A Harvest of Hope

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Book: Read A Harvest of Hope for Free Online
Authors: Lauraine Snelling
Tags: FIC042040, FIC042030, FIC027050
raised her hands. “I know I could have done it, but we are working with protocol, right?”
    Astrid nodded. “Do you have a name for our patient, and does he speak English?”
    â€œMr. Buchmeister and yes.” Deborah smiled at the man on the table watching their every move.
    Astrid smiled at him. “You are in good hands, Mr. Buchmeister. We’ll get you fixed up right away. By the way, I am Dr. Bjorklund.” With that she stepped to the basin to scrub. “Everyone scrubbed before touching the patient?” They all nodded. Astrid shook her hands and walked over to Vera to lookover her shoulder. “Good. Have you examined it closely for any remaining detritus?” After a nod, she added, “and irrigated it with sterile water?”
    â€œWe had to stop the bleeding first.” She nodded to Dawn Breaking, who was pressing against the artery to stop the flow.
    â€œIs the blood coagulating?”
    Vera nodded. Gray Cloud shot Astrid a questioning look.
    Deborah explained the term, and the Indian woman nodded.
    â€œAll right, Dawn. Release the pressure slowly.” When the blood started flowing again, Astrid asked. “Is the flow less now than in the beginning?”
    They all nodded.
    â€œGood. Vera, will you check to make sure the tray is supplied?”
    When she started to say, “But we . . .” Astrid continued. “Always double and even triple check. Mistakes are far too easy to make, and when you are under a lot of pressure, even easier. Establish good habits, and that will save a patient’s life at some point.”
    â€œNow irrigate the wound again with carbolic acid, and we’ll close it up.” She turned to their patient. “I’m sorry, sir, but this is going to sting pretty bad.”
    â€œYoost get it done. Danke.” Though his accent was heavy, at least he could understand them.
    While Astrid closed the wound with small, perfectly spaced stitches, she explained each step to her nurses, then asked Vera, “Have you ever sutured a wound before?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œThen come here beside me. Do you know how to sew and tie knots?”
    â€œWell, yes. We covered that in training, just never on a patient.”
    â€œRemember what you did.” Astrid demonstrated on one more stitch and then, after cutting the silk, handed her the needle. “Now you do the next one.”
    Vera sucked in a deep breath. “I’d never get a chance to do this in Chicago.”
    â€œProbably not.” Astrid watched carefully. “Good, good. Now see, that wasn’t so hard. I suggest you take one of our needles, since they are different than those used in fabric, and practice. Let’s see, how many more stitches do you think we need?”
    â€œUh, two maybe?” Vera looked to Deborah, who nodded, and then to Astrid, who did the same. “You want me to do them?”
    Mr. Buchmeister cleared his throat.
    Astrid turned to him. “Don’t worry. I’d never let her make a mistake.”
    When the stitches were in, she nodded to Deborah. “This next is what you covered today and yesterday, right?” At her nod, she turned to the two Indian women. “Now, I want you to tell me what to do, step by step.” She smiled when their eyes widened. “Dr. Red Hawk will be very proud of you.”
    When they were finished, their patient sat up and grabbed his shirt. “No money to pay you until payday.”
    â€œYou were injured on the job?” At his nod, she smiled. “I’ll send the bill to the company. Please don’t go rolling in the dirt, and try to keep it clean. We’ll change the dressing in a couple of days and see how it is doing.”
    â€œDanke. Thank you.” Out the door he hustled, as if they might run after him and do something else.
    After the shift change, when Corabell replaced Vera, Astrid conducted evening rounds, checking each of their

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