Finding Love (GxG) -completed-

Chapter 15- ICU

Oh s**t, she is just as stunningly beautiful as I remember. Not sure how long I stand there with my mouth hanging open, but I probably look like I’m trying to catch flies. Kam must realize I’m surprised to see her because she gets a friendly, small smirk on her face, “oh hey Eli. Are you a friend of Serena’s?”

“Roommates,” I finally manage to squeak out. Why haven’t you called me? I can’t say that. Man this is awkward. Snap out of it El… just another person. Yeah right, keep telling yourself that. I move away from the IV pumps I’d been eyeing and back over by Andrea. 

Kam had set some things down on the computer cart, but steps back out, and stands on the right side of the bed and checks a temperature on Serena as she begins to talk. “Hi, I’m Kameron. I’m Serena’s nurse today.im so sorry to hear of the accident.” Kam was looking at Andrea by the end of the introduction. 

“Hi, I’m Andrea and this is Elise. We are friends and roommates of Serena’s.”

This is the first sentence Andrea has been able to put together since we entered the building. I'm looking between Andrea and Kam as they talk. Oh yes, Andrea is in professional mode. She cannot appear emotional or weak in front of others. Somehow she has put what is like armor to her, back on. This is the fake Andrea. 

“We were unable to reach her emergency contacts. Do you happen to have Serena’s parents’ contact information? The numbers we had were unsuccessful and the address is out of state. Is that correct?” 

Andrea nods before answering, “Yes, the Browns are from Springfield, Missouri.”  Andrea dug her cell phone out of her pocket and looked for the phone numbers she had for the Browns. One of the two cell numbers Andrea had were different by one number than what the hospital had. Possibly transposed when reciting or recording. Kameron took down the correct number and stepped out of the room to attempt to phone the number they didn’t have. 

Andrea put her cell phone into her back jeans pocket, took Serena’s left hand again, and smoothed her hair back off her forehead with the other hand. Andrea talked softly to Serena just like they were sitting down for a meal or a chat. Elise went back to examining the machines to gather information. 

Kameron came back into the room about five minutes later and had gotten in touch with Annabelle “Anna,”  Brown, Serena’s mother. Ana was understandably quite upset about the accident. According to Kameron, Anna would likely be calling Andrea to touch base. As if on cue, Andrea’s phone began to buzz in her back pocket. Andrea stayed at Serena’s side as she answered. 

Elise steps over closer to Kameron, “she seems stable. Dr. Penjabe said her leg and blood loss were the main concerns?”

Kameron turned from the computer she had been charting on so she was facing Elise. “Yeah, surgery seemed to go well and she seems stable after three units of blood and a lot of fluids. The immediate concern of course is infection, so she is on a broad spectrum antibiotic due to the laceration being exposed before Serena received care. They are planning to attempt to extubate tomorrow. If that goes well, she should be on her way out of ICU in a day or two. The long term concern of course will be damage to the vessels and nerves in her left leg.”

Elise nodded. “Okay, thank you Kam. I appreciate your knowledge.” Elise turned back toward the bed and stood on the right side.

Andrea was just finishing her conversation with Anna Brown. “Yeah, you too Anna. Just let me know if you can come, if not, I can keep you updated… okay. Bye for now.” Andrea looks up at Elise after slipping the phone back in her pocket. “Anna said her father is in Europe on business but Anna is going to try to find a way to be here. Serena is the oldest of four siblings and the youngest is twelve, so that’s too young to stay alone. She was grateful Kameron was able to get a hold of her.” Andrea smiled over at Kameron, before continuing, “She said Eric may not have service in Europe, but she will be talking to him later when he returns to the hotel. She will let me know by tonight if she could make arrangements to be here.”

“I’m glad you were able to talk to her. Hopefully it puts her mind at ease that the two of us are here and she isn’t alone,” Elise responded. Andrea smiled at Elise and nodded her head. “I’m going to slip out and get something to eat and drink. Can I get you anything Andrea?”

“Umm, no thanks Elise. I’m fine.”

Elise stops at the computer cart on her way out and asks Kameron, “Kam, can I bring you anything from the cafeteria?” 

