Home » The Archives » Chapter 14 » New Beginnings
| Re: New Beginnings [message #2302 is a reply to message #2301] |
Mon, 30 July 2012 17:58   |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma:
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Stevens Healthcare Clinic, Bozeman, Montana. Thursday January 17th, 2:00 pm (9:00 am the 18th on Tracy Island)
Luke pulled his coat collar up tighter around his neck as he made his way through the windy parking lot. An arctic cold mass had moved in and the current temperature was five below zero, the wind chill putting it even lower. Glad I left Rommel at home. Knowing the mutt, he's curled up at my mother's feet in front of the fire. He finally reached the doors of the medical clinic, giving a sigh of relief as the warm inside air hit him. He walked over to the elevator and headed up to the floor his doctor was on.
Once there, he checked in with the desk, then shedding his heavy jacket, settled down with a magazine. He didn't have to wait very long before his name was called. He followed the nurse into the examination room.
"How are you feeling, Luke?" she asked.
"Not bad considering the weather," he replied.
She chuckled as she wrapped the bio-cuff around his bicep. "I heard the wind had picked up." She pressed a few buttons on the cuff and turned to the computer screen.
Luke nodded. "It's probably close to fifteen below out there."
"Brrrr." She finished up her readings and removed the cuff from his arm. "There you go. Doctor Wetzeler will be in shortly." She left the room, closing the door behind her.
Ten minutes later, the door opened and a tall, dark haired woman walked in. "Good afternoon, Luke."
"Hey, Doctor Wetz."
"Why don't you get undressed and I'll see how you're doing today." She turned to the computer screen and pulled up his file.
Luke meanwhile took off his layers of shirts and sat on the edge of the examination table. Dr. Wetzeler listened to his chest and back, then gently probed his ribs. She had him take a few deep breaths, then listened again. She consulted her screen again and nodded. "You're looking good. I'd like you to go down to the cardio lab for some more tests."
"Sure thing, Doc." He put his clothes back on and headed for the cardio wing. Once there, they gave him a pair of shorts to change into, then connected some electrodes to his chest and put him on the treadmill. The technician started the machine at a fast walk, gradually increasing the speed to an easy jog. After about five minutes, Luke signaled that he had to stop and the tech eased the machine slower until it stopped. Breathing heavily, he sat down in a chair, his head resting in his hands. Sweat poured down him and his body shook.
Dr. Wetzeler knelt in front of him, one hand on his shoulder. "Luke?"
He looked up at her. "That went... well," he panted. "Not."
She smiled. "Actually it did." She beckoned to the tech who brought over a computer read-out. "Your lungs are functioning at nearly seventy percent. That's excellent progress in this short time. Why don't we go back up to my office and I'll explain."
A short time later, Luke was back in the examining room. He had changed back into his clothes, and his breathing had steadied out. He was reading his file when the doctor walked in. She nodded at the papers. "Well? Didn't I tell you?"
He smiled ruefully. "I guess it's not that bad. I just expected better results."
She gestured him to sit then sat down across from him. "Luke, you shouldn't even be at this level at this point in time. You suffered a severe injury to both lungs. The right one was all but shredded. They didn't think they'd get you'd get put back together. You're lucky to be alive, much less in the condition you are." She let that sink in a moment. "Now, how's the muscle pain? Bones knit faster than tissue."
Luke shrugged. "Not too bad. I've been working out at the gym a couple days a week. Nothing major, just trying to get back into shape. Also helping with the stock on the ranch and working one or two days at my folk's store."
The doctor nodded thoughtfully and gently maneuvered his shoulder, noting when he winced. She lifted his shirt, and probed at the scar on his back and his chest. "Are you still having shoulder and chest pain?"
"Some." She stared him down for a moment. "OK, more than some. It's bothering me now but that's probably due to running."
"That could be true. All the same, I want you taking it easy with your workouts. Don't stop them by any means, but don't re-injure yourself. You haven't come this far to set yourself back."
"Any idea when I can go back to work?" Luke asked, remembering seeing International Rescue on the news that morning.
Dr. Wetzeler thought a moment. "I'd say three to five weeks, then light duty for another month or so. By the beginning to middle of March you should be back full time." She leveled her gaze at him. "As long as you continue with what you've been doing and not carry it too far. I mean it, Luke. The surgical team didn't spend all that time patching you up for you to tear yourself apart again."
Luke grinned. "No worries there, Doc. The less time I spend in the body and fender shop, the happier I am."
Doctor Wetzeler laughed. "Good, get out of here then. And button up that coat! It's cold out!" she called after him.
Luke waved good-naturedly and left the building, a lighter spring in his step. He started the truck, blowing on his cold fingers as he waited for the engine to warm up. Can't wait to get home and email the gang. Let them know I'll be back soon. He put the truck in gear and headed home.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
 
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