Chapter 1

“There are two coming in. Yeah, car accident,” Harry called out to the interns and nurses in the Emergency Room.

Two new ER doctors and three nurses rushed to Incoming as two ambulances came in one behind the other, each disgorging a badly injured male patient. Specialists were called in for Steve Richards and after examination he was prepped for neurosurgery which was to be the shortest of his three surgeries that night.

James Williams was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival. In looking for identification it was discovered that he was an organ donor. When Dr. Richie found out he called the hospital office to see if James Williams’ wife had been contacted. Discovering she was on her way he said, “Have a medical ethicist meet me in the doctor’s lounge. After Mrs. Williams has identified the body ask her to please come to the doctor’s lounge.”

“Mrs. Williams I’m Dr. Richie a urological surgeon on call here at the hospital and this is Mrs. Hancock, a medical ethicist with the hospital. We’re very sorry for your loss and what we are about to discuss is very difficult at a time like this but there really is no good time. Are you aware that your husband intended to donate his organs upon his death?”

“Yes, we discussed it at some length. His sister was a kidney recipient and Jimmy saw what it meant for her and felt strongly about giving others in need a chance for a better life.”

“Then you would be willing to sign a release that will allow us to remove your husband’s organs to be donated to the various donor programs.”

“Yes I’m willing to sign. Just for information, what would happen if I refused?”

“We would have to go before a judge and present the facts that your husband’s wish was to donate his organs. The judge would listen to your reasons for objecting to your husband’s wishes then unless there are facts that we are unaware of the judge would enter the order allowing the collection of Mr. Williams’ organs. The delay in getting before a judge could mean that someone who could have been helped will not get an organ in time to save their life. Mrs. Hancock is there anything you want to talk to Mrs. Williams about?”

“Mrs. Williams I am here to make sure that you understand what this involves and that you were not misled in any way. It is obvious to me that you understand the situation and are freely giving your consent to the removal of your deceased husband’s organs, so all I need is for you to sign and date this release here and here and I will sign as a witness and then you can go be with your family. I’m sorry for your loss.”

When Steve Richards woke he had no idea where he was. It seemed to be a room of some kind with very dim lighting. When he tried to move everything about him hurt and his wrists were tied to the bed. He tried to call out but only produced a croak for his effort. As much as he tried he couldn’t for the life of him remember where he had been and then he heard the swoosh of a door being pushed open.

“You’re awake at last, Mr. Richards.”

“Who are you and where am I?” Steve said in a whisper because of the discomfort.

“I’m Mary Hopkins, one of your nurses and you are in Kennedy Memorial Hospital. Your voice will return to normal with use. As to how you got here, you were seriously injured in an automobile accident.”

“How long have I been here and why are my wrists tied?”

“You came in Friday evening and this is Tuesday afternoon,” Mary said, “and the doctor ordered your wrists tied to prevent you from damaging your surgery site.”

“Surgery, what surgery?”

“I’ll go notify Doctor Richie that you’re awake and he can tell you all about it. It was really quite amazing.”

“Does my wife know I’m here?”

“Of course, Mr. Richards. She has been here every day since you were brought in. She has just gone down to the cafeteria to get something to eat. I’ll have them page her.”

“No, let her enjoy her meal I’m not going anywhere and what is so amazing?”

“The doctor will tell you all about it Mr. Richards,” Mary said as she left the room.

The door to Steve’s room burst open under the pressure of a stockily built man with a stethoscope hanging from his neck followed by Mary. He had strawberry blond short cropped hair with green eyes and a ruddy complexion. He was over six feet and weighted about one hundred and eighty-five pounds. “Hi, Mr. Richards I’m Mike Richie your urological surgeon. I performed one of the surgeries on you, perhaps the most important one from your perspective.”

“How many did I have?”

“Three along with other procedures for your injuries. Perhaps it would be best if I start at the beginning. You were brought into the ER as the result of an auto accident. Your car was struck by another car in the intersection. The other car hit your driver’s side door. Your life was probably saved because you were not wearing your seatbelt. The deployment of the side airbag threw you across the front seat into the passenger side door. If you had been belted the impact of the other car and the airbag would have certainly crushed you. As it was you suffered a severe concussion, a dislocated left hip, massive trauma to your left shoulder and chest and most serious of all your testicles and penis were somehow mutilated. It looked like they were sliced and punctured. You must have hit something in the car.”

Steve remembered that he had put the putty knife and screw driver he used to fix his mother’s window pane in the cup holder next to his seat. “Mutilated! My dick and balls are messed up?”