Grissom returned with a large shopping bag full of food. Despite feeling rather full from the small cup of yoghurt, she couldn't help but smile when he handed her a container of mixed berries.
"I know that you used to like these." He said tentatively. "And I thought berries might be a good option. But there's some other fruit, too." Sara had already opened the container and started eating before he could unpack anything else. "I got some ready to eat pineapple and watermelon. A couple bananas and oranges. There's a few apples, some grapes, and peaches as well." He explained as he removed them from the bag.
"I don't think I can eat all that." Sara said, eyeing the large pile of fruit growing in front of her.
"I know. I just wanted you to have some choice. We can share what you don't want with the staff, or your visitors." Grissom told her. "But this is for you only." He said as he pulled a small familiar bakery box out of the bag. "I got a couple pastries from the French bakery. Nothing too rich, but I thought you might enjoy them?" Sara set down the berries and opened the box, her face lighting up.
"I can't even remember the last time I went there. It's been ages. I'll save them for lunch." Sara told him. "Why don't you and Jim have some of the fruit?" she suggested. "Save me a peach. And a banana." She gestured for them to take something. Grissom obliged and chose an apple but Brass shook his head. Sara levelled a glare at him and he quickly picked up a few grapes to eat.
"Geez, you'd think I was the patient." Brass teased her.
"A little bit of fruit is probably good for you." Sara told him pointedly. "I'm not the only one who needs to remember to eat."
After enjoying her breakfast, Sara allowed herself a short rest. She found herself exhausted from the activity of the morning already and it irritated her. Restlessly she shifted position trying to get comfortable with no success. Just as she was beginning to drift off, a knock at the door startled her.
"Good morning, Sara, how are you feeling today?" Dr. Mark asked as he came in, followed by a nurse.
"Good. I want to go home. I ate breakfast. Can we take these tubes out now?" She asked.
"You're not ready to go home yet. But yes, I think it's time to remove that NG tube." he turned to Grissom and Brass. "Would you two mind excusing us for a few minutes?" He asked, and they looked to Sara.
"It's fine. You don't want to watch this." Sara insisted, and they quickly got up to leave. After a few minutes, Sara was free of monitors and tubing, and the nurse left with several vials of blood to be tested. The only thing that remained attached to her was a cannula for her antibiotics later that day, and she took a few moments to enjoy the freedom of movement that came from removing the wires.
"Now the next step is to get you up and moving. The physical therapist will be in a bit later this morning to assist you with that. Until she's here, you are not to get out of bed, but you can start sitting up. But let me reiterate, the entire lower half of your body is to remain in contact with that bed unless you have the assistance of hospital staff. OK?"
"Yeah, ok." Sara agreed. As much as she wanted to try getting up now she also wasn't keen to risk a fall or injury that might delay her discharge.
"I also have some details of your surgery to discuss with you. You should know that in the event we were unable to reach your husband, he appointed Mr. Brass to make medical decisions for you should he not be available, and as the primary point of contact for updates." Sara nodded as she felt her nerves rise. Brass had been the obvious choice and she had no problem with Grissom appointing her, but she was bracing for the bad news she was sure to follow. "As such, both of them are already aware of what we're about to discuss. Would you like to have them with you while we talk?" He asked, and Sara shook her head.
"No. It's bad news, isn't it?" Sara asked.
"The infection was caused by retained fetal tissue from your miscarriage." he began. "Unfortunately when the abscess ruptured, there was extensive damage. We had to perform a hysterectomy. We were able to preserve one ovary, so you won't have to deal with premature menopause, but unfortunately that's all we were able to save. I'm sorry, Sara, but you won't be able to conceive or carry a pregnancy." He told her carefully.
"OK." She said flatly, successfully appearing indifferent to the news.
"Do you have any questions?" Sara's eyes darted around the room as she struggled to think clearly.
"Was there any other damage?" She asked.
"No other organs were affected, fortunately. And we were able to remove all of the infection so you should bounce back pretty quickly and there won't be any other lasting consequences. All of the effects of malnutrition were able to be reversed although I would still advise following up with your physician regularly. And ideally you will need to gain a bit of weight. If you end up malnourished like this again, it will likely cause permanent damage."
"Well that should be easier if I'm not throwing up or nauseous all the time." Sara mumbled.
"Yes, it should be. And from the looks of things you won't have any lack of food, either." He gestured to the fruit on the table, the chocolates that DB had left, and the snacks Greg had left after his movie night. Sara nodded in agreement.
"So I guess Grissom and Brass know about this." Sara stated blankly.
"Yes, they do. But to the best of my knowledge none of your other friends know." He told her. "And it's entirely up to you if you tell anyone. We can offer you a referral to a psychologist if you'd like. I've also notified your physician. And if you would like to pursue it, we can do a review to determine how this was missed earlier by your medical team." He offered.
"I didn't go to my follow ups." Sara told him. "Didn't see any reason to go back there."
"Ah. That may be part of it then." He agreed. "But they still should have contacted you to ensure scans and bloodwork were done and to explain the importance." she shrugged.
"There's nothing to be gained by investigating it." Sara insisted. "I chose not to follow up, that's on me, not them."
"If you change your mind, just let someone know then." He told her. "And we will be making sure you attend your follow up appointments here after discharge. I'm not above informing your husband or friends that you need to come in for them." His voice was stern but gentle. Sara sighed.
"I'll make sure I do." she told him. "Especially if it means I can go home."
"Good. Now do you have any more questions for me?" Sara shook her head. "OK, I'll leave my number with you if you think of anything, or you can ask your nurse. If you think of anything, don't be afraid to ask. And I'll be back to see you before I finish for the day to see how PT goes. Would you like me to send your husband back in?" He asked.
"No. I think I need some time to myself." Sara admitted, her carefully constructed facade slipping for a second. "Tell them I just need some rest. Brass should go home and sleep. Grissom... he can come back a bit later."
"OK. I'll let them know. Use your call button if you need anything at all, alright? The nurses won't mind. You can let them know when you're ready for visitors or your physical therapist, too."
"Thanks." Sara said. "I'll do that."