A Whiter Shade of Pale Ch. 4
Disclaimer: See first chapter
Author's Note: Please remember that I have no medical knowledge whatsoever and my medical information comes from searching Google.
Previously: "Damn it, this kid definitely has an abdominal or intestinal perforation,' he swore upon feeling the board like rigidity of Sam's stomach. "Somebody call the O.R. and make sure they're ready for us while I go out and talk to the father. This kid is going to require immediate surgery if we're going to have a chance of saving him."
Stripping the bloody gloves from his hands, Brad took a deep breath to calm himself before exiting the room to go talk to the young boy's family. This was the only part he hated about being a doctor, having to deliver bad news to people who were already suffering.
Pushing through the trauma room doors to the E.R. waiting room, Brad couldn't help but feel sorry for the lone occupant who was now sitting dejectedly in the cold, impersonal room as he waited for news of his injured son. He could tell by the slump of the man's shoulder's that he had the weight of the world resting on them. Of course, being a father of a young teenager himself, he was sure he would feel the exact same way if he had been put into the same position as John Slade now found himself in.
Striding over towards the anxious father, he nearly found himself bowled over when the electronic sliding glass doors leading to E.R Ambulance bay flew open and a harried looking, much younger man came rushing in. Huffing at the indignation, he was about to reprimand the young man for his actions when he saw said young man drop to his knees in front of his patient's father, much to the relief of the angst filled man, which was evident by the way he pulled the boy to his chest. Taking a closer look at the blonde, he could see silent tears streaming down his face from the side view advantage that he had and his heart immediately broke for the kid, especially considering the news he was about to impart.
Chewing on his bottom lip, he contemplated giving the elder man a small amount of time to comfort the younger, as he was in obvious need of it, but then he knew his patient's condition was already critical enough without waiting any longer and he just couldn't afford to lose any more of that precious time. Steeling his resolve, he continued walking and was not in the least bit surprised when the older man whispered something to the younger and they both stood up to face him, anxiousness clearly written on their faces.
~~Supernatural~~
Pulling into the parking lot of the small hospital, Dean parked the car haphazardly in the closest parking spot to the hospital he could find and then quickly flung open the door in a desperate need to get to his baby brother. Climbing out of the classic car, he slammed the door shut without a second thought of mistreating his 'girl' and took off at a run towards the ER waiting room. As he ran, he could feel his heart thumping wildly in his chest at the thought that he might be too late, that he could have already lost the only light in his life. Feeling the tears begin to stream down his face, he tried to shake off the negative thoughts. He couldn't lose his baby brother, he just couldn't.
Arriving at the ER doors, he waited impatiently for them to slide open and then rushed inside, nearly colliding with someone before he averted his path at the last moment. Arriving at his father's side, he dropped to his knees and panted in a sobbing breath.
"How is he Dad, how's my baby brother?"
"Dean, thank God you're here," John voiced in obvious relief as he pulled his oldest son to his chest in a comforting hug for just a few seconds before releasing the boy. "As for your brother, they haven't told me anything yet."
"What happened? Did he get really sick or something?" Dean inquired, swiping away the tears that were finally abating now that he was with his Dad.
"No, Sammy was sta…" John's voice drifted off as he witnessed the doctor approaching. "Here comes the doc."
Offering a hand, John helped Dean to his feet and the two Winchesters turned to face the medical specialist, each of them uneasy at what they were about to find out.
"Family of Samuel Slade?" Dr. Brad Spencer questioned, just to be positive that this was indeed the family of his young patient.
"Yes, I'm his father John and this is my son Dean," John answered as he placed a supportive hand on Dean's shoulder only to feel the quivering beneath it.
"Hello, my name is Dr. Brad Spencer. I'm the doctor who is treating your son Samuel."
"Sam, his name is Sam," Dean stated nervously. "Sammy hates being referred to by his full name."
"I'll remember that," Brad stated with a smile trying to alleviate some of the young man's nervousness. Of course, he knew it would all be for naught once he informed the family just how seriously hurt their younger member was.
"Doc, how is he, how's my boy?" John questioned, unable to contain his worry any longer.
