Chapter 25

I scrubbed up as both boys and yes they are boys to me were brought into the operating room. My second was over to the side with Jon keeping him stabilized as I worked on Richie. It was a straight forward operation with Richie no problems that I could foresee. He was a fit young man and had no issues that could complicate this. The operation was slow and easy no complications but the one I was headed for was one I was sure I would have some issues to deal with. Jon was very thin and his health was in a danger zone. I didn't want a repeat performance of what happened in the pre-op area Jon's body wouldn't be able to handle that and we would lose the singer. I wasn't sure what side effects yet we were going to see to have to do with him already coding on us once. I soon had the kidney in the container I had my second take over finishing up with Richie while I headed over to the operating table containing Jon.

I looked down at the still figure breathing with a ventilator, It was something I had never wished to see ever with Jon. I had watched as this young man grew from a energetic teenager with dreams to a capable young man with a heart of gold. 

That someone had hurt this boy for the all mighty dollar made my guts burn. I would do whatever I could possible to bring the ones that caused this down. Right now though I had to do what I had to to save his life first. I had the nurses and technicians in the room keep close on eye on all his vitals we did not need a repeat from the Preop. 

Out of the corner of my eye I could see my colleague finishing up with Richie and the young man being taken from the room. Then my attention was fully on Jon. Soon I had the diseased kidneys removed and was giving him Richies. All in all the surgery took a long time. 

After I cleaned him up got everything connected the way it should be. I checked his iv lines before I nodded for them to move him into the recovery room. 

When I got there I was surprised to see Richie awake his eyes zeroed in on Jon' Jon was still breathing via the ventilator but Richie was just on the oxygen. With Jon's already dangerous health risks it was easier to leave him on the ventilator for now. Till we got his body to the point where he was alert we would keep him on it. I looked at Richie who's eyes never left Jon's form. “Richie … how are you...”

“He woke up ten minutes ago Doctor Markus...” Julie the recovery nurse informed me. “I couldn't get him to relax back in the bed or would he allow us to move him onto a hospital room till you brought Jon out.”

Richie removed the oxygen from his face now that he was alert. “how is he doc?”

“well right now he's made it through the surgery and that is the most we can hope for right now. After that scare in the pre op room we have to be careful with him. Once he is a bit more alert we will remove the ventilator and he'll be moved back to the ICU room.” I put my hand on the boy's hand. “you saved his life Richie … without this kidney I don't think Jon would have made it much longer...”

He nodded his head and then looked at the nurse allowing them to take him from the room now knowing that Jon had made it through so far. He closed his eyes as his gurney he was in was removed from the recovery room. I turned back to Jon to check his vitals While I was doing that I also checked the catheter bag that was hanging off the side . Hopefully soon when I checked that there would be output and we could get Jon on his way to being the healthy on the go young man I knew. I left him in the nurses capable hands while I went to inform Jon and Richie's family how they were. 

 In my mind I asked myself, do I talk to them as a friend or a Doctor. I decided on the professional choice, it was not going to be easy which ever track I chose but under these circumstances the family would expect a Doctor. Reaching the room I took a deep breath and opened the door to the relatives waiting room, I looked at Jon's parents who were sat hand in hand. Carol had a tear stained face and she was pale and looked exhausted. The whole situation had taken its toll on the whole family.

 Richie's mom and dad sat waiting looking just as anxious. They had never expected for their son to have to undergo an op to give his kidney away. Given what Richie had done, they were incredibly calm really. 

Four sets of eyes pleaded with me for good news. I could not lie or give false hope Richie was already on the recovery process, Jon on the other hand had a long way to go. I had always believed in being honest, so taking a deep breath I began...

“Good Morning," they all went to stand; " please no need to get up, "I just wanted you all to know the operation is over. Jon is in recovery, and Richie is now on his way to ICU, he did really well, and we don't expect any complications but want him to rest in ICU for a couple of days to be sure. Mr and Mrs Sambora you can go see Richie anytime you want. Tears flowed down Richie's moms face as she got up from her seat she grabbed and hugged my hand so tight and mouthed "Thank you", then she turned to the Bongiovi's and gave a weak smile with a thumbs up sign before she and Richie's dad left the room to go see there son.  

No sooner had Richies parents left, an anxious ma spoke, 

"So how is Jon Doc

"Hes in recovery right now , and for the most part the operation is successful"

“Most part?”

“yes, I'm afraid It is too early to know if the operation has been one hundred percent successful."

"I dont understand?"

"There were pre op complications"

"Such as ?"

“Before we took Jon to theatre, he went into cardiac arrest, we managed to stabilise him, but it was touch and go. ”

Ma grabbed Pa's hand and cried out "no"

I saw the shock on their faces  and spoke to reassure them both 

" look it sounds bad and it is, but Jon made it through the operation, I wish I could tell you it will all be fine now, but we have a long way to go. we have to take it one step at a time, ok”

“Can we see him?”

“not right now, soon I promise, lets get him stable and over the operation, then we can re assess ok?"

“How long will that be Doc, I want to see my son, what if he never wakes up from the operation and I never get to hold his hand?”

“Mrs Bongiovi....”

“Carol please, “

“Carol, I cannot make guarantee's but until Jon wakes from the operation the only people going into the recovery unit are nurses who are monitoring him very closely. Trust me He is in good hands."

"But...."

"Carol let the Doc alone, now is not the time  to start one of your fights"

Mr Bongiovi then got up from his seat and leaned forward to shake my hand.

"Thank you Doc, thank you for everything, we understand"

Carol would not let go,

"Be honest Doc, what are the odds for my son?"

"Carol, don't do this too me, I don't like stats, they have a bad habit of biting ya in the bum. Each patient is different."

"Please Doc, I beg you give me something at least, we have been to hell and back, throw me a bone?"

I surrendered, still not giving stats but actual facts, 

"Ok, look someone else that was as sick as Jon i doubt would have even made it as far, yes he arrested but he pulled through. He has got a new kidney, now lets leave him to start getting better"

Knowing that is all I would commit to She gave in and nodded in acknowledgement and gave me a weak smile .

"Ok, if theres nothing else i need to get back to Jon and check on his progress ", ma raised her hand and tried to speak, i spoke first, " i promise you both as soon as He is stable and alert Ill send a nurse to collect you both, in the meantime why not grab a coffee and go see Richie, im sure he would be pleased to see you both, that young man has afterall helped save your sons life" 

Both parents hung their heads as both were guilty of forgetting Richie. 

"Yeah, we will do just that, wont we ma, she smiled and nodded. 

" ill leave ya to it then, any questions see the nurse at the station and she will come find me ok" with that I left the room and headed back to recovery to check on Jons progress.