Treatment of Choice

ISBN-13: 9781489511447 / Angielski / Miękka / 2013 / 322 str.

Mary L. King

Opis

New England and the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts provide the perfect setting for The McFadden Series, by author Mary King. Treatment of Choice, the first novel in The McFadden Series, introduces Dr. Lauren McFadden, and her husband, Bryan. As the story begins, Dr. McFadden has survived the December explosion that nearly took her life at the New Choice Women's Center, but not all of her injuries healed without complications. She returns to work and resumes her position as Chief of Orthopedics at Saint Michael's Rehabilitation Center. Her husband, Bryan, who is in charge of the physical therapy department at the center, knows something isn't right with her behavior. Lauren is desperate to get help, but Bryan is skeptical of the controversial form of psychotherapy suggested by their good friend and local parish priest, Father Sean Cody. At work, Dr. McFadden has plenty to deal with in addition to treating patients with spinal cord injuries, amputations, and other orthopedic conditions. She has a soft spot for children, especially teenagers, and it's tough to let go sometimes when a patient is discharged. As summer gets underway, the doctor and her husband take a much needed vacation at beautiful Coral Lake, and for a while, at least, their lives seem to be back on track. Unfortunately, the same old problems at work never seem to go away, especially when Lauren is forced to contend with the rehab center's insolent and uncaring administrator, Jack Allen. His ongoing determination to cut back employees and services may just slam the doors on everything she's built over the past seven years. Their frequent arguments go on for months and finally come to a blistering climax just two days before Christmas, when Dr. McFadden and Bryan turn in their resignations. The couple doesn't leave without a backup plan. For the past several months, Bryan and Lauren have been building a new house in Lenox. Their new dream home is enormous and is designed to accommodate young people with special medical needs. It's a place where severely injured teens and homeless young adults can find refuge and get whatever rehabilitation is required at no cost. Adam arrives as a runaway from a youth detention center. His seizure disorder is difficult enough for the fifteen year-old to endure, but now he harbors a terrible secret that could cost him his chance for a new life with a decent family. Devon is the victim of a near-fatal bicycle accident. It's going to take more than months of physical and occupational therapy to repair fragile emotions shattered by an overwhelming personal loss. Philip's devastating injury is the result of domestic violence. Bryan McFadden is especially sensitive to Philip's situation. It'll take everything he has to convince Philip that neither he nor the doctor will give up on him. The McFaddens soon discover that administering physical rehabilitation is a walk in the park compared to rebuilding three troubled young lives. They knew it wasn't going to be easy, but they never anticipated the law getting involved, and that's just for starters. Can they really turn these boys around and repair damages that go much deeper than broken bones? And will the boys be able to extend the same understanding shown to them when a gay college student becomes the newest patient in their home? Find out what happens when tough love and compassion meld with teenage chaos to make an unbreakable and unforgettable family bond.