Even though Roy spent nearly a half-hour waiting for Doctor Brackett to finish up with patients and spent another hour going over what would be his new job responsibilities, Roy was still able to manage to make it back to Johnny's room before he woke up. Anticipating a wait, he pulled out his book, looked at and sighed.
There is just no way I can read right now… I can't believe how much Dr. Brackett is hoping I can bring to the paramedic program considering the changes they want to make. I know I've been able to do well training new paramedics before, but I hope I don't let them down when I start teaching the skills needed out in the field. Then, I have the, what did he call it? Roy thought back. Oh, yes. The "privilege" of deciding which current paramedic team will mentor someone before they become an official paramedic. At least now the fire department and hospital are allowing a four month in-the-field training after a month working in the Emergency Department under the teachers and doctors guidance. I know it would have been a lot scarier and it would have been far harder if we hadn't worked with the nurses before the bill had passed. I just wonder what other changes are in store. I guess I should be glad that changes are finally being made that will benefit both the paramedic trainees and the public. I am curious as to who the other Paramedic Captains will be.
Sensing movement from both the doorway and the bed, Roy glanced towards Johnny before seeing who was entering.
"Hey, Dr. Early, he's just waking up," Roy greeted.
"I got time and I actually wanted to ask if it was okay if Doctor Morton came in with me today."
Shrugging, Roy looked around to the black doctor, "I don't know what he'll say, but why not? I know Dr. Brackett and Dixie are going to try and come to see him the day after tomorrow."
Nodding, the two doctors entered slowly as John woke up. After giving him a while to gather himself, Dr. Early smiled down at him before taking a seat.
"Good morning John. How are you doing?" he cheerfully asked.
"Okay," was the short reply as suspicious eyes crept to Dr. Morton.
"This is Dr. Morton. He works in the ER like I do. Today I need to take out some of your stitches, so I needed some help. Is that okay with you?"
Staring at Morton for a bit, Johnny slid his eyes towards Roy. Not saying anything, Roy tried to convey that it was up to him. Seeing there wasn't any fear or concern in his new uncle's eyes, Johnny slowly nodded.
"Guess so," he slowly said as he turned back to them. "Going to hurt?"
"It shouldn't hurt," Mike reassured him. "You might feel some tugging on your skin, but if it does hurt, just let us know and we'll stop. Is that a deal?"
"Deal?"
"Deal, like, oh," Mike fumbled for the right way to word it. "You agree if it hurts, you let us know and we stop. Deal."
"Oh." John thought carefully for a moment before pronouncing, "Deal."
Smiling slightly, Dr. Morton turned the first part of the exam over to Joe. It went fairly quickly as Johnny was getting used to being prodded and poked by the gentle doctor, although everyone in the room could tell he hated it.
"Alright, we are done with that for now. I do want to talk to you about something and I think this will make you happy," Doctor Early smiled as he talked. "I think you are doing well enough that we can get rid of this line coming out of your head. Also, since you're eating so well, I can also take the line that is coming out of your shoulder. That one was proving extra food directly to your stomach, but as long as your Uncle Roy and Aunt Joanne add some vitamins and supplements I'll be giving them to your food, I know you will be fine."
"Hurt?" John asked quickly, not caring about anything else.
"It won't hurt when we take them out," Joe promised him. "We can give you medications so that you sleep right through this. After, your stomach may feel a bit sore, but we can help with that if it gets real bad. Where we take the lines out, I will put stitches in, so they may itch, but that is it."
Johnny groaned without thinking, then gasped when he realized it. Fearfully, he looked up at the adults. Instead of them being angry however, they were smiling at him.
Why are they smiling? Why are they not mad at me? Why are they not yelling at me? he wondered, confused.
Seeing the look, Roy quickly explained, "We won't get upset for you telling us how you feel or what you are thinking. We want to know these things and it is because we care about you. Not just my family and I, but both of these doctors here."
Nodding sheepishly, Johnny whispered an apology.
Shaking his head, Roy said, "I think that is one thing we'll talk about with Dr. Druthers this afternoon. For now, though, let's focus on what is being talked about right now, okay?"
When John nodded in agreement, Roy questioned, "So, when do you want to take out the two lines?"
"Sometime this evening. That way, I can give you something to help you sleep through the night and hopefully, it won't be so bad in the morning," Dr. Early said, directing his comment towards Johnny. "It does mean that you cannot eat supper tonight, but you can eat lunch. I trust Jo is bringing something?"
