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PreSIM: Boarding Physical [CLOSED]

Posted April 9, 2021, 1:44 p.m. by Lieutenant Junior Grade Namid Argimeau (Scientific Intelligence Officer) (Trin S)

Posted by Ensign Shon Baht (Medical Officer) in PreSIM: Boarding Physical

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Namid Argimeau (Scientific Intelligence Officer) in PreSIM: Boarding Physical

Posted by Ensign Shon Baht (Medical Officer) in PreSIM: Boarding Physical
Posted by… suppressed (9) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Emerging from the Captain’s ready room with rekindled invigoration, Namid resolved to submit to the rest of their check-ins. Slipping into the turbolift, they mulled over their options. Medical. Counselling. Chief Science Officer. Tempted as they were to beeline from one superior to the next, Namid found restraint in the fact sickbay was closer to the bridge than Lt. Naim’s office. A crying shame, but Argimeau had no quarrel with doctors that were worthy of delay.

Namid had spent a good chunk of their childhood confined to a waiting room. Concussions, fractures, lacerations worthy of a precautionary tetanus booster… Namid had wandered into the neighbourhood clinic for just about every reason under the sun. It’d become a hangout spot for them. So it was strange meandering into sickbay without a gaping wound or contusion the size of their forehead. They were just here for a checkup, and that was far more terrifying than any injury.

Passing through Sickbay’s doors, their PaDD shoved under the crook of their arm, Namid’s gaze wandered in search of someone to bother.

– Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intelligence

Ensign Baht noticed Namid first as the medical officer’s bald blue head peaked over the top of a console on the far side of the room when the sickbay doors opened. He hopped off the stool he had been perched on and trotted over to the entrance of sickbay with a bright, welcoming grin. The bifurcating ridge down the center of his face crinkled slightly from the severity of his excitement. “Hello! You must be a new arrival. Um,” he stopped to whip out a PaDD and scroll through it for a second. “Are you Lieutenant Argi… Argimanu… Argi…mew?” His smiled turned bashful. “So sorry, I’m not sure I’m familiar with the pronunciation.”

(Ensign Baht, Medical)

“Hello!” Namid wore a grin of equal vigour, waving a dismissive hand to their name. “You’re fine. I was six before I realised ‘eau’ and ‘ooh’ weren’t the same sound.” Argimeau pinched the bridge of their nose, the memory of their grandfather’s annual spiel on the art of enunciation fresh on their mind. They chuckled. “How about Ami?” A once dismissive gesture dissipated into friendliness as they extended a hand in greeting. “What’s your name, doc?”

– Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intel

“‘Eau’“, Shon mimicked the sound, mulling it over as he tried to commit the pronunciation to memory. “Ami is much easier, thank you,” he said with genuine relief. “Still, I’d like to be able to give you the proper respect when the situation calls for it! I’ll be sure to practice.” The bolian grasped Ami’s hand for a warm handshake. “Ensign Shon Baht, a pleasure to meet you.”

“Your commitment is beyond appreciated,” Namid returned his handshake with a brief, hearty grip, “Ensign Shon Baht.”

The medical officer swept a hand outward to a nearby biobed, inviting Ami to sit. He tapped away on the PaDD for a moment, then spoke to Ami as he continued to review their file. “I’m having some trouble finding your medical records… maybe they just haven’t gotten to us yet, you know bureaucracy and all. Would you mind giving me a brief run-down of your medical history? Including ongoing conditions or recent developments?” He looked up to keep his indigo eyes attentively on Ami as they spoke, while his fingers documented anything noteworthy.

(Ensign Baht, Medical)

“I can’t I’m surprised,” a mirthful scoff escaped them, “sorry about that.” Ami followed his gesture to the biobed and plopped themself at its centre, their feet dangling somewhat limp over its side. “Nothing major to report. I had a pretty eventful childhood – underdeveloped lungs plus concussions, lacerations, fractures, and the likes – but nothing detrimental.” They drummed their fingers against the fabric beneath them. “I did have a vertebroplasty when I was seventeen, ‘classic’ thoracic spine fracture scenario, but that’s the most extreme of my procedures. I am allergic to Hydrocortilene.”

“Otherwise, the worst of my issues are the occasional headache and whatever injuries I sustain from work or sheer curiosity.”

– Namid ‘Ami’ Argimeau, Scientific Intel

Shon nodded along as Ami recounted their history, and made sure to jot down the hydrocortilene allergy. “Sounds like nothing too bad,” Shon said in reference to the wonders of modern medicine being capable of erasing almost all aliments. “Do you mind if I take some scans of your current physiological state?” The ensign stood and pulled out a medical tricorder. He would proceed to wave it a couple inches from Ami’s body if he was given permission.

“Go for it, doc.” Ami rolled their shoulders, snaking tattooed fingers back into their lap, and waited. “I should mention,” they lifted a finger to the thought infiltrating their patience, “hypotension is common for me.”

