June 12, 2017

Briella Coleson

            I let out an annoyed groan when I heard the loud scream of my alarm. I turned over in my sheet and clicked the off button. When I looked at the screen, the bright red numbers read 5:30 am.

Slowly, while still half asleep, I lifted myself out of the bed and wandered over to the curtains draped over the wall, preventing any light from coming in. I grabbed the fabric covering the clear pane in the wall and exposed my spectacular view of the rising sun over New York. I tied back the curtains allowing the dim light to fill the entirety of my bedroom.

            I then walked into the living room and since there weren’t curtains on the floor to ceiling windows it just allowed the light to flood my living room and kitchen. The whites of my kitchen cabinets now reflected the light pink and yellow hues the rising sun was projecting over the city.

            I poured myself a cup of coffee and made some breakfast. I wasn’t much of a morning person, but I needed to make sure I was fueled for this morning’s shift at the hospital.

            I specialized in Pediatrics, so I have to make sure I have enough energy to deal with kids all day and get through surgeries. It was my calling though. I love seeing the kids every day and having the ability to help them. However, watching kids suffer everyday really does make me question sometimes if I want my own one day or not.

            As I sat there eating my breakfast I watched the sun through the window and scrolled through my phone for a little news update and to check in on what’s going on. *ding* ‘Good Morning Sweetheart :)’ I read the text and smiled. It was from Jared, my boyfriend of six months now. His morning texts were always sweet, and they meant a lot to me. ‘Good Morning!’ I replied before putting my phone down and heading back into my room to change.

            I walked into the bathroom first. I straightened my hair, did a very light natural makeup, and brushed my teeth. I left the newly straightened hair down but brought hair ties with me knowing I would need to put my hair up later. I then headed back to my room and turned to my closet where my scrubs were folded on the top shelf. I slipped on the dark purple material and my shoes and headed for the door. I grabbed my cup of coffee and my bag on the way out.

            When I got downstairs and outside I could feel the hot July air hit my face. I walked over to my car parked along the curb got in and started the car.

            My drive to the hospital was longer than usual, but not surprising considering the traffic in the City. It was fine though I always left a tad earlier, since I lived just outside the city, to make sure the traffic didn’t make me late.

When I arrived at the hospital I walked in and took the elevator up to the 4^th floor, which was the Pediatric floor. The elevator chimed to signal we were on the floor and I stepped out into the busy hallway. There were kids walking around in gowns with their parents , kids with doctors, parents in the waiting room with the look of impatience and worry in their eyes. I’ve almost become immune to the sadness that wants to consume you whenever you see that look or the sick kids walking down the hall. It’s not fully gone but I don’t want to burst into tears when I walk in anymore.

The office I share with Dr. Dave Myers was right down the hall from the welcome desk. Dr. Myers was a very nice man, since I was just a fellow I needed someone to report to and teach me the ways of the department. He was a few years older than me probably in his mid 30’s and he was about 5’10 with short blond hair.  He always radiated good energy and just brought a smile to my face.

When I walked into the small room, I turned to my left and placed my bag down on the black fabric of the chair at my desk. I greeted Dave with a warm smile and hello. As I was walking over to the coffee machine in the corner of our room he spoke up.

“Ready for a busy day?”

“Yes, I can’t wait for this afternoons surgery, it’s been a long time coming and I know everyone wants this to be over.” I reply back with excitement.

You see today was the day that we were doing, hopefully, our last operation on a 12-year-old boy named Carter. He has been coming to see us since he was 7 and has a tumor on his stomach. Over the years we have been doing surgeries and Chemo to try and shrink it. The last time we checked his x-rays the tumor was so small we believe we can get it all out with this last surgery.

“It sure has. Also, we are getting new interns today so good luck with them.”

“Oh sounds so fun.” I reply sarcastically, and we both let out a small chuckle.

I turned back to my desk and started working for about 20 minutes until it was time to go see my residents. I was assigned to a group of second year residents, which means they also come with brand new interns.

When I go to the nurses station I picked up some of my most recent chart and said hi to some of the nurses I usually have in my O.R. and made conversation with them about today surgeries until my residents found me.

I’m not a huge fan of second year residents or third years for that matter. Just something in them clicks when they hit their second year. They start to think they are entitled to everything and they are such hot shots because they aren’t interns anymore.

When Natalie, one of the nurses, looked behind me and back at me with that amused smile I knew the residents had found me.

            I turned around and looked at the six-eager people in front of me. I knew them already because they have been with me since they were interns.

