Tap Out (Reaper's Den Book One) - Nikki Mays Page 0,12

mutter sullenly.

“You’re such a damn drama queen.” Sage says without looking up from her phone. “Which is sad considering how many women are in this tiny ass cube.”

“Knock knock.” Is said before I can respond. Brad pushes the curtain back and walks through. I guess he’s working right now since he’s wearing bright green scrubs. “How’s it going in here?”

He looks at all of us and then down to my right hand. He doesn’t hide his wince fast enough and I see it. Damn, there goes that tiny sliver of hope.

“So, I heard that there was an incident at the gym. How ya doin’?” He asks.

“The drugs are nice.” I reply.

I ignore the giggles and focus on Brads smirk. “I bet they are. Has the doctor come in yet?”

“Not yet, I’m…” I start before the curtain gets pulled back again. This time my doctor, as well as another one who introduces himself as an orthopedic surgeon walk in.

After a few pleasantries and making sure that everyone, including Brad, could stay, they get to business.

“Mr. Sobihan, you have two broken bones in your forearm. You’ve managed to break the radius as well as the ulna.”

I already knew that it was broken, but I was hoping that it was only one. Two bones definitely make this more complicated.

“Okay, so what happens now?” I ask, even though I already have an idea.

“Because the ulna and radius rely on each other for support, it’s important that they are properly stabilized. Surgery is going to be your best option according to the scans. If the bones aren’t accurately aligned during healing, it may result in future problems with your wrist and elbow movement.”

“What kind of surgery?” The twins ask in unison, effectively creeping out the doctors.

My surgeon, Dr. Klause, coughs into his hand and eyes the girls. The fifty-something man looks a bit uncomfortable, which means that my girls are accomplishing their goal. “In a few days,” the poor man starts before all the women ask, “why a few days?”

“Just let the man finish please?” I groan.

Dr. Klause waits a few seconds before continuing. “We typically wait a few days for the swelling around the fracture to go down. We will be keeping the arm immobilized and elevated to make the swelling go down faster. The procedure that I’ll be performing is called an open reduction and internal fixation with plate and screws.”

“Plate and screws! You can’t just glue it back together when you’re in there?” Becca exclaims.

“Becs, honey, please just shut up for a few minutes. For me?” I ask.

She shuts her mouth and only gives me a mildly annoyed look.

“During the procedure,” the doctor continues without missing a beat. “The bone fragments are first repositioned into their normal alignment. They are held together with special screws and metal plates attached to the outer surface of the bone. However, once in there, I may decide to do an internal fixation with a rod instead. A specially designed metal rod would be inserted through the marrow space in the center of the bone.”

“Ouch.” Paige whispers loudly. I completely agree with that sentiment.

“Truthfully, I want to be able to examine it before deciding. Given your occupation, I want to make the best choices for your recovery.” Dr. Klause states.

“I appreciate that.”

“What type of complications come with a surgery like this?” Sage, ever the practical one questions.

“Every procedure comes with a risk of complications. As with any surgery, there is a small risk of infection. There is also a minor risk of injury to nerves and blood vessels around the forearm. Although, some temporary numbness is common right after injury. You would only need to call me if the numbness persists or if you get tingling in your fingers. There is also another rare complication called synostosis. It’s basically a bridge of bone that heals in between the two bones. It would end up decreasing your ability to rotate the bones and would prevent full movement. And.”

“And! There’s more?” Missy questions with eyes as large as saucers.

The doctor’s lips twitch. “Just this last one, I promise.” He pauses and Missy motions for him to continue. I’m beginning to realize that this man must have a daughter or two with how he’s able to just roll with it. “This complication is called nonunion. Surgery doesn’t guarantee that the fracture will heal. The fracture may pull apart, or the screws, plates, or rods may shift. Or even break. But judging from your medical history, the only reason that this