antibiotic, but something nonetheless he didn't want to focus on.
"2 Corinthians Chapter 1. It's a passage my mom liked before she died. It talks about God understanding what suffering feels like and wanting to give us comfort and hoping we would share that comfort with others."
"Sounds nice." Ryan remarked.
"I thought so too." Kirsten agreed.
Before she could say anything more the door slid open.
"Well hello young man. I see you made it through the night despite insisting on keeping the night shift on their toes. Let's try not to have any more excitement today though." Remarked the gentle voice of Doctor Peters.
"Sorry." Ryan muttered.
"Nothing to apologize for" Dr. Peters interrupted in a more serious tone. "We have no control over what our bodies choose to be allergic to. All we can do is learn from things and move forward. Now let me get a listen to you today. I hear you have come down with an infection."
Soon Dr. Peters was listening to Ryan's lungs and checking his throat.
"Well I definitely hear some congestion though nothing to frightful at the moment. Your throat is quiet red and I am sure that is no fun. Your oxygen stats though aren't too bad all things considering. I'm afraid you earned yourself another couple days in our beautiful facility though."
"Great." Ryan muttered.
"Yes, well that's the way it is going to be so no stressing over what we can't change. For now get some more rest and I'll see you again tonight. I'd keep the visitors to a minimum – only family. We don't need you catching anything else."
"We'll do that. Thank you Dr. Peter's." Kirsten commented.
"No problem. Now get some rest young man so we can get you better and out of here."
"Okay." Ryan said softly a light smile tugging at his lips at the kind manner of his new physician.
Once Dr. Peters had left, Kirsten looked over to Ryan. "He's a nice man isn't he?"
"Yeah. I'm not used to Doctors like him. Most of the ones at the clinic were really impersonal. Not bad necessarily but you could tell you were nothing more than a chart to them or a paycheck."
"Unfortunately I have met my share of doctors like that even here in the O.C. that's why when we found Dr. Peters when Seth was little we clung to him. He's a kind spirit, but also one of the most talented and well respected pediatricians out there."
"I believe that." Ryan replied.
"Well. I think it's time for you to listen to his suggestion and get some more sleep. I'll wake you if breakfast ever arrives. "
"Don't bother. I'll just eat when I wake up."
"Oh Ryan."
"Please, Kirsten don't push it my stomachs not feeling that great at the moment and the last thing I want to do is end up puking because that will hurt my throat to no end."
"Alright. I will let it rest for now, but later you need to try something. If you don't have anything in your stomach it will just make things worse later when they give you more antibiotics."
"I know and I'll try, but for now I just want to sleep."
"Okay honey, go to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up again."
"Thanks."
"Of course."
With that being said Ryan allowed himself to drift back off and Kirsten once more picked up her Bible to read a bit more about God providing comfort to those who were hurting.