Chapter 15 #3
“Hi, Mrs. Bell?” Since Kelly didn’t have any identification to dispute the claim, she gave Grumpy’s last name as her own when she’d been asked.
It was basically true, just a bit premature, and they wouldn’t argue about giving information about his condition.
“I’m Dr. Lisbon. I’m the OB managing Madison’s care since she came in.
She wished for you to be updated on her prognosis. ”
Kelly sat up further on her hallway cot. “Yes, please. How is she? How are the babies?”
Unlike Dr. Hardwick, this doctor had a very soothing demeanor. She was in her mid-thirties, and her features reminded Kelly of Meredith Grey. Maybe it was the shock of the situation, because her next mental inquiry was wondering if McDreamy was going to walk by.
“Both babies are doing well,” Dr. Lisbon informed her. “Their heart rates are strong and we’re not seeing any signs of fetal distress at this time. That’s genuinely good news given everything Madison went through.
“Our primary concerns when she came in were preterm labor, placental abruption, and hypothermia. Her core temperature was low when she arrived, consistent with mild to moderate hypothermia. We’ve been warming her with heated blankets and warm IV fluids, and she’s responding well. That’s largely resolved now.
“Placental abruption—when the placenta separates from the uterine wall—is common with physical trauma. We did an ultrasound and I’m pleased to tell you we see no evidence of abruption. Both placentas look intact and well-positioned. That was our most urgent concern.
“Unfortunately, we’re not out of the window yet for preterm labor, especially with twins, and we’re still monitoring her.
She’s had some mild uterine cramping since admission, which can happen with physical and emotional trauma of this magnitude and doesn’t necessarily mean she’s in active labor.
Right now the contractions are irregular and mild, and we’re managing that with IV fluids and rest. We’ve also given her a course of corticosteroids.
It’s a standard precaution at her gestational age to help mature the babies’ lungs in case delivery does become necessary before term.
But I want to be clear that we are not anticipating delivery, but at twenty-five weeks with twins, I want to be prepared for every possibility.
“She’s going to be with us for at least two to three days of monitoring.
If the contractions settle and we see no further concerns, we can talk about what a transfer will look like.
She’s told me she’s relocating to Pennsylvania.
I’d recommend she establish care with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist there as soon as possible given the twin pregnancy and this trauma history.
“She’s been asking about her father, but unfortunately, I have not heard any news on Mr. Bell.
Once you’ve been discharged, I’d encourage you to go sit with her.
She needs a familiar face and the stress reduction of having family present is genuinely beneficial right now. Do you have any questions for me?”
That was a lot of information, but she was pretty sure she understood it all. She wished she had her purse so she could write down some notes. “I’d like to go sit with her now, but I’m still waiting for an x-ray on my shoulder.”
Dr. Lisbon looked around. “Let me see what I can do.”
Whatever Dr. Lisbon did worked, because soon Kelly was being escorted through the hospital in a wheelchair to an x-ray chamber. Rather than being brought back to her bed in the hallway, though, the orderly took her to the labor and delivery ward.
There she found Maddie in a shared room speaking to a cute male nurse with teddy bears on his scrubs. Wow, if Kelly was twenty years younger and not head over heels in love with Grumpy… Because damn.
Maddie blushed when she met Kelly’s eyes, because both women were well aware Maddie was crushing hard on her nurse. Not that Kelly could blame her in the slightest. He was no McSteamy or McDreamy, but he was a close second.
“You must be Mrs. Bell,” the nurse said with a charming smile as the orderly pushed Kelly up to the side of the bed. “Have no fear. The babies are fighters, Mrs. Bell. And so is your daughter.” To Maddie, he added, “I’ll be back to check on you soon.”
“M’kay.” Maddie gave him a fluttering wave, and then sagged back into her bed as soon as he was past the privacy curtain. “Oh my God, if I wasn’t already pregnant, I would be by that man’s smile alone.”
Kelly laughed, pleased to see Maddie’s humor had returned. She had a bruise on the side of her face, and her hands were both bandaged in white gauze like Kelly’s were. “How are you, sweetie?”
