03x02 - Critical Condition

[bunniefuu]

[machine beeping]

Surgery could be quite risky for you now.

- What do you mean, risky? - We don't like to give odds.

- Just to give us an idea. - Sixty-forty.

- I can count on you, can I son? - Sure.

Love you, dad.

You know..

...as scared as we are, daddy's scared too.

He needs to know that we love him.

I just don't want him to die.

What happens if I don't sign?

Then I'll take the pen in my teeth and sign it myself.

[theme music]

[music continues]

[male narrator] Last on "Knots Landing.."

[engine rumbling]

Sid's been in a car accident.

What condition is he in now?

He's paralyzed.

- I don't want-- - 'Yes you do.'

You want to be blamed or forgiven.

And I don't have the time or the energy for either.

Mr. Fairgate.

Mr. Fairgate?

What's happening? What's wrong?

Is my dad gonna die?

[machine buzzing]

He's been in a coma since yesterday.

If he doesn't come out of it soon, he might die, yes.

Am I gonna be alright now?

You're gonna be fine.

[machine beeping]

[somber music]

[Dr. Akura] 'Alright. Look straight ahead.'

Now, follow my finger.

Very good

Ah..

- Are my fingers moving? - Yes.

[chuckles]

Can you grip my finger?

Uh..

[machine beeping]

Now, can you lift your left arm?

- Good. - Good, that's great.

It's marked improvement, that's for sure.

[sighs]

Can you wiggle your toes?

[grunts]

Press against my hand as hard as you can.

'Mm.'

[machine beeping]

Good, good. All his functions are back.

But he's still a little weak.

But-but, he can build up his strength.

Now, wait a minute, there's improvement, that's for sure.

But it's always possible for the paralysis to return.

I need to get another set of neck X-rays

to check the reduction.

But I see no need for surgery at this time.

[chuckles]

Hey, look, my..

...hands.

Oh! Oh..

Ed, who's working on the Hanson car?

Yeah, the one Sid was gonna look at.

Well get someone on it, will you?

Hanson just called. Look I..

We can't all stop working just because Sid's in the hospital.

Now, I'd like to have that car finished by today.

[woman on PA] 'Salesman, showroom floor.'

'Salesman, showroom floor.'

What do you think?

Uh-uh, Gene, Gary Ewing at Knots Landing Motors.

Is Ray there, please?

You know, I was gonna send him a big flower arrangement

but I'm not sure how long it's gonna be there.

'And I would feel terrible if anything happened, while--'

It's-it's fine. It's fine.

'Ray, Gary Ewing, listen'

'what happened to that generator you were gonna send over?'

I'm not sure flowers do brighten up a room.

Maybe we should send them flowers and a plant.

- 'What do you think?' - No, we're not closed.

Look, he's not dead. He's in the hospital, for God's sake.

Uh, yeah, yeah, I'll-I'll tell him.

Sure. I'll give him your best. Yeah.

What?

I'm just wondering if we should send flowers and a plant.

'I was gonna send him a fruit basket.'

Don't you have work to do?

Gary, I'm just trying to do something nice for Sid.

Look, the best thing we can do for Sid

is to keep working and not let his business go

bankrupt while we're out buying presents.

- You're in some mood. - I'm not in a mood.

I just got a lot of work to do.

Alright, alright, just sign the card.

[sighs]

Okay, now, can we get back to work?

Okay, fine.

Hello?

No, no change.

Yes, we close at 5:30.

I need to see an investigator.

Please hold. Do you have an appointment?

No, but it's urgent.

May I ask what this is regarding?

[sighs]

Is there an investigator here now?

Yes, he's in a conference right now.

Miss, do you need an appointment?

I just made one.

Wait in the outer office, please.

Can you help me?

My children have been kidnapped.

- I did try to stop her. - It's alright.

Well, if children have been kidnapped, uh..

[sighs]

Would you excuse me for a moment, please?

I'm sorry to interrupt.

I'm sorry. I'm desperate.

Alright, have you been to the police?

Yes. All they had me do was fill out forms.

