The Amendment (The Contract 2)

Time passed slowly, yet there was comfort in the dullness of it.

It meant Richard was still fighting.

Dr. Fletcher, or Alan, as he insisted on my calling him, appeared by the end of the bed, smiling kindly.

“Katy.”

“Hello, Alan.”

He checked Richard’s chart and folded his arms over his chest, holding the tablet.

“He’s stable. His vitals are holding. The swelling in his brain is going down. All good signs.”

I clutched Richard’s hand a little tighter.

“I’m transferring him to acute care. He’ll still be monitored closely, but he’ll have his own room. There is a far more comfortable chair where you can sleep instead of on the floor.” He winked, having caught me napping beside Richard’s bed, leaning against the rails while still clutching his hand.

“Okay,” I breathed.

“We’re going to wean him off the medication keeping him in the coma. It will take him a few days to wake up, and once he does, we’ll know what we are dealing with. His scans are good, though, and I am hopeful.”

I could barely nod, my throat constricted and tight.

He stepped forward. “If things go as I hoped, once he wakes up and heals, Katy, he has a long road ahead of him. Everything from the waist down has been affected. He’ll have a great deal of muscle loss. There will be therapy for gait training and strength. He’ll need leg exercises, pool therapy, various other machines. He won’t be able to do stairs, so he’ll need a bedroom on ground level or an elevator.”

“I understand,” I managed.

“There could be other issues too.”

“Other issues?”

“Psychosocial factors. Many patients experience depression, anxiety, even anger. Mood swings are common. They often require counseling, plus medication. Their entire life has changed, and they can’t cope on their own, even if they have a good support system at home.” He paused. “Their injuries affect not only them, but everyone around them. Nothing is the same when they wake up. It is exceedingly hard for them to grasp.”

“He’ll get everything he needs. I’ll make sure of it.”

He smiled. “I can see that, Katy. You’re an amazing partner for Richard. But you have to look after yourself as well. You need to be strong physically and mentally for his recovery. No more sleeping on the floor or neglecting yourself. I want you to eat and sleep. Exercise. Go see your little girls. You aren’t being selfish doing so—you are actually helping Richard.”

His words made sense, even if they made me feel a little panic. I grasped at the chain around my neck that kept Richard’s ring close to my heart. The crack was taped so I didn’t lose it, but I couldn’t bear to part with it, even for a couple of days. I would have it fixed when he woke up. “I hate leaving him.”

“Of course you do. That is natural. On the ward he’s being transferred to, he can have visitors. Not a lot and not all at once, but we can relax a little, and they can stay with him while you go home. He is going to be in here for a while.”

He patted my shoulder, his expression kind. “You obviously have a strong bond with your husband, Katy. He’s going to need that bond. He will have to rely on you in ways neither of you planned for a while. It’s not going to be easy, but together, you can do it.”

“Is there someone I can talk to about his needs for when he comes home? So I can get things in motion and be ready?”

“That’s what I want to see—looking ahead and positive. Yes, I will have Gloria come to see you. She’ll come to your house and do an assessment. You can meet with our physio team. Once a couple of these machines are gone, Colin will come by and show you some simple movements you can do on Richard to help keep his muscles from total atrophy. Colin is the head of my physio team and the best.”

“All right.”

He glanced at his watch. “We’ll be moving Richard in a couple of hours. We’ll need some time to settle him and get him stable, and a few medical items need to be taken care of that I won’t get into with you. The ward is on the fourth floor, and there is a private waiting room. A nurse will come and get you when he is done. Why don’t you go shower, eat, and try to relax?”

“You-you want me to leave now?”

“He’s in good hands, Katy. Remember what I told you about looking after you. We have your phone number, and you’re a minute away if we need you. Do this for Richard. He would want you to. Let us do what we need to do, and when you see him next, he’ll be more comfortable.”

I inhaled long and hard, then swallowed. I reached for my bag. “Okay.”