Baht’s tricorder would reveal steady respiration, sluggish albeit regular pulse and low blood pressure. Their oxygen levels hovered at 95-96%. There were no signs of residual lung nor thoracic damage. Otherwise, surface-level exams suggested they were healthy.

Ensign Baht spoke while reading the results of the scans on the tricorder. “These headaches you mentioned, could you define ‘occasional’? Do they seem to be brought on by a specific circumstance, or are they random to your knowledge?” Ami had likely mentioned them in passing as if everyone had headaches, but Shon would not be a good doctor if he did not do his due diligence to make sure there was nothing abnormal about the complaint. He also inspected the tricorder readings to see if there were any pressing medical issues that Ami themself might not be aware of at the moment.

(Ensign Baht, Medical)

“Three to four days a month,” Namid reflected on their experiences. “I’ve noticed they start in the morning and accompany stiffness and dull aches. It’s almost like I beat my PR on the mile, only… I don’t run.” Argimeau smirked. “The pain is constant,” they lifted their fingers to gently tap their temples, “and there’s no nausea or throbbing.”

“I can work with them – usually, I take an aspirin and give myself an excuse to drink more coffee – but they’re irritating.” They shrugged. “What do you make of them?”

– Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intel

Ensign Baht considered the information he had been presented with while hugging the PaDD to his chest. “No nausea is good. My initial thought is dehydration, especially if drinking coffee helps alleviate symptoms. The morning onset and stiffness could indicate the early stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis… I would consider sleep apnea as a culprit, but its tends to increase blood pressure, where yours is low. Most likely it’s something as common as episodic migraines.”

Namid swung their feet, quietly listening to Baht’s ramblings. They weren’t a physician – they viewed medicine through the scope of an engineer – but they knew enough to understand his jargon.

Shon stopped his train of thought and gave Ami a reassuring smile. “So I guess there are some clarifying questions for you. How’s your fluid intake? The stiffness and aches, are they in any joints in specific? And how do you sleep, especially on those nights where you wake up with a headache?”

(Ensign Baht, Medical)

“My fluid intake is fine,” they assured. “I drink maybe a cup or two of coffee a day?”They knew caffeine was a diuretic, but they weren’t sure they consumed enough to constitute dehydration. But Argimeau would let the doctor determine that. “Joints.. mostly my shoulders, wrists, and hips. I’m always using my hands, and I have to hunch over equipment, so I get the wrists and shoulders. Hips? Not so much.” They paused. Namid didn’t often think about the headaches, so it took them a second to consider everything. “Usually, the headaches are followed by restless nights. I’m not sure if the joint pain keeps me awake or it’s just my brain doing its thing.”

They thought back on their family in search of something that might make sense. “I do have a family history of hypothyroidism, but my hormones levels have always been reasonable. No RA or other autoimmune conditions that I know of.” They shrugged and rounded back to his former thought. “What causes episodic migraines?”

– Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intel

Shon chuckled. “There are many people who wish there was an easy answer for that question… unfortunately it could be any number of things. Migraines are half biological and half psychological, after all… the counselor might have some recommendations for techniques you can use to address that less-tangible side of things. She’s wonderful really, I’m sure she would be happy to discuss it.” Ensign Baht tapped the PaDD in thought. “At this point, I’m just taking shots in the dark. Our best bet is for you to come back in to sickbay the next time you’re experiencing one of the migraines. We’ll give you medical exemption for your shift that day, so don’t worry about that.” He smiled. “Sound like a plan?”

(Ensign Baht, Medical)

“Aye,” they snapped their fingers into a double thumbs up. “I’ll chat with the counsellor about it. Maybe she can shine a light where we’re a little blind.” They weren’t too peeved to leave without definitive answers. Namid understood the apparent oddity of their case. But that didn’t mean they’d accept the current ambiguity of their diagnosis. “Hopefully I don’t have to see you too soon,” they smiled, “..for the migraines, I mean. But it was nice meeting you.”

Namid slipped off the bed and tugged at their sleeves. When they glanced up, eagerness poisoned their gaze. “Aside from the weird headaches, am I cleared for duty?”

– Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intel

Shon nodded affirmative as he tapped a couple last buttons on his PaDD. “There, you, go, all set!” He smiled, maybe a little bashfully. “Was nice meeting you too, Lieutenant Argimeau,” he said with special care to get the pronunciation at least mostly correct. “Keep us updated on how you’re feeling when you get the chance. Who knows, maybe it was Beta quadrant allergies and now that you’re out here in Delta, they’re a thing of the past!” A joke, of course. Shon escorted Ami to the doors of sickbay to see them on their way.

(Ensign Baht, Medical)

A grin chased across Namid’s lips as they waved their hand in a ring gesture and uttered an indistinct, ‘Parfait.’ With a nod, they followed Shon to the doors. “In that case… I better start checking the real estate,” Ami joked.

“Thanks for your help, Doc,” they paused and turned to Baht, “I’ll see you around.” Argimeau offered a parting smile before disappearing beyond Sickbay’s doors.

– Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intel


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