Liam opened his eyes and saw Aika in a chair. Looking down at his arm, he saw IV tubing. He was lying on a hospital gurney. With surprise, he asked, “Where am I?”
“You are in the ER, honey,” Aika answered as she rose from the chair. “Dr. Obrien says you’re fine.” She smiled, “They ran some tests just in case.”
The curtain, which separated the ER bays, opened. “Mr. Doyle, your tests are normal. I’ve reviewed your medical history and see that you had prior panic attacks related to PTSD.”
“Yes, but that was years ago. What caused this to happen now?”
Dr. Obrien removed his glasses, flipped through the pages on his chart, and replied, “I understand your concern, but the mind is tricky, Mr. Doyle. Science cannot predict when a reoccurrence will happen. I have scheduled an appointment for you with Dr. Anderson. You have seen him in the past, correct?”
“Yes, I have seen him. It’s been more than two years.”
“The appointment is for Saturday, March 18th, at nine o’clock. I hope that will work for you, Mr. Doyle.”
“Yes, but can I travel? I have a trip scheduled tomorrow.”
Looking over his glasses, Dr. Obrien confirmed, “Yes, Mr. Doyle, you can travel. There are no limitations. Just keep that appointment.”
Aika reached out her hand. “Thank you, Dr. Obrien. I’ll make sure he gets to the appointment.” She widened her eyes, looked at Liam, and smiled.
They didn’t speak for most of the drive home. Liam reassuringly said, “I’ll be fine, Aika.” While he put his hand to his forehead and looked out the passenger window, “I just don’t know why the PTSD symptoms returned now.”
Glancing at Liam, Aika remarked, “Dr. Anderson helped you before. Yes, it’s been two years, but I am sure he will be able to figure this out.” She reached over and held his hand.
Liam pondered, “I’m unsure if he or I need to figure this out.”
After arriving home, he was tired but not sleepy. He reclined on the couch. His eyes were heavy. The time now did indeed compress and expand, and he could see himself at Walter Reed Hospital, where he recovered after his injury in Afghanistan.
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It's hard to pin down--PTSD. Its manifestations and frequency of recurrence is seemingly arbitrary, sometimes triggered sometimes not, ranging from disabling panic attacks to suddenly bursting into tears in a public place. Sharon has learned to take it in stride.
It's hard to pin down--PTSD. Its manifestations and frequency of recurrence is seemingly arbitrary, sometimes triggered sometimes not, ranging from disabling panic attacks to suddenly bursting into tears in a public place. Sharon has learned to take it in stride.