Now, I understand that you can swear out a warrant.

Well, we'll do what we can. Would you step in here?

[sighs] Is your husband with you?

It was my husband who took the children.

Why didn't you say so? That's not kidnapping.

That's child stealing.

What difference does that make?

[male #1] 'Well, it's a whole different office.'

You'll have to make an appointment with

Burrows down the hall--

Nobody made an appointment

to take the children, did they?

Yes, but you see, the law is different.

In a case like this, when a child is taken--

Wait a minute, I have my custody papers

and he has violated the terms.

Good.

I have some forms I'd like you to fill out.

The children have been gone three days now.

Are you sure they're with their father?

Yes, I'm sure.

You know, three days really isn't a long

time for them to be with their father.

You have no idea how many hysterical

mothers we get in here complaining

that their children are missing.

And then four or five days later

the husband shows up from a camping trip.

I have a tape...saying my husband took the children.

For their own good, of course.

- I'm sorry, Mrs. uh? - Cunningham.

In the tape, he admits that he took the children.

- I want you to do something. - Well, we'll do what we can.

I want you to fill out the forms and we'll get started on it.

You go down the hall and see Burrows in child stealing, okay?

[sighs]

[phone ringing]

Uh..

- Thank you. - Mm-hmm.

It's not exactly dinner at the Ritz

but it sure beats that IV.

[both chuckles]

Can I get you something?

I don't think they'll let me have anything else.

[chuckles]

You know, I think they take me out of intensive care tomorrow.

'Then I can get rid of these tongs and get into a halo.'

- A halo? - Yeah.

It's a self-contained unit.

You're still in traction but you can move around a little bit.

- Oh. - Are you done?

Mm-hmm, thanks.

How are the kids?

Ah, they're fine.

I talked to Diana a while ago and..

...and uh, Val is looking after them.

[Sid] 'Good. Why don't you bring 'em around tomorrow?'

- Are you sure? - Yeah.

If I'm out of intensive care.

How much do they know?

Not much.

Probably scared stiff.

'Why don't you go home for a while and stay for them?'

No.

[Sid] 'How long have you been here?'

- A while. - Yeah.

Probably almost as long as I have, I know you.

Go on, get a little rest. I'm gonna be fine.

I don't wanna leave you.

I'll give you a call if I need you.

Look, I.. Excuse me.

Oh.

[chuckles]

- See? - Okay.

Nurse.

Would you call me if there's any change?

Of course.

But you don't go anywhere.

Hey, I like intensive care.

I've been looking for it all my life.

[chuckles]

[instrumental music]

Come home.

I'll give you intensive care

that will make your hair stand on end.

I must be getting all my sensations back.

[chuckles] My toes are tingling.

[thudding]

[door closes]

- Richard? - Yeah, I'm in here.

Oh, you started dinner. You are such a sweetie.

Any word from the hospital?

Mm-hmm. He's moving his arms and legs.

- Thank God. - Oh, I took the steaks out.

They're thawing out

and all you have to do is pop them in the broiler.

- You are such an angel. - I know.

I could use a drink. What are you drinking?

Oh, that, uh, Cabernet we got in Sonoma.

Oh, what a day!

Scooter was a maniac.

His wife left him.

[chuckles] You're kidding.

No.

She ran off with some writer

they met in their vacation in Europe.

[doorbell rings] I thought they had the perfect marriage.

So did I.

She always thought he was fooling around.

And then she ran out on him.

- Hi, Laura. - Hi, Abby.

- Is Richard home? - Yeah.

- Come on in. - Thanks.

[door closes]

I really got to talk to him.

And the other thing. He's 28 years old.

- What? - Richard.

Richard, I've been to every legal agency in town

and nobody is doing a thing.

Twenty-eight, she's got to be



[Laura] 'Forty-eight, and so what? Men do it all the time--'

Will somebody, please listen to me!

My children have been stolen and nobody seems to care!

Do you call that detective I told you about?

Yeah, the one with the shiny suit and the pinky ring

'who wants a $5,000 retainer? Sure.'

Well, who'd you expect, Sherlock Holmes?

