How It's Going To Be [h.s.]

Chapter 31

{Kate's Point of View}

I found myself staring at the same receptionist I had seen months before. The walls, chairs, and art pieces in the room were all the same. I sat with the same uneasy feeling that I had the first time I was brought here. Harry sat beside me with the same comforting presence.

"Dr. Monahan is ready to see you," a nurse appeared in the doorway.

Harry had arranged for an appointment with Dr. Monahan, the concussion and head injury specialist, before he left on tour. He said he was worried about my health and wanted certainty that I was recovering properly. I was glad he had made the appointment.

We walked into his office and sat down in across the desk from Dr. Monahan. He smiled a warm smile and shook our hands. "How have you been, Kate?" He asked in a way that suggested an interest in my life, not just my recovery. The doctor was personable and welcoming; he was unlike any other doctor I had encountered.

"I've been feeling much better," I happily reported.

"Splendid!" he beamed. "And your memory?"

"It's returning in small pieces." I told him about the dreams I had. I told him about Harry and the wedding reenactment that brought back memories using the music and scents as memory triggers.

"That's remarkable. I'm pleased with your progression," he looked at a sheet of paper that listed my medical history. "Tell me about your headaches."

The truth was, my headaches had not disappeared completely. I would still feel slight discomfort whenever there were flashing lights or loud sounds. I would get headaches late at night from time to time. And I tried not to tell Harry because I didn't want him worrying.

"She still gets them," Harry answered. I looked over in disbelief. How could he have ever known?

"Is this true?"

"Y-yes," I stuttered.

"That's common. Headaches are the concussion symptom that can take the longest to go away. They can also come in waves. You'll be fine for a few weeks or a month, and then the headaches will return. It's quite difficult to say."

"Oh," I said quietly.

"And stress makes them far worse." Dr. Monahan put the sheets of paper down and clasped his hands in front of him as he leaned back in his chair. "And I'm assuming you've been quite stressed lately since Harry is leaving soon."

My sight dropped to the floor as I aimlessly studied my shoes. "That's right."

"The good news is that it look like you're healing well. Your memory is going to continue to come back. Keep using sensory techniques to trigger your memory. Make sure you're taking medication to control the pain whenever you get a headache."

"All right," I nodded.

"And keep being patient because it is extremely likely that your headaches are going to continue and possibly intensify. You need to be prepared for that."

I deflated; I was looking forward to being freed from headaches and moving forward. I simply nodded to the doctor. Harry shifted uncomfortably in his seat and I knew worry was flooding his mind.

"Do either of you have any other questions?"

"No," I shook my head.

We all stood up and Dr. Monahan shook our hands once more. He wished Harry luck on his tour and wished me wellness as I continued to recover. Dr. Monahan offered his availability to me if I ever needed to reach him about my headaches. We left the office and I surprisingly felt a little bit better.