Till Death Do Us Part

3

Meredith checked the time, it was nearly 2:30, it took 30 minutes to get to the doctors and that was without traffic, she really didn't want to be late, but she didn't want to upset Derek.

She peered into the lounge and he was still sitting there watching the tv, at least he was dressed.
"Derek?" She asked gently entering the room,
"What?" He snapped
"Um..I think maybe it's time to leave soon, I um don't want to be late," she said stumbling over her words, she'd been ready since after breakfast anxious that she would forget something or loose track of time, it wasn't uncommon for her.
"When this game is finished," Derek said refusing to take his eyes off the screen.
"Derek please, we need to go now," Meredith begged,
"Ugh fine!" Derek said slamming down the remote as he turned the tv off, "well then are you ready to go? You look awful," he said standing up.
Meredith was wearing some joggers and her Dartmouth hoodie, she knew she would most likely have to get changed into either scrubs or a gown for the testing so she didn't see the point in wearing something uncomfortable. Not to mention she didn't want to deal with her skin reacting to uncomfortable materials.
"Um.. yes.. I'll probably need to um..." she started to explain but Derek just walked away ignoring her answer. She quickly followed behind, checking the time again, 2:35 they could still possibly make it on time if they didn't hit any red lights or traffic.
Just as she was about to climb into the car she realised she'd forgotten her folder with her medical history.
"Hang on I need to get something," she yelled running back into the house,
"So much for being in a hurry," Derek grumbled as she climbed back into the car,
"Sorry sorry, thank you again for driving me." She said
The drive there was silent, Meredith's mind wondering about what the outcomes of the tests might be, her mind jumping to the worst conclusion
"Derek what if it's something bad?" She asked breaking the silence
"What?" Derek asked annoyed
"What if the results are something bad, I'm kinda scared," Meredith replied looking down at her hands,
"I don't know," Derek replied, "be quiet the next games about to start." He continued turning up the radio to listen to the game
Meredith sighed silently hoping that the worst outcomes wouldn't become reality.
Derek dropped her off at the door, refusing to park
"Thank you so much Derek, I'll be finished around 12 tomorrow but I'll message you, I may need help getting back to the car I don't know." She explained,
"Whatever," Derek sighed before driving off, nearly driving over Meredith's foot.

Meredith's sighed before heading inside trying to calm the nerves rushing through her body.
"Hello do you have an appointment?" The receptionist asked as Meredith walked up,
"Yes I had a 3 o'clock check in appointment with Dr Hope my name is Meredith Grey," she replied
"Oh yes perfect your a bit late but that doesn't matter just this way please," the receptionist said guiding Meredith to a different part of the hospital she was in last time.
"Just wait in here and Dr hope will be with you shortly," the receptionist said before leaving Meredith alone in the room.
The room reminded Meredith of any normal hospital room it seemed to have a bathroom and a bed, not fancy but enough.
"Hello Dr Grey," Dr Hope said entering the room, "how are you today?"
"A bit nervous," Meredith replied honestly,
"That's fair enough but there is no need to be nervous, I just want to run a few tests today and keep an observation on you but I'm pretty confident in what your diagnosis will be, would you like me to tell you know or wait," Dr Hope said standing in front of Meredith
"Um.. I'll wait till it's confirmed," Meredith said, slightly unsure,
"That makes perfect sense, no need to worry ok." Dr Hope explained before starting to explain the tests she would do over the next few hours.

(I have no idea of what medical tests would lead to the diagnosis so I'm not going to put any because I don't want to discredit or be misleading)

After a what felt like a long night of testing, Meredith finally fell asleep, simultaneously excited and nervous for the next morning and getting her results.

The next morning

Meredith woke up knowing that today she should find out what if anything was the cause of all her symptoms. She said waiting for Dr Hope to return,

"Good morning, Dr Grey," Dr hope exclaimed entering the room, "good to see you and and ready to go, how are you feeling today after yesterdays tests," Dr Hope asked
"I'm ok, a little sore but nothing more than usual," Meredith replied, relived to finally be being honest with someone.
"That's good, well I have a diagnosis for you, or actually more than one." Dr Hope explained
"More than one?" Meredith asked confused,
"Yes, I believe this may be the reason why no doctor before has actually been able to help you find a diagnosis your symptoms don't appear to be consistent with anyone diagnosis but when put together they make sense. Meredith after testing, it is my medical opinion that you have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which explains your pain in your joints and your hyperextension. You also have Postural tachycardia syndrome also known as PoTS, this explains your sudden dizziness and the loss of vision when you stand up to quickly. Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and PoTS quite commonly can be found together but the combination of their symptoms can be misleading. After completing the tests of the last feed days I've also found as you suspected that you have Skin Dermagraphia. That is as you expected what is causing the rashes and skin irritation." Dr Hope explained,
As she did Meredith felt tears begin to build in her eyes,
"Oh please Meredith's it's ok it's not a negative thing now we have answers we can start to get you help." Dr Hope explained trying to stop Meredith from crying.
"No no, I know these aren't tears of sadness they are tears of relief, I finally have a diagnosis, I'm not insane or a hypochondriac. I haven't been making it up all these years there are physiological reasons within my body. For years I've been told I'm soft or a whimp or week I've had doctors tell me it's psychological but it's not, thank you Dr Hope thank you" Meredith said pulling Dr Hope into a hug,
"I can't believe it," Meredith said smiling
"I'm glad you finally got a diagnosis, Dr Grey," Dr Hope said smiling. "I have something's to explain now and what the next steps are going forward but I was wondering when you were being picked up?" Dr Hope asked
"Um..12 but I can change it why? Is everything ok?" Meredith asked now concerned,
"Yes everything is perfectly fine, I just.. Dr Grey my specialty now is chronic conditions however before that I did a fellowship in psychology, and over the time I've spend you with, I feel as if you may benefit with being assessed for ADHD." Dr Hope explained hoping she wasn't overstepping.
"You think I have ADHD?" Meredith asked, her voice full of curiosity
"I suspect but it's been a while since I did my psychology fellowship," Dr Hope explained,
"Ok, yeah I can ask my boyfriend to pick me up later, what time?" Meredith asked, pleased to possibly be getting more answers.
"I'm not sure yet, I'll get in contact with one of our psychologists and let you know." Dr Hope answered,
"Ok thank you so much," Meredith explained, relieved, she hadn't realised how much relief could come from a diagnosis.

Authors Note

Thank you so much for reading this chapter
Really hope you enjoyed.
I want to say if anything I have written is misleading or inaccurate to any of the diagnoses I have written about please let me know. Same if any wording it offensive or misleading, I will change it immediately if it is.

Please comment ideas and suggestions I love to hear from you.