A few more days went by, with Jane getting the all clear from the other departments: she was cleared off to return home once Maura gave her 'ok'. Though she had not been able to stop by for lunch after their last meeting, Maura still made it a point to visit with the detective as often as time allowed. She came in to check on Jane after her surgeries to see how she was feeling. Jane wouldn't admit it to anyone, but she lived for the few minutes she could get in private with the doctor each day. There had been something about Maura Isles that had fascinated her from day one, and she knew that she wanted to get to know this doctor better.
A knock on the door announced her arrival around her usual time. Angela had been sitting by Jane's bed, watching television along with her daughter.
"Good morning Jane, how are you feeling today?" Maura asked with her usual smile as she entered the room.
Jane instantly smiled and made to sit straighter, which didn't go unnoticed by her mother. "I'm feeling ok today, Dr. Isles. How are you?" she asked the blonde.
"I'm doing well Jane, thank you," Maura replied back as she reached the edge of Jane's bed and began to move the food tray out of the way.
"Please doctor, let me," Angela quickly intervened and began moving the object out of the way.
"How do you hands feel today? What's your pain level?" Maura asked Jane.
"There's been a lot of tingling and some pain. I'd say I'm at a 4 or 5, but the nurses have been keeping me on pain meds so I'm doing alright."
"It's time," Maura said as she continued observing Jane's hands. "You've rested the number of days required post-op; now it's time to see how far along we got and what we need to do from here."
Jane nodded; a big gulp was noticeable to the other women. "The bandages are coming off then?" she asked.
"They're coming off," Maura agreed with a nod. She turned her attention away from Jane and began to gather medical supplies from one of the cabinets and putting them onto a tray. Once she had everything gathered, she helped Jane get in the adequate position to allow her to work before sitting on a stool and putting on some gloves. "Do you want your mother here for this?" she asked Jane carefully.
Jane looked over at her mother and nodded. "Ma's been here since day one," she replied. Angela's eyes watered gratefully.
Maura nodded her head in agreement and with a small smile set to work. She very carefully removed all the surgical tape and gauze which had kept Jane's hands heavily bandaged for the better part of a week. She gently placed Jane's left hand down. "Leave it be for now," Maura said before she moved onto her right hand and began to remove the bandage there. "I know this is a lot to take in Jane. The next few minutes are going to determine where we go from here. Now keep in mind that your hands have been immobile for a few days; they may not respond right away. You have to be patient. Scarring is still taking place so if we did our job right, there is going to be a lot of sensation, especially right on the center of your palm."
"I feel a lot of tingling, and they itch," Jane replied.
Maura smiled. "That's a good sign." She took one of Jane's hands and turned it over palm up. She very gently grazed the center of her palm. Jane's fingers twitched. "You can feel that?" she asked.
Jane nodded quickly.
Maura turned the hand over and did the same on the opposite side. Jane's fingers twitched again. She looked up and Jane nodded once more. "We're doing really well so far," she said. She took out a small tool and tapped Jane's fingertips one by one. She could see good circulation and a grin coming from her patient.
"I can feel everything you're doing!" Jane said excitedly.
"You're doing great, Jane. Now the other hand," Maura said as she moved to the other side. She repeated everything done on the other hand and saw the same results. Angela had tears streaming down her eyes. Jane was trying very hard not to cry but was starting to feel very emotionally overwhelmed.
"Your fingers appear to be responding well, so that means we are on the right path. I was worried that you may have lost sensation in some areas but that does not appear to be the case. Now I know that this is only the beginning stage, so please don't worry if you're unable to do what I'm about to ask of you. Remember this is going to take time, and a lot of patience."
Jane nodded, remembering her previous conversation with the doctor.
"Alright Jane, I want you to try to move your fingers."
Jane sat up straighter, a look of total concentration on her features as she stared at her left hand. The rest of her body tensed as she continued concentrating, willing her fingers to move. One by one, she managed to get them to respond to her. She finished with both hands, exhausted with what she had accomplished but fully content.
Maura mirrored her patient's smile. "Everything is going even better than planned Jane. Now I know you're tired and that this took a lot out of you, but can you give me a little more?" She asked her patient.
Jane nodded enthusiastically.
"Good. Now this may be even harder to do; don't feel discouraged. I want you to try to close your hand."
Jane's look of concentration took over her features once more as she stared at her left hand and willed it to do her bidding. Angela and Maura sat and patiently waited, with Angela praying and the doctor hoping that the detective could accomplish this too. Jane's hand trembled as she continued her concentration but she only got as far as having her fingers bend slightly.
"That's alright Jane, you can stop there. Don't force yourself anymore. It's only been a few days; this is something you're going to have to work at during physical therapy," Maura began. Jane looked forlorn. "You have to remember all of the great things you have accomplished so far though," Maura continued. "You have sensation and have managed to move each of your fingers, that in itself is fantastic! I think that for the time being no additional surgery will be required. We do need to let your hands continue to heal before we begin physical therapy. I will bandage them again, but much lighter this time and only to prevent infection. You will be able to move your fingers and thumbs with this new bandaging. Since you've already been cleared by the other departments, I'm willing to give my 'ok' and release you today to an outpatient basis."
"Really doc?! I get to go home?!" Jane asked, hope shining in her eyes.
Maura chuckled lightly. "Really Jane, once we're done here I'll begin the paperwork for your release. I have the information for the physical therapist I mentioned. I want to see you back here in five days, unless some complication arises. If everything continues smoothly until then, I'll give the go ahead to begin therapy after one last examination."
Jane relaxed back into bed and let out a contented sigh. "Thank you doctor… Maura."
"There's nothing to thank me for Jane. I'll have everything ready for you, along with a list of do's and don'ts and some prescriptions for pain. I assume Mrs. Rizzoli will be taking care of you for now?"
Jane and Angela nodded.
"Good. You need to have your family around you at times like these. Remember not to overdo it with your hands. You still have a long road ahead of you. Let your mother help you get around and handle things that you aren't ready for yet."
"I'll keep an eye on her and take good care of her Dr. Isles," Angela quickly answered.
Maura gave them one last smile. "Good. Excuse me, I'll go about getting everything ready. It's been a true pleasure. Jane, I'll see you in a few days. Call if there is anything you need."
Jane nodded her agreement. "Thank you again doctor, for everything. I'll be back in a few days," Jane said with a smile as Maura turned and exited the room. She looked at her ma and her smile shone impossibly brighter. "Let's go home ma!"
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