And love
Chap 60 Help in time saves lives
ST. VICTOR'S ER
After talking for a moment, the registration clerk addresses Dr. Young. "Dr. Jayne Kelso will be here shortly. You can have a seat, sir."
"I'll just wait here, thanks." He paces for 2 minutes, then a tall, trim brunette in scrubs, a stethoscope around her neck and a white coat comes up to the desk.
"A doctor to see me?"
The clerk points to the still pacing Dr. Young.
Jayne approaches him and extends her hand. He stops, and they greet each other.
"Jayne Kelso, Mid-town obstetrics."
"Robert Young, Stony Brook Medical Center. It's Robert or Bob – as you prefer."
"I like Robert," she smiles sweetly. "Jayne works for me. What can I do for you, Robert?"
"I am consulting with doc Casey Nelson, Ob-Gyn of Middle Island. Her patient, Eddie Reagan, is 36 weeks with twin boys. We have a c-section scheduled in 1 week. But her husband, an NYPD officer, was shot today. He is here, I believe; Eddie is also. The emotional trauma appears to be starting labor."
"Wow, twin boys. Any complicating factors?"
"Yes. The boys each have their own placenta, and one is covering her cervix."
"Oh no, we cannot let her go into labor and try a vaginal delivery. Can we?"
"No, we cannot. Will you see her with me, please?"
"Certainly. Where is she?"
The physicians turn to the clerk, who gives them Eddie's location.
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SURGERY WAITING ROOM
Frank Reagan is sitting, bouncing his left leg and reading a two-year old issue of Sports Illustrated. 'I should send Baker to help them update their reading material', he muses.
His phone rings; "Frank Reagan."
"Frank, this is Linda. Where are you?"
"St. Victor's surgery waiting room. Why?"
"You are here, really?"
"Yes, what's up Linda?"
"Did you know Pops was here too?"
"Yes, I sent him down to the ER to wait for Eddie Why?"
"Well, 2 ICU nurses found him in an elevator car. It appears that he has suffered a stroke, Frank."
"What?"
"Yes, he is here in the ER being evaluated, as we speak. Who should I call?"
"Well, I had sent him down to the ER to wait for Eddie to arrive with the girls. He was also supposed to call Erin and Danny. Do you have any idea if he accomplished that?"
"I think so, Danny called to tell me that he is hurrying down here."
"Linda, have Danny stay with Pop and update us; have Erin stat with Eddie and do the same; I am with Jamie, and will do likewise. We will stay in touch by cell. Understand?"
"Got it, good plan. I will TXT updates as I have them. Bye for now."
"Bye Linda, and thanks."
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ER EXAM #10
Eddie has an IV started and a fetal monitor strapped to her abdomen when 3 physicians enter her little space. Her 3 daughters are clustered around the head of her bed; they each are touching her; not wanting to let go. Tension is palpable.
"Eddie, your U/S shows that placenta is still covering your cervix," Casey informs her. "This is Dr. Jayne Kelso, the Ob doctor on call here, and you know Dr. Young. Because of hospital privilege rules, Dr. Kelso will be in charge of your surgery."
Jayne steps forward and shakes Eddie's hand; and says hello.
Eddie frowns, "But I don't know you." She is getting more nervous by the minute.
"Sorry, that's the rules," Jayne says, quite abruptly.
Eddie freezes; Casey and Robert shudder.
Mary Rose is about to burst, but Cassie tightens her hold on her little sisters' shoulders. Mal grimaces but keeps quiet.
"Can Dr. Young assist you?" Casey asks as she turns to Jayne. "Will that reassure you, Eddie?" (She knows that asking for herself would be a fool's errand)
Eddie speaks up, "Yes it would, but I need to know that my husband is all right before I consent and we proceed."
"Do you understand the risks here, to your babies?" Jayne posits. Again, rather coldly. She crosses her arms in front of her chest, a scowl on her face.
Now Casey and Robert are getting really upset. They seldom see a bedside manner this bad. Casey motions toward the curtain, hoping Robert will get her need to talk with him. He nods and the two of them step out.
"Can you find out how my husband's surgery is going, please?" Eddie smiles at Dr. Kelso.
Fortunately, Jayne realizes her faux pas and softens. "Yes, I can try." She exits to call surgery.
"Can we Life-Flight her to Stony Brook, Bob?"
"Yes, but it is costly. We are up against a qualified Ob-Gyn doctor. And an outstanding hospital. I don't think we can justify it to her insurance."
"I wonder about the family?" Casey mutters.
"What about the family?" Linda overhears as she walks by.
"We're talking about our patient," Robert muses.
"You mean Eddie? I am her sister-in-law."
Casey and Robert look at each other.
