Core Beliefs - Chapter 34 - Ling Frazzled

Core Beliefs – Chapter 34 - Ling Frazzled.

A little before 10:00 p.m., Marcus stepped toward the critical care unit of St. Lemmons Hospital.

After being dismissed by the staff three times, he called Joe.

“The hospital refuses to give me any information, Joe. I’m not family.” Frustration saturated every word.

“Give me the name of whoever is giving you crap, and I’ll fax an authorization document.” Joe could not remember ever being so pissed.

It took another two hours of bureaucratic two-stepping before

Marcus finally got a sketchy update and decided that sending an email was the best way to notify those who needed to know.

“Dear friends,” Marcus typed, “this is to let you know that earlier today, Matthew Lehman was involved in an automobile accident resulting in severe injuries.

“Though I cannot provide details, I will say that his life is in the balance. At this time, your prayers are most appreciated. I will keep you advised as more information becomes available. Please share this information as you see fit.” He listed the recipients and transmitted.

***

Time passed. Marcus asked for an update. A nurse advised that nothing had changed and that it was unlikely Mr. Lehman would last the night.

Marcus dozed off after calling his wife to let her know he was staying at the hospital.

***

A commotion at the nurse’s desk woke Marcus. Marcus didn’t have a good view, as the nurses argued with a young woman. She was somehow familiar, then he heard her voice, and it registered, ‘Dr. Chang?’ 

Immediately, he was off the couch and striding toward her.

“Dr. Chang,” he interrupted the argument, “I am so glad to see you. Thank goodness! You being here is a wonderful surprise! How did you get here?”

Every aspect of Ling’s persona reflected stress and fatigue.

“Marcus, thank God you’re here,” her voice trembled with fear and exhaustion.

He stepped in and wrapped her in a firm hug. She shuddered in his grasp. He’d experienced the sensation personally when emotions had overwhelmed him just before the dam burst.

“Hopped on a plane,” she sniffled. “Took three flights to get to a regional airport. Rented a car and somehow navigated the streets in one piece. I need to get to Matthew,” pure desperation filled her voice.

“What’s the hold-up?” Marcus asked the nurse.

“This woman claims to be a doctor and wants to treat the patient.”

“She is a doctor, a world-recognized authority in neurology, and is the head of neurosurgery at Baylor Medical Center in Houston as well as the head of neurological research at Wheatley University.”

The nurse didn’t seem to be impressed.

“I would think you would be delighted to have a pre-eminent neurologist asking to assist with this case?” Marcus peered at the nurse.

The nurse was taken aback but held her ground. “Only authorized hospital staff are allowed to treat patients.”

“May we talk with the doctor on duty?” Marcus asked.

“He is on call. My instructions are not to disturb him unless there is a significant change with a patient!” The nurse dug in.

Ling stared daggers at the nurse’s pompous proclamation. Marcus knew Ling was on the verge of pulverizing the woman in scrubs.

“Listen, Miss Procedures,” Ling blurted, “I will have you and every idiot in this hospital before a board of review if I do not get access to Matthew!”

“Dr. Chang,” Marcus said forcefully, “we must talk! Now!”

He took her by the upper arm and gently but firmly pulled her away.

“I know how you feel about Matt,” he said. “I know you want to help, but in my opinion, that woman over there has painted herself into a corner and is not going to budge.”

He raised Ling’s chin. Their eyes met.

“The options are, you can have your rage and burn bridges that you might need later, or you can let me give you the facts that I know for sure. Joe and Cynthia are heading this way as soon as the weather allows, and maybe, with them, we can reach the people who can give you access to Matthew.”

Ling’s rage dropped to a simmer. Marcus escorted her to a corner away from the others. She shivered, devastated and helpless. Her weary, weeping eyes met his.

“I have waited for love, real love, all my life,” Ling’s voice trembled, “and finally found it with Matthew. It was as if all of me that was empty and without meaning was filled with light, and I know that Matthew is the reason.” She shivered. “It hurts to my core to know he’s here, and I can’t touch him. I can’t hold him, kiss him, or help him! I’m powerless and feel so totally like crap.”

“I’m afraid,” her head dropped as she whispered, “afraid like never before. He is the only thing that gives my life meaning, and the very thought of losing him is ripping me apart!”

Marcus watched her hands quiver, her lips tremulous, as tears streamed from her eyes.

He clasped her hands, cupped them in his, and managed to draw her attention.

“Two things I know,” he said. “One is you are not alone. Number two is that Matt is still with us, and if there is any way he can be restored, you are the one to do it!”

***

There was something about the way Marcus said the word ‘restored.’ Ling remembered the party in Wichita and how, most appropriately, that word had been used. She straightened. “How can I not give less than my best for this man who has given meaning to my life?” Composing herself, “Tell me what you know.”

It didn’t take long for Marcus to recount the information provided by the hospital.

Ling was shocked to realize they were not attempting to treat Matt. If Marcus was right, they had simply placed him in a cubicle to see if he would survive the night on his own.

She glared at Marcus. “There is so much that could be done to reduce the swelling in the brain and stabilize his body. I do not understand these people. I need to reach the doctor! When will he be on the floor?”

“Normally about 6:00 a.m.,” Marcus said.

Ling stared at her watch and realized it would be hours before she could get there.

“Lie down and get some rest,” Marcus said. “I’ll make sure you’re up before he arrives.”

***

5:30 a.m. On October 9th, Marcus woke Ling. “It’s time to get up, M’lady.”

Ling rubbed her eyes and asked fearfully, “Any change?”

“Once again, it seems our Mr. Lehman refuses to cooperate,” Marcus said. “He is very much alive, and the old bat at the nurse’s station has lost a wager to me.”

“A bet?”

“The doctor will be on the floor at 6:00,” Marcus said. “Matt is now first on his list to be seen, and the bet was that if he survived the night, they would let you suit up and go in with the doctor. Now it seems you need to clean up.”

Ling leaped to Marcus, clinging to his neck, and sobbed, “You wonderful man. I can never thank you enough for this. Oh, thank you, thank you!”

“Where’s your luggage?” Marcus asked.

“This is it.” Ling lowered her head, pointing to what she had on. “I didn’t pack.”

“Don’t worry, we can take care of this.”

He strolled to the nurse’s station and asked for a set of scrubs for Dr. Chang and a place where she might clean up. He asked politely, and in a few minutes, they brought her scrubs and showed her to a shower.

Ten minutes before six, Ling was back, hair still damp, but she looked fresh and ready. The scrubs fit reasonably well.