Free The Outback Heart by Fiona Palmer Page A

smile. She looked exhausted, her eyes red and swollen. ‘And you were so sick. All night we were worried but the cardiovascular team brought you through it.’ She squeezed his hand so tightly that it started to hurt. Her dark hair was hanging around her face, messy and unwashed.
    ‘You have a driveline coming out through your abdomen that is connected to the mains power supply at night, and during the day you have a battery pack to keep it going. But we can go over that in detail later, when you’re up to talking and asking questions,’ said the doctor.
    Troy kept staring at the doc’s white shirt and dark pants. Shouldn’t he have a white coat?
    ‘Now, you lost a lot of blood during your operation and we’ve been giving you transfusions,’ added the doctor.
    ‘Son, so many nurses and staff here have donated blood for you. So many,’ Owen cut in. ‘Apparently fresh blood clots easier than stored blood – so, you’re well known around here already, mate.’ His father spoke proudly. His rough hands held Troy’s. It was nice having him so close.
    ‘You contracted an infection underneath where the pump is placed, so we’re giving you high doses of antibiotics.’ Troy was hearing the doctor’s words but still not able to respond. ‘Hopefully in a week you’ll be shifted to the coronary care ward to recuperate.’
    Trish turned to the doctor and then glanced at the big machine in the room. ‘How long does he have to stay connected to the life support machine?’
    ‘We’ll have to play that by ear. Hopefully not too much longer. Look, that’s probably enough for you to take in right now. I’ll pop back later when the sedatives have started wearing off.’ The doctor raised his hand. ‘I’ll see you later, Troy. Just rest.’ With a nod to Troy’s parents, the doctor left the room.
    ‘How are you feeling, darling?’ his mum said as she leaned over him, stroking his face. ‘I’ve brought a pen and some paper, one of your nurses said you could probably write things down later, as it may be easier than talking. I know this must be daunting for you, but you’re going to be just fine.’
    Troy closed his eyes. He was confused and scared but her words were reassuring.
    ‘That’s it, just rest for now.’ His dad’s voice was faint, drowned out by the sounds of the machines in his room. But the loudest noise of all was the
whump whump
in his chest that wasn’t from his heart.
    Eight days later, Doctor Brown entered Troy’s room in the coronary care ward.
    ‘Hey, doc,’ said Troy. Nurse Niki was checking that his driveline was sterilised before redressing it. She was his favourite nurse. He liked them all but Niki was young, cute and blonde. She was upbeat and full of smiles. She’d tell him jokes or they’d talk about music.
    ‘Troy, you’re looking good today,’ the doctor said. ‘Great to see the artificial heart is working well. Won’t be long and you’ll be heading home.’ Matt leaned over to check the area around the driveline. His eyebrows rose as he smiled and nodded to Niki. ‘Great. Well, I’ll leave you to it. See you, Troy.’
    ‘Bye, doc.’
    Niki finished dressing the area before pulling off her gloves and smiling at Troy. ‘So, I know this girl, Peta, who has asked me if she can come and visit you. She’s a previous patient and she might be able to help you understand what living with the LVAD will involve. She likes to help out around here if she can. Also she’s cute,’ Niki said with a wink. ‘What do you think? Can I bring her in?’
    Troy shrugged his shoulders. ‘Yeah, okay, I guess.’
    ‘Great, I’ll go let her know she can come up. I think you’ll like her. She’s something special.’ And with a sly smile Niki left.
    Troy sighed. Anyone was better than his mum. She fussed so much. Thank god Dad had gone back to the farm – he’d taken his sister Geraldine so she could go back to school. There was no point them sitting around a hospital room, and it was