"Yep, she said it was going to be a surprise for two of her favorite boys since her third was at sports camp."
"Well, shall we get those stitches out? I have a feeling she'll be here soon."
"Please," Johnny said. "Itchy!"
Trying to suppress a chuckle by couching, Joe just nodded. Grabbing the supplies, he and Mike got to work. Within a few minutes, all of the remaining stitches with the exception of the largest cut on his lower back were gone.
"Done," Mike pronounced. "Was that so bad?"
"No," Johnny said in wonderment. "Just funny."
"Any more questions for me, Johnny?" Dr. Morton asked, hoping that the plan he, Joe, and Kel had come up with might work.
"You real doctor?" Johnny asked quietly.
"Yes, I am. I worked very hard even when people would say that someone of my color shouldn't be a doctor. I did that as I wanted to be a doctor very much. I looked for people who could see me for who I was and what I could do, not just what I looked like," Mike explained slowly as he made sure Johnny was listening. "I found people who didn't care I was black, just that I was a good doctor. That is why I am here.
"Just like the doctors here and your Uncle Roy, Aunt Joanne, their kids, as well as their friends who know you, they see you for who you are. They see past your skin color. They care about you for who you are," Doctor Morton went on in a gentle manner. "Does that make sense to you?"
"Like me for me?" John looked up at the doctor.
"Yes, to them and to most people, they remember who you are and are willing to be wait for you to get to know them again."
Nodding, Johnny said, "Think can try. Scary."
"That's okay. I get that. All we want is for you to try, okay?" Dr. Morton said. "And if you ever wonder why they like you, just ask them or I can come up when I have free time to talk, okay?"
"'Kay," Johnny agreed. "Thank."
"I don't mind," Mike said, relieved that his part in helping John start to understand his value and place in people's lives weren't based on his heritage. "Just remember, you can ask or tell us anything."
"Even if just hungry?" John looked up, blushing as his stomach growled.
Smiling, Roy acknowledged, "Even if you're hungry, we want you to let us know."
"Ahh, just in time too," Joe said as he spotted Joanne entering with a couple of totes of what he could only imagine were filled with her delicious cooking. "I am sure you are going to love your Aunt Jo's cooking a lot more than the hospitals."
As the gathered up the supplies, Doctor Early told Joanne the plans for later that night and that he would send the need supplements for food up as soon as he could. With that, he and Mike left the three to enjoy Jo's lasagna with garlic bread.
Unfortunately, they were only half way through when Dr. Druthers appeared. Disappointed, Johnny set down his fork and sighed, figuring that lunch would have to wait.
Smiling, Karl encouraged him, "Don't stop on my account. That food smells too good to wait. I can always just talk to you about some things I wanted to first anyway. You can speak up, interrupt, or just let me ramble on if you'd like. It's up to you."
"Real?" Johnny looked gratefully at him.
"Really," Karl assured him.
As the three of them ate, Doctor Druthers explained that anything they talked about would be kept a secret unless he was worried John would hurt himself, it would affect his recovery, or it was something that his family needed to know about.
"What I want to know is how you feel about things, so that I know you are happy and healthy as much as possible. If you have a bad day or a good day, I'd like to know why. If you are mad, or sad, or upset about something, let me know. I can try to help you find out why and how to deal with it. Things won't be easy for a while," Karl cautioned. "I am more than happy to stick around and help you, just as I have been helping your family and their friends. You can talk with me by yourself or have someone with you if you would like. It is up to you and you can always change your mind during our talks. Your Uncle Roy and Aunt Jo have already said that they wouldn't mind being told that you want them to leave. I would like to talk to you alone when you are ready."
Johnny took in what this doctor was saying. Unsure of what to do or say, he just continued eating until he couldn't eat anymore. Still, he stayed silent. Neither one of the three adults spoke, content just to allow him to think things through.
"Black doctor say color don't matter to them," John started speaking slowly and quietly. "I see in head faces that look hurt, look scared. It is cause I hurt. The people stay by me, help me, make me feel better. Don't know them, but they say they know me. Say they Uncle Roy, Aunt Jo, Chris, Jenny, Uncle…"
Sighing in frustration, John moves his fork around his plate, "Can't 'MEMBER! Hard, hate it. But think I trust them. Not sure why. Just do. Uncle Roy, Aunt Jo like ma and dad. Like it even though scary. Wish I could know them."
As Roy and Joanne put a hand on Johnny, Karl spoke up, "I know none of us can know what you feel, but I am sorry you feel that way. You will have a hard time remembering things, even day to day things for a while. It is normal."
