Page 34 of Ruby’s Outback Love

“We’ll take good care of her,” Elouise promised.

I crossed to the sink to commence scrubbing up as Drew and Linda led the concerned father from the room.

Once they were gone, Cam wasted no time administering the anaesthetic and the little girl was soon under. He gave the word and Elouise sliced into her swollen, distended abdomen. We didn’t have the equipment for laparoscopic surgery.

I followed the doctor’s orders, handing over and retrieving instruments as I assisted. Everything appeared to be proceeding as normal until I heard Elouise suck in a deep breath. I peered down to see pus like fluid was leaking into the surrounding cavity – the sac had perforated and was now leaking poisonous liquid into Kirra’s body.

Elouise removed the appendage and suctioned out as much fluid as she could. As she closed, a drain was inserted due to the severity of the trauma and swelling, it would also help drain away any poisonous fluid which remained. Powerful antibiotics were set up via the intravenous drip to help stave off infection.

When the procedure was done, Elouise removed her mask and spoke the obvious. “We need to get her to the hospital in Bourke so she can be closely monitored for sepsis.”

Cam and I nodded before I changed Kirra into a fresh hospital gown and covered her with a warm blanket. Once both doctors were satisfied she was stable, Cam withdrew anaesthetic but continued monitoring her vitals.

Elouise washed up while I stepped out to the waiting room. Michael sat with his head in his hands but when he heard the door open, his head shot up, his eyes turned my way and he stood.

“How’s my daughter?”

“She’s doing fine at the moment and is just being brought out of the anaesthetic. The doctor will be out in a moment to explain everything to you and then you’ll be able to see her.”

“Thank you.”

I nodded and when Elouise entered the waiting room, Linda and I headed back to theatre to clean up.

Cam remained monitoring Kirra’s vitals, watching her closely. He glanced up and smiled our way. “She’s stable and doing well, considering. I wouldn’t anticipate any issues with transport.”

We would have preferred not to move the patient but we had no choice. She needed to be watched carefully and to be near medical care if needed. I prayed it wasn’t.

“Who’s going back to Bourke with her?” Cam asked.

“I’ll go,” I volunteered.

Cam left the room, satisfied all was okay and moments later, Michael was brought in by Elouise. He hurried to his daughter’s side and lovingly pushed the hair from her forehead before placing a gentle kiss to her cheek. He kept his eyes on her face as he spoke.

“My wife and Kirra’s sister are visiting relatives about an hour away. I’ll go and pick them up and drive to the hospital.”

I sensed his reluctance to leave his child, it was perfectly normal. “I’ll be on the flight with her and will stay at the hospital until you arrive.”

“Thank you for everything you’ve done.”

“You’re welcome.” I smiled and patted his arm.

***

I bundled used instruments into plastic bags, dirty linen in others, for transportation back to Bourke where they would be sterilised or washed ready for our next week on the road.

Instruments belonging to Elouise were packed in separate bags and set aside to be taken out to the plane.

Outside theatre, in the waiting room, I found Drew had readied the flight gurney. Cam was off to one side with Elouise and I caught snippets of their conversation. Cam was asking her for dinner when they returned to Dubbo and she’d accepted.

When Cam noticed I was there, he moved towards me. “I’ll go back to Bourke with the others so you’ll have more room in the plane. Elouise will fly me to Dubbo from there.”

I nodded and we commenced preparing Kirra for transport. Once on the gurney, she was pushed outside to the plane and lifted on board. I followed procedure and secured her for flight before stepping back to allow her father to kiss her once more before he left the aircraft.

Elouise brought the engines to life and a dull roar filled the cabin. I checked one last time on Kirra before strapping myself into a seat, ready for take-off.

“Ready to go?” Elouise’s voice came through loud and clear to the headset I was wearing.

“All secure back here.” I gave her the thumbs up.