Kameron must have been deep in thought because she seemed startled by Elise’s question. Looking from the screen to make eye contact with Elise, “Aww thanks Eli, that’s so sweet. A black coffee would be great. Let me dig you out some money.”

Elise made a gesture with her hand and said, “It's the least I can do for your help. I’ll be back shortly.” 

As Elise walked out the door, Kameron watched her go, with a smile on her face. Kameron thought, Maybe I was right initially and she was just having a rough day last time I saw her? Guess I’d better give us another chance. 

Elise returned from the cafeteria after a quick sandwich with one covered cup of large coffee in each hand. As she entered the room she took Kameron hers first. “Pick your poison. They are both black coffee.” 

Kameron took the one from Elise’s left hand, rubbing their fingers together in the process. When their eyes met, they both smiled. Kameron removed her hand with the coffee cup and said with a wink, “Thanks Eli. Much appreciated.”

Elise didn’t want to pass up this opportunity and felt bold. Once again, a feeling she has never felt with any other person she dated, “Any chance you are free next Friday? I unfortunately work all this weekend, but I’m off next weekend.”

“Umm when were you thinking? I’ve been picking up extra due to a coworker having a cholecystectomy and being off work a few weeks.” Kameron continues to meet Elise’s eyes as she asked.

“We could do Friday, Saturday, or Sunday next weekend. What works best for you?” Elise responded in her most accommodating manner, not wanting to miss an opportunity to see Kam again outside of work. 

Kameron seemed to think briefly, “would it be okay if I text you and let you know? I’d like to, but I need to check my schedule first.”

“Yeah, of course. As soon as I know when, I’ll try to plan something fun for us to do.” Elise smiled again and turned back toward Andrea and Serena to let Kameron work. 

Andrea appeared deep in thought with tears in her eyes again. So Elise went back to the other side of the bed, put her arm around her shoulders, and whispered in her ear, “Are you okay?” Andrea just nodded in response while continuing to hold Serena’s hand and stroking it lovingly with her thumb. Elise gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze and then moved back to take a seat on the couch along the windows. The “whooshing” sound of the ventilator, the “peeping” of the oximeter, and the mechanical movement of the IV pumps could be heard as Elise took a drink of her coffee. Every so often, Kameron would move over to the bedside to administer medications or treatments or check machine readings and then return to the computer to chart. 

Andrea’s phone buzzed again and she pulled it out to find a text message from Anna.

Anna: How long will Serena be in the hospital?

Andrea explained who was asking and waited quietly  for an answer. “I can estimate. If all goes well, probably three to four days. They certainly don’t keep people as long as they use to. If there are complications though, it could be longer than four days.”

Andrea: Kameron said “as long as all goes well, she estimates 3-4 days.”  The doctor said earlier they hope to wake her tomorrow and hopefully get rid of the breathing machine and tube in her airway.

Anna: Eric won’t be home until Friday evening. It’s about a 9 hour drive for me to get to MN. I should be there sometime tomorrow. My sister will be staying with the kids until Eric arrives home. Can anyone stay with Serena until I can arrive?

Andrea: It would be my pleasure to stay with Serena until you arrive. Did you want me to notify the college?

Anna: oh thank you for thinking of that. If you could, yes please. Thank you so much Andrea! I will be there as soon as possible. 

Andrea: Please drive safe. We will see you soon.

Andrea turned to Elise, “I will be staying here until Serena’s mom comes sometime tomorrow. Could you please bring me a few things from home?”

Elise of course agreed and waited for Andrea to make her a list. Whilst making the list, Andrea remembered they were suppose to have a movie night on Friday. “Elise, would you be upset if we reschedule our movie night Friday? I was looking forward to it, but I think Serena might need me more now.”

Elise was more than willing to do what was best for her friend. “Of course we can reschedule. You just let me know when things settle down or what I can do to help.” Taking them list in hand, Elise left the room to go retrieve Andrea’s needed items. 

Upon arriving home, her phone beeped with a text.

Nurse Kameron: I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but if you are free this Friday, maybe we could get together then? Unless you have something else going on. 

Elise: I’d like that very much if you are available.

Nurse Kameron: I can’t stay out too late because I work Saturday morning, but an early date night would be great!