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Side Sim - The Dramatic Patient [Tag Bonner]

Posted March 12, 2023, 3:46 p.m. by Lieutenant V'alura Belmont (Scientist on Medical Leave) (Abigail G)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Alexis Bonner (Assistant Chief Medical Officer) in Side Sim - The Dramatic Patient [Tag Bonner]

Posted by Lieutenant V’alura Belmont (Scientist on Medical Leave) in Side Sim - The Dramatic Patient [Tag Bonner]

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Alexis Bonner (Assistant Chief Medical Officer) in Side Sim - The Dramatic Patient [Tag Bonner]
Posted by… suppressed (18) by the Post Ghost! 👻
V’alura was going to report to sickbay for her medical examination. Honest to god, cross her heart and hope to die, swear on her dearly departed grandmother’s grave she was. She spent almost two hours doing her make-up and getting her hair just right and walked out her door with every intention of reporting to sickbay. Only on the way there her energy drained away. She thought it wouldn’t be too much trouble to stop by the lounge for a bit to eat a snack and have a drink. An ill body needs nourishment and she couldn’t go in for her scans if she lacked the energy to follow their orders or do their tests.

So it was actually very important for her health that she head into the lounge first. Besides, she further reasoned, doctors are always behind schedule. By the time she had her drink and snack they’ll be ready to see her. If anything she was doing them a favor by delaying her arrival. It made perfect sense provided she didn’t think about it further or with any amount of logic or proper reasoning. Anyways, that’s how V’alura wound up at the lounge with a glass of synthenol wine in hand and a fruit and cheese tray in front of her.

The doctors on Ogawa were not always behind. Bonner and Walker would not allow such a thing to happen. There were far too many medical staff on board for any patient to have to wait. That only happened in cases like Unroth or similar, where the numbers were simply overwhelming. Alexis had cleared her schedule to give her undivided, formidable attention to this problem. Solal was a colleague that she greatly respected, and both he and Belmont were ill, with no answers. Alexis couldn’t abide that. It never occurred to her that she was also motivated by friendship. This is what she was trained to do and so she would find a way to help them. It was why she had gone into medicine. The time for the appointment had come and gone with still no sign of her patient, who she knew was on board because she had been informed of her arrival. Alexis did not call Solal, he was not Belmont’s keeper. =/\=GALEN, where is Lt V’alura Belmont?=/\= There was a soft trill then =/\=Lt Belmont is in the ship’s lounge. Shall I page her Dr Bonner?=/\= =/\=No GALEN, I will go get her. Thank you.=/\= Another soft trill, =/\=My pleasure Dr Bonner.=/\= Alexis grinned, she adored the AIs on board.

“So I. . .” V’alura paused, taking an extra breath. It hurt to maintain her relaxed pose, and the strain made it harder to keep breathing normally. “Yes, so I looked the man right in the eye and said. . .and said ‘I don’t need to meditate and think logically about your proposal when you’re not worth the brain power to begin with.’ And his face turned as red as a tomato.” She hadn’t the breath to laugh but she smiled as the two off-duty crewmen laughed at the conclusion of her story. V’alura shifted a bit and measured her breaths least she wheeze or fall into a coughing fit. Her performance hurt to maintain but by god was she going to keep it up.

“Honestly. . . the number of men who try to appeal to my ‘logical’ side to go out with me was frankly. . . frankly incredible.” The two officers were enjoying her stories and V’alura liked having people to talk to. It eased the loneliness that had wedged itself into her thoughts.

V’alura Belmont, officer on medical leave

Alexis approached the small group, identifying Belmont immediately due to the familial resemblance to Solal. She listened quietly and when the two off duty crewman spotted her they sat up and cleared their throats a bit. Bonner had a reputation for being all business and very serious. No one disliked her, but found her to be an odd duck. Plus the rumors that flew and abounded because Borcheck had a mouth like a leaky faucet. “The number of patients who request transfers to a hospital ship, only to avoid their appointments is frankly…frankly unbelievable.” Oh she had been around Kane too long.

Waiting for the woman to turn around she held out her hand. “Lt Belmont I’m Cmdr Bonner. You are late for your appointment. I was concerned you had become much worse and we didn’t know.”