I don't know, I'm falling apart.

And now with Sid, it's, uh..

I haven't even been to the hospital yet today.

I-I'm running around all day with this stuff.

'I don't know what to do first anymore.'

Take it easy. I'll call the detective.

[breathing heavily]

- Would you? - 'Mm-hmm.'

Thanks.

- Thanks. - Mm.

She's really got messed.

Well, she's got a lot on her mind.

God, what a creep, taking those kids.

Do you think he was right to take the kid?

No, no, I think it was stupid and horrible.

[Richard] 'But..'

But, I'm not so sure that maybe

they aren't better off with him.

Come on.

[scoffs]

[machine beeping]

[sighs]

[tense music]

[gulps]

Oh, no.

God, no.

[instrumental music]

- So, is he alright or what? - He's better.

He can move his arms and toes.

Well, he's not gonna be paralyzed

or anything like that, is he?

Well, doctors say there's a good chance he won't be.

That means there's a chance that he will be, too.

Hey, I just told you.

He's improving.

Things are better now than they were.

'He wants you to come visit him tomorrow.'

Well, how come we couldn't visit him before?

Yeah, how come?

He's been in intensive care. Nobody could see him.

Now, stop acting as if there's been a conspiracy

to-to keep you away.

It's just that when nobody tells us anything

we begin to suspect the worst.

[phone ringing]

Oh, mom, I forgot to tell you.

Marcia's been calling you all day.

Thanks.

Hello.

[tense music]

Oh.

'Well, I'll be right there.'

What's the matter?

Nothing, uh, dad just wants me to bring his radio.

Can you finish dinner? I think I'd rather be at the hospital.

Michael, don't stay up too late.

Mom!

Hi, darling.

Oh, hi, honey.

You almost ready?

It depends. What you have in mind?

It's time to go to the hospital.

Oh, honey, you better go without me.

I still got a lot of work to do here yet.

- Gary, it's 7'o clock. - 'So?'

Gary!

Look, I'm the last person Karen wants to see right now.

Okay.

What about Sid?

Best thing I can do for Sid is stay right here and work.

Know what I think?

I think you're using work as an excuse

because you just don't wanna see him.

Val, that's not true. I'm doing what I can in my own way.

Uh, you wanna stay here and do the paperwork

while I go to the hospital?

No.

But you're gonna have to face him sooner or later.

[sighs]

[Dr. Akura] 'He has a recurrent paralysis.'

'Not a good sign, and he's lost all sensation below the neck.'

We'll have to do a myelogram to see if there's a block.

What do you mean by a block?

An obstruction in the spinal canal

which would probably indicate pressure on the cord.

Possibly a delayed hematoma.

- 'You mean a blood clot?' - 'Yes.'

[Dr. Akura] 'If the X-rays are positive, we'll have to operate.'

Otherwise, the paralysis will become permanent.

Then you'll be operating?

I'm afraid it isn't quite that simple.

Surgery could be highly risky for you now.

What do you mean, risky?

The collapsed lung makes respiration very difficult.

He may not be able to tolerate the anesthesia.

There's also a high risk for pneumonia after the surgery.

There's a choice between pneumonia and paralysis.

I'll take pneumonia.

Not with your lungs, you wouldn't.

Anyway, it's not only the pneumonia.

I'm talking about surviving the operation.

Look, let's take things one step at a time.

Let's get the X-rays and go from there.

When you say high risk

what do you mean, how high?

[indistinct chattering]

Well, it's hard to say.

We don't like to give odds.

Well, just to give us an idea.

Sixty-forty.

My God, now what?

Hey, it's okay, sis.

I'm just going to X-ray.

- Oh, Sid. - I'm fine.

He's not fine. He's had a setback.

What-what kind of setback?

Everything's just gonna be fine. Don't worry about a thing.

Uh, have you heard anything about the kids?

No. Not yet.

Okay, I'll be able to talk to you

as soon as I get back from X-ray, okay?

Doctor.

You'll let me know as soon as you get the results.

Absolutely.

[indistinct announcement]

[sighs] Oh, God.

