by David Kersey
CHAPTER TWENTY
"John, this is Dr. Hatfield. I've examined Buck. He is in good shape from the neck down, but he has a problem John. His optic nerve has been damaged probably because of a blow to the head. The swelling and bone fracture behind his ear indicates that there is too much pressure on the optic nerve. When the nerve is under too much pressure, the transmission of waves the nerve sends to the brain gets interrupted and there is loss of vision. The only hope I see is for Buck to undergo decompression surgery. There's a chance he could be able to see again, but results vary. Some lose color differentiation, some only get blurred vision, and some surgeries are not successful at all. Thankfully there are cases where perfect vision is restored. Another thing, John, he's having some trouble with his balance, but that's normal and he will recover from that. What do you want me to do?"
"Can you perform the surgery?"
"No John, but I know a clinic that can."
"Where?"
"Cleveland. I can have him delivered if you want, John?"
"Stay right there. I'm coming to get him. I'll be there in fifteen minutes."
"Ok, John, but with a traumatic injury, sooner is better than later. Just my advice. There's one more thing though. In rare cases when swelling subsides vision returns, but I recommend the surgery, and soon. "
"Stay right there, on my way."
"Cassie, where are you. Come on girl, we're going to go get Buck."