There is some language in this chapter from Roger, so if you are easily offended, do not continue to read this chapter. I made sure my date was right for when Roger woke up, by turning my computer back 17 years, LOL.
Not wasting any time, the Bohemians jumped into Joanne's car and drove to Bellevue Medical Center. They ran into the hospital and quickly went up to the front desk. Mark stepped forward from the group and asked to see Roger and Doctor Thomas. The secretary paged him and the doctor met them in the waiting room.
"Come with me," said Doctor Thomas, and they followed him eagerly down to Roger's room. He stopped at the door and turned to face the bohemians.
"He has not yet woken up completely," said Doctor Thomas, "but I thought I'd call you and have you come before he does, so he has a few familiar faces to see when he does."
"Thank you, Doctor," said Mark, and he went with the others close behind him. They all pulled chairs up around Roger's bed and sat down and waited. They couldn't do anything but wait.
It wasn't long before Mark heard Roger groan and he stirred. His eyes opened and he groaned again as he looked around, confused.
"Hey, Roger, welcome back," said Mark. "Don't try to talk; they wired your jaw shut since you broke it."
Roger looked around, confused. He also noticed he couldn't move his head. Mark saw the frustration on his face and immediately explained.
"You slipped a couple disks in your neck," he said. "The brace is to make sure you don't try to move and worsen the injury."
"Roger," said Doctor Thomas, coming into the room and standing where Roger could see him, "one blink means 'yes' and two blinks means 'no', until we take the wire out, OK?"
Roger blinked once. OK.
"I should tell you what your injuries are," said Doctor Thomas. Roger stared at him nervously. "Broken leg, broken nose, fractured jaw, concussion, and other slight fractures in your right arm. You also had your spleen ruptured removed. Even though you're right-handed, would you like to try writing with your left hand? It'll be slower and pretty messy, but it's all we can do until we take the wire out of your jaw."
Roger blinked. Yes.
The doctor got a notepad and a pen from one of the nurses, and he positioned it carefully under Roger's left arm. Very slowly and rather clumsily, Roger began to write answers to questions Doctor Thomas asked.
"These people behind me, do you know who they are?"
Roger blinked once and Mark heaved a sigh of relief and smiled at him. Yes. It took him a few minutes, but he finally had something written down: Mark, Mo, Jo, and Collins.
The doctor looked at Mark, who nodded. The doctor looked back at Roger. "Good, that's very good. Next question: how much of the accident do you remember?"
Driving, rain, tractor-trailer, nothing, EMT's, nothing.
"OK, so you remember everything up to the point of impact. This is very good news. You passed out after they pulled you out, so that's why you don't remember anything else."
OK.
The doctor looked at Roger. "Now, do you have any questions for us?"
What day is it? How long have I been out?
"Monday, December 31, 1990. You've been out for almost a month and a half." Roger's eyebrows rose so high they were in danger of disappearing into his golden hair. The doctor paused. "How are you feeling?"
I feel fine, except my broken hand and leg hurts.
"Since we have you on several painkillers already, we can't do anything more for you at this point. I'm sorry."
Roger looked upset about this, but Mark looked at him and said, "But you're tough, Roger, you'll be fine."
Roger blinked once. When can I go home?
"One week. In that time, we need to see how the coma has affected you. Your skills with your hands are fine, but your other limbs might not be."
The doctor paused as he saw Roger begin to write something so hastily it almost seemed like an objection. Despite the messiness, Doctor Thomas could read it.
If my right hand wasn't fractured, I'd use that to make this go faster.
"I know. We also need to test how well you can walk and talk."
Again with the injury…
Dr. Thomas chuckled. "Right now, I want you to rest. Come on, you four," he added to Mark, Maureen, Joanne, and Collins.
They made to follow him, but Roger shot Mark a pleading look, begging him to stay. Mark went over and squeezed Roger's good hand and said, "We'll be back later, I promise. Oh…" He paused. "Roger?" Roger looked at him. "Happy New Year."
Roger blinked once and sank back against his pillows, admitting defeat and now feeling immensely lonely.
A month and a half later, Roger got the wire removed. He could barely contain himself, he was so excited to finally be allowed to talk again.
"Can you talk?" he asked.
Roger opened and closed his mouth a few times. "Yeah," he said, "but it hurts."
"We took x-rays and your fracture is minor. You can talk, but take it easy, and you have to follow a special soft food diet for a while."
"How long do I have to do that?"
"Six weeks."
Roger's eyes widened. "Shit! Aw, man…" he groaned. "That's a long time." Dr. Thomas smiled sympathetically. "Can I try to walk?"
"Yes. Use that crutch there to keep your weight off your broken leg."
Mark handed Roger the crutch and he slowly swung himself out of bed. He positioned the crutch under his arm and took a step, Mark by his side as Maureen, Joanne, and Collins watched.
The second Roger put weight on his good leg, it shook horribly. He wobbled and Mark supported him. When Mark let up on his support some, Roger's good knee buckled and he crumpled to the floor.
"Damn it!" Roger exclaimed, and Mark, Collins, and Dr. Thomas immediately picked him up and lifted him back into the bed. He hadn't gotten but a few inches away, but there was still tears in Roger's eyes when they let go of him, once he was safely back in his bed, which felt like a prison now.
"I feel like such a fucking invalid," he sobbed. "Why the hell can't I walk?"
"It's a side effect from the coma. With physical therapy sessions for six to eight weeks, you should be able to walk like nothing was ever wrong."
"You mean I will be able to," Roger countered. "You doctors are always so damn negative; do you see why I hate being here?"
Roger leaned back against his pillows and rolled his Kryptonite-green eyes. He still had a long way to go. Then a thought suddenly occurred to him, and he looked around, confused.
"Mark," he said, "where's Angel and Mimi?"
Ooh, cliffhanger. Dun dun dun. Don't forget to review.
Until next time, lots of love,
Renthead07