Every Breath you Take

Every breath you take

"Yas!" Syed calls out as the group of three, enter the young girls room.

Yasmin frowns slightly.

Before she can speak, they're interrupted by her Neurologist, Dr Harmon.

"Hi, it's great to see you all again. Now as I said to you on the phone Syed, Just because Yasmin is awake, this doesn't mean that there hasn't been any lasting damage caused due to the seizure and how long it lasted. Upon investigation, It seems that Yasmin is moderately brain damaged. Now, hopefully with intensive physiotherapy she will be able to live a semi normal lifestyle. Our first goal is to get her sitting up and out of bed and we will progress from that. I have to be honest with you, this won't be easy. Yasmin suffered a brain injury that left her body without oxygen for a significant amount of time, and given her other health issues, her recovery may be longer. Aside from that, she has also no recollection of the accident or the hours leading up to the event. She has also had periods of brief confusion, which we aim to solve quickly with some therapy." Dr Harmon announces.

"So she's brain damaged?" Christian repeats.

"Yes, that's correct." Dr Harmon replies.

"Will she still have an average life expectancy?" Syed asks.

"Unfortunatley, with a brain injury her life expectancy is reduced by about 8 years. Although there is always a chance that she could live longer, she's unlikely to make it any longer than her early eighties." Dr Harmon replies.

The two males sit beside Yasmin's bed in shock.

"It's a lot to deal with. I'll give you some time alone, If you have any other questions then just get a nurse to page me." Dr Harmon says as he exits quietly, sensing that the family needs some space.

"Yas?" Syed says as the young girl looks towards him.

"Do you know who we are?" Syed asks, as Christian grabs a hold of his arm.

"Syed stop! Don't. If she does she does, and if she doesn't then we will work towards that." Christian says.

Yasmin gulps before whisphering “D...Da..Dads.. Si...Sis..Sister”

The two men gasp and take hold of each of Yasmin’s hands

“That’s right!” Syed says as his eyes fill with tears.

“You’re so clever!” Christian says as he hugs Yasmin, being careful not to hurt her.

“Do you know you sisters name?” Syed asks as Yasmin frowns.

“Who?” Yasmin says as she looks around the room.

Christian senses that Syed is getting agitated so he decided to try and explain to Yasmin.

“You see that little girl in the pushchair? That’s your sister, Matilda. She’s a year old and she loves you so much.” Christian says as Yasmin nods as she starts to remember.

“I know this must be so confusing for you, but we will get through this. You’ll come home eventually and we will be a family again.” Christian says as the three of them hug.

Dr Harmon returns a short while later with some test results.

“So as you know, we tested Yasmin’s body functions earlier today. Well, we have the results.” He says as Christian and Syed wait eagerly for the news.

“The results have shown that she definitely has some brain damage and some temporary memory loss. It also showed us that all four of her limbs have remained in tact and that all the nerve endings still work. Of course she’ll have to learn how to walk and talk, but generally speaking things don’t look too bad currently.” Dr Harmon finishes as Syed and Christian beam.

“Thank you so much!” Christian says as he hugs Dr Harmon.

“Also, we’ll be moving Yasmin up to our paediatric rehabilitation ward now.” Dr Harmon says as the two men nod and stand up as a Porter comes into the room.

“Where?” Yasmin asks.

“You’re going to a new ward, one which specialises in cases like yours.” Syed replies as he takes hold of Matilda and her pushchair.

“Come on then, onto the next stage of our lives.” Christian smiles as the group make their way to the new ward.