Oh, yeah.

[chuckles]

I tell you, he's really got the beat.

- He? - Oh, yeah.

There's a real little muscle man in there.

[chuckles]

He or she, I wish he'd hurry up and be born.

Well, what's that you're eating?

Kenny!

Honey, you know you're not

supposed to eat salty foods.

Come on now. Will you?

I can't go out because it's bad for the baby.

I can't eat salami because it's bad for the baby.

We're home every night watching television

because that's good for the baby.

I'm sick of doing things for the baby.

Ginger. Come on.

[sighs] Well, you know what I mean.

If we're this boring before the baby's born

I hate to see what we'll be like after.

Come on, it's not gonna last that much longer.

I wanna visit Sid.

They didn't even tell me he had an accident

just because I'm pregnant.

Everybody runs around treating me like a China doll

that-that might break if I hear the-the wind shifted.

Kenny.

When is this is gonna end?

All I am is pregnant.

There's nothing else to me anymore.

Oh, come on.

Come on and snuggle up here, will you?

Now, there's a lot worse things than lying around at night

and watching TV with your old man.

[man on TV] 'Anybody has ever hit prosperity.'

'John, tell her what that means.'

- 'Gretchen Lewis, $64,000.' - Kenny.

[man on TV] 'She also gets a match freezer'

'and a king size iron automobile.'

[chuckles]

Honey.

[man on TV] 'And now, one more thing.'

[indistinct chatter]

[woman on PA] 'Dr. Derwins, please come in to recovery.'

'Dr. Derwins.'

[sighs] I feel like my brains are frying.

We're all under a lot of pressure.

Every time there's been a crisis

in my life, Sid's been there.

I wonder how long those X-rays take.

I don't know if I can get through a crisis without him.

Especially when he's the crisis--

I'm gonna go. I'm gonna see if he's out of X-rays.

- Oh, hi. - Hi.

How-how's Sid?

Well, we're not sure now.

I-I was just going up to see if he's out of X-ray.

Gary wanted to come here tonight, but, uh..

...he thought it'd be better to work late.

You know he wants to do everything he can for you.

I think that he feels responsible for the accident--

- That's ridiculous. - Well, I know, I know.

But he-he blames himself.

He feels that he betrayed Sid's trust.

That's not important now.

Oh, Mrs. Fairgate.

- Any word? - I was just going to get you.

Dr. Akura wants to see you over an X-ray.

Oh, thank you.

That's the blockage here.

- The blood clot? - Mm-hmm.

We, uh, surgery will drain the hematoma

relieving the pressure.

[Karen] 'Will that undo the paralysis?'

We hope so. But there's no guarantee.

You mean you're asking him to risk his life

on an operation that might not even work?

I'm not asking him to risk his life.

I'm not even recommending the operation.

'I'd like the decision to be his.'

If I don't have the operation will I always be paralyzed?

There will be permanent disability, yes.

'We're not quite sure to what extent, though.'

Then there's nothing to discuss.

There's a lot to discuss. I want you alive.

Karen, if there's a chance that we can be healthy, then--

Doctor, suppose you held off on the operation

until his other symptoms healed.

'Would that make it safer?'

Safer, yes, but with less chance of being effective.

'We have to operate promptly'

'if we want to avoid permanent damage.'

- Okay, okay, let's go for it. - Alright.

Now you'll have to sign the consent form for him.

What if I don't sign?

Karen, I wouldn't be able to live with myself

if I knew there was a chance that I could be well

and I didn't take it.

Sid.

Sid.

The things that matter.

Your mind, your spirit.

They, they would be the same.

Whatever the physical problems

we could learn to live with them. At least you'll be alive.

Everything would change..

...if I didn't take this chance

just because I was afraid of a little operation.

And I just wouldn't be the same man.

Doctor.

What happens if I don't sign?

Then I'll take the pen in my teeth and sign it myself.

'Karen..'

'...I'd much rather that we did this together.'

Sid..

[instrumental music]

...if anything happened to you..

...and I signed your life away..

You wouldn't be signing my life away.

