Please Remember Me

Chapter 19

The elevator ride to the third floor of St. Judith's, where Sean's office was located, increased the nervous nausea swirling in my stomach. I fiddled with the sleeves of my coat tapping my foot for the entire twenty second ride. Stepping off the elevator, I read the signs on the wall, telling me that room 346 would be to the left. 

The sterile surroundings set me on edge; I've never been a fan of hospitals. The smell of disinfectant stung my nose  causing me to loudly sneeze as I walked. This section of the hospital seemed to be dedicated to various offices for physicians; no nurses station or patient rooms in sight.

I came to a stop outside of a door that was cracked open. To the left of the door frame Dr. Sean Green was etched into a plaque underneath the number 346. I gently knocked and entered when Sean's familiar encouraged me too.

"Good morning, Sean." I softly greet the man with a hesitant smile.

He stood from behind his file covered desk walking around it towards me. Sean had on a white doctors coat over his green Christmas tree patterned sweater and dark brown, pressed slacks. On the right side of the coat, above the breast pocket, his identity was embroidered in black cursive. He had a hospital badge attached to the collar of the white coat and a black stethoscope resting around his neck. 

The man looked ravishing. 

I blushed as he helped me out of my coat before hanging it beside his own on the stand next to his door. With a smile and palm on the center of my back, Sean guided me to one of the chairs in front of his desk, where I took a seat.

"Good morning, Tulip. Would you like a cup of coffee or tea?" He asked, while moving towards the table on our left against the wall. 

It held two coffee pots; one with plain water and one with coffee. There were small baskets of various tea packets, sugars, and creamers.

"No, thank you. I'm okay..." I trailed off. 

I wasn't sure I could enjoy a cup of anything with the energy coursing through my veins. Sean made a mug of coffee for himself, with two sugars and two creamers, I noted. Taking a seat back behind his desk, Sean focused on his computer clicking his mouse a few times, before focusing on me.

"Okay, so the first thing I want to do is assure you that despite our familiarity, HIPAA still stands. Anything you share with me today, and in the future, will remain under patient-doctor confidentiality. Nothing will be shared with anyone outside of your healthcare team unless shared by you, or at your direct request." 

His eyes were serious, demeanor professional.

I found myself appreciating his reassurance that he would abide by my rights, although I never doubted him. Thinking he would break confidentiality and share my information with his family never crossed my mind. I nodded in response with a grateful smile. 

Satisfied, he launched into a slew of questions about my health history. 

As we spoke he would type and click away at his computer. It took about fifteen minutes of back and forth question and answers, before he completed this part of the assessment.

"Alright, the next thing I would like to complete is a general physical assessment. When was the last time you visited a doctor for a full physical?" 

His question made me pause, taking a moment to remember.

"Um, I think it was probably the summer before senior year because the high school required it." I mumbled, with a cringe.

Sean didn't give away what he thought of that, instead nodding his head, while studying the computer screen. With one last click of his mouse, Sean rose from his seat, walking around to stand in front of me. Leaning against the front of his desk, he studied my sitting form for a moment with clouded eyes and a tilted head.