Coma

Coma

The day had finally come. My heart pounded with exhilaration like a child at Christmas as I navigated the streets to the hospital. I realised I'd made a wrong turn.
     'Silly me!' I laughed nervously. I knew this route like the back of my hand. I'd driven it at least twice a day for the last fourteen months to visit my husband, Hal.
     But today would be the last time.
     Today my husband had woken from his coma.
 
The sliding doors didn't open fast enough. I flew through the halls to room 603 - the quietest room in the hospital - past the other comatose patients. Hal's bed was empty. I whirled around, hoping to spot a nurse. A doctor with electric blue eyes had appeared from nowhere.
     'Where's Hal?' I blurted.
     'Mrs Galvin,' he said evenly. 'Your husband has been moved to another ward. I've taken over his care. I'm Doctor John Nichols.'
     'I don't understand. I'm here to pick him up.'
     'I'm afraid that won't be possible just yet. Walk with me,' Doctor Nichols gestured.
     We walked in silence to ward 3K.
     Psychiatry.
     I grabbed the doctor by the arm. 'Tell me why my husband is in here.'
     'You haven't told your children that he's awake?'
     'No, they told me not to on the phone. They're still at school,' I said impatiently. 'Why?'
     Those blue eyes took me in. 'Hal has retrograde amnesia.'
     I drew a blank.
    'A part of his brain affecting memory was damaged in the car accident. He doesn't remember anything past high school. He doesn't remember you.'
     I barged past Doctor Nichols, through the swing door, angry tears stinging my eyes. Was this the doctor’s idea of a cruel joke?
     Hal Galvin: Room 314, the white board read. I charged into his room.
     'Hal!' I breathed at the sight of him, joy rushing through me.
     'Oh, Hal,' I murmured, climbing onto the bed, nuzzling him. 'You're back.'
     I didn't know what hit me. I was winded, breathless, pushed to the vinyl floor.
     Hal had pushed me.
     I met his eyes, saw his bewilderment.
     ‘Who the fuck are you?’
     Hal turned to Doctor Nichols. 'Where's Teneille?'
     I was dreaming. This must be a nightmare. I felt the world spinning. And then all I saw was blackness.
 
I awoke in a hospital bed.
     Doctor Nichols was waiting, by my side. 'I tried to warn you.'

                                        
                                             * * *


I continued life on autopilot. Wake. Work. Hospital. Hal refused to see me. Occasionally I'd break down and cry on Doctor Nichols' white coat. Home. Help with homework. Dinner. Bed.
     It was a week before I could bring myself to tell Janine and Scott. Their sorrow and confusion became my burden. They were as lost as I was. How do you process the news your dad is finally awake after a fourteen month coma, but doesn't remember you? 




 
Cover photo courtesy of Lwp Kommunikáció. Entitled:Halálos bűnök (3. évad).’ Jared Enander in critical condition for weeks at the hospital.



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