You'd be giving me a chance for a better life.

I don't want you to die.

Karen.

Would you just do what you know and I know..

...has to be done. Please.

[music continues]

But I swear to God, Sid, if anything happens to you..

[elevator dings]

[indistinct announcement]

Mom.

What are you doing here?

The way you sounded when you left, we had to come.

Besides, you said he wanted his radio and you left without it.

[Micheal] We wanted to see him anyway.

You can't see him now.

- I wish you'd waited. - Please, mom.

They have to do an emergency operation.

They're prepping him now.

- What kind of an operation? - Is he alright?

Are they gonna cut him open?

Well, can't we see him first?

Well...I'm not supposed to do this.

[sighs] And don't be too rambunctious.

Officer, these are his kids. Just for a minute. Come on.

[machine beeping]

- 'Hi, dad.' - Hey.

Hiya, g*ng.

Good to see you.

I brought your radio cassette, dad.

Well, thanks, son.

- What are all these tubes? - Oh, that's my dinner.

[Michael] 'How's it taste?'

[Sid chuckles] 'My veins love it.'

This one looks like my aquarium.

[Sid] 'I need that to breathe. I'm turning into a fish.'

How come you have to have those things on your head?

It's to keep my head from moving.

'I probably won't need them after the operation.'

Well, what kind of an operation is it?

You know, where I hurt my neck?

There's a blood clot forming.

'They have to relieve the clot, or I'll always be paralyzed.'

- You mean you can't walk? - Well, not right now.

That's why I need the operation.

Will it be dangerous?

There's some risk involved, yes, but I have to do it.

[door opens]

Mr. Fairgate, I'm sorry.

Your family's going to have to leave.

I'm not finished with my pre-op check.

Okay, give me just a second, will you, please?

Okay. But only a second.

[Sid] 'Alright. Thanks.'

But, daddy, if it's so risky, why do you have to do it?

Honey.

If I had to be paralyzed, I'd learn to accept it.

'But if there's a chance I can beat it'

then I have to take that chance, right?

[instrumental music]

Sure, dad.

Because you wanna walk again.

[Sid] 'That's right.'

Play football and baseball and go camping.

But, daddy, all we care about is you.

I'm sorry, I really need to see you alone now.

- Okay. We're leaving. Come on. - Honey, honey, just a second.

[Sid] Now listen, g*ng.

The most important thing in my life is my family.

Now, if you wanna do something for me, do it for each other.

Love each other.

And take care of each other.

Mr. Fairgate, I'm sorry. Please.

Okay.

[machine beeping]

- I'll be back Sid. - Alright, hon.

Bye, dad.

- Bye, son. Bye, son. - Bye, dad.

Eric.

Yeah, dad.

[door closes]

I can count on you, can I son?

Sure.

I love you, dad.

Nice family.

Thank you.

- Nurse. - Yes.

Is there a cassette in that little recorder up there?

- Yeah, there is. - Good.

Would you press it on to record, please

and put it down there next to me?

Sure.

Thank you.

Karen.

My Karen.

Seeing you here with the kids just now..

...brought back so many wonderful memories.

And there's so many things I wanted to say to you.

[woman on PA] 'Dr. Ward 5-6-1.'

'Dr. Ward 5-6-1 Wesley.'

He's gonna die.

Oh, honey.

He's gonna die.

I just know it or else, why would he be talking like that?

[Karen] 'He was just trying to be honest'

'and treat you like grown ups the way you'

'always say you want him to.'

I just have this horrible feeling

that I'm never gonna see him again.

He's not gonna die.

He was just explaining

the chance he was taking, that's all.

Well, why should he take that chance?

Doesn't he care about us?

Oh.

Of course he does.

In his own way..

...he's doing this for us.

Do you want him to have that operation?

Are you kidding? I don't want any of this.

[sighs] Daddy's always had such a..

...clear, sure

sense of what's right for him and what isn't.

And he's always had the..

'...courage to do what his gut tells him to do, you know.'

Sometimes I love that in him and sometimes

it drives me crazy but..

