Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Me
Hi, checking in. How are you feeling? How’s our girl? Any updates?
Dahlia
Thanks for reaching out, I’m sorry I didn’t text sooner. Fiona’s been unresponsive for eight days but sometimes it feels like eight months.
Me
Daphne told me she’s stopping by today. If there’s anything else we can do to support either of you, you better tell me Dahlia. Or I’ll come back there myself.
Dahlia
You need to heal too, and there’s enough press here without another superstar roaming the halls.
Dahlia
But… you need to know that today has been a bad day.
Me
What happened??
Dahlia
We already knew the TBI put her at risk for complications, and she was already on blood thinners, but this morning she had a big drop in oxygen saturation and her heart rate went nuts, even though nothing was changed in her ventilator settings.
Me
OMG, is she ok? What caused that?
Dahlia
They did an emergency chest scan and it turns out one of her lungs collapsed.
Me
So… what does that mean? How do they fix that?
Dahlia
It means she needs even more support now to breathe, both with her ventilator and medication to support her blood pressure, on top of everything else, and now she has a chest tube they placed to re-expand her lung.
Me:
What did the doctors say?
Dahlia
They said these complications can happen in cases like hers, and they’re doing everything they can.
Dahlia
But Tinsley… they’ve also said that even though they’re doing everything, it still might not be enough.
Me
We are NOT thinking like that, Dahlia. Fiona wouldn’t give up on us and we won’t give up on her. What can I do? Do you need a different medical team or another opinion? I’ll fly in whatever expert you need.
Dahlia
No, I think she’s getting the best care she can, it’s just a really big mess. She just seems to be getting worse and worse.
Dahlia
We need my sister, Tinsley. I can’t do this without her.
Me
I know. Keep me in the loop, please—or if you change your mind and want me to come back, let me know that too.
Dahlia
I will. Hopefully we will have good news to report soon.