            “Good morning Dr. Coleson!” one of the doctors spoke up. Her name was Brooke Dowell, and she was a shorter blond girl. She was always so perky which was a blessing and a curse. Blessing for the children, but a curse for me.  

            “Good Morning.” I said addressing the whole group with a forced smile spread across my face. “Shall we get started with rounds?” the question was rhetorical, and they all knew it, so when I turned around they just followed me.

            We went to a few rooms and checked on some patients, once we had gotten through a few I sent two of the residents down to the E.R and told them if anything too bad came in that they should page me, but I figured minor things they should be able to take care of on their own.

            I took a few of the residents with me back to Carters room and we started going over his chart. I crouched down next to carters bed and answered any questions he may have about the surgery. He always had a bright attitude no matter how scary some of the things we would say around him sounded. Even though he has been though surgery more than once he always asked if it was going to hurt, and like always I told him he wouldn’t feel anything during, but after he would be a bit sore.

That’s another thing I adored about this little boy. No matter what he always wanted the truth. He was smart enough to know that it wasn’t going to be all sunshine and rainbows and would always call someone out if he thought they were lying to him.

Once Carter seemed pleased with our chat I gestured for his parents to follow me out in the hall.

“We’ll be right back sweetie. Mommy is just going to talk to Dr. Coleson in the hall.” I heard his mother say as I walked in the hall.

She was always so gentle towards her son, towards everyone really. That’s why I want this to be his last surgery. This family is so sweet, and they don’t deserve any of this. Not that anybody deserves this but watching them suffer in front of my face and still being bright and bubbly during it all is so heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Once they got into the hallway with me, I could see the slight concern on their face.

            “Is something wrong Doctor?” I could see the look of concern on her face.

            “No don’t worry everything is fine. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay and see if you had any questions. I know you don’t like asking some things in front of your son.” I say in a reassuring tone.

            She gave me a look of thanks before her worried expression came back. “What were to happen if you can’t get it all this time? What if it grew and has infected more of his stomach and spread? What if it’s not just in his stomach anymore?”

            “Ms. Young, as it is possible, the chances of Carters tumor growing in the last three days is quiet unlikely.” I speak with a quieter voice to try to calm her down.  

            “I know but it’s a mothers job to worry and think about these things doctor. So say that it didn’t grow but you still can’t retract it all, what would happen then?”

            “If by chance we can’t get the whole tumor out, he would have to go back to chemotherapy, and we would have to wait for it to shrink more before we could procced.”

            The look on her face when I finished speaking was heartbreaking.

            “Ms. Young, I know I can’t make any promises, but I have a really good feeling about this one. Now, I have to go finish some of the paperwork for Carters surgery and the transfer team will come down and take him to the O.R. okay?”

            “Okay and thank you Dr. Coleson for everything.” She gave me a gentle smile and I reciprocated.

            I walked back to my office and sat down on the black leather of my chair and started flipping through the small stack of papers on my desk.

            When it reached about 7:30 I was ready to go in for Carters surgery. I sent for the transfer team and headed to the scrub room.

I turned on the water and started to wash my hand. As I stood there I looked up from my hands to the glass pane that separated me from the operating room. I was so ready to get this tumor out of Carter and get him on his feet again as soon as possible so he could just go and live a normal life like all of his little 12-year-old friends.

I walked into the O.R. and had one of the nurses in there open up a glove for me to stick my hands into. I then walked over to Carter and gave him a warm smile which he reciprocated. I had him count back from 10 as the anesthesiologist put him to sleep.

            After about 5 hours in the O.R. we got through the procedure perfectly. We removed the entire tumor and close him back up. The nurses wheeled him back to his room and I went back to my office to fill out the post-surgery paperwork before I went to go talk to his mother.

            I was so excited to tell her the news about the surgery. When I walked into the waiting room I looked around and saw her figure sitting on one of the chairs over to my right.

            I walked over to her and tapped her shoulder. “Ms. Young, the surgery’s over.”

            Her head shot up followed by the rest of her body as she brought herself to stand. “How is he? Did you get it all? Can I see him?” I could see so many emotions flash over her eyes.

            “Ms. Young I am pleased to inform you that we successfully removed the entirety of the tumor form Carters stomach, and yes you can see him. I’ll walk take you back to his room now.”

            I saw the relief wash over her face and her entire body relax. “Are you serious?” she looked at me with tears in her eyes.

            “Yes I’m serious Ms. Young, Carters going to be just fine. I will need to do a checkup every few weeks to make sure everything’s still okay, but we can discuss that later.”

            The tears in her eyes eventually spilled over and she gave me a big hug.

            “Thank you, thank you thank you! Thank you for everything!”