"Mr. Slade…John, I am sorry to inform you that your son Sam's condition at this time is considered very critical. He has lost an enormous amount of blood due to an intestinal perforation and is in need of immediately surgery," Brad stated, instantly becoming concerned upon noticing how pale Dean became at hearing his words.
"Oh god," Dean murmured, his knees going weak upon hearing the words escape from the doctor's mouth.
"Here, why don't we sit down," the doctor encouraged as he grasped Dean by the arm and led him over to the nearest chair in the small waiting room, fearing that the young man would soon collapse if he didn't sit.
"You-you can sa-save him though, ri-right?" Dean stammered as he glanced at the doctor with tears once again misting his green eyes.
"Honestly, I don't know. But if we can get him into surgery soon enough to repair the hole in his stomach to keep the intestinal contents from leaking too much into his stomach cavity, he will at least have a fighting chance," Brad answered, wrapping his index and middle finger around Dean's wrist to monitor his pulse.
"Then you have my permission. Do what you have to do," John stated quickly, wanting to give Sammy the best chance he could have at surviving.
"Mr. Slade, I do need to warn you that Sam could suffer complications from the intestinal perforations; complications that could leave him too weak to fight after the surgery," the doctor stated wanting the small family to know everything they were facing before making the final decision on surgery.
"What kinds of complications are we talking about?" John asked, placing his hand at the nape of Dean's neck and giving it a slight squeeze. He could tell that Dean was becoming overwhelmed by the doctor's words.
"There is a chance that he could suffer a worse abdominal bleed while we are in there. There is also a chance that the leakage that has already occurred in Sam's abdominal cavity could lead to an infection known as an intra-abdominal abscess, or in the worst case scenario…sepsis," Brad answered truthfully.
"Damn," John swore, knowing how bad that could be on Sammy's outlook since sepsis had a high death rate. "And if Sammy doesn't have the surgery?"
"He won't survive the injury," Dr. Spencer added bluntly knowing it was their only choice.
"Then there's no choice. You have to operate," John voiced gruffly around the lump that seemed to have taken up permanent residence in his throat. "Can we see him before you operate?"
"Yes, but only for just a few moments," Brad answered, knowing it could be the last time the family had to spend with their youngest member. "If you'll follow me."
~~Supernatural~~
Walking into the treatment room a few scant moments later, Dean's breath was nearly taken away as he saw his unconscious baby brother laying there on the bed, his skin almost as pale as the white sheet that was now protecting his brother's modesty. Striding over to the bed, he grasped Sam's limp hand, the one without the intravenous needle in it, in one of his own and gave it a squeeze.
"Hey Kiddo. I'm sorry I wasn't here for you earlier but I'm here now," Dean voiced softly, holding back the sobs trying to break free as he sat on the edge of the bed and used his other hand to card his fingers lightly through Sam's chestnut colored hair. "I know you're tired, but I need you to fight for me, okay Tiger? I can't go through this life without you Sammy. I love you."
"That goes for me too, son. Me and Dean, we'll be waiting right here for you, so you show those doctors just how tough you are and that we Winchester's don't quit." John voiced before bending down to kiss his youngest tenderly on the forehead.
"Sorry to interrupt, but we really do need to get Sam up to the O.R.," Dr. Brad Spencer informed the small family after having walked into the room to witness the tender moment between father and son. Waving the orderlies over, he watched as they unlocked the wheels to the portable gurney and then walked beside his patient as they carefully guided him out of the small treatment room.
Watching as his brother disappeared, Dean then turned distressed eyes to his father. "What the hell happened?"
Filling his son in on the events that transpired earlier at the motel, John could see the guilt taking hold in Dean's eyes at not having been there for his brother so he wasn't the least bit surprised by Dean's words once he had finished his spiel.
"I'm going to find that sonuvabitch and make him pay for what he did to Sammy. By the time I'm finish, he'll wish he had never been born.
TBC Once again, I am sorry for the long wait. I've just lacked the energy to write with everything that's happened over the past few weeks. I have this next week off though so I am hoping to be able to update all of my stories.
