Doctors Orders

what just happened?

Logan

"Ow!"

"Sorry Thomas," I grab a sling from the table and put his arm into it, "I warned you it was going to hurt"

"Yeah, I know, but it has never hurt this bad before."

"You say that every time," I chuckle as a Velcro the sling into place, "maybe if you stopped dislocating your shoulder in hockey, it wouldn't hurt as bad."

Thomas Walsh as been a patient of mine for a while.  He comes in every so often with something broken or dislocated from hockey or any of his other sports.  I may be head of ortho, but I always make time for Thomas.

"Thomas, you are going have stay in the sling and away from sports for around 9 weeks."

"What! That's 6 more weeks than last time!"

"Sorry Tom.  Your dislocation was pretty bad this time.  Just be lucky you didn't break it."

I stand up from sitting in the chair and turn to Thomas's parents.

"So Thomas has to stay in the sling and away from sports for the whole 9 weeks.  If he doesn't, the dislocation could get worse and could lead to surgery. And that is not what we want.  Right?"

I turn to Thomas and smile.

"Right."

"Well, thank you Dr. Henderson for your time," Mrs. Walsh says.

"No problem, just try to keep Thomas out of trouble for me."

I help Thomas up and lead them to the check out counter.  After they get to the desk, I leave them and check my phone.

10:56 P.M

I'm off at 11, so I look around the bay.  Pretty much empty.  I check the OR board.  Nothing for orthopedics. I then make my way to an on-call room.  I checked and I am on-call tonight, but I was planning on staying anyway. For her. For Vanessa.

I don't know why, but just looking at her I feel happy.  I look at her I just want to keep her, in a non-creepy and stalkerish way, and protect her.

God what is happening to me. I need to go get laid.

I knock and open the on-call room. Thankfully a bottom bunk is open and I crash right into the bed.  I then check my phone and set a silent alarm.  Then, I fall asleep the quiet sound of the air conditioner fan and the thought of surgery and Vanessa.

• • •

buzz buzz buzz

My eyes open and I pick up my phone.  The bright light blinds me as I turn off the alarm and check my messages.

After checking and responding to my messages, I sit up and check the time on my watch.

8:30 A.M

Great.  I have 30 minutes before the interns get off and I can help Vanessa.

I lift myself out the bed and head to the door.  I then make my way to the OR board.  Once I get there, I pick the marker up and look over the board.

Lumber spinal fusion at 10:00 A.M.  Works for me.

I write my name down and put the marker down.  After looking over the board one more time, I step back and make my way to the attendings lounge.