[sighs] ...ultimately..

...I always have to let him be Sid.

You know..

...as scared as we are, daddy's scared too.

He probably was talking like that

because he needs to know that we love him.

And that we'll stand by him..

...and his choices.

I just don't want him to die.

[woman on PA] 'Dr. Fennerman report to radiology. Dr. Fennerman.'

- Yeah. - 'Report to radiology.'

[instrumental music]

[engine ignites]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[car-door closes]

[woman on PA] 'Doctor Farley report to admitting.'

'Doctor Farley, report to admitting.'

[door opens]

[music continues]

Hey, how's the patient?

[muffled] Fantastic.

[laughs]

I've just been telling him how lucky

he was to be getting OR four.

Why is that lucky?

It's the operating room that Doctor Bennett

proposed to Nurse Evans in. It's got good vibes.

I hate to be operated on in a room that's got bad vibes.

[laughs]

Well, you got nothing to worry

about in OR four.

- You ready for your shot? - Yep.

How?

It's one advantage to being paralyzed.

Nothing hurts.

[chuckles]

Could you leave us alone for a few minutes?

I'm sorry, I really can't.

We're ready to take him into surgery.

- Plea-- - Okay.

Ready to go for your ride, Mr. Fairgate?

- You bet. - Alright.

[female #1] 'Excuse me. Could I have that chart, please? Thank you.'

[Karen] 'Hey, you wouldn't go through with this, hon'

unless you knew it was gonna be okay, would you?

Oh, no, not me.

Um.

You know I love you, don't you?

[Sid] It's okay.

You know what you mean to me, don't you?

[dramatic music]

Don't you?

Sid..

Promise me you'll be okay.

Sid.

[Sid] Hey.

Don't worry.

I'll never leave you.

I love you, William Sidney.

I love you.

[sobbing]

- You want one? - Yeah.

Okay.

[woman on PA] 'Doctor Mandonio, please come to X-ray.'

'Doctor Mandonio, please come to X-ray.'

- Here we are. - Thanks.

- And one for you. - Thanks.

I still think it's crazy.

I'll call you the second he gets out.

- We're not going home. - Oh.

- I couldn't sleep anyway. - We wanna be with you.

Alright.

Here, buy some magazines or something.

- Mom! - It's gonna be a long night.

Hey, come on, we'll find some racy ones.

Okay.

[instrumental music]

[heavy breathing]

Alright, I'm gonna try to carry the patient very light.

Because of the level of the lesion

I wanna make sure he can initiate breathing.

I agree.

[female #1] 'I'm not gonna put him on automatic'

''cause I wanna feel the resistance'

in the bag.

Good. What are the vital signs?

Blood pressure and pulse stable.

Normal sinus rhythm on the scope.

Okay, let's go for it.

[Sid breathing heavily]

[machine beeping]

[music continues]

[indistinct announcement]

How is he?

He's in surgery.

Surgery?

Yeah. Go home, Gary. I'll call you when it's over.

Uh, I wanted to talk to him before I left.

- Left? - 'Yeah. I'm leaving.'

Best thing I can do for the two of you

is just to get out of your lives.

You mean, quit?

My husband is undergoing a dangerous operation.

If he lives, he may never walk again.

'And you think the best thing you can do for us is quit?'

Oh.

What am I supposed to do shut down?

Close the business because you have

a guilty conscience?

Nobody holds you responsible, Gary, okay?

Yeah, well, I hold me responsible.

Well, don't. It doesn't help anybody and it doesn't help Sid.

[instrumental music]

[mechanical breathing]

[female #2] 'All vital signs are holding.'

[machine beeping]

It looks to be some abrasions over to the right here.

[tense music]

My thighs and my stomach are my major problem.

If I just look at a piece of bread

my thighs get bigger.

Well, you should try this club.

Even if you just use the sauna and the steam room.

But I don't have the time.

'By the time I get off here'

'I'm so tired, all I can do is go home to bed.'

[nurse #1] 'Well, that's the thing about exercise.'

'You go in feeling like a wreck.'

'You come out feeling fantastic.'

