Another slightly shorter chapter I'm afraid I've been realising how short my chapter actually are because I always thought they quite long lol. Hope you enjoy this chapter, I did a little bit of research into what would need to be done with an injury like Alicia's so I think I've written it right, Apologies to any doctors who read this. Next chapter will be a slightly different style as I'm going to focus on different people reacting after what happened and how they cope with it. I'm terrified for tomorrows ep so good luck everyone who's gonna watch. Thanks to the guests who have reviewed would like a few more if anyone has any suggestions.
"Ruby, how's she doing?" Iain questioned trying desperately to stay concentrated on the road.
"She's not good. Right, no, she's lost consciousness. Step on it Iain she needs a blood transfusion."
It seemed like an eternity before they reached the E.D. Alicia was not in a good way and there was nothing more they could do for her in that ambulance. They raced to get her out of the ambulance and Iain felt a familiar presence next to him getting stuck in. It was Sam. She must've heard. The three of them ran Alicia into the E.D to the shock of all the others and Ruby started reading out the usual information about the patient.
"This is Alicia Munroe aged 26, found at her home having been thrown through a window as part of an assault. Shard of glass has cut the brachial artery and multiple tourniquets have been used but we have not been able to stop the bleed."
"She's lost a hell of a lot of blood." Iain added.
A large crowd was beginning to gather and soon everyone was crowding around the trolley that carried a very pale Alicia.
"Who did this?" Mrs Beauchamp asked concern clear in her normally icy gaze.
"Eddie broke his bail."
That was all she needed to hear and Mrs Beauchamp was back in action. The whole department had learned of Alicia's ordeal almost immediately after Eddie had been arrested and everyone who hadn't been on shift learned of it almost as soon as they arrived. It was going to be touch and go, but they needed to make sure that they returned the blood supply to her lower arm and stopped the bleeding.
"Right I want FBCs, U and E's, clotting and a cross match for two units. Charlie, Duffy, Dylan and Rash I want you in here with me. Elle go and make Dr Hardy, Iain and Ruby a cup of tea." They all began to run the trolley into resus. Ethan was almost as white as Alicia with the shock of it all but no one but Connie had noticed. Everything was spinning. He'd been too wound up with his own problems to listen to hers and laying his problems on her when she clearly needed more support. He was selfish and, in that moment, he realised that if he lost her he couldn't forgive himself. He couldn't live without her.
In Resus…
It was touch and go. Alicia had lost an awful lot of blood and the circulation to her lower arm was compromised and she would need a fasciotomy. Why the hell were there never any theatre's when they were needed? She was one of their own for Christ sakes Connie thought.
"Right we've only got one option here guys she's lost too much blood." Dylan stated in his usual blunt fashion.
"No, the risk of infection is too high." Duffy argued
"I'm sorry Duffy but would you rather she died here on the table." Connie snapped. She shouldn't be arguing with her at a time like this. Fair enough she was closer to Alicia but a nurse still shouldn't be questioning her.
"Right okay then. Let's start."
Charlie began to clean the masses of dried blood off of Alicia's arm as Connie intubated and Dylan made the first cut, with Duffy holding back tears as she monitored Alicia's vitals as her heartrate began to grow weaker.
It seemed like hours before the procedure was over and they had lost her twice having to shock Alicia four times in total. But she was stabilised now and although she wasn't out of the woods yet, it was likely that she would make it. They all stepped back from the bed where their beloved colleague and friend was lying, allowing the I.T.U team to take over pulling the bars on the side of the bed up and starting to wheel her upstairs.
"Good job everyone." Dylan said and promptly walked out of resus without a second glance.
Connie followed slowly towards the staff room where Ethan, Elle and the others would be waiting for news leaving Charlie and Duffy in the room with a very sheepish and shocked looking Rash. As soon as the doors closed Duffy burst into tears onto her husband's shoulder whilst he kissed her on the forehead and did everything he could to comfort her. Rash slowly began to regain his senses and slowly sidled out of resus to leave them to it. Pulling his phone out and dialling Bea's number, her flight should've landed by now. There was no reply as the dialling tone stopped and it went straight to voicemail.
"Hi Bea, it's Rash could you please call me back as soon as you get this or facetime. It's about Alicia." And with that he hung up not sure of what else to say.