            “Of Course Ms. Young, I’m happy I was able to help.” We walked back to Carters room and I left her there as she waited for him to wake up.

            I assigned some of the residents to go in every so often and make sure he was okay and to check his vitals as I had some other things to take care of.

            I walked back to my office, as I usually spend a lot of time in there and started on some more paperwork for the new patients that I assigned some residents to.

            As I was filling out the information needed, my phone started ringing. However, when I checked the number displayed on the tiny screen it was an unknown number. I was a bit hesitant to answer but I reached for the phone regardless.

            “Dr. Briella Coleson speaking how may I help you?”

            “Bri? Where are you right now?”  the voice belonged to my best friend since the 7^th grade Genevieve Wood.

            “Gen? What’s up why are you calling me from an unknown number?”

            “It’s a work phone.”

            “Uh, why are you calling me from a work phone I thought, you know, that’s classified.”

            “They let me make an exception.” I could hear a slight waver in her voice, almost like she had been crying.

            “Gen. what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

            “Well I’m legally not allowed to tell you that part right now, but I’m sure you’ll find out soon enough. I’m not sure how they are going to cover this one up.” She giggled a bit but not like it was funny, more like she was in shock.

            “What do you mean?” I question

            “Do you remember that time in the 10^th grade we wanted to go to homecoming so badly, so we found dates with those two boys from our gym class, and we went out and bought those gorgeous little cocktail dresses from that boutique in the city we loved. Then when homecoming finally came and my date never showed, so you apologized to you date and took me out for ice cream and chicken nuggets and drove me down to the beach instead so we could run into the water in our dresses.” She stated more than asked but I still replied.

            “Yes I do. He is still a dick for that too.” I smiled as reminisced on the memory we were sharing, but my smile soon faded as I remembered why she makes these types of calls. “Gen, what are you about to do?”
           

            “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you for that night. For any of it really. Being my friend, my sister. Helping me through all the shit with my parents and James-“ she was cut off my yelling in the background followed by an alarm.

            “Gen? Gen?” I said her name, but the line went dead.

            My emotions took over and a tear rolled down my face. I knew this wasn’t a good call, they rarely are. Everything about the way she was speaking gave it away. However, I had a gut feeling this one, this one was bad, really bad.

            My head was still spinning with thoughts about my call with Gen when I got a 9-1-1 page down to the emergency room. I rushed down as fast as I could and when I got there it was even crazier than I imagined. Every bed was full and there were still more coming in. The scream of the ambulance sirens became louder as the doors were being pushed open by a pair of paramedics. On the gurney there was a little girl, about 7 years old.

            Now that I really look at it, all the beds were filled with kids.

            Without thinking I ran over to the incoming traumas and directed the little girl to trauma room four.

            Her leg has visible breakage, and she was unconscious, so we had to get her head checked as soon as possible. When we entered the room I immediately told one of the residents with me to page orthopedics and neurology for a consult.

            Once they got there and had the situation handled I left the room and went to go find someone else to help. I looked around for an unattended station, but every patient had a doctor with them, or a chart attached to their bed, so I knew someone had checked up on them.

            As my eyes continued around the room, they landed on Dr. Myers standing by the nurses station. I walked over to him and saw he was intensely staring at a bedding chart.

            “Do we know what happened here?” I speak up. I don’t think he realized I was there though because when I spoke he did a little startled jump backwards.

            “Oh Dr. Colson, you scared me, but yes we do. A school bus full of elementary school children crashed on its way to drop them off at school.” He spoke before looking back down at the papers in his hand,

            “Oh god! That’s terrible. Do we know what caused the accident?” I asked curiously.

            “Unfortunately no. The driver was D.O.A so we only have to go off what the children are saying and at the moment that isn’t getting us anywhere.”

            “What are they saying happened?”

            “They all think that a big blue and green alien with crazy tentacles came down from outer space, landed in front of the bus, and the driver had to swerve from hitting it and that’s how they ended up bouncing off of the lamp post into the pond.”

            “Oh I see, but we both know how kids in this type of situation get. They create false scenarios in their head as a false sense of security, so their brains don’t have to deal with what’s going on. All of them though, saying the same thing, that’s a bit weird don’t you think?”

            “A bit, but I’m sure one of the kids said something after it happened and they all just ran with it.” He stated. I gave him an understanding  nod and continued to have a short chat before he politely excused himself to head down to one of his surgeries.

            I was about to leave the E.R and go check on some of my other patients when the loud sound of another siren became closer and closer. I ran out the automatic doors and met the EMT as he was opening the door of the rig.