Bonner, AMO

Of course V’alura noticed the change in her once captive audience. The shift from cheerful to uncomfortable impossible to miss. Then the person V’alura had worked very hard to avoid spoke behind her. Oh dear. For a split second V’alura paused, her expression totally blank as she mentally sorted through her catalogue of expressions to find the perfect one for this situation. She settled on pleasantly surprised with a touch of confusion. Expression in place she turned to face the good doctor. “Commander! Oh my goodness.” V’alura’s expression shifted to soft shock, her voice laced with disbelief. “Surely that much time hadn’t. . . Oh no. . .”

Alexis didn’t buy it for a moment. She’d read both Belmont’s medical and service history. Now Alexis was no counselor by any means, emotions were far to subjective for her to try to guess on how to help someone with mental and emotional turmoil. However her records described a person who was dedicated and creative. She was also an outstanding department head according to the records. A person who was apt to forget important meetings did not become the head of a department on a Mythology class ship. Raising both brows in deep professional curiosity, Alexis flipped open a tricorder that was in her pocket and began to scan Belmont. “Your records indicate someone who is always on top of details. A medical appointment of this significance is an important detail. Have you been forgetting things, loosing track of time, loosing your way lately, where you had not before? This could be a new symptom.”

V’alura hung her head before raising it, apologetic. “Forgive me, commander. I didn’t mean to miss my appointment.” She paused there, debating her next lines. She’s been caught having a merry old time. Saying that she was tired (however true it was) would come across as contrite. Anyone with a pair of working eyes would think clearly she wasn’t that tired. Not when she was trying so hard to act as though everything was normal. V’alura offered up an apologetic smile, “You must have other patients, oh, I must have thrown your schedule into a tizzy. You shouldn’t make them wait on my behalf. Let us reschedule our appointment and I’ll make sure to mark our next appointment very clearly. And set many reminders.”

“Hardly, Lt. As the correspondence for your transfer indicated, I have cleared my patient list in order to focus on finding a diagnosis and treatment during your time here. You have my undivided attention. I promise we will take good care of you.”

She felt rather pathetic in that moment. Delaying the inevitable like this. So of course her body finally gave into the strain of keeping up the appearance of normal. V’alura suddenly wheezed, and her next breaths short and strained. To hell with this dumb illness!

V’alura Belmont

True to her earlier statement Alexis had worried that something had happened to Belmont that had made her late, so she had a medkit with her. It appeared open on the table and soon a mask was placed over Belmont’s nose and mouth and canister inserted with a click and then there was a hiss as the oxygen in the mask was mixed with a combination bronchodilator of albuterol and ipratropium bromide, to help her breath, and an antitussive - dextromethorphan - to help ease the coughing. “Try to breath normally Lt. Let the medications get into your lungs.” This combination had been very helpful for Solal. It wasn’t a guarantee but it was a good place to start.

Bonner, AMO

V’alura sucked in one quick, then two breaths of medicated air. Like magic the medicine worked on her sore throat and aching lungs. The pain in her chest tightened but she began to breathe easier. Each breath gradually evening out into normalcy. It took a minute before her breathing returned to normal. Something she hadn’t felt in so long. It was almost shocking the difference in her breathing. Like a frog sitting in a pot of water, her breathing deteriorated so gradually that she hadn’t realized just how bad things had gotten until now. V’alura took one last deep breath of medicated air before gently prying the mask away from her mouth.

Alexis watched both Belmont and the tricorder. She was satisfied the medicine was doing its job and allowed the woman to remove the mask when she was ready. Alexis it took it from her fingers and set it aside.

The two officers were gone. Once the medkit was on the table they graciously left to give V’alura and Alexis space. V’alura stared at their empty chairs for a moment before turning to face Alexis. “Thank you. And. . . I’m sorry. I’m. . .” V’alura paused to stare down at her hands. She’s never had stage fright. Not on an actual stage nor before an audience. How could she when she knew exactly what face she would make, how she would move, what emotion she would convey and what lines she would perform. She never experienced the feeling of stage fright until the day she entered rehab.

