It had gotten to the point that coming from classes to rotations I was just running into circles. Knowing the pressures of being in a practice it seemed to have gotten the better of me. I was in turmoil heading for a crash course in love.
Sitting at the stoplight my mind was rushing ahead so I knew what once at the office would take priority. Using the moments during a day kept me from crashing. So I was sitting there when I felt such a shocking amount of movement
Being forced upon me. I had been hit from behind. I quickly took inventory on my senses. I was very stiff in my upper back lower neck area.
Sirens came blaring out of nowhere making traffic stop dead. It didn't help it being rush hour. I knew Thomas would be very upset with me being late especially after that talk last night. I reached out to get my cell out when it dawned on me. My hand hadn't left my lap. I started laughing hysterically as the officer came up along side of me.
"Miss are you okay?" His voice was stern yet tender.
I started to turn towards his voice when I found out I wasn't able to.
"Well officer I would be great if I could turn my head. Or pick up my phone to call my partner. How long will this take?" I said a little disturbed.
"Rod it's going to take the Jaws of Life to get her out." He said.
Well now that must be a terrible accident behind me. Maybe the car shoved me out of harms way. I could help if I could move my hand. Where is my hand? I shouldn't panic it would only upset that poor woman getting cut out of her car.
I didn't have another clear thought for almost seventy-two hours. By that time I had surgery three times. I was placed together by pins my body wasn't mine any longer. I had something sticking out of every orifice. When I tried to speak I was being forced fed pain medications?
"Abby are you awake?" Thomas spoke so softly.
I thought somebody scared Thomas he has never looked so frightened before. He will let me help him if I can just stand up. I will make it better for him.
My eyes opened slowly looking into his face I was struck with the pain in his. He has been hurt bad. I hadn't ever seen him without his hair combed or needing a shave.
"Well you look like hell Thomas." I tried to laugh it came out like a peep.
His face cleared some his eyes released his tears. Somebody scared him well that will not happen I will fix that for him. His hand reached over to mine with a gentle touch. I was thinking he was the most handsome man I had ever known.
"Don't cry Thomas I can't take it when a man cries. What are you crying for?" I asked sincerely.
His head bowed leaning his forehead upon my stomach. Crying like his heart would stop. I brought my hand up to lay it upon his head, but it didn't make it I saw that it drooped. My mind was foggy but I was still getting the picture I had been hurt badly. I wiggled my toes lifted my feet. Worked up to my hips. They were sluggish but I was moving them.
"Thomas you look me in the eyes and you tell me what is wrong with me? Remember I am a physician so no medical jargon." I said determined.
His face was a mask of pain yet he looked me into my eyes. I saw in them his depth of pain I became hysterical. I was determined now to hear it said.
"Abigail your spinal cord has been pinched you are recovering. You're motor skills are off a tad. This isn't permanent. Please remember this in the days ahead." His voice was shaking.
My mind was spinning I was in bad shape yet its expected to revive. Thomas looked like death on two feet. This wouldn't be happening if I hadn't been running late. Tears stormed out of my eyes with such force. Thomas stood up jumped in one full swoop. Grabbing Kleenex's he was pressing them onto my face. I tried to move my nose out of the way. He was causing an allergic reaction to the aloe in the tissue. I swelled up like a pumpkin head.
Crash cart came around I was coded.
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Once again I woke up to Thomas sitting by my bed crying. My chest was throbbing. I was almost afraid to ask Thomas a question. He might become hysterical again.
"Thomas are you okay?" I said timidly.
"Yes Abigail I am fine you are here again with me. I am so sorry about rubbing the aloe tissues all over your face." He said with embarrassment.
"Aww what's a big allergic reaction amongst friends? I am here I feel like I have been ran over by an ambulance. But⦠I am here." I laughed weakly.
"Abigail you are to kind. I haven't left your side since the car accident. I have been over seeing every test procedure and surgical procedure. You will be good if I don't poison you again." He tried to be light hearted.
Thomas was just a wreck I knew he needed some sleep. I also know he wouldn't leave me to get some. After the visitors trailed out of the patient's rooms. I had a nurse bring in a couple of pillows in. Thomas had relented to take a shower in the doctor's showers.
He came around the corner in scrubs. I patted the bed with my free hand. He got up onto my bed, bringing the covers up on both of us. My fantasy was happening and I was wired to this hospital system. I was comfortable snuggling into his chest. I can't imagine that he was comfortable but he did fall fast asleep. His one arm was holding onto me like a bear hug.
We both managed uninterrupted sleep for the first time in a week.
We woke up almost together we enjoyed the morning hours I immediately remembered I hadn't brushed my teeth. On top of that my catheter was almost to over flowing. This wasn't conducive for romance. I wasn't sure how to get him up so I could get help.
"Good morning doctor's now hear this and hear it good. I am not allowing this on my shift. Please Dr. Thomas Williams in your wisdom you should know what morning is around a hospital. Please depart from us. I have things I must do for this poor lady." Bella bellowed like the captain she was in the Army. "Our patient needs some special needs taken care of. If you think you can manage going to the cafeteria then please go right after you shower and shave." Her voice was gruff. We all loved her.
Thomas actually smiled wide we both knew I was going to recover Bella only acted this way when a patient turned the corner.I went through therapy with much pain hardly any gains for the first few weeks. It was wearing me down. I wanted to cry but didn't dare. Thomas was my cheer leading section. Bella would walk me down the halls. Surely she never knew I wanted her to fall down give me a break.
"No Dr. Abigail I will not let up on you. You know really don't wish that on me." Her voice was lightly laughing.
I felt my face get red from embarrassing thoughts being brought out into the open.
We both laughed. She marched me down that hall four times a day. Finally I don't remember when I realized I was walking with no help. Every tube taken away was an achievement. I actually felt human over time. I should have been moved off the PICU floor. The staff was kept there pampering me. I had finals
Made it to every one too. The morgue was a little much but I aced it and got the hell out of there.
I heard that I was coded twice before they got me to the hospital.