Critical
Erhard walked out of a patient’s room in ICU. It was normally nearly empty, but with the outbreak it had been filled to the brim. Gabe, Hank, Maria and Tomoe had been working endlessly to keep it under control but it was still bad. And the kids...well, they’d received news that the trip to Mexico had been successful, and about half an hour ago Caduceus called to tell them a treatment plan was being sent over. It wouldn’t be there until the following morning unfortunately, but it was better than nothing at all.
A sharp beeping noise suddenly filled the corridor. Erhard scanned the hall and saw an open door. Room 361...why was that familiar? Oh. Dr. Blaylock-Vaughn. Crap.
“Code Blue! I need help in here!” A nurse shouted frantically. Erhard ran over. “Someone get crash cart!”
“What happened?”
“I was just checking his vitals and he plummeted.”
Erhard nodded and moved to listen to Harry’s chest quickly. “We can safely assume cardiac arrest. I’m starting compressions.”
He placed his hands on Harry!s chest and starting pressing down. A song started forming in his head, helping him stay in time. Ha, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive...Ha, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive. Ironic, really, considering how he was using it to perform CPR. And slightly irritating since Maria had taught it to him and it was her voice that he heard whenever he sung it in his head.
“Come on, come on. Don’t die on me, Harry, don’t die on me.”
“I have the defibrillator!” Erhard glanced up, his rhythm never faltering. The ICU doctor moved towards Harry. “Charging!”
Erhard continued the compressions. “Clear!”
He stood back and watched as the shock pulled through Harry’s body. The team waited a few seconds to see if Harry’s heart had restarted.
“No pulse,” Erhard moved forward again. “Continuing compressions.”
After 26 minutes, Harry’s heart finally started again. The team stood back, exhausted. Erhard’s own heart was going at a million miles an hour, adrenaline coursing through his veins.
“And we have a pulse,” The ICU doctor (at this point Erhard assumed it was the head of department) nodded, satisfied with the result. “Good work everyone. Dr. Franks, could you stay and keep an eye on him?”
“I’ll do it,” Erhard said. The Chief raised an eyebrow. “I’m the head of General Surgery, but I’ve had my fair share of time in emergency medicine. I know what I’m doing and I would rather stay here.”
“Very well,” The Chief sighed. “Back to work everyone.” They left the room. Erhard grabbed a nurse’s arm on the way out.
“Hey, could you notify me of when Dr. Müller, Dr. Stiles, Dr. Blaylock-Vaughn and Ms. Handcroft return?”
The nurse nodded, and headed out. Erhard sat down beside Harry’s bed.
“They have a treatment, Harry. You’re gonna be okay.”
***
“What the hell happened?!” Charlotte ran into the ICU room.
“Charl!” Hana ran in after, soon followed by Evie and Ainsley.
“It’s alright Hana,” Erhard lifted his head up. A golden glow was cast across the room, indicating it to either be early morning or early evening. He looked at the clock quickly and made a guess at it being the morning. He looked at Charlotte’s panicked face and stood up slowly. “I believe you have the right to know, Miss Blaylock-Vaughn. However, please refrain from shouting. You’re brother went into cardiac arrest. Thanks to one of the nurses, we started compressions quickly and recovered his pulse. He should be alright but we need to take him in for surgery as soon as treatment arrives.”
Charl nodded. “Right. I-thank you. Thank you so much.” Her eyes filled with tears and she turned away. At that moment, the door opened and two figures walked in.
“Charl? Is everything alright with Harry?”
“Mom?!” Charlotte looked up, and ran to hug the woman.
“Hey hun.” The woman wrapped her arms around Charlotte. Hana stood awkwardly to the side.
“You must be Dr. Müller,” the man strode forward, holding his hand out to Erhard. “I’m Markus Blaylock-Vaughn. Harry and Charl’s dad.”
“Stigma surgeon, right? Job and a half, that one was,” Erhard chuckled. “Dr. Cunningham told me lots.”
“I swear we’re never gonna be known for anything else,” Markus shook his head. “How is Harry’s condition?”
Erhard sighed. “He went into cardiac arrest last night. We resuscitated him quickly and there should be no lasting damage. I have an OR saved for his operation, which will be as soon as treatment arrives.”