"Uncle Roy says head got hurt," Johnny told him. "That why."
"Yes, that is why," Dr. Druthers confirmed. "You can trust them. They are willing to help you in any way you need. We just need you to hang in here and work with us as we learn how to best help us."
"What you mean?" Johnny looked up seriously.
"We know you hurt your head and that you can't remember things. That you may feel good one minute and down the next, right?"
"Yes…"
"Well, I, along with Doctor Early, aren't sure what else you may struggle with. That is why tomorrow, if you are feeling well enough, there are some people who will be coming to see you," Karl explained. "These people will be able to help us know if you will have trouble with anything else."
Seeing the panic develop on John's face, Karl was quick to let him know, "If you do have trouble with anything, these people can help us by working with you so that you get better and don't have so much trouble anymore. You don't need to worry as anyone with head injuries as bad as yours usually does need some help to get back to how they were before. All of us, your family and your doctors, will be with you every step of the way."
"Scared," Johnny almost whimpered.
"Shhh, I know sweetie," Joanne hugged him as tightly as possible. "Uncle Roy and I aren't though, so can you trust us enough to try to work with the people who want to help?"
Squeezing his eyes tight, John nodded.
"That's good," Dr. Druthers praised. "Are you scared or worried about anything else right now?"
"Tubes."
"Tubes?" he asked, a bit confused.
"Dr. Early is removing the central feeding IV and ICP bolt tonight," Roy explained, a bit confused that Karl wasn't aware.
"Oh, that!" he was a bit embarrassed that he didn't understand right away. "Did Doctor Early explain what would happen, Johnny?"
"No."
"Well, I am no surgeon, but from what I know, the nurse will be in about an hour to give you a medication that will make you very sleepy. By the time you are moved from your bed here to another one, you should be almost asleep. Your aunt and uncle will stay with you as you are taken up to a place where you will be given a different medication that will put you to sleep," Karl explained. "While you are sleeping, the tubes will be taken out. Where the tubes came out of your skin, you will have stitches. Does this make sense so far?"
"Won't feel?" Johnny asked nervously.
"No, not at all," Roy promised. "After the tubes are taken out, Aunt Jo and I will be with you again. You will be in a different room for a bit as you wake up. Once you are awake, you'll come back down here and sleep through the night. From what Doctor Early said, you may hurt a bit in your stomach area and a bit in your shoulder area, but it shouldn't be too bad. If it does hurt, just let us know, okay?"
"You be here?" Johnny looked towards Roy.
"Yes, I'll be here when you are moved and when you wake up. I promise," Roy assured him.
Heaving a sigh, John mumbled, "Hate this."
"I know, sweetie," Joanne rubbed his arm. "I wish we could make you all better right now, but we can't. We can promise we'll be here for you."
"Is there anything else you would like to talk about?" Karl asked as he looked at the clock and saw that it was nearing the time when the nursing staff would begin the pre-operative work up.
Shaking his head no, Johnny slid down a bit in bed and winced.
Deciding not to comment, Dr. Druthers stood up and said with a smile, "I'll come back to check on you tomorrow night. Otherwise, remember, if you need anything, just let someone know what you need. Everyone is willing and happy to help you out in any way."
"Okay," John told him, obviously not happy with the upcoming events.
"I know you aren't looking forward to getting the tubes out, but just think, this is another step towards you getting out of the hospital," Karl reminded Johnny. "Plus, I bet your Uncle Roy is going to be spending the night here so no one worries."
"How'd you know?" Roy asked shocked.
"I've talked to you enough," Karl grinned at him. "And John, don't feel guilty. Having your Uncle Roy stay here with you is the only way he and his family will get sleep tonight. If he wasn't here, they'd be wondering if you were alright. It's just a part of being a part of a family that loves and cares about you, so don't feel bad."
Nodding, Johnny wondered, How'd he know I felt that way?
"It's written on your face, Junior," Roy said.
Shock appeared next, causing the three adults to chuckle.
"Don't worry," Joanne assured Johnny in a whisper. "What Uncle Roy doesn't know is that I can read the rest of the family just as well as he can read you. It all evens out."
Unsure what she meant, John just nodded and waved as Karl took his leave as his day nurse came in. Knowing what that meant, he sighed heavily and tried not to panic. Thankfully, within the hour, he was up in surgery and by the next morning, John had no recollection of being moved to surgery or back to his room.