And love
Chap 30 Family support 2
BELLEVUE HOSPITAL
Orthopedics unit
Frank Reagan stands by the bedside of his eldest son. Danny is in his 1st post-op day after an initial repair of a badly fractured left elbow. He will undoubtedly require more procedures; how many? There is no way to tell at this point. It will be a long road, which will severely test any family's support system, even the Reagan's. Danny needs all hands-on-deck for this one.
"Dad or boss?" Danny just asked.
"Both. But primarily dad, son. Is your pain being controlled?"
"Somewhat."
"Level, right now?"
"6, nurse Francis."
Frank leans over and presses the red button on the IV pump. "You know about that button, don't you?"
"Yup, thanks. You gonna stay and press that button for me 24X7?"
"No, I think a detective 1st grade can handle that."
"Like I handled driving my family home from the movies?"
"That was the drunk driver's fault. We got him, 3rd offense. He'll be up river for quite a while."
"3rd? Shit, he shouldn't have been on the road! At least he should have lost his license, dad!"
"Yeah, the system let us down, but the rules were followed." (ADA Erin Reagan was the prosecutor on the 2nd, Frank is NOT going to tell Danny that!).
"Have you talked to my surgeon?" Danny asks.
"No-
"Frank! Good to see you! Dr. Abrams," a stout man in scrubs greets Frank as he walks into Danny's room. They shake hands enthusiastically. The surgeon turns to Danny and introduces himself, again.
"Daniel, I am sure you don't remember me; when we talked post-surgery you hadn't awakened fully. How are you doing, young man?"
"Fair to middling. Dad just pushed my little red button."
"Ah, you found something to do here, eh Frank? Doling out drugs! I hear the NYPD frowns on that!" He claps Frank on the back and chuckles.
Danny frowns. 'Just what I need, a comedian.'
"How did my son's surgery turn out?"
"Very good. We will do our 1st set of post-op x-rays tomorrow, so we'll know more then. That will also give us somewhat of an idea when he might be ready for discharge."
"Will he need assistance at home?"
"Definitely."
Danny tenses, Frank notices.
"He will not be allowed to use his left arm for anything!"
"Hmpf," Danny snorts.
"Daniel, let's talk turkey," Dr. Abrams looks sternly at his patient. "If we are hoping for a completely functional left elbow after we are done, you must follow our directions strictly and fully. Anything less will risk the outcome. I hope you understand that."
Frank's blood runs cold. He senses major trouble ahead. His eldest doesn't operate well under those kinds of restrictions.
Frank thinks that he needs a family council.
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THAT AFTERNOON
Frank has returned to Bellevue, joining Paula in Joe's room. Joe's condition is steadily improving, and his doctor is ready to remove his E/T tube; the right chest tube will remain for several days while the lung continues to heal.
"Ok, Joe. Here is what I want you to do," the doc says. "When I say cough, give me a big cough. Understood?"
Joe nods.
"Ok, after the tube is out, I don't want to talk for 10". The respiratory therapist will monitor you, and give you the ok to talk. Is that clear?"
Joe nods again.
The procedure goes as planned. Afterwards, Paula sits at his left side; "Joe, honey, you are doing great!" She runs her hand through his hair. "I was so worried. It's hard being so far away from you." She lays her head on his hand which is clasped in hers, and cries. Frank looks on, thinking 'that can be fixed'.
After Joe has permission to talk, he addresses Frank. "Thanks for the support, boss. Mom and I really appreciate it."
"No problem, officer." Frank smiles.
"Honey, you don't know the half of it. I'm staying at Jamie's."
"Really, wow. Will you thank him for me, sir?" He looks to his PC.
"I will. He and Eddie were glad to do that for your mom, and you. Well, I better get back to the office. I'll check on you tomorrow." He shakes Joe's hand and is off.
Joe and his mother look at each other, misty eyes.
"I'm going to the cafeteria to find some coffee," Paula says. "What can I get you?"
"He's only allowed clear liquids tonight," the therapist says. She would have to be there still.
"Sorry," Paula commiserates.
"It's ok. I'm happy to be able to talk with you, mom."
"Me too!" She is off.
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BAY RIDGE – WEDNESDAY PM
Supper was a smash hit. Pops had 3 lbs. of ground beef in the freezer. Eddie pulled it out at 3 PM and let it thaw. By 6 PM it was ready for working. Jamie came at 06:10 and Eddie put him to work shaping hamburgers. She seasoned them with salt, pepper and Kikkoman. Jamie started grilling on the stovetop grill.
Pops put the girls to work; they pulled out the deep fat fryer, filled it with oil to heat. Then they peeled potatoes and sliced them into thin FF. He supervised the girls as they did small batches of FF and put them on cookie sheets into the oven to stay warm. The girls were ecstatic, especially Cassie. She had never experienced family life like this!
She would lay awake that evening for a long time – wishing and hoping that she could be a real par1t of this family. She wishes she knew how to pray.
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At 9 PM Jamie swung by Bellevue on his way home and picked up Paula. She was pumped! Her boy was doing very well, his E/T tube was out and they could talk.
"Jamie, thanks so much for all your family is doing for me and Joe. Henry got himself and me lunch, and brought me to the hospital; Frank was there when Joe had his E/T tube removed; now you are taking me home. Why are you doing all this?"
"Well, even though Joe isn't comfortable being a Reagan, yet-
"What do you mean?"
"He said that. But . . . Eddie and I at least, consider Joe and you family. Now we are not putting any expectations on you or him, but we are going to treat you as such when you have needs. Like now when he was shot and needs support. You can count on us, promise."
She sniffles and looks out her passenger side window; he concentrates on driving. It is quiet the rest of the way home.
When they reach the apartment, Jamie lets them in. They say a quick good-night and retire to their rooms. After dressing down for the night, Jamie puts on a robe and comes back out to the LR. He puts some soft classical music on the stereo and relaxes on the couch. He hears Paula open her door a bit to listen. He smiles, closes his eyes and falls asleep.
At 02:00 he comes to, gets up and turns the stereo off and goes to bed.
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BELLEVUE ICU
At 22:00 Linda Reagan wakes up. The night resident is called, she comes to check Linda. The neuro exam shows no deficits, Linda is oriented X3 (person, place, time). She talks with the resident and nurses.
"How is my family?"
"Danny fractured his left elbow; he is recovering from his 1st surgery. The boys had whiplash injury only. They are recovering at their grand father's home. In Bay Ridge I believe."
"Danny's 1st surgery?"
"His elbow was shattered. He probably will need more procedures," the resident explains.
"Oh, no. That's going to be so hard on him. Can I see him, please?"
"Maybe tomorrow. We will ask your doctor in the morning. You need to rest now*."
MEANWHILE - THE ORTHO WARD
Danny Reagan lies in his bed, awake. If he could, he would be tossing and turning. The thought of not qualifying for a return to full duty terrifies him. He doesn't know what else he can do. He hung some drywall while in college, what a joke that seems like now. He needs to talk with Linda. She is his ROCK! Always has been, always will be!
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TBC A/N: Do you see the foundation that's being laid?
· Linda has been comatose for 24 hours. She needs to rest? Why? I must have dozed off during the part of the lecture when my professor explained that. But we always say it. Oh well . . .