A Fight to Remember

Scared to Lose You Pt. 2

Meredith

"-It's a simple procedure, as you know..." I heard someone say.

The room coalesced into shape around me. A standard patient exam room. I recognized the tools hanging on the wall. A sphygmomanometer for blood pressure, and beside it an otoscope and ophthalmoscope, for checking ears, nose and eyes.

"...We'll give her a very light sedative, and apply a local anesthetic to the area where we'll draw the spinal fluid."

I picked up the reflex hammer and tested it on my knees. Reflexes were good. I put it down and picked up the ophthalmoscope, peering through it. My gaze through the lens settled on the man seated across from me as he talked to the doctor. I liked this man. He was very kind.

"Okay," he said. "But I don't understand... why a spinal tap for Alzheimer's?"

Alzheimer's? My mother has Alzheimer's. Not a fun disease. At least not for me, my mother being Dr. Ellis Grey, renowned surgeon, but crappy mother.

"The science is relatively new, but... the aim is to measure the amount of tau and beta-amyloid in her nervous system."

"What are we going to do with that information?" The man asked. Seeing me with the scope, he smiled and came toward my seat on the exam table. I felt cold on the outside, but the way he looked at me made my heart warm. I closed one eye and squinted at him through my device.

"Right now, we'll record it and send it to Dr. Allen, and he will use the results to advise on her treatment plan." The white coat lady said.

"Hmm," the man hummed as he stroked my cheek. I couldn't help but smile bashfully back. I didn't know why, but I felt safe.

"And the MRI? Will she be sedated?"

Yes, please, sedate my mother. That's the only way to get her to do anything, I thought.

The woman shook her head. "That's why we planned the spinal tap first, so she'll still be a little under the effects when we start the MRI. We'll monitor her while she's in there, and if she appears anxious we'll give her some anti-anxiety medication."

"Okay," he said. "Hear that Meredith? It's going to be fine."

Fine? Of course it would be fine. I'm always fine. "I'm fine." I said, putting the whatsit down. "My mother, on the other hand, is not. Good luck with her." I rolled my eyes.

He blinked, and looked at me strangely.

"We are talking about my mother, right?" I asked, seeing the confusion in his eyes.

"Meredith-," he started, but the doctor stepped from behind him.

"Yes," she said, picking up the thingamawhat-ey I was holding. She hung it up beside the hammer and the sphinx. "Don't worry about your mother, I can assure you she'll be fine."

"Good then." I nodded. "Well, I think I'm done here. Any papers to sign?" I scooted off the exam table, the paper rustling under my ass. Wait. I looked down at myself. "Where's my clothes?" I asked. Why was I in a hospital gown?

"Uh," the man stuttered

"You're here for your physical, remember? And we have to give you a shot too."

"Seriously?" I muttered, what the hell happened that I needed a shot?

"Standard procedure, Dr. Grey." The man said suddenly, his tone soft but serious. "You're a resident now, you have to stay on top of these things."

"Ugh," I rolled my eyes, but smiled at him anyway. "Who are you? My boss?"

"Yeah," he flirted, stepping closer. He smelled nice. "I'm your boss. And you love it," His gaze traveled to my lips and he leaned in.