Meghan was certainly glad when she was discharged back to the Branston’s home Thursday afternoon. She was looking forward to some peace and quiet, as the hospital ward had been busy and noisy. She inherited a roommate late that first evening and that woman was loud. Meghan had barely slept, and was ready for quiet!

The mysterious low-grade fever had vanished after the course of IV antibiotics, not that it made any difference to the nurses on staff, who insisted on rectal temps the whole duration after that first set. Meghan had gradually gotten adjusted to the fact that a thermometer was going up her butt when Vitals time rolled around every 4 hours.

So it was very nice to Meghan’s mind to be hobbling through the garage and back into her sister’s house two days after her surgery. She smiled when she saw the Welcome Home banner they had taped up to the fireplace. “Hmm. Did you miss me?”

Kelsey gestured to the couch. “Of course, sis! We’re glad to have you back home and recovering. Here, let’s get you a pillow and an ice pack. Just a sec.”

Mitch carried in the duffle with Meghan’s clothes and her knitting bag. “I’ll drop this in your room,” he said, indicating the duffle, “and I’m assuming you’d like to keep this with you,” as he handed her her knitting. He nodded at her smile and headed off down the hall.

Kelsey carefully raised Meghan’s leg, settling two pillows underneath, and placed a towel-wrapped ice pack over her incision. Meghan’s breath hissed at the cold but quickly eased.

“The worst part of the ice pack is that initial shot of cold. Then it starts feeling good.” Meghan settled into the couch better. “Ah, soft couch and a quiet house! What more can a gal wish for?”

Mitch came back into the room. “Well, you were wishing for something else a couple of days ago!”

Kelsey elbowed him in the ribs. “You weren’t supposed to mention that!”

Meghan looked back and forth between the two. “What am I missing here?”

Kelsey gave her husband a look. “Well, there was a little thing you said when you were in Recovery. You said something about how he,” Kelsey jerked her head in Mitch’s direction, “was a hunk of a man, handsome and smart, and you wanted one.”

Meghan started laughing, covering her mouth with her hands. “Really? Oh, no!” Everyone was chuckling again. “Mitch, I…”

He held up his hand. “Don’t worry, Meghan, what one says under anesthesia shouldn’t be held against them. Although it was good for my ego!”

Kelsey swatted his arm and headed for the kitchen. “Actually, I know of one other thing I’m sure you’ve missed. Want some coffee?”

Meghan perked up. “You betcha! They only serve swill on the hospital trays.”

Kelsey smiled and brewed a fresh pot of coffee. She poured it into mugs, doctored according to everyone’s preferences, and passed steaming cups to her husband and sister. Mitch took his and took his leave, heading to his home office to get some work done.

**********

Entering his office, he noticed that the light on his phone was flashing, indicating that a voicemail had been left. He punched the playback button, listening to the message as he sat down and blew on the still-steaming coffee.

Dr. Branston, this is the Radiology Department at County Medical. We wanted to notify you that due to a scheduling error, we cannot see your patient next week on Friday. Please contact the patient to have them reschedule. Thank you.

He sighed in irritation. Meghan needed to get that scan done soon. He glanced at the clock in his office. Well, too late to call to reschedule it today. I’ll need to do that tomorrow.

He busied himself with some of the paperwork he needed to complete for his ER position in preparation for his shift the following morning. He was just starting to read through a medical journal article when Kelsey knocked on the door.

“Come in, love. The coffee’s good.” He held up his now-empty coffee cup.

“Thanks. Meghan’s passed out on the couch. I gather that she didn’t get much sleep over the last couple of days.” Kelsey came in and sat down in one of the chairs in front of Mitch’s desk, pulling it up so she could rest her elbows on the desktop.

“That’s unfortunate but typical. She’ll have lots of opportunities to rest here at home.” Mitch ran a hand through his hair. “I glanced over her chart a few minutes ago. Nothing out of the ordinary. I saw Rick Brant gave her a couple of doses of IV Rocephin and it seemed to nip the low-grade fevers in the bud. Probably should keep an eye on that from time to time, but unless she’s complaining of something, I just want to stick with a set of vitals daily and oral meds.”

Kelsey nodded. “They removed her hep-lock at discharge. I think the biggest thing will be getting her to nibble on something when she takes the pain meds. Do you know what the plan is regarding the splint?”

Mitch nodded. “I chatted with Rick about it yesterday when I had a free moment. He said that, barring complications, the stitches will stay in for 10-12 days. When they come out, then he’ll transition her to a walking cast. She’ll probably be in the cast for another 4 weeks, and then physical therapy after that until she’s ready.”

Kelsey nodded. “Pretty typical. She’s supposed to see Rick when? Friday next week?”

“Yes. It was supposed to be in the afternoon, after her ultrasound, but I had a voicemail from Radiology, saying they had to cancel the appointment and to call and reschedule. I’ll try to get that done tomorrow.” Mitch sighed.

Kelsey looked at him knowingly. “I think an early bedtime is in store for us tonight. Everyone’s tired!” She got to her feet. “I’ll have dinner on the table in an hour or so. Going to stay here and do some reading?”

Mitch nodded.

Kelsey glanced at the JAMA article he was reading. “You might offer some of your past editions to Meghan. She usually jumps at the chance to read the latest journals she can get her hands on.

Mitch looked surprised but mused the thought over. “I’ll offer some to her to borrow later this evening.”

Kelsey leaned over him to give him a kiss. “Happy reading, sweetheart.”

Mitch waved goodbye as she left the room.

**********

The routine in the Branston home was quickly back to normal. Meghan spent a great deal of time on the couch in the living room. She knit, watched TV, or read. Mitch had offered her several past issues of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), as well as the last couple from the American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians. Meghan, in return, had offered Mitch the last three issues of the Journal of Paramedic Practice. She was rather surprised that he seemed interested in reading them. She said as much.

“I never knew that you had a journal. Maybe by reading through these I can better understand what the paramedics are doing in the field and why.”

“Mitch, the best thing for you would be to take a couple of days and ride along with an ambulance crew. Hands-on is the best.” Meghan smiled. “I happen to be good buddies with the gal who schedules ride-alongs. I just might let you tag along with me a couple of shifts, once I’m back on rotation.”

Mitch thought for a bit. “You know, I just might take you up on that. It could help to see what a case actually looks like from the beginning, and not just when your gurney hits the ER doors.”