Results

After CT scans, X-rays, and other various tests, he was brought back to his room. Starting to feel the pain in his shoulder again, he clicked on the call button. The nurse answered, and he told the nurse his predicament. She told him that someone will be there shortly, and hung up. Trying to lean back, he grimaced in pain, and leaning back forward, her looked for the pillows they had earlier. Not finding them, he turned and looked around the room. Not seeing them, he started to panic as the nurse came in with another vial and needle. Seeing this, his nerves started to relax as she asked him to lie back on the bed. Explaining that he couldn't because of the pain, she had him roll onto his good side, and put the syringe into the IV line. Slowly pushing the medicine into the tubing, he started to feel the effects as his vision became blurred. The sudden pain and nausea in his stomach caught him off guard, and the first wave of vomit came out before he could warn the nurse. Catching her in the arm, she stopped administering the drug, and went for a bag hanging on the wall. Whipping it open like a trash bag, he put it in front of his face as the second bolt came forth. Grabbing his hand, she gave control of the bag to him as she continued to send the medicine into the IV line. Finishing the dose, she told him to remain calm, and left the room. Shortly after, she returned with another syringe and an ampule of clear fluid. Breaking open the ampule, she drew the liquid into the syringe, then cleared the needle and hooked it into the line. Pushing the fluid quickly into the line, his nausea and vomiting stopped as though a faucet had been turned off. Pulling the bag away, he gasped, "What happened? I was hurting one second, feeling woozy from the medicine the next, then barfing like I had food poisoning or something."

"The medicine has that reaction sometimes if we administer it too fast. I thought we were going slow enough, but it appears that wasn't the case. The second medicine I gave you will keep the nausea away for a while while you relax. I'm sorry," she explained.

"Well, that explains the how and why," he said. "Now we just need to know how to fix this so it doesn't happen again."

"Well, until the results come back from your testing, we'll have to keep you here. Next time, we'll try to mix in some saline solution to dilute it and prevent that from happening again," she said. "Also, we'll give you some nausea medication before the pain meds. That should help."

Nodding, he asked, "What about the extra pillows that were in here? I went to look for them, but they're gone."

"Sorry, we'll have to find some more. The cleaning lady came in and took the extra stuff and sent it to the laundry. Don't worry, we'll keep you comfortable," she said.

"Okay," was all he could say before she left the room in search of pillows. Looking around drunkenly, the room seemed to swim for a few minutes as the pain medication did its job. For what seemed to be an eternity, the door finally opened, and an officer came into the room. Closing the door behind him, he introduced himself.

"Good evening sir, I'm Lieutenant Arstead with the Illinois State Police. I am the supervisor that has been assigned to your case. Also, there will be an officer coming in with Internal Affairs to ask some more questions. Is that going to be a problem in your condition?" he asked.

"My condition?" the driver replied.

"Well," Arstead said, "the fact that your are taking pain meds that alter your level of consciousness, we need to make sure that you are fully aware and coherent. Otherwise, if this thing ever has to go to court, the lawyer could throw it out based on that technicality."

"Ah," the driver said. "Yes, I'm coherent enough to answer your questions without any issues."

"Good," the lieutenant replied. "First, I need to recollect the events surrounding this whole thing. Please do not leave any details out, as they be relevant later. I will use a recorder to make sure everything is documented properly. Is that okay with you?"

"Yes," the driver answered.

"Good. We'll get started then," the officer stated. With that, he pulled out a small recorder, and touched a button. After going through the formal introductions, he told the driver to state his name and birthday, then asked him to recollect the situation. Spending almost an hour, the driver replayed the events in his head, giving as much details surrounding the shooting, the description of the truck, the incident with the officer at the weigh station, and the events leading to his current state. Once everything was recorded, the lieutenant switched off the recorder. "I think that's all I need right now," he said, as the door opened again, and a man in a suit appeared. "Ah, here's the man from IA to ask his questions. Do you feel okay to continue, or do you need a break?" he asked.

"I'm in a bit of pain, can we get my nurse in here please?" the driver asked.

"Sure, but I'd like to get this all down while it's still fresh on your mind. That pain medication can cause some forgetfulness, and I'd like to make sure that everything is clear," he replied.

"Sure, as long as it doesn't take too long," the driver said, the pain starting to return.