“You do not need to thank me. I am pleased it helped.” Alexis said and waived away her apology. “No apology necessary.”

“I’m a coward is what I am. I even made you come and hunt me down. I. . . perhaps you should sit down.” It took effort to keep her voice steady. Not because of any physiological flaw, but a mental one. The thought of facing down another unknown condition in a sickbay. Poked and prodded by doctors and psychologists, every inch of her body and mind pried open and revealed to everyone. Her right hand began to tremble, a sign of increased stress levels. Something that would have been noted and recorded in her medical record. It would be easier to talk here.

V’alura Belmont

Alexis did sit, but held up a hand. Belmont seemed quite nervous. Alexis was not the best at showing compassion though she did feel it. She understood the situation was quite stressful, but there was nothing to do but move forward. There was someone who could help though. “You are hardly a coward, Lt. Feeling fear is hardly an indication of cowardice. Now give yourself a moment, Lt. Allow the medicine to fully work into your system.” Then she looked up and spoke to the ceiling. “GALEN”

=/\=Yes Dr. Bonner?=/\=

“Will you bring Frigga to the lounge please.”

=/\=Certainly.=/\=

“Thank you, GALEN.”

=/\=You are most welcome, Dr. Bonner.=/\=

“Now, how are you feeling?”

Bonner

Galen? Or was it GALEN. V’alura was terribly curious about the AIs utilized aboard the Ogawa. However, this wasn’t the time and place. Of course she’d rather talk shop than her steadily worsening medical condition but that would be her, once again, stalling. The show must go on and the leading actress must perform her part. V’alura leaned back in her chair, a casual pose ruined by the tension wound tight through her. “I’m feeling alright. I take it you’ve seen my full medical record.” She said, talking like they were discussing the weather.

“Of course. We can not move toward an accurate and helpful diagnosis without all the data.” Alexis wasn’t asking about her nerves and stress though. “I was asking physically. After your trip and with your breathing. After the treatment.” She waved at the breathing mask.

Bonner

She plucked her glass of wine from the table with her steadier left hand and took a swallow of deep burgundy liquid. Synthenol never tasted like real wine. Perhaps it did but to her mind the difference was measured in light years. V’alura’s medical history was readily available, though heavily censored to remove personally identifying details. That said, anyone with the right clearance or need could access the full, uncensored version (and not even give her notice). All because she was the first recorded case of a potent side effect in psi-positive species. For a controlled drug that should have never been offered into her hands. The biggest mistake of her life now haunts her. There, waiting, to remind her what happens to fools too weak to cope with reality.

V’alura Belmont

The doors to the lounge opened but no one seemed to enter. Frigga, a tricolored Icelandic Sheepdog entered and sniffed. So many people she knew, but her mom’s scent was here too and Frigga trotted over being greeted by several people along her way. There was a new scent near her mom. OH! A new person to make friends with! Oh…OH! She was upset. They needed her! She picked up her pace to a trot and appeared between the two women, sitting very politely in her green work vest.

Spotting her belived pet, Alexis smiled slightly. “Lt Belmont, this is Frigga. Say hello Frigga.” Frigga nosed Belmont’s hand gently and wagged her tail.

Frigga

Right. Physical symptoms. She’s such a hot mess. Just the slightest mention of sickbay and her brain jumps to the worst conclusions. Straight to the worst part and play it on repeat over and over again. She pulled a tight smile but while the answer formed in her thoughts the most adorable dog bounded into the room took up seat between them. “Why, hello there cutie!” V’alura laughed genuinely. She lovingly pet Frigga’s head, with many devoted ear scratches. “I had a dog when I was teenager. A boarder collie named Annabell, who could run all day and was marvelous around horses.”

Frigga wagged her tail happily and leaned heavily against Belmont’s leg to get the most out of the ear scratches. “Frigga has never seen a horse, but she loves people. The closest she comes to the real outdoors is the arboretum or the occasional landing team.”