“Worried about Dad,” Maddie said, her face falling. “Any news?”
Kelly shook her head. “Nothing on Jackson yet either. I think the main ER is sick of me asking if anyone’s seen him.”
“What if he’s…” Maddie’s chin quivered. “What if he’s gone?”
Kelly reached forward, careful not to squeeze Maddie’s hand too hard. “Then we honor him as best we can, and live every day knowing what he sacrificed for us.”
Maddie nodded slowly, visibly fighting back tears. “Do you know what I keep thinking about?”
Kelly reached up to smooth back Maddie’s hair. “What’s that?”
“That I don’t even know his last name.”
Kelly’s hand froze, partway lifted. Then she lowered it down to the bed with an aghast smack.
“I know, right?! Like, he’s been traveling with me all week.
Probably knows way too much about my bathroom schedule and eating habits and love life.
And I don’t even know his name! Is Jackson first or last?
Does he have parents or anyone we need to call? ”
Maddie’s laugh was light. “Oh, good. It’s not just me.”
Kelly gave her a sympathetic smile. “Not just you.”
“How’re you? Dr. Lisbon said you were waiting for x-rays?”
Kelly nodded, wincing slightly. “For my shoulder. I think shock made me forget about it, but ever since they mentioned it, it’s been killing me. Thankfully they gave me something to take the edge off.”
“Good. I’m glad you’re okay, Kelly.”
“It was you and the babies I was really worried about. Your lips were blue when we finally came out of that ditch!”
Maddie cringed, likely at the memory. “Yeah. Let’s not go swimming in any more ditches. Okay?”
“Deal,” Kelly chuckled. She looked to her right where some cartoons were playing muted on the television. “How about we turn that up and try to get our minds off things?”
Maddie shifted, patting the bed beside her. Smiling at the invitation, Kelly tossed the blankets she had on her own lap on top of the ones already on the bed. As Maddie pulled back the covers, Kelly carefully slid beneath. They both wiggled themselves down further.
Reaching for the remote, Maddie said softly, “I really appreciate you being here, you know. Like, you really don’t have to be.”
Kelly leaned her head over to gently rest against Maddie’s. “No place I’d rather be.”
* * *
It was nearly an hour later when Dr. Hardwick tracked down Kelly. She did not look any happier since the last time Kelly saw the woman, and Kelly did feel bad that she made the doctor basically go on a wild goose chase to find her.
“Your left shoulder has a Grade II AC separation, Mrs. Bell. That’s the acromioclavicular joint where your collarbone meets your shoulder blade.
It’ll be painful, but it doesn’t require surgery or manipulation.
You’ll need a sling for four to six weeks and physical therapy after that.
I’m going to write you a referral to follow up with an orthopedist and get you discharged. ”
Kelly smiled at the surly doctor. “Thank you. I didn’t mean for you to chase me down all the way up here.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not exactly about to tell my wife ‘no’,” the woman replied.
She honestly looked exhausted, but given the catastrophe that just hit her—town?
Home? City? Come to think of it, Kelly didn’t actually know where they were—place of employment, Kelly really couldn’t blame the woman her tiredness.
Behind Dr. Hardwick, Dr. Lisbon gave them a conspiratorial wink from the doorway. Kelly and Maddie exchanged a look, both trying to keep a straight face to not give the other woman away.
Kelly cleared her throat. “Well, thank you anyway.”
Dr. Hardwick nodded. “I also wanted to let you know that Mr. Bell is still in surgery. The team is addressing the wounds on his back, and someone will update you as soon as there’s anything more to tell you.”
Maddie’s and Kelly’s hands found each other’s under the covers.
“Thank you,” Kelly repeated.
Her piece said, the doctor turned on her heel and walked out the door.
It was another two hours before another doctor came in, this one wearing green scrubs and a hat with anatomical hearts on it.
He looked even worse for wear than Dr. Hardwick had.
By now, Kelly had been fitted into a sling and her discharge papers were sitting on Maddie’s hospital table.
Maddie had two more mild contractions since Kelly had come into her room, but per Dr. Lisbon, they were slowing.