            They started to lower the gurney and I could see it was a little girl around the age of 8 probably. She had short blond hair which was pulled back into to pigtails. As she laid unconscious on the gurney the EMT explained to me that they found her laying a few feet away from the bus, she had a low pulse and has a broken tibia, humorous, and had tenderness and multiple gashes of the abdomen. I directed them to trauma room 2 since I remember them clearing it out a couple minutes earlier.

            Once we got in I felt her abdomen and had to insert a chest tube to get her breathing going on a normal pattern again, which also raised her hear rate to normal levels. I checked her pupils, and paged neuro as her left eye was slow when responding to the light. I then poked my head out the door of the room to call Dr. Roberts who was in the next room to check on her legs. She had visible lacerations on her stomach, but they were oddly shaped. They almost looked like bite marks, but they were larger than any animal I know that inhabits this area.

            “I need to get her down to surgery now, this wound is too large to leave exposed for too long.”

            When we got her into the O.R. I scrubbed in and has two of my residents scrub in with me. Once I finished and got in there I immediately started tending to the wound and getting the bleeding under control. When I realized there was something stuck in one of the wound on her right side just below her rib I got a forceps and tried to bring it out.

            “What the hell is that?” One of the residents spoke up once I got the object out of the little girl.

            “It looks like part of a tooth.” The other spoke up and I examined it closer. For a split second while looking at the hard white chip, my brain wanders to what Dr. Myers told me earlier about the aliens. I chuckled to myself and continued working, I mean there is no way that aliens actually landed on earth and caused an accident. Right?

            “What’s so funny Dr. Coleson?” Dr. Erics asked me. He is one of the second years that are watching the surgery. I knew he was a smart kid and I definitely saw his going places.

            “Nothing important. Just thought about the fact the kids think aliens did this and they probably tore this little girl apart. But we are doctors, and we go off science, and there is no way aliens decided to attack earth today and started with a school bus on an empty road.”

            “Actually, it’s pretty likely that there are aliens in the universe Doctor.” He replies back to me and I raise my brow at him, gesturing for him to explain. “If we want to go based off science, the universe is gigantic, and we haven’t been able to explore past our solar system. So, now this is going back to mostly probable theory, if there are billions of solar systems out there, the chances of their being other species and life forms is higher than you’d think. They may not be your typical tall green creatures, they could even be your standard human, but they could be out there.”

            “Maybe you should go work for NASA Dr. Erics. I’m sure they would be happy to take on a brain like yours.” I joke around playfully.

            “Thank you Doctor but I much rather save people’s lives than try and find new ones, although if they do find some that would be totally awesome.”

            He couldn’t see me, as he was standing behind me, but under my mask I was smiling. He really was a smart guy. 

            As we were finishing up my pager went off.

            “Dr. Coleson, it’s a 9-1-1 phone call form Dr. Myers.” One of the nurses spoke as she looked up from my pager.

            “Um okay, let’s see, all I need to do is close with stitches so Dr. Erics can you do that for me?”

            “I would love to Doctor but I’m not scrubbed that’s why I haven’t approached the table.”

            “Well do you want to go scrub really quick or should I give the task to someone else?”

            “No doctor I’ll go scrub.”

He speed out of the room to go scrub and I walked over to the phone on the wall. When I picked up the voice on the other end of the phone sounded calm yet panicked at the same time.

            “Dr. Coleson I need you to listen to me very carefully. We are under attack. The hospital is going into lockdown. We will be able to walk around the hospital, but we won’t be able to leave the building. If you have any patients in surgery you are encouraged to get them out and into a recovery room as soon as possible.”

            “I understand but what do you mean we are under attack? Like a terrorist attack? Shooting?” I kept my voice hushed as to not alarm anyone else in the room.

            “Aliens.”

            I busted out laughing, and some of the nurses looked at me like I was crazy. “Dr. Myers you can’t be serious. I think you’ve been spending too much time listening to those kids.”

            “Bri, I’m serious. Find a T.V. and turn the news on. Aliens have landed in the city. The kids weren’t lying.” The tone in his voice was serious and scared.

            “Does anyone in here have a cell phone on them?” I ask addressing everyone in the room.

            No one answered, while it’s not a rule to not have your phone in the O.R. it is frowned upon, but right now I didn’t care. I just needed to see the news.

            “You’re not going to get in trouble, I just need to check something.”

One of the interns raised their hands and I motioned for them to walk over to me. I know I’m going to have to rescrub after this, but I think it’s worth it. I grabbed the phone and opened her internet tab. I then guided myself towards news stations and low and behold there were fucking aliens in New York.