Chapter 298 – Jack Injured
Once Jack and Nathan were in the helicopter, Nathan sent a text to the group to let them know that Jack was okay and they were headed to Albany. He would keep them updated as he could. Nathan then looked at the flight nurse.
"Is he really going to be okay?" Nathan asked.
"He is going to be sore for a few days." The nurse said. "I am sure that he won't be riding for a couple of weeks."
"If that is what the doc says." Nathan said. "Then that is what will happen."
Nathan gave Jack a pointed look. Jack stuck his tongue out at Nathan.
"He will be fine." Nathan said with a laugh.
The flight nurse just looked between Jack and Nathan, shaking her head. They bantered back and forth on the short flight. They landed at the airport and were met by another ambulance. Jack and Nathan both thanked the flight nurse as she handed them off to the paramedics to take them to the hospital. On the short ride to the hospital, Nathan could tell that Jack was getting overwhelmed and was ready to step in.
When they got to the hospital and were met by a group of fifteen people, Nathan knew that Jack was going to panic with that many people.
"Stop!" Nathan said, before anyone could advance closer the ambulance.
Everyone stopped and looked at Nathan.
"This is not a major trauma." Nathan said. "We don't need all these people. My job is to protect Jack, even if that means from all of you."
A man stepped forward.
"I am Dr Shepherd Carson." He said. "We just want to help.
"I get that." Nathan said. "Jack was brought here at the request of his grandfather, John P Thornton Sr, because this hospital is more secure. Jack is walking and talking. He fell from a horse, he wasn't trampled or kicked. He didn't even fall at any speed. He had an injured shoulder and needs to be checked for a concussion."
"Understood." Dr Shepherd said. "How about we help your friend out of the ambulance and into a wheelchair. Then the three of us can go where I can check him out."
Nathan looked back at Jack who nodded.
"That sounds good." Nathan said. "Other than x-rays, I stay with him."
"Fine." Dr Shepherd said.
Nathan helped Jack out of the ambulance and into the wheelchair as Dr Shepherd dismissed the rest of the team. Dr Shepherd pushed Jack to a quieter private room. Nathan was grateful. Once they got to the room, Jack stayed in the wheelchair and Dr Shepherd sat down on the small round stool and looked at Jack.
"First, thank you." Jack said. "I understand why my grandfather sent me here, but it is not the first time I have fallen off a horse in my many years of riding. Not the worst I have been injured."
"So tell me what happened, Mr Thornton." Dr Shepherd asked.
"First please call me Jack."
Carson nodded.
"We were sitting at the in gate at the end of the competition waiting to go get our ribbons." Jack said. "I was between Nathan and my other best friend, Doug. We were all on our horses. Another rider who was not happy, rushed over yelling. He frightened my horse who reared up. I had not expected it and couldn't hold on. My right shoulder hit Doug's horse as I went down and my head hit his hind leg. I think I also jammed my left hand when I tried to brace myself. I was immediately up on my feet. I saw that Nathan had my horse, so I stepped off to the side. When I got lightheaded, I went and sat along the fence. That was when everyone rushed over to me. My grandfathers both were worried I was seriously injured. The paramedics in Schenectady wanted to take me to the local hospital, but it wasn't secure and there was press all over the place. My Grandpa John made the call to send me here because he has plans in place and this hospital is more secure. We came on a private helicopter with a flight nurse onboard, then transferred to the ambulance."
"Okay." Carson said. "Do you think you can remove your jacket and shirt so I can examine your shoulder?"
"If Nathan could help me." Jack said. "I don't want you to cut my riding gear."
"If he is willing to help, that is fine." Carson said. "Otherwise I can or I can get a nurse."
"I can do it." Nathan said.
"Then let's get you sitting on the bed and into a gown." Carson said.
Nathan carefully removed Jack's riding jacket, shirt and vest. When they got to Jack's undershirt, Nathan looked at Jack.
"Jack." Nathan said. "As much as you don't want us to cut your riding gear, there is no way to get this undershirt off without causing pain."
Jack sighed.
"Cut it." Jack said.
Carson grabbed the scissors and sliced it up the middle from the hem to the neck then cut each sleeve from the hem to the neck. Carson and Nathan removed the pieces and Carson examined Jack's shoulder before helping him slip a gown on. He then looked at Jack's hand. He also listened to his heart and lungs, checked his eyes and felt around his head for bumps or cuts. When he was done, Carson made a couple notes and then looked back at Jack.
