Two weeks later...
Kayla and Rachel were in Springfield, meeting face to face with the client from the conference call two weeks prior. The meeting had been successful, and they’d set up a follow-up meeting in another two weeks to discuss logistics. Excited about how well the meeting went, Kayla and Rachel proceeded to her car.
As they were exiting the elevator in the outdoor parking structure, Kayla wasn’t watching her step and missed the hump on the ground. She yelled out in pain and fell to the cement reaching for her right foot.
“Kayla, oh my God are you ok, talk to me!” Rachel exclaimed bending down in front of her.
“I can’t move, my foot Rachel, and my ankle. Oh god, it hurts!” Kayla cried.
Panicked, Rachel immediately dialed 911 and told the dispatcher to send an ambulance. She relayed to them what had occurred and hung up when the dispatcher confirmed that medics were in route to their location.
Twenty minutes later, the ambulance was in route to the E.R. at Mercy Health. Still crying, Kayla looked down to see that her right foot was severely swollen. The swelling had forced the EMTs to cut off her pump.
“Ma’am, we’ll have you at the hospital in a few minutes. I’m sorry we can’t give you anything for the pain. But we think it’s best to wait until the doctors evaluate you before administering any medication. Can you tell me what happened, so we can relay it to the hospital staff upon arrival?” the female EMT asked.
“I was walking to my car with my friend and felt a pull on my foot as I wasn’t paying attention. I have never felt anything like it before, and it’s excruciating. Is anything broken?” Kayla cried.
“I can’t tell if anything is broken based on all of the swelling. You swelled up fast, and that’s very concerning to us at this time. The doctor’s will x-ray you and provide you with more information. Is there anyone we need to call for you?” the EMT asked.
“No, my friend is behind us in my car, she’ll contact everyone once we know what’s going on. Thank you for your kindness.”
Just then, the ambulance pulled into the emergency room entrance. The EMT’s took Kayla into an open room. Kayla heard them briefing the nurse on what had occurred.
Once they were done, the nurse came in to take her vitals. “Hi Ms. Banks, my name is Sasha, and I’ll be taking your vitals as well as taking you down for an x-ray. When we come back, the on-call doctor will come in to see you.”
“Ok, how long do I have to wait before you can give me some pain medication? I’m in a lot of pain,” Kayla whined.
At that moment, Rachel walked into the room concern etched all over her face. “Kayla, you have my heart racing. What are they saying? Do I need to call your parents?”
“Rachel calm down, please. And hold off on calling my parents for now. I don’t want to worry them just yet,” Kayla said uncertainly.
“Ok, Ms. Banks I’m ready to take you for x-rays now. Let’s see what’s going on with your foot,” Nurse Sasha said as an aide came in with a wheelchair.
A half hour later, Kayla was back in her room and waiting for the on-call doctor to come in to see her. “Rachel, how long are they going to make me suffer? This really hurts, can you see what’s taking so long,” she whined.
“Ok, let me see what the holdup is,” Rachel stated moving to the door.
Five minutes later, Rachel and the nurse walked in and neither made direct eye contact.
Kayla instantly knew something was wrong. “Just tell me, neither of you are looking at me, so I know it’s bad.”
“Ms. Banks, you tore the ligaments in your right ankle. They are so badly torn that we must begin prepping you for surgery. I’m sorry,” the nurse said looking away from her.
Thirty minutes later, a drugged and dazed Kayla sat in pre-op waiting for the surgeon to come see her. In walked a handsome doctor who looked to be in his early 60s. He put her in the mind of Kevin Costner. “Hi Ms. Banks, I’m Dr. Palmer, and I’ll be performing your surgery today. You managed to tear the ligaments in your foot, and I need to go in and correct that damage to prevent any long-term effects. The surgery should be over within two hours if all goes well. Do you have any questions for me?”
“Nope, let’s get this show on the road,” Kayla stated, ignoring her fear.
“I will stop in the waiting room to talk with the family before surgery. And then I will make sure I’m back to round on her when the surgery is over,” Dr. Palmer stated to Myles.
Myles nodded at the doctor as he walked into the operating room. He’d only been briefed on the patient’s condition. Dr. Palmer had another emergency with a patient and called him in for this, knowing he was already in the hospital visiting a follow up patient that he’d operated on. He’d agreed to do the surgery for Dr. Palmer knowing that he might have to cash in the favor at another time. “Alright ladies and gentlemen, let’s get to work. Is our patient still under?”
“Yes, Dr. Feelgood, she seems to be a hard sleeper, so I’ve only had to adjust her anesthesia slightly,” the anesthesiologist stated.
“Ok great. Let’s get started then, scalpel,” Myles prompted reaching for the instrument.