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POPS AND DANNY
Both the neurologist and neurosurgeon on call have examined Henry. They turn to talk with Danny.
"Your grand-father has obviously suffered a stroke. Right now, his right hand, arm and speech are severely affected-
"Why are you guys talking about me, as if I wasn't here?" Pops speaks softly, in a rather gravelly voice.
The docs and Danny swivel quickly, and stare at the elderly patient.
"When did you become able to talk, sir?" The neurologist croaks.
"Just now, who the hell are you?"
"Doctor Winters, neurologist."
"Daniel, what's going on here?"
"Well Pops, it looked like you were having a stroke. Let's have the neurologist here check you over again."
"What do you mean a stroke? I was just headed down to the ER, then here I am."
"What is the last thing you remember, Mr.
Reagan?" Dr. Winters asks.
"Well, I had just called Danny, then I got on the elevator and now here I am."
"Nothing in between?"
"No. What happened?"
"Two nurses found you slumped down in the elevator," Dr. Winters continues. "You've had a TIA, sir."
"TIA?" Danny questions.
"Transient ischemic attack. Apart of your brain was not receiving enough blood to work properly. It's warning us that you are at extreme risk of a stroke. Dr. Bates and I strongly recommend a cerebral angiogram – to see what the blood supply to your brain looks like. Then we can see what we might do to prevent that."
Henry and Danny look to each other.
"Would you agree Daniel?" Pops is nervous.
"Let me make a quick call, ok?"
Pops nods, Danny exits with the specialists following.
Dr. Bates touches Danny's arm. "Who are you going to call?"
"One of the nurses who found Pops. She is related, and an ICU nurse here."
"Make it quick, please."
"I will."
RING – ICU PHONE
"Hello, Paula Hill, what can I do for you?"
"Paula, this is Danny Reagan. Do you have a minute to tell me about your finding Pops, please?"
She gives Danny the story quickly. He thanks her, and heads back to Pops room.
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SURGERY
Dr. Kelso is arguing with the nursing supervisor.
"I really need an update on Mr. Reagan's procedure!"
"You know what an SOB Cox is! A prissy vascular surgeon."
"But I have a woman pregnant 36 weeks with twin boys. Her cop husband was shot. The emotional stress has sent her into labor."
"So, deliver her."
"One of the placentas is covering her cervix!" 'How much of Eddie's chart do I need to recite to this bitch?' Jayne thinks.
"So, section her."
"She wants to know her husband's status before she consents. Is that so unreasonable?"
"SHIT! You go throw on some scrubs and poke your head in that door. Better to get your head bit off, than mine." The supervisor turns and stomps off.
'SHIT INDEED!' Jayne does just that. She survives to tell the tale.
ER EXAM #10
Jayne Kelso slips back into Eddie's little space. Eddie just finished a contraction; Casey is comforting her.
"How's her cervix?" Jayne asks Casey.
"3cm," Casey worriedly looks up. "They are ready upstairs; Robert is scrubbed in."
"Eddie," Jayne starts. "I talked with the vascular surgeon. Well, he growled at me. I got the story – the axillary artery was nicked; it has been repaired. Jamie has had 3 U RBCs, and is stable. They are finishing the procedure and your husband should make a complete recovery."
Eddie cries, joined by the girls. "Thank you so much. Where do I sign." Linda hands her the consent form on a clip board, she signs. After a kiss from each girl, and a quick prayer by Mary Rose, Eddie is wheeled off. Erin takes the girls up to the Labor & Delivery waiting room.
On the way Linda asks about names.
"The 1St one out will be Patrick Henry. We haven't decided on the 2nd. I have 2 ideas, but Jamie needs to decide with me."
"Got it, you've got some time. Hopefully you and he can talk it over in a couple of days."
"Yeah, I'm looking forward to that."
"I bet you are. Well, here we are," a nurse in scrubs takes control of the stretcher and Eddie disappears behind swinging double doors.
ER, POPS AND DANNY
"Pops, I just talked with Paula Hill. She and another ICU nurse found you in that elevator. From what I know now, you really need that angiogram."
"Well, when can we do that?"
"Right now," doc Winters says. "Dr. Bates has gone to get things moving. Will you sign a consent, sir?"
Pops agrees and signs after being apprised of the risks and benefits. He is whisked off to the Cath lab., Danny sits down in the small waiting room.
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TXT chains:
Linda to group: Pops to Cath lab 4 brain Angio; Ed to Labor & Delivery; J surgery success!
Frank to group: J in recovery. Surgeon says success!
Danny to group: Pops had TIA, resolved. Checking brain blood flow.
Erin to group: Eddie in surgery room. Girls and I waiting, and praying.
All to all: PTL!
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TBC