'Look, feel this muscle.'

[machine beeping]

He's not initiating respiration.

I'm gonna have to support him.

Blood pressure?

[female #2] 'Stable.'

I better give him ten more milligrams of dexamethasone.

Oh, my God. Look at that.

[elevator dings]

- Hey. - Oh, hi, Val.

Karen.

You know, when...whenever I'm real nervous and I can't sleep

the only thing that calms me down

is going downstairs and baking something.

So, I made you these popovers

and I thought maybe you might..

It's gonna be okay.

This much damage?

'I don't know if he's gonna get a full return of feeling.'

He's beginning to develop ectopic beats.

'I've already increased his oxygen concentration.'

I might as well go ahead.. He's in V-fib.

Damn!

'Turn him over.'

[machine beeping rapidly]

Straight over here quickly.

- 'Alright.' - 'Right over here.'

- Come on, come on, let's go. - Come on, lock it down. Stand!

[tense music]

It's okay.

- 'Two, three, four..' - 'Still in V-fib.'

I've already given him a 100 milligram of lidocaine.

- ...three, four.. - Ready at five.

- One, two.. - Yes, ready.

- Alright, everyone, clear. - ...three, four, five..

[thud]

One, two, three, four, five.

- Still in V-fib. - One, two..

- Try shocking him again. - Three, four, five.

One, two, three..

- ...four, five. - Ready.

Alright, everyone clear.

Two...

[thud]

One, two, three, four, five. One..

- Still in V-fib - ...two, three..

- Get a cardiologist down here. - ...four, five. One..

[chuckles]

Well, I was in labor for 24 hours.

Oh, yes.

I remember the night you were born, my dear.

Natural childbirth wasn't-wasn't so fashionable

but, I was determined to do it. No one we knew had done it.

All of his friends made fun of him.

But...Sid was there

the whole time, holding my hand..

...breathing with me.

'Breathing for me sometimes it seemed.'

Sometimes I forgot everything.

If Sid wasn't there to see me through that

I don't know what I would have done.

'Then it turned out I had to have caesarean after all'

and Sid was still there.

[voice breaking] Telling me cesareans were better.

And how relieved he was.

Remember they gave him a white doctor's coat

and everybody thought he was a doctor.

[chuckles]

Before you knew it, he-he was handing out

medical advice to anyone who asked.

Yeah, I-I forgot you were there.

Are you kidding?

My brother's baby.

'I was only 15, so they weren't'

'gonna let me on the maternity ward.'

I told them I was pregnant, too.

[laughing]

[machine beeping flat]

I'll tell the wife.

[sighs]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[ominous music]

[somber music]

- Oh, no. - Oh, don't, don't say it.

[music continues]

[women sobbing]

[music continues]

Mrs. Fairgate.

I'm so sorry.

Your husband told me to tell you..

...if anything happened..

...he made a tape recording before the operation.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[Sid] Karen.

My Karen.

Seeing you here with the kids

brought back so many wonderful memories.

And there were so many things I wanted to say to you.

And mostly...I just wanted to hold you.

I could see how scared you were and..

...and I wanted to comfort you with my body.

That's why I hate this damned accident so much.

It's taken away my body's greatest pleasure.

Holding you.

Touching you.

Feeling your body next to mine.

[music continues]

That's why I got to take this chance.

To get all that back.

[Sid sighs]

You know, it's funny.

When I, when I think about the operation being a success

you know, I, I think about all the wonderful things

that I could do with a healthy body

like traveling around the world.

Build that race car.

All those-those crazy kind of superficial things.

But then..

...then I realize that..

[Sid chuckles]

...none of that matters.

'All I really want is what I already have.'

'Waking up with you every morning.'

'Sleeping next to you at night.'

[music continues]

'Just living with you and the kids.'

'Having our family together.'

'There's no words to tell you how much that meant to me.'

'If the chance didn't work'

'and you're listening this now..'

'...I want you to know that I don't have any regrets.'

'I love you, Karen.'

'And whatever happens to me..'

'...my love for you..'

'...will never die.'

[serene music]