Tim, Trask and Troy presented their identification cards and headed down the corridor to the urology consultation suite.“When the medical unit fell under my supervision, I forgot I’d be sampling every division.”
Trask laughed. “If you have to try OB/GYN, I’m out of my league.”
Troy groaned, “Tim, forgive him. He has six kids. He’s brushing up on dad jokes.”
As the group entered, Julian looked up from a patient lounger and smiled.“Coullion, you’re stuck with me.”
Troy laughed at the Cajun word meaning “joker,” but in spite of Julian’s attempts at levity, tension was rising in his shoulders. Tim turned to him. “Take a breath, go change; same as Tuesday night, shorts and a t-shirt.”
When Troy came out of the changing room, Trask was speaking with Julian. Tim pointed to a comfortable chair in front of the desk in the room. Gently he placed a blanket over his thighs and another one over his shoulders.
“First you’re just going to talk,” Tim told him. “Now take another breath.”
Chapter 19
Aman wearing scrubs, a lab coat, and a stethoscope around his neck came into the room using a tall walker. “I’m Mac Novak, Urology.” He smiled.
“Hi, Doc, I’m Troy, and this is Trask Winslow and Julian Dupart. And you know Tim.”
“Call me Mac. You and I are going to get personal fast.”
Troy laughed. “Great line.”
“It is. And it’s the truth. I was hired because I’m one of the best in the business at returning men who have experienced traumatic injuries like yours to a better quality of life.” Mac walked toward Troy, and rather than sitting behind the desk, he sat in the chair beside him. “I’ll cut to the chase. One, can Julian and Trask hear what we’re going to talk about?”
Troy swallowed hard. “Yeah.”
“Okay. I looked at your chart. In August, the doctors performed damage control surgery. Your abdomen was left open to give the swelling a little time to decompress after every organ was bruised. They needed to create temporary openings for your bodily functions. The chest surgeon braced and pinned every rib. The neurosurgeon fused two vertebrae. You coded seven times. The orthopedist put a pin in one femur and reconstructed your knee. Maxillofacial rebuilt your eye sockets and jaw. Both wrists were casted.
“In December, a urologist reversed the urostomy. January was spent learning to urinate on your own. Very big victory. In February, another surgeon pulled a bone splinter poking your spinal cord. There was spinal shock from the beating and the new surgery. You did a heavy bolus of steroids both times. Add the hemorrhaging kidneys, the torn rectum, perineum, urethra and penis. And we have that pain center Jack found the other night in your pelvis.”
Troy’s lids got heavy. “I don’t think I’ve heard my injuries cataloged like that before.”
Mac Novak placed his hand on Troy’s. “I’m not going to blow bubbles, butterflies and sunshine at you. How many times did you wish you were dead?”
Troy’s head snapped up. “Too many to count, though not for a while.” He avoided looking at Tim and his friends.
“Honest man. I confirmed you’re in therapy. I also read the after-action report. Though it doesn’t make a shit’s bit of difference, you didn’t cause any of this.”
Troy ran his left hand through his hair. “I appreciate that. A lot of the medical people try to appease their own anxiety by trying to sound sympathetic and concerned and giving me the survivor talk. I know they’re trying. Sometimes, I don’t feel like a survivor. The facility directors call it straight. Add Tim. And Beth, no words for her.”
“I noticed when I spoke with her. You need to know, Montgomery, Hedges, Miller and Sommerfeld are straight-shooters too. All of them weighed into why I’m here. Up until you saw Brandon Finch and Aaron Bain in Virginia, I’m guessing you blew smoke up the therapists’ asses. In addition to being a board-certified urologist, I have a PhD in psychology. I spoke with Tim, and, with his okay, if you feel comfortable with me, I’ll be happy to do double duty. Trust is hard.”
Troy nodded and looked down. “It is.”
“Medically, the wait and see approach you’ve been dished doesn’t make sense. You’re too young. The positives are you’ve been doing pelvic floor exercises to increase your sphincter control, and you have achieved almost total bladder control. I saw the prelim from Jack. Your sphincter control is better than predicted. That’s a testament to Beth Bailey and Pat Hedges as well as your perseverance.
“I would like to run some tests today. See where you are pre-op. Tim ran an in-depth bloodwork panel. I am increasing your testosterone level. A drop happens often in SCI patients. I also saw in your history you had kidney stones and an infection. And with that new pain, I’ll order a new scan but don’t see an issue today. We’ll watch you carefully. After one, another is more likely, and you’re back to work. I’d pick a sure bet you’re not as dedicated to your schedule as you were with someone reminding you. Five minutes looking at you, and I know if Mr. Holland interrupted you for a pee reminder, you’d deck him or shoot him.”
Troy genuinely laughed.
“Has anyone gone over your urinary system history?”
“No. Not really.” Troy shrugged.He talks fast. But he gets me.
“Do you want Julian and Trask to step out? Now I start the up close and personal part,” Mac said.
Julian got up to step out.
