Chapter 12—
"How are you doing?" Denise was surprised that he was awake
"Very tired, where am I?" Jeremy said in almost a whisper.
"You are in the ICU at the hospital. You had a seizure." Denise replied, knowing that Jeremy may not have a memory of the event.
"Mom, what is going on?" Jeremy replied in the same whisper.
"You had a seizure." She said again thinking that Jeremy was a little disoriented, because often those who experience seizure become disoriented.
"I know, you told me that… but head is killing me." Jeremy replied.
"Jeremy, I will go find a nurse. But why don't you try and go back to sleep, you need the rest." Denise replied and kissed Jeremy on the forehead.
Denise walked out into the hallway to the nurses' station. A nurse was sitting at the desk. Without looking up, the nurse said,
"Can I help you?"
"Yes, my son was transferred to the ICU very early this morning. He woke about ten minutes ago, and he was disoriented and complained of a headache." Denise stated.
"Well the doctors will be starting their rounds in about 15 minutes, and you can tell them, and they will prescribe something for the headache." The nurse said still without looking up.
"Do you not want to go check on him?" Denise asked getting a little annoyed with the nurse's complete lack of attention.
"I guess. I will be in a few minutes." The nurse said calmly.
At this point Denise's annoyance had gotten the better of her. She was exhausted, frustrated, scared and yet this nurse was not doing anything. Finally, Denise snapped,
"What is your problem? I have been standing here for the last five minutes. You have not even acknowledged me. You are taking a nonchalant attitude that I do not appreciate. My son is in the ICU, do you not think that there could be something serious wrong with him? Could you please give me some professional courtesy, and maybe go in and check on him?"
"Look, I am sorry that I not at your beck and call… but I am a nurse with other patients. And the last time that I checked on your son he was sleeping, and frankly so were you. And when you become a nurse, you can tell me how to do my job! So I would suggest that you go back to your son's room and wait for the doctor like I told you to." The nurse replied with snarl.
"I am a nurse, in fact in this hospital. I could check my son's vitals myself, but I am little more emotionally invested in this than you are. I am well aware of you having other patients. But all I am asking is that you check on him." Denise was extremely angry, and Frank knew it when he walked up to the desk with 2 cups of coffee.
"Like I said you are going to have to wait for the doctor." The nurse snarled again
Frank handed the cup of coffee to Denise. He asked what was going on, and she regaled the situation. By the time Denise and Frank reached the room, Dr. Steinbach was waiting there. The doctor looked even more exhausted, and frustrated.
"Morning." The doctor said, realizing that it had not been a good morning.
"Well, I just got the CAT scan results back. And frankly I do not see any abnormalities anywhere on the brain. I do see some additional swelling around the optic nerve, but that could also be some residual effects of the injury. Has he woken up yet?" The doctor stated.
"Yes, he has. He complained of a headache, and he seemed a little disoriented, but that is normal after a seizure, right?" Denise spoke quietly.
"You are right." The doctor replied, as the nurse walked in. The same nurse that Denise had the problem with only minutes before.
"Why good morning doctor… I thought I would get in here before you did your rounds." The nurse just glared at Denise
"Good morning to you. Denise was just explaining to me that the patient, Jeremy, was experiencing a headache and some disorientation after his seizure this morning. I think right now I will prescribe a low dosage aspirin, say 400 milligram. Does that sound ok with you, Denise?" Dr. Steinbach asked knowing full well the conversation that had transpired at the nurses' station. Dr. Steinbach shot Denise a quick smile.
"Dr. Steinbach, that sounds fine to me. Perhaps another round of blood work, just to make sure that every thing is ok?" Denise said playing along with the doctor's treatment of the nurse.
"That is a fine idea, nurse please do a full blood work up, and page me if there are any problems. "
"Yes, doctor." The nurse replied.
"One more thing…" The doctor started
"Yes…" The nurse replied again.
"This patient takes top priority… there are only 2 other patients in the ICU right now. The next time I see you disrespecting a patient's family, I will report you, is that clear?" The doctor scolded.
"Crystal clear, sir" The nurse shot Denise a look.
Denise turned to the doctor, and asked how he knew about the situation that has transpired at the nurses' station. The doctor answered,
"I watched it happen. I am sorry that it did, and I have had problems with that nurse before. But be assured that it will not happen again. Anyway, I think that time will tell as to what the seizure did or did not do Jeremy." With those sentiments the doctor walked out of the room.
Over the next few days Jeremy's condition got progressively better. He was moved out of the ICU, and back into the rehab facility. After the first seizure, his mood and attitude got better as well. But he still had a long ways to go. Then one day, Colonel Holden walked into the rehab room where Jeremy was staying to have a chat.