Behind Closed Doors

15. Blindsided

After an hour of not knowing how to react I somehow get my shit together and clean up all the scans, folding mine so it fits in my pocket and I get out of the conference room with a fake smile on my face

"Doctor Mitchell, I was looking for you. For the Knee replacement later, I wanted to ask what approach you where thinking off for it" Felix asks me

"Total prosthetic, theres no use trying to save more of the joint, so its the best bet" I tell him not even looking at him

"Okay, can I help with prepping the surgery?" He asks me and I look at him confused not realising what he just asked me

"What?" I say

"The preparation for the surgery, do you need help with those?" He asks me

"No, I got it thanks. Take a little break Felix, I'll call you when we're up for surgery" I tell him and walk away holding it together as best as I can, while walking to Neuro

"Josh, could you help me out real quick" I ask him as I see him sat in front of his computer

"Sure, Whats up?" He asks and I give him the MRI scan

"Oh wow, thats a Monster... its not even my birthday yet" he smiles "what do you need?"

"What kind of treatment would you give this patient?" I ask him

"Does he already have symptoms? Migraines, mood swings, tiredness or problems dealing with emotions?" He asks me

"Migraines and tiredness yeah but im not sure about the others" I answer

"Hm do they show neurological problems?"

"No"

"Interesting, you would think a tumour this size would have more impact... a surgery would be their best bet, maybe a chemo to shrink it but maybe just keep an eye on it if the symptoms are bearable, if the tumour doesn't grow they might be just fine" he says

"You want me to take over the case? Seems like my expertise" he says "or at least let me talk to them, so they got someone to talk to"

"Ill just give them your number... how long would you give them? You know without treatment" I ask him

"Oof, depends on how quickly it grows and when more symptoms appear, between 2 and 10 years? When exactly did the migraines start?" He answers

"Eh I think it was like 2 or 3 years ago?" I tell him

"Hmh, maybe more between 2 and 8 years, are you okay? Is this one of your family members?" He asks

"Im okay... I'm just a bit distracted" I respond and he grows suspicious

"I feel like you know all of these questions yourself, you used to brag about being smarter than me"

"No the Brain tumours have been a while, I just wanted to be safe" I respond

"Alright... anything else?" He says giving my back the scan

"No thats all thank you" I respond serious and walk out towards the OR to get everything ready for the first surgery

"You can prep the patient now and bring her up once you're done" I say once Felix picks up his phone

"Alright, just the pre-med and and I.V. Right?"

"Yeah thats right, thank you" I respond and hang up

I walk to the prosthetics and take out the once I saw most fitting when I checked last night to put them in the OR

My phone rings and I see Arthurs name light up on my screen, I start smiling thinking about him but I ignore his call. As im not in the mindset to talk to him right now.