Of course petting a dog calmed her down. How could anyone not feel happy when they had an adorable dog asking for love and attention. V’alura petted Frigga for several minutes while her big half-vulcan brain worked in the background. She had her answer, “To be frank I feel like a dust storm has taken root in my lungs and throat and that the devil himself is sitting on my chest. Which is to say I’m. . .” A pause, almost as if she ran out of breath and had to breathe before continuing. “I’m short of breath all the time, my throat is sore and I’m coughing and wheezing. Not to mention a persistent chest ache but that’s most likely due to all the mentioned coughing. . . . and wheezing.

“And tired. So very tired.” V’alura gave Frigga one last pat before relaxing back into her chair and picking up her glass of wine again.

V’alura Belmont

Frigga looked at Belmont like she had just given her the worst insult and broken her heart when she stopped petting her. She whined softly and then nosed the woman’s hand, demanding attention. Alexis let the dog do her job. Frigga knew what she was doing. Alexis listened quietly while Belmont explained. It sounded about as Alexis suspected. “Alright, well the first thing we need to do is get some current readings. So vitals, blood work, and then some chest imaging. About 15 minutes all told. Then we’re going to set you up with some respiratory therapy to help your breathing. Those sessions can be done in your quarters. There will be a couple of adjustments to your daily routine, but for the most part you will be able to move about the ship.”

Bonner

Oh, such a sweet girl. V’alura sighed and gave in to Frigga’s adorable demands for pets. She gently rubbed the top of Frigga’s head. Distracted pets were better than no pets but she hadn’t the energy or focus for multitasking today. “Of course.” V’alura said, consigning herself to a trip to sickbay. Fifteen minutes wasn’t so bad. She could endure that long. Perhaps with a cute dog to accompany her the time will fly by. “I don’t suppose I’ll be able to drop by the science labs? I’m-” A pause to catch her breath, “I’m real curious about the experiments you have cooking.” A medical ship must have some exciting and original experiments going. Things that general exploration or even science devoted ships wouldn’t consider. The possibilities were endless!

V’alura

Oh now that was difficult, Alexis understood the need to have a way to keep busy. To want to work and contribute, but it was probably not likely. “Well you won’t be able to work, you are officially off duty. You are always welcome to request a tour from the department, but it will be up to the CSO to approve. And of course with your weakened immune system we must be careful what you are exposed to.” Alexis stood, “If you are feeling up to the walk, let’s get your check-in out of the way.” Alexis looked at Frigga and patted her leg. The dog stood from her seated position and stepped away just enough to be out of the way to let Belmont stand without tripping on her.

Bonner, AMO

“A girl could try,” V’alura said, with expected defeat in her tone. She had already accepted as much when she placed herself on leave aboard the Ark Angel. Keeping her big half-vulcan mind entertained would be her burden to bear. She would, however, happily settle for a tour. The prospect left her feeling a little more energized, and so V’alura carefully stood. “Alright. . . Let’s. . . Let’s get this over with.” Just walk in, have a seat, let the doctor do her thing then she can walk back out. Easy. Simple. Nothing to it but to do it. “Lead the way.”

V’alura

Alexis led the way to the lift, Frigga right by V’alura’s side. Sickbay was not like anyone expected. All doors into sickbay were aseptic entries, but after that thungs changed. First the colors were non-standard fleet blue, but cool welcoming colors. The waiting area was more like a living space with comfortable couches and chairs, a bin with blankets and stuffed animals, and a vid screen showing actual movies.

The desk was past a door to allow for privacy buy also to maintain the sense of comfort. The main bay, where Alexis led V’alura seemed typical except each bed was separated by opaque walls that allowed privacy but could be controlled to allow medical staff to check on patients without being unnecessarily evasive. Each area was obviously an exam room, but provided more comfort and space than typical. Not as comfortable or spacious as V’alura’s patient quarters but effort was obviously put into the design. Alexis led her to a bed and waved over a nurse.

She spoke as she reached down and activated the biobed and raised the head. “Alright, so you just need to lay back and let the bed take you current vitals. Then we’ll take some blood and chest imaging and you’ll be done.”

She turned to the nurse, “Tecord her baseline vitals in her chart, then bring me the microtome, and then take the blood samples down to the lab. I want a full medabolic panel, white blood cell count, as well as a lymphatic system check, and run a test for AIE. Have them check kidney enzymes and markers as well.” The nurse marked it all down on the PaDD before hurting off. Alexis held up a phlebotomy hypo. “You ready for me to take that blood sample?”

