TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE
(by NeuroFabulous)
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Pt. 14
The gas mask was placed
over his face, and he took
deep breaths as instructed.
The world grew fuzzy.
His eye grew heavy,
his antennae drooping.
Karen watched as Plankton's
body grew slack, his antennae
finally still. The gas did its job,
lulling him into a deep sleep.
Dr. Coral smiles at
Octavia's nod, indicating
that the anesthesia had
taken full effect. Plankton's
body was now relaxed.
Octavia then administered
the IV as she removed the
gas mask. "Alright, Karen,"
Dr. Coral began, her voice
soft. "We're going to get
started now. Remember,
he's going to sleep through
this, okay?" Karen nods as
they also inject local
anesthetic into his gums.
Plankton's snores filled
the room, a gentle rhythm
that was a stark contrast
to the precision of the surgical
procedure. Dr. Coral and her
team began the extraction.
Karen's eyes never left
Plankton's face, her thumb
absently stroking the back
of his hand. She watched as
Dr. Coral carefully extracted
the wisdom teeth. Octavia, the
nurse, went to work with
the suction device, keeping
his mouth clear.
Plankton's snores grew
steadier, a testament to
his deep sleep. Karen's
grip on his hand tightened
as the surgery progressed.
The extraction was
quick, each tooth pulled
gently and with care.
Plankton's face remained
peaceful, oblivious to the
world around him. His antennae
twitched slightly as Dr. Coral
worked, but he was lost in
the depths of his slumber.
Once the teeth were out,
Dr. Coral turned to the
stitches. Plankton's
body remained still, his
snores a comforting
background noise. "We're
using stitches that
dissolve. Since he's prone
to spasms, we're just putting
more of them in just in case.
It's our protocol for patients
with a history of seizures
or epileptic disorders."
The removal of the IV
was next, and Karen felt
her heart race. She knew
this could be a trigger
for him, if he were awake.
As Dr. Coral finished up,
she looked to Karen. "Okay,
now for the gauze."
Karen nodded, her eyes
never leaving Plankton's
face. She knew the next
part could be tricky, but
Dr. Coral had assured her
that they'd done everything
possible to ensure his comfort.
The nurse, Octavia, stepped back
in with Chip, handing Dr. Coral
the gauze. The room was
quiet except for the soft
snores of Plankton as they
remove the mouth prop.
Dr. Coral carefully packed
the gauze into his mouth,
the cottony softness
melding with the contours
of his gums. Each movement
was precise, each touch
gentle. Plankton's antennae
twitched in his sleep,
his body reacting to the
foreign sensation, but
he remained asleep.
"Remember, Karen," she
whispered, her voice
soothing. "When he wakes
up, he might be a bit
loopy. It's normal with
the anesthesia. He might
not remember much, or
he might say things that
don't make sense. It's also
ok if he takes a lot of naps.
So, don't worry too much.
It takes a little while. Oh, and his
mouth has also been numbed."
Plankton's snores grew
even, the surgery
now complete. Karen
kisses his forehead. "You
did so well," she murmured.
Chip came to the
doorway, his heart
thudding in his chest.
He'd never seen his
dad so vulnerable.
Plankton's mouth was
slack, a thin line of drool
trailing down his chin as
he slept. Karen dabbed it away
with a gentle napkin, her eyes
filled with love and concern.
"The drool is normal and ok,"
Octavia said.
The surgery had been a success,
yet she knew the next week of
recovery could be a challenge.
Plankton slept, his mouth open
slightly, another trickle of
drool forming at the corner
of his lips. Karen watched
over him, her heart swelling with
relief and love. Chip hovered
in the doorway, his eyes
following the soft rise and
fall of his father's chest.
Karen's mind raced with
thoughts of the coming week,
knowing that Plankton would
need around-the-clock care.
He'd need his meals softened,
his mouth cleaned, his pain
managed. Yet she felt a sense
of peace settle over her. They'd
faced so much, and together,
they'd navigate this too.
The nurse, Octavia, noticed
Chip's concern. "It's normal,"
she assured him, her voice
soft. "The medicine makes
his muscles relax. He won't
be like this forever."
Plankton's mouth remained
open slightly, the gentle
snores punctuating the quiet
room. Karen sat in the chair
beside him, her hand never
leaving his. She studied his
face, the peacefulness of his
sleep a stark contrast to
his fear earlier. She couldn't
help but chuckle at the
slight drool that had formed
on his plushie. It had
soaked through to the fabric,
leaving a damp spot.
The nurse, Octavia,
smiled at Chip. "It's normal,"
she said. "The anesthesia
can do that." Karen nodded,
her eyes never leaving Plankton.
"But it's okay," she added,
seeing the concern in Chip's
expression. "He's safe. He's
not feeling any pain."
Chip nodded, his
throat tight. He'd never seen
his dad so vulnerable.
He watched as a drop of
drool slipped from
Plankton's mouth, landing
on the plushie in his arm.
It was a strange sight,
his dad, the man who
always had everything
under control, now lying here,
defenseless in sleep.
But the sight of Karen,
so calm and loving, her
hand in his dad's, gave him
comfort. He knew that
together, they could handle
anything. Chip took a
deep breath, steeling himself
for the days ahead. He'd
have to be there for Plankton,
just like his mom.