“His what?” Charlotte’s head snapped up. “You didn’t tell me you saved a room!”
“Yes. Dr. Niguel found a treatment two days ago. Hopefully it should be here at some point this morning.” As if on cue, a knock sounded at the door. Nurse Wilson poked her head around the door.
“Chief Müller? The treatment is half an hour away.”
“Thank you Nurse Wilson. Prep the OR for surgery,” Erhard turned to the Blaylock-Vaughns. “You can wait outside, if you like. I’m afraid I can’t allow you to watch the operation for obvious reasons.”
Valerie nodded. “That’s fair. Do you have any approximation of how long it’ll take?”
“I estimate five hours at most,” Erhard said. “But hopefully it won’t take nearly as long. With Dr. Niguel’s treatment and instructions it should be a smooth operation.”
“Glad to hear it,” Valerie said.
“Hana, will you please take them to the cafeteria and sort out some refreshments if they want some?” His daughter nodded.
“Come with me,” She kept her head down and walked out the door, her kimono swishing. If Erhard didn’t know better, he would’ve mistaken her for Tomoe. Hana acting this calm was unusual. Then again, maybe it was because she was around a patient’s family.
***
Hana led the family to the waiting area outside of the OR.
“Can I get you anything to eat or drink?” She asked, keeping her hands clasped in front of her.
“Do you have coffee?” Markus asked.
“Yes,” Hana glanced at Valerie. “And you, Mrs Blaylock-Vaughn?”
“I’ll just have a shake from the vending machine.” Markus looked at Valerie but she smiled and patted his hand reassuringly.
“I’ll come and get it with you Hana,” Charlotte said, standing up. “We’ll be right back.”
“Oh no, you should-” Charlotte grabbed Hana’s hand and pulled her away. Once they were clear of the waiting area, Charlotte dropped Hana’s hand and put her hands on her hips. Hana stood opposite, crossing her arms.
“What was that about?!”
“I‘m not quite following, Dr. Blaylock-Vaughn.”
“That! What is wrong with you? You’re acting weird.”
“I’m not!” Hana said defensively. “This is how I talk to patient’s families. I get very good feedback, thank you!”
Charlotte huffed. “You’re my friend, Hana. I don’t expect you to detach yourself from that. I understand that this is scary and new, but it’s scary for us as well. My mom and dad might not know you, but I do. And I don’t want to see you holding yourself back.”
Hana sighed, and unfolded her arms. She nearly clasped them, but decided to leave them hanging at her sides. Her kimono sleeves feel over her hands slightly. She looked at the floor.
“I’m sorry.”
Charlotte reached out to her friend. “It’s okay. We all have different ways of coping.”
“We really should get your parents their refreshments. And you need a drink too.” Hana turned around, blushing furiously. Charlotte shrugged.
“Okay then.”
***
Six hours and seventeen minutes after Harry had entered surgery, the door to theatre swung open. The Blaylock-Vaughns all stood up. Hana looked at the door as Harry was wheeled out and her father exited the OR.
“What happened in there?” Valerie demanded. Markus put a hand on her shoulder, as if to hold her back.
“I apologise for scaring you, Mrs Blaylock-Vaughn. I assure you that the operation went smoothly - there were simply more tumours than we realised. He did not go into cardiac arrest again and we anticipate a full recovery.” Erhard paused.
“Thank you,” Markus said. His facial muscles had relaxed and he looked relived. He hugged Valerie tight.
“Chief...” Charlotte spoke up. “I’m glad that you sent me to Mexico. It feels nice to know I had a part in this.”
Erhard nodded. “You’ve done extremely well, Dr. Blaylock-Vaughn. Gabriel is proud of you.”
Charlotte smiled softly. Erhard began walking down the corridor. Hana looked at the family.
“You can go and see him, though I doubt he’ll wake up for a few hours.”
Valerie looked at Markus, then Charlotte. “I think we’ll pay him a quick visit, then go to the café. We should call Dr. Stiles and let him know that the operation was successful.”
The woman grabbed her husband’s hand, and he in turn took their daughter’s. As they disappeared in the direction that Harry’s bed had been taken, Charl pulled a face at Hana. Hana chuckled, hiding her smile with her hand. Everything would be okay. They had made sure of it.