Page 42 of Doctor Second Chance

“Sepsis is a severe reaction to an infection,” he explains. “When bacteria or other pathogens get into your bloodstream, your body responds by releasing chemicals to fight the infection. But sometimes, this response goes into overdrive, causing widespread inflammation. This inflammation can lead to blood clots and leaky blood vessels, which in turn can cause poor blood flow and deprive your organs of nutrients and oxygen.”

I feel a chill run through me as he continues. “In your case, the infection in your hand entered your bloodstream and moved quickly. Once sepsis sets in, it can spread rapidly throughout the body. It affects the internal organs, potentially leading to organ failure if not treated promptly. Your heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver are all at risk.”

“That sounds terrifying,” I whisper, my mind racing.

“It is,” Dr. Hampton agrees. “Sepsis is a medical emergency. The longer it goes untreated, the higher the risk of serious complications and even death. Many people don’t realize they need medical attention until too late because the symptoms can initially seem like those of other illnesses.”

He pauses, letting his words sink in. “You’re very lucky, Elle. Dr. Duncan—Shep—noticed the signs and acted quickly. He ensured you received the necessary treatment right away. Without that prompt action, your situation could have been much worse.”

I swallow hard, the weight of his words settling over me. “So, Shep saved my life?”

“In a way, yes,” Dr. Hampton says, nodding. “He recognized the urgency and immediately ensured you got the care you needed. Sepsis moves fast, and every minute counts.”

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. “Dr. Hampton, what caused the infection in the first place?”

Dr. Hampton pulls up a chair and sits beside my bed, his expression serious yet compassionate. “A variety of factors can cause infections after surgery, Elle,” he begins. “Despite all precautions, bacteria can sometimes enter the surgical site. This can happen during the surgery itself or afterward.

“Common bacteria, like Staphylococcus aureus, live on our skin. If they enter the body through a cut or surgical incision, they can cause an infection. It’s also possible for bacteria from the environment, instruments, or even the hands of medical staff to be involved, despite rigorous sterilization protocols.”

I swallow hard. The reality of how fragile our bodies can be sinks in. “Is there any concern it could happen again? Or how can I prevent it in the future?”

Dr. Hampton smiles reassuringly. “The risk of it happening again is relatively low, especially since we’ll monitor you closely and you're on the strongest antibiotics available. To prevent future infections, following all post-operative care instructions is crucial. This includes keeping the surgical site clean and dry, taking any prescribed antibiotics as directed, and watching for signs of infection like redness, swelling, or fever. Always call if your hand feels unusually tender.”

I swallow hard, trying to process this information. "So... what's the status now?"

"Right now, you're going to focus on healing. Once we feel you're over that hump, we can talk about the next steps. But first, rest, fluids, and more rest."

My mind reels at the implications. I look down at my heavily bandaged hand, trying to imagine what lies beneath.

3:29 pm

I'm drifting in and out of sleep when I hear a familiar voice at the door. My eyes flutter open to see Shep standing there, still in his scrubs, his hair slightly disheveled. My heart skips a beat, and I can't help but smile weakly.

"Hey there, fighter," he says softly, approaching my bed. His eyes are filled with a mix of relief and concern.

My mom, who's been sitting vigilantly by my side, stands up. "Shep. I mean, Dr. Duncan," she greets him, her tone warmer than I expected. "We are so thrilled our girl is awake. Thank you for all you did to save her life and for coming to check on her."

Shep nods, his gaze shifting between us. "Of course. I just got out of surgery and heard the good news. How are you feeling, Elle?"

"Honestly, I feel good," I croak, my throat still sore. "A little out of it, but I don't have any pain. And I'm alive, thanks to you."

He shakes his head modestly. "I'm just glad I was there and was able to spot the signs quickly. You gave us all quite a scare."

My mom places a hand on his arm, surprising me. "We can't thank you enough, Shep. Who knows what we would be dealing with if you hadn’t recognized the signs and acted quickly? I can't go there. I want you to know how grateful her father and I are."

I watch as Shep's eyes soften at my mom's words. It's strange seeing them interact like this; they are almost friendly. The last time I brought up Shep's name to Mom, I could feel her rage toward him through the phone.

"Anyone would have done the same," he says, but I can see the emotion in his eyes as he looks at me.

"And it can't be understated, thank you for calling me. We wouldn't have known this was happening if you hadn't. And I would have been a nervous wreck if I couldn't reach her."

"I knew Elle would have wanted you to know. And it is proven that having a loved one by your side while going through this helps pull you through. So, I'm happy I was able to find your number."

There's so much left unsaid between us still. But right now, in this moment, I feel a connection to Shep that transcends our complicated past.

The way he's looking at me, with such genuine concern and care, makes my heart flutter in a way I thought it never would again.

He makes me feel safe.

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