"Definitely going to get an x-ray of the shoulder and hand." Carson said. "I also want a head CAT scan. It is just a precaution, and I am sure that your grandfather would agree. Once we have those, we will figure things out. Do you want some pain meds? I can have a nurse start an IV and give you something."
"No pain meds." Jack said. "At least right now. I need to keep a clear head and this is not the worst that I have been hurt."
"Okay." Carson said. "I just thought I would offer you the pain meds. Let me go put these orders in. Why don't you lay back and relax a bit. The TV is there and here is the call button if you need anything."
"Thank you." Jack said.
Carson left and Nathan looked at Jack.
"How are you really doing?" Nathan asked.
"I just need some quiet." Jack said. "Not so much because my head hurts, but more because I am getting overwhelmed."
"I saw that." Nathan said. "And that is why I stepped in."
"My phone is in my inside jacket pocket." Jack said. "Can you please give it to me? I am sure that Elizabeth is freaking out and hearing from me might help."
"Good plan." Nathan said.
Nathan got Jack his phone and Jack made a quick call to Elizabeth. He told her he was mostly fine and would talk to her later, because he couldn't talk at the moment. He promised to update her as soon as he could. They exchanged a few 'I love yous' before Jack hung up the phone and leaned his head back. Nathan had sent a few texts and then played on his phone to give Jack some quiet. It wasn't long and there was a knock at the door and there were two people.
"I just have the hospital bracelet for Mr Thornton." The clerk said.
"I am here to take him to radiology." The orderly said.
"Okay." Jack said.
Jack handed his phone back to Nathan and talked to the clerk for a few moments. She put the bracelet on his wrist and left. The orderly then took Jack to radiology for x-rays and the CAT scan. Nathan stayed back in the room as much as he wanted to go with Jack, he knew that it was better if he didn't. He wouldn't have been allowed to be with Jack anyway. While Jack was gone, Nathan sent a few more texts and answered the ones he had gotten. He tried to reassure everyone that Jack had minor injuries and they would talk to them when they got home. Half an hour after he left, the orderly returned Jack to his room. When he was wheeled back into the room, Nathan looked at Jack who looked like he was tired and in pain. Once the orderly left, Nathan turned to Jack.
"Do you need some pain meds?" Nathan asked.
"Not yet." Jack said. "I just need to close my eyes for a moment."
"Okay." Nathan said. "The horses are back at the ranch and are fine. I had checked Bandit before I came to you and already knew that, but to hear it from Doug is reassuring."
"Thank you." Jack said.
Jack leaned his head back and closed his eyes to rest until Carson came in.
"Hey there." Carson said. "How are you doing?"
"Okay." Jack said. "So what is the verdict?"
"Good news and bad news." Carson said.
"Okay." Jack said.
"So the CAT scan was clear." Carson said. "I would still like you to take concussion protocol steps for the next five days. So limiting screen time, avoiding strenuous activities and absolutely no riding or driving. You also need to let people know if you have a headache or your vision changes."
"Okay." Jack said.
"I mean it." Carson said.
"He will listen. I will make sure of it." Nathan said.
Jack looked at Nathan and stuck his tongue out at him, then turned back to Carson.
"So you definitely have a dislocated pinky." Carson said. "I will fix it and put a splint on it for a few days. Your shoulder looks good – no breaks, no dislocation. But you are going to be sore. I am going to recommend an immobilizer for at least seventy-two hours to give your shoulder a rest."
"Can I ride next weekend?" Jack asked.
"I doubt it." Carson said. "Between the concussion protocol and your shoulder I don't think it will happen. However, I am willing to see you back on Thursday in the clinic here in town and check you over. If you haven't had any symptoms and pass the test, then I will clear you to ride next weekend."
"He will be here." Nathan said. "I will bring him myself. Just tell us when and where."
"I will get an appointment for you and have it with your paperwork." Carson said. "I need to grab the splint and immobilizer, then we can get you more comfortable. Once those are done, I will work on your discharge papers."
"Thank you." Nathan said.
"Yes, thank you." Jack said.
Carson left and was back a few minutes later.
"How do you want to do this?" Carson asked.
