Memories of a Life Shared

Chapter 5 Noana

It seemed like she had begged God for a miracle for the whole night and so far nothing was happening. She was so upset that she had exactly two more days with Tanner until his mom started weaning off all of machines. She pulled her chair as close to the bed as she could and laid her head down on his lap, she needed to be as close to him as possible for the next two days.

The room was dark and cold, she could feel a shiver down her spine, she hadn’t touched the thermostat since they had been there but it was cold today in the room. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end it felt like, she was going crazy, she was the only person in the room yet it felt like someone had placed their hand on her head. The feeling stayed there for a few seconds and it scared her. She moved her head up slowly and there was a little bit of resistance, someone was touching her. Obviously it wasn’t anyone on the right side of her in which she was facing, she slowly turned her head to the left. She about fell out to her chair when she realized it was Tanner’s hand on her head, his eyes were open and he had moved his arm.

“Oh my gosh, Tanner, you’re awake. Can you understand me? Blink once for yes.” She stood up and grabbed his face gently. He slowly blinked once. Her heart did a flip, she ran out into the hallway and yelled for a nurse then ran back into the room. His eyes were still open and she started to cry.. She was so happy. Three nurses ran into the room out of breath and with wide eyes, no one really expected him to wake up. They checked his vitals and everything seemed to be okay. His blood pressure stayed stable even with the stress of Noana yelling. His heart rate was elevated ever so slightly but they figured if he didn’t remember anything he was probably scared.

“I’ll page the doctor.” A nurse said as she walked out of the room. Noana couldn’t help herself. She picked up his hand and kissed his knuckles. He wrapped his fingers around her hand, there wasn’t much grip but he was moving his hands.

“What’s all the commotion going on at the nurses station?” she heard her brother ask as he walked into the room. His eyes widened when she looked at him.

“He’s awake.” She whispered as if saying it louder would make it not be true.

They stood there in silence both holding Tanner’s hands, the didn’t want to take their eyes off him just in case something happened again. A few minutes went by and the doctor came into the room. He stopped in the door way and smiled.

“I did not expect to see you awake, my boy, but I am so glad you are. Let’s take a look at somethings.” He started looking Tanner over thoroughly. They had taken the wrap off his head a few days ago and had put him in a soft neck collar, the doctor decided that was where he was going to start. He removed the collar and asked tanner if he could move his head from side to side. Tanner did as he asked him, all vitals stayed normal. He asked him if he could lift his arms, tanner did ask he asked, again vitals stayed normal.

“Im gonna ask both of you to stay by the door for this one, I’m going to remove the breathing tube. If it goes wrong I will have to put it back in and I need for you both to stay out of the way.”

Noana and Tazer walked to the other side of the room and a nurse took their spot at the side of the bed. They pressed a few buttons and mumbled things Noana couldn’t hear. Her heart was poundinv out of her chest. She knew he was awake and he had moved not only his arms but his neck too. He seemed to comprehend what everyone was saying but she was still so nervous about them stopping all his machines.

“Okay Tanner I’m going to have you cough for me as I pull this tube out of you throat, can you do that for me?” the doctor asked, tanner nodded his head slightly, the look of fear plastered into his eyes. Machines were turned off and the doctor unhooked a few hooks and started to pull. He instructed tanner when to cough and continued to remove the tube. His heart monitor jumped up to a high number and everyone in the room froze, they all silently prayed he did not go into cardiac arrest with a pulse that high.

“Calm down Tanner, you’re okay.” The doctor said and motioned for Noana to come over. She walked to him and placed her hand in his, his heart rate instantly evened.

“I love you.” He whispered, she barely heard him.

“I love you too Tan.”

“I’m sorry.” She saw the anguish in his eyes and she worried his stress level would raise too high.

“Shush, its okay baby. Just focus on getting better. I’m right here for you. I’m not leaving, not ever.” She let only one year fall from her eyes and the straightened herself and held it together for him.

“Get some rest baby, I’ll be right here.” She coached him to rest and he nodded, chin quivering but he closed his eyes and sighed.