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Chapter 23
Mike was trying. He had brought Christine flowers and was doing really good with Katie. Even holding her after a really bad seizure. Mike was the only person she had wanted and Mike never hesitated. It was almost a reminder of the photo Christine had sent him.
The appointment with the neurosurgeon had gone as expected. The bullet would be removed as soon as possible, but there was no guarantee that her sight would return. Best case scenario was that it would somewhat alleviate her seizures.
The morning of the surgery; Mike was beside himself. He kissed Katie's head and told her how much he loved her. Watching Katie being rolled away was hard. There was a chance they could lose her still and that terrified both Mike and Christine.
Kara was staying with Hannah and Levi due to how long the surgery was projected to be. Mike paced, watching the screen showing that Katie's surgery was still in progress. Finally, he settled next to Christine with sandwiches and coffee for both of them.
"Mike; its only been three hours. It could be…at least three more." Christine warned gently.
"I know. I was just hoping it would be less than projected." Mike admitted.
"We don't want them to rush." Christine said.
"You're so calm." Mike remarked.
"Because worrying does nothing." Christine replied.
"I'm scared." Mike said. It was rare of him to admit. Mike never admitted fear. That was usually Christine's role. Christine touched Mike's hand and squeezed it. Mike didn't let her hand go.
"Mike, she's strong. Even if her sight doesn't return, even if she has seizures, she is strong." Christine replied.
"Its not just Katie I'm worried about." Mike said.
"Hannah will be fine too and Levi is already getting used to you." Christine remarked.
"Its not that either. Once this surgery is over, you can make a choice not to continue this marriage. I suspect you are only staying in it because of the kids. While it would be understandable, I'm not sure where that will leave me." Mike admitted.
"I haven't made any decision at all. I honestly have been sitting back and watching." Christine admitted.
"I don't know how to do this." Mike said.
"Honestly…you might not know how to do it but you are doing it and doing well. Last week when Katie had that seizure and she only wanted you after I got her cleaned up. When you were helping Hannah with schoolwork to get her caught up. Watching you with Levi. Right now he's the only one who can make you smile. My point is…I can tell you are trying. You brought me flowers the other day. First time in a long time. Mike, just keep doing what you're doing, other than worrying so much." Christine said.
"Will me leaving the Navy help?" Mike asked.
"Certainly, but I understand why you need to stay in right now." Christine answered.
"Just trying to make sure Katie gets the care she needs." Mike replied.
"Mike–she's getting the surgery and therapy she needs. You and I will give her the actual care she needs." Christine replied.
"If her sight doesn't return or is limited, we might need to think of a new house…single story." Mike remarked.
"Yeah, I thought of that." Christine said.
"Something we can afford too. Once I leave the Navy, we won't have the housing allowance." Mike said.
"Mike…it'll be okay. Stop worrying." Christine said. She squeezed his hand and pointed to the screen that had updated. Katie was now in recovery. Just then, the nurse's station indicated for them to go to a conference room. The nurse let them in and within just a few moments, Dr. Collins, the neurosurgeon and Dr. Garrison, the surgeon who specialized in optical nerve injuries walked in.
"First of all–Katie is doing good. The surgery was successful, in that we were able to get the bullet out with no further damage." Dr. Collins started.
"It is too soon to tell if her vision will return. The bullet was sitting directly on her optical nerve. It was almost like the nerve cushioned it from going further into her brain. Her vision could return immediately or within a few days, but if it does, the light will hurt her, so I have both eyes bandaged. The earliest I will consider taking the bandaging off is tomorrow, and it will probably be the day after, if not longer." Dr. Garrison explained.
"I don't need to tell this but had it not been for the bullet landing where it did, she would have died immediately. Her injury is a one-in-a-million chance." Dr. Collins said.
"Is she awake?" Mike asked.
"She has woke up but we are keeping her pretty much sedated. We hope that she has no further seizures but no guarantee." Dr. Collins said.
"Lighting being kept low?" Christine asked.
"Yes. This will help with stimulation in case she can see through the bandaging. As you know, the stimulation can create seizure activity." Dr. Garrison said.
"So, its a wait and see?" Mike asked.
"Pretty much." Dr Collins answered before they all stood up.
"She's in a room and the nurse will take you there." Dr. Garrison said. A nurse joined them and led Christine and Mike to the darkened hospital room.
Katie looked tiny in the hospital bed, but she turned her head towards Mike's voice and squeezed Christine's hand. She was responding and her vitals were good. It truly had become a waiting game.