"I only have a couple of questions, sir," the IA suit said. "First, do you wish to press charges against the officer in question, and second, do you have a place to stay for the evening?"

"Charges?" the driver asked.

"Yes," the gentleman said. "His actions caused you to become injured. At the very least, it's considered police brutality, not something we take kindly to. With all the negative publicity surrounding police officers, we need to make sure that we can earn the trust of the people back. This won't solve the problem, but at least it will help a little bit."

"I understand the officer was confused about the situation," the driver replied. "And I understand that he was trying to do his job, so any punishment he receives should come from you. But I don't want to press charges against him, just make sure the medical stuff is taken care of."

The IA officer shrugged. "I appreciate your candor about the situation, and I'm sure the officer will be grateful that you consider this a misunderstanding. And don't worry, whatever the problem is, we'll make sure that you're taken care of. Now," he smiled, "what about your place to stay?"

"I'm not sure yet," the driver replied. "I haven't been able to find out my results yet. I'm needing some pain meds now, are you guys done with the questions?"

"Yes, sir," the lieutenant replied. "We'll get the nurse in here to get you squared away." With that, he opened the door and signaled for the nurse. Once she came into the room, he introduced himself and the IA officer. "Ma'am, anything this man needs," he pointed to the driver, "he gets. If he needs any security, let us know, and we'll have some officers posted. If he needs pain meds, give him what's needed to keep him comfortable. Make sure this man is taken care of like he's one of us. Any questions?"

"No problem, officer," she replied. "If he needs anything, I'll make sure that it's taken care of while he's down here. Once he gets upstairs though, you have to go through the nurses on the floor."

"Upstairs?" the driver asked.

"Yes, I was going to bring in some meds and the doctor will be in momentarily to give you the results, but the short story is, you're being admitted," she said. "There's some damage to your shoulder that's going to require surgery, and since your still on pain meds, it would be better to keep you for observation. Now, if you'll lie back, I'll give your 'double' dose," she smiled.

The lieutenant looked at him quizzically, and the driver replied, "It's a bartender joke, sir."

Understanding the joke, the lieutenant smiled and said, "Have one for me, driver, and let us know if there's anything else we can do." He left his card on the tray for him. "My office and cell number are there for you. Day or night, you can contact me."

"Thank you sir," the driver replied. "Stay safe out there."

"You just get better, driver," the guy from IA said. "We'll do our best."

Nodding, the driver lay back as she pulled the syringe out from her pocket. Noticing that the amount of liquid was significantly larger, he asked, "Did you really mix me a double?"

As the officers left, she smiled and said, "Yes, sir. And I've prepared it just how you like, with some extra saline to keep you from gagging again. But before hand, I need to give you some nausea medication to help." The first syringe went into the IV line. "And now, for the piece d' resistance." The second syringe slowly going in, the familiar feeling of fuzziness, the small wave of nausea, which dissipated as fast as it came, then full relaxation of every muscle in his body. "See, we figured it out," she beamed as the syringe was disconnected.

"Thanks, barkeep," he joked. "I'll be ready for another one in about an hour."

Chuckling, she joked back, "It's a date then. See you later."

She walked out of the door as the doctor walked in. Seeing his patient, he smiled, and said, "Sir, I have your results. To be honest, I'm not sure of the best way to describe how things are with you, so I'll start at the top. First, you have a cracked humerus at the top of the bone, where it goes into your socket. Second, you have a torn rotator cuff which needs to be repaired. Third, you have a massive bruise in the shoulder area, which I'm sure you are aware of. And last but not least," he sighed, "you have a torn shoulder muscle, which will also need to be repaired. So, in a nutshell, we are going to admit you for surgery and pain management. If you opt out of the surgery, there's no way I can guarantee that there won't be any other problems associated with your shoulder."

"Well, thanks for being honest with me doc," the driver replied. "Yeah, I'll do the surgery. When do you have it planned for?"

"We'll get it set up tomorrow with an orthopedic," the doctor said. "Let's get you upstairs and comfortable first, then we'll get him in there in the morning with you." The doctor shrugged. "It might take a while to get a room, feeling like hanging out with us for a while?"

"Sure doc," the driver smiled. "It'll be like a party."

Chuckling, the doctor said, "We'll bring the drugs, you bring the laughs." With the driver chuckling, he closed the door.