When the nurse returned with the microtome, Alexis took it and set it up. “All you have to do is lay back. This won’t take long.” The whole time Frigga was near by, standing on her hind legs, front paws on the edge of the biobed and nudging V’alura’s hand.

Bonner, AMO

Well this was certainly a step above most ship sickbays. The space far more reminiscent of the doctor’s offices she was familiar with on Earth. A careful attention to details to ensure the most comfortable space possible. From the choice of layout to the colors upon the walls, everything carefully constructed to ensure a holistic and patient first approach to health. And V’alura hated it. Oh god did this kind of thing put her on edge. All this careful construction screamed fake in her mind. A reminder of where she was and her place as a patient. It was almost exactly like the rehab center in California.

V’alura eased herself into the bed and mentally willed her racing heart into a normal rhythm. Mask your fear and get a grip. If you start freaking out now then you’ll only extend this beyond necessary. Mindful of her body, V’alura put her Vulcan control to use to keep her heart rate even and her blood pressure in the good zone. Her heart didn’t even rise at the mention of blood draw. “Go right ahead. . .” She said, tone as casual as can be, “I’m told. . . I’m a really good bleeder.”

Alexis raised a single eyebrow, “You do not need to bleed, Lt. That’s a rather archaic reassurance to give a patient. After all the goal of medicine is to keep all the parts of you I side and working as they should.” Alexis insert an empty vial into the phlebotomy hypo and pressed the end to V’alura’s shoulder, and pressed the button until she had a full vial. All told less than 10 seconds. Bonner then labeled and set the vial aside.

“Have you started yet?” V’alura asked.

What if the good doctor asked for a psych eval? V’alura may very well vanish into the Jeffries Tubes at that point. Hide in the tunnels like some kind of cowardly rat and jury rig a long-range transporter from flinched electronics. Depressing and crazy but she felt that it wasn’t an invalid or totally irrational response. Perfectly logical if you knew her well. Though, Solal wouldn’t feel the same. And making her brother depressed wasn’t a desirable outcome. No. V’alura would have to act her way through an eval. Perfectly doable for a famous actress such as herself. With sheer charisma and charm she could get away with anything she put her mind too.

V’alura

She raised the head of the bed so V’alura could lay back but keeo the strain off her lungs. “Alright, just lay back. The bed will take your vitals while I take these images. If you need to stop for a moment, tell me.” Bonner carefully guided the microtome over V’alura’s entire abdominal area to get scans of her organs.

Bonner, AMO

“Understood,” V’alura said with a sigh. Those few degrees of elevation really made a difference. Okay. Even breaths. Don’t think about being medically examined. Happy thoughts. Think about that new sub-routine for horse AI in your western programs. That’ll keep your thoughts occupied and off- Some machine somewhere beeped and sent V’alrua’s heart-rate into overdrive. All focus. Gone like a puff of smoke. “E-everything alright?” She asked.

V’alura

Alexis didn’t look up from the images she was taking right away. “Yes, I am almost done.” Frigga bumped her leg and she looked at the dog and then at V’alura and her vitals and noticed the spike. Her mind ran back…oh the beeping. “That was the call button from the next bed. He is at risk for a fall so he is paging a nurse for help.”

Frigga nosed V’alura’s shoulder to distract her.

Bonner, AMO

“Call button. . . right.” V’alura forced herself to breathe through the nose but was startled once again by the touch of Frigga’s nose. Startled but happy. V’alura adjusted her position so she pet Frigga in big strokes that went from the top of her down and as far down her back as V’alura can reach. Gradually her heart-rate returned to normal and she naturally relaxed.

V’alura

A moment later, Bonner slid the microtome out of the way. “Alright we’re done. Do you have any questions for me, Lt, before you leave?”

Bonner, AMO

“I can’t think of any at the moment. I’ll get in touch if I ever do think of one,” V’alura gave Frigga a bunch of ear scritches before carefully standing up from the biobed, “When’s my next visit?”

V’alura


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