"Can we get my shirt back on and then do the immobilizer?" Jack asked. "Then you can fix my finger."
"We can do that." Carson said.
Nathan and Carson helped Jack get his shirt back on and then Carson got Jack fitted with the shoulder immobilizer. Once they got Jack situated, Nathan could tell that Jack was hurting.
"Are you sure you don't need something for pain?" Carson asked.
"How much longer?" Jack asked.
"Jack." Nathan said. "We still have the drive home. Chris is waiting, but it will still be a long ride home. Let Carson give you something. I promise I won't let anything happen to you. I will make sure that there are no pictures of you in this state."
"We can allow your security to pull into the ambulance bay so you can get in there." Carson said. "But if you are hurting, it is going to slow your recovery."
"Fine." Jack said. "No narcotics, please."
"Toradol?" Carson said. "I can give you an injection and then send a few home with you for the next few days."
"Okay." Jack said.
"Do you want pain meds before I fix your finger?" Carson asked.
"Just do it." Jack said. "Then I can get the pain meds and relax."
"Okay." Carson said.
Carson fixed Jack's finger and put the splint on. He then went to order the pain meds and get the discharge papers in the works. A nurse came in and gave Jack the shot and told him that it shouldn't be long and he would start to feel the relief. Jack did get some relief. It wasn't long and Carson was back with the discharge papers as well as the pain meds he was sending home. He went over the instructions with both Jack and Nathan. He gave them the appointment for Thursday at two in the clinic as well as five toradol pills. He wished Jack the best of luck and reminded him to rest. He then had Nathan have Chris pull up to the ambulance bay. The hospital security let the car in. Nathan wheeled Jack into the bay and they got in the car. Chris thanked the hospital staff and then they left. Nathan sent a text to everyone that they were heading back as Chris pulled out of the bay. Jack closed his eyes and relaxed on the car ride back to the ranch.
… … … …
So just over four and a half hours after the show ended, Nathan and Jack walked into the ranch house.
"Let me get you guys some food." Gran said.
"It is okay." Nathan said. "Chris grabbed us some McDonald's after the hospital."
"Okay." Gran said.
"JP, are you okay?" James asked.
Jack just looked at his grandfather.
"He was given some pain meds." Nathan said. "Concussion protocol for the next few days. His shoulder is bruised and the doctor wanted him to wear the immobilizer for the next seventy-two hours to let his shoulder rest. He also had a dislocated pinky on his other hand. He should probably go rest. He has more pain meds if he needs them, but it took a lot to convince him to take them in the first place."
"Not surprised." John said.
Just then Elizabeth rushed upstairs and stopped short when she saw Jack.
"I am okay." Jack said. "It is just bruised. Probably won't ride next weekend, but I will be fine."
"He has an appointment on Thursday and I will take him." Nathan said.
John nodded. Jack opened his arm to Elizabeth and she carefully went to him.
"Just be careful." Jack said. "In a few days I will be fine. This was more a precaution than anything. It is just bruised, as Nathan said."
Elizabeth looked at Nathan who nodded.
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I was so worried."
"I just need to take it easy for a few days." Jack said. "Dr Shepherd gave me some non-narcotic pain meds. How about you help me downstairs where I can rest."
"Okay." Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth helped Jack downstairs and Nathan turned to the adults at the table.
"No driving, no riding, no strenuous activities, limit screen time." Nathan said. "He is also to let me know if he has a headache or vision changes. The doctor did x-rays and a CAT scan. He said there is an outside chance that Jack could ride next weekend if he listens and rests, but at the same time, I think he should take a week off."
"We will just have to see." John said. "Thank you for the updates."
"You are welcome." Nathan said. "The doctor in the emergency room was great. He understood that Jack didn't want a huge team and other than a few other essential personnel did everything himself. He sat and talked to Jack. He listened and was understanding about Jack not wanting to cut his riding gear. We did have to cut his undershirt, but that was it."
"Thank you for taking care of him." James said.
"You are welcome." Nathan said. "Now, I am going to go shower and change."
"Go." James said. "We will talk tomorrow about what the plan is."
Nathan nodded and then headed downstairs. As Nathan walked away, the adults at the table breathed a sigh of relief. They all knew that it could have been a lot worse and they had gotten lucky that Jack wasn't seriously injured.
… … … …