Borrowed Time (completed)

13. diagnostics

"...let's get started...after the usual physical exam, you'll have to go to the lab for x-ray...then blood test and blood-oxygen...siya lang ba kasama mo?" Dr. Migs Villa spoke with Rj as soon as they entered the examination room, leaving Meng outside in the lounge.

"Hmm..."

"Sabi ni Sam, he suspects that your vomiting episodes have nothing to do with your arrhythmia. Well, cute nga naman sya." Migs turned his head and looked toward the door. " Honestly, she looks way better than the girls in the hacienda. No offense meant pero seriously, sya pa lang ata ang nakita kong pretty na, charming pa na kakilala mo."

"Tito..." Rj chuckled. Migs, being Ninong Sam's close friend, usually dropped his guard when in front of close people like Rj who he considered as family since he had been Rj's doctor since childhood.

"Anyway, remember the last tests you had four months ago?"

"