A Heartbeat Away by Harry Kraus Read Free Book Online

on her side table and scattering her cards, a vase of flowers, and her phone. She ended up on her back, with a second ripping pain in her chest and the sensation of wetness on her leg. Water? She touched her thigh and examined her fingers. Blood!
    Her door swung open, heralding the entrance of her nurse—a thirtysomething female with red hair—and an aide, an adolescent male with a face struggling with acne.
    The nurse barked at the aide. “Throw me that towel!”
    She threw Tori’s gown back to expose her upper legs and pressed the towel down over a bleeding purple swelling.
    â€œI told you not to get up!” Her teeth were bared, lips pulled back in a snarl.
    Tori couldn’t speak. The pain in her chest was nearly unbearable.
    The nurse went on. “I should have known. You’re above the orders. You know best, don’t you, Dr. Taylor ?”
    Tori struggled for breath. “I … had … to … go,” she whispered.
    The nurse looked at the aide. “I want you to stat page the vascular surgery resident on call. If I can’t get this bleeding stopped, she’s going to need surgery.”
    The aide stepped toward the door.
    â€œBring me some sterile dressings!”
    Tori felt warm fluid running down her leg. The nurse wasn’t holding efficient direct pressure, and Tori was still losing blood. Tori placed her hand over the nurse’s. “Here,” she said. “The artery is more medial. Push here.”
    â€œStill need to be in charge, don’t you?”
    Tori’s first impulse was to correct her, but as she began, she halted. “The femoral artery runs—” She took a deep breath and steadied her voice. “Could you cover me up?”
    â€œYou don’t get it, do you? You could bleed out.”
    â€œI’m cold. Others can see me,” she grunted. “The door is open.”
    The nurse didn’t make a move to cover Tori. “It feels different being a patient, doesn’t it?”
    Tori reached out to touch the nurse’s hand. She wanted to apologize. Instead, the nurse pulled away.
    â€œDon’t touch me! Your hand is bloody.”
    â€œI … I must have offended you.”
    â€œOh, that’s rich.” The nurse appeared to be sweating. “What nurse haven’t you offended, Dr. Taylor?”
    â€œThank you for taking care of me.” Tori winced with pain. “I heard the nurses talking at the beginning of the shift. You must have gotten the short straw.”
    The nurse didn’t respond. Evidently, she didn’t expect Tori’s honesty.
    A minute later, a breathless vascular-surgery intern arrived. Dr. Ron Marsh had served on Tori’s team the month she fell ill.
    Tori struggled to cover her privates with her hand. “Hi, Ron,” she said. “I slipped getting back to bed. I’m two hours postcardiac cath via a right femoral artery stick. I think I opened the artery again when I fell.”
    Ron quickly pulled on a pair of latex gloves and grabbed a sheet from the bed. He spread the sheet over Tori, leaving only her right groin uncovered. “Here,” he said, nudging the nurse aside. “On three, take your hand away and let me put my fingers over her wound. I need to see.” He paused. “One, two … three!”
    The duo switched positions. “Hmm,” he said.
    â€œWhat do you see?”
    â€œMost of the bleeding is under the skin. I think we can get this to stop without surgery, but you’re going to have to live with a significant hematoma.”
    â€œI need heart biopsies each week for two more weeks,” Tori said.
    The intern frowned. “Then they’ll probably have to use the other side or else use your arm.”
    â€œI’m worried about my sternal closure too,” she said. “I may have ripped something.”
    â€œI can look if you want.”
    She nodded.
    This time, the nurse cooperated and