Where Snapdragons Lie

Drip Drama

It was time for another scheduled infusion. I sauntered into the lobby of the hospital with my usual bag of stuff in tow. I brought my laptop with me this time, so I could get a little more work done. I had to write a formal report to Chief and the Superintended regarding the near theft, of what was confirmed to be blood, last week. I had my phone on, and the ringer volume turned up. Normally the nurses ask we keep phone conversations to a minimum, but there was too much shit I was tied up with now to miss on any updates. When I explained it to today nurses, they understood. But sadly for me, the long island hair queen nurse Ladonna was on duty. As far as rude, passive aggressive, nurses go she would win the gold metal. Literally, everyone and their proxy disliked her. I once saw a cancer patient go into anafalactic shock because she insisted the patients "shortness of breath" was in her head. For some reason, she still works here. 

"Miss Wallace," She sneered as the other nurses rolled their eyes. 

"Private Wallace, " I corrected. Just to annoy her. I don't really care much for titles, but messing with her was way too fun. 

"You really don't get special treatment. Keep your phone on silent like everyone else."

"Well, Nurse Ladonna, I'm afraid the matter of my work concerns Latter Day hospital. So its urgent that I keep my phone on and with me," I replied back. The head nurse agreed, as did all the others. Take that bitch!

I checked in and was taken to a room right away. I sat on the exam table and put my tote on the chair next to it. Its standard procedure to get a quick physical before an infusion. Doctor Bleeker came in right on time.

"Good morning Madgalena, how are you feeling today?" She asked cheerful as ever. 

"Hey Doc, I'm fine. Nothing new."

"Excellent, let me just take a quick look at you shoulder."

I buttoned off my shirt and showed her my bullet scar. She examined it and gave a few acknowledging grunts and sighs. She stuck a thermometer in my mouth. Then came the stethoscopes cold hard press on my back. I inhaled and exhaled deeply. Did the same thing for my chest as well. She put the whatever-scope in my ear. I hate the feeling of it. The way it made all the echos in my ears sound amplified bothers me. Then came the blinding eye-light-thing. I fucking hate that thing! I moved to the side and scrunched all the exam paper with me. 

"Alright Magdalena, I know you dislike this but I still need to check your eyes," She said understandingly, "Just take a deep breath and hold still."

"Sure thing Doc," I said straitening my spine and pushing out my chest. I call this my 'masculine pose' not because it makes me feel strong or confident but because I need to prepare myself for some intense discomfort. I hold my breath and force my eyes open. I look at the signed picture of Valero Donnovan (The guy who played Marshall in Love Never Dies the musical) while she shines the light. I hiss and press my lips into a thin line until shes done. But then she did it again! Shit. I cant hold this much longer. She shines it longer than usual. Dammit. She puts it down, and I force out all the air in my lungs.

"Okay, that's interesting," She says writing on her folder, "Your pupils are dilating slower than normal. Have your noticed any increase in your light sensitivity?"

"Yeah, I was out a few nights ago and even at dusk I was feeling a little bothered."

She closed her folder, "Its nothing too significant. But let's keep track of it. Pay attention to any changes and let me know next time. Otherwise, I believe you're good to get infused."

I button my shirt back on and hop down from the table. I thanked her on my way out and went straight to a chair in the infusion ward. The nurse scanned my wristband and and stuck the needle in my arm. Ouch. I'm used to the feeling but it still hurts. She left me to get my drip bag. I pulled out my laptop and turned it on while I waited. The young girl sitting next to me tho, caught my attention. She could not sit still. Her legs were bouncing, her fingers tapping, her eyes shifting. Clearly someone has got the jitters.