Dear Diary

Chapter 103

It took a few minutes for me to regain my composure, and it wasn't long after that that the doctor, I presumed, entered with my mom close behind him. 

"Good morning, Miss Fleming. My name is Dr Kent," he greeted. 

I nodded as I gave him a once-over. He was probably mid-thirties, hair neatly combed and dark green eyes behind a pair of glasses.

"How are you feeling?" he asked as he removed the stethoscope from around his neck and walked up to me. 

Dad stood and moved out of the way to let him work.

"Tired," I muttered and Dr Kent nodded.

"You're on some strong painkillers at the moment, so you will feel like this for the next week or so," he explained and moved the stethoscope into one hand. "I want to check how your lungs are doing, if you don't mind."

I shook my head and lifted my arms so he could pull back the blanket. My cheeks reddened when I noticed that I was wearing one of those horrible, unflattering hospital gowns. I expected for him to ask me to try and remove it, but instead, he began placing the stethoscope at different points on my lungs.

"Breathe in deeply," he said. 

I complied, but my lungs weren't even half-full when they suddenly froze and I coughed, almost to the point of choking. 

Dr Kent frowned and put the stethoscope in another area. "Again."

The same result happened.

Dr Kent nodded as he removed the stethoscope and placed it around his neck. "Well, the good news is that your lungs have improved, but still very weak, so you will need to stay on the oxygen a good few more days."

I frowned. "What's all wrong?"

Dr Kent raked a hand through his hair. "When you were rushed into the emergency room, you had a large shard of metal lodged in your chest from the accident. Although it shattered your breastplate, it luckily didn't go deeper. However, it came to my attention that, four weeks prior, you sustained a broken rib with two others cracked. That, unfortunately, was a weak spot and the impact of the crash broke them that they punctured your lungs in multiple areas. When the paramedics removed you from the vehicle, the bones tore the membranes lining your lungs, damaging the soft tissue in them."

My eyes widened. No wonder I only had such a slim chance of survival. "Is there anything else?"

The doctor nodded. "Your right arm was broken in two areas; your neck sustained a bad case of whiplash and your right ankle sprained. You also have a concussion, which will last another good week."

I nodded slowly. It's a good thing I can't feel all that's wrong with me right now.

"Your bones will all heal, I have no doubt about that," Dr Kent continued. "However, the soft tissue damage in your lungs is irreparable. You will be able to breathe normally again in a few weeks, but I would suggest you refrain from inhaling powerful fumes like smoke and strong perfumes. Smoking is definitely out of question from now on: your chest will more than likely seize, whether it being from you attempting to smoke, passive smoking or even the smoke from a fire. It will be best if you carry an asthma pump with you from now on, and only stick to light exercise. You don't have asthma; however, the pump contains the same relaxants that your lungs will require should they seize up for some reason."

I nodded, taking in all the information. "Thank you," I said after a moment, my eyes beginning to droop against my will.

Dr Kent turned to my parents. "Your daughter needs some rest now," he said and started to usher them out of the small room.