Of Many Things
Chapter Five
A person could survive for years on life support, but was that really living? Dr. Jenson had never been personally faced with this question; but it was one that she offered advise on in her career all of the time. What gave her the right to input on people's lives like that? Just because she had the skills needed to stitch people back together, didn't mean that she knew what was best for them. At Least that is what she told herself. But she was a doctor, a good one at that, of course she had an opinion on the matter. She couldn't make it through a single day of work without it. Honesty hurt. Telling a patient that they were going to die hurt. Watching their family and friends crumble under the grief hurt. But it was apart of her job. Apart of her life. She had become resilient to the pain; she had to be, it wasn't hers to feel. Teresa Lisbon was different though. There was something so captivating about the young woman who's life was currently bundled into her steady hands. She wanted more than anything to go out to the four lost souls waiting in the corridor and deliver them good news. A glimmer of hope. She wanted more than anything to have something that she would never get. Teresa Lisbon was dying. Despite her greatest effort and eternal hope, she was unfixable.
They had reduced Lisbon's pain medication enough to wake her up, and explained how removing someone from life support was the only way to assess their condition. They had to be allowed to live for themselves. But this was something that Lisbon was unable to do. It had been a vain hope. Injuries as severe as Lisbon's rarely allowed for life to carry on. 9mm didn't seem a lot, but when sent searing through a human being, the damage done was unimaginable. Arteries were ripped apart. Bones were shattered. Organs pierced, and left lifeless. Teresa was strong, but the bullets were stronger. As soon as the machines were switched off sirens blared from others. The unmistakable buzz of a flat line rang out. Her heart, so full of goodness, was now nothing more than meat. Compressions failed. Electricity too. There was nothing to be done except allow the woman, who Dr. Jenson felt so strongly for, to be able to say goodbye to the ones she loved. Like she said, a person could survive for years on life support. Years would not be given to Teresa Lisbon, but she would have a little time. Hours seem like nothing, but when it is all you have, they can be used so very wisely. It wasn't regularly done, but Dr. Jenson had ordered the machines, that were moments ago breathing life into Lisbon, to be switched back on. Blood would flow. Lungs would inflate. Life would be returned; if only for a little while. And when the time came; when they were all as ready as you could ever be for the end, they would be switch off again. This time however they would eternally stay that way. Lisbon was being given a right of passage, back into the waking world. Time to say goodbye; it was the least she deserved.
Dr. Jenson had explained all of this to Lisbon; the intricacies of her case. She had seen as realisation washed over the young woman's face. As it grew ever greyer. She had held her hand as the information was processed. Allowed her to understand, before moving on with the conversation. She waited for Lisbon to speak first; not wanting to interrupt her emotions.
'Thank You.' It was such a simple statement, but it shook Dr. Jesnon to the core. She wished with all her heart the she could do more; but there was only so much that medicine, and science, and learning can do. Sometimes things just have to happen.
'Could i please tell my team myself, i mean, i think they will understand better if i do.' Lisbon's words came stumbling out. Like she had almost forgotten how to use them. She truly appreciated the opportunity that had been given to her. If she had to leave this earth, at least she could leave a little of herself in it. A last goodbye to a world that she was not ready to leave. To the people she was not ready to leave.
'Of Course, i will invite them back in,' was just about to open to door, when she turned back to face Lisbon. Sorrow in her eyes, 'I am truly sorry Teresa.' And Lisbon knew she meant it wholeheartedly. A small smile portrayed her feelings, as she was unable to speak anymore. The fear of what she was about to do was far greater than that of death. She was about to break their hearts.
Thankyou again for reading, Katie.