The Man In Bed Three...

TMIBT...2

MRS. WALKER sat still, just sipping at her ice water. She was still in shock.

"So, your husband is due for theatre in half an hour. I'll be his surgeon, so he's in good hands," I said, trying not to let myself sound too cocky.

"Can I watch?" She said.

"You can," I began, "but in your present condition, for your sake and the sake of the baby, I'd rather you not." She pondered for a minute and then nodded.

"Yes, I understand."

I stood and picked up my coat. "When it's over I'll have an nurse come and fetch you, and take you down to the O.T. When I come out I can tell you straight away how your husband is, would you like that?" She nodded.

"Yes, yes please." I could tell she was on the brink of crying. A tear slipped down her cheek. "Oh look at me," she said wiping away the tears. "It's just a standard, minor procedure, you said so. Nothing to get all wound up about."

"No, I understand. I've had relatives in here before, all of them acted the same way as your acting now. It's perfectly normal to be upset or worried."

Mrs. Walker looked up at me and smiled. "Thank you."

________________________

I let the water run down the drain. I looked through the screen. Mr. Walker lay still, the apparatus breathing for him. I sighed. Another theatre session over. He was going to be okay. I removed my hat and stared at my front. The once green scrubs were now red. I was going to go see Mrs. Walker straight after theatre, but I couldn't now, not looking like this. I walked into the locker room. I was the only woman on the surgical team for Mr. Walker so I had the room to myself. I pulled my scrubs off.  Straight into the shoot with them. I went to my locker and pulled out my jeans and black top. Put them on, then on with my doctor's coat. I pulled my hair auburn out of the pony tail I had and let in drop over my shoulders. I sighed again, grabbed Mr. Walker's chart and headed to the door. Here goes.

 

Mrs. Walker was sitting bent over, hands clasped on her lap. I cleared my throat. She looked up. Her eyes shone hope. I nodded. She relaxed greatly.

"He's going to be just fine. He lost a lot of blood due to the positioning of the foreign body we found in his side. He needs a donation. It says on his chart he's type AB positive is that right?" Mrs. Walker looked at me. She nodded.

"Can I help? I'm AB positive too. I've donated before since it's such a rare blood type. That's actually how we met, we were both at the donation clinic." Mrs. Walker rolled up her sleeve. I shook my hands.

"Goodness no, you're pregnant, we couldn't do anything the harm the health of the foetus." I smiled, just to let her know that everything was going to be alright. "We have plenty of blood donations that we can use, however as your husband is sedated, we need you to sign this form for him. It's permission to use donated blood." I handed her the form from the chart and a pen. She took it, read over it and then signed it. "Thanks," I said, slipping it back into the clip.

"Thank you, for all your doing, Doctor Hardford." I nodded, acknowledging .

"Please, call me Naomi." Mrs. Walker smiled.

"Then call me Catherine." I put my hand on her shoulder.

Mrs. Walker, no, Catherine, was silent for a moment. She flicked her blond hair out of her eyes and let out a long sigh. I took the seat next to her. The ward was silent. Catherine put her hand on her stomach again. Then her expression changed to one of discomfort.

"Are you alright," I asked straightening up.

"Yes, sorry I'm fine. I'm feeling a little off. John insisted on making scrambled eggs this morning for me even though he had to get to work. He must have underdone the eggs. He just had to get to the train station..." And at that she was quiet. I took my hand away and got up. I walked round to face her and dropped down. I took her hand.

"Catherine look at me." She looked up. "I want you to know, anything I can do to help, anything I can say, just ask."

"I-I-I'd like to know that-" suddenly Catherine bent over moaning.

"Catherine? Are you sure you just feel sick." She looked up, her face drained of colour. I started to get worried. If this was going where I thought it was...

"I thought I was. It started a while ago, I'm sure it's just the eggs- AH!" Catherine let go of my hand and put both hands on her stomach. I knew what was happening, I've seen it too many times not to know. I sat up. Moved my hand to her stomach. She understood and moved her hands away. I applied a small amount of pressure to her abdomen. I looked up, swallowed hard.

"I can feel the baby's head in the anterior position. Catherine, you're going into labour. " She looked at me wide eyed.

"No, no that's not possible. I told you, he's not due for another three months."

"No it's possible Catherine. Early Labour, brought on by the stress of what's happened. Get ready Catherine, you're about to become a mother." I got up, but she grabbed my hand.

"Please don't go, I'm scared." I smiled reassuringly.

"It's okay, I'm only going to the phone, see it's right here." I picked up the phone from the wall and pressed the speed dial button for the maternity ward.

"Hello," Answered a very nasal sharp voice.

"Good Morning," I said, starting polite. "This is Doctor Naomi Hardford speaking. I'm down in the O.T, east block. There's a woman down here with me, she's gone into early labour, she needs to be taken straight to a delivery room." There was a slight pause. I turned to Catherine. She wasn't in pain, but I didn't know when the next contraction was coming.

"Right away Doctor Hardford. We'll send someone strate down." I put the phone down and went back to Catherine.

"They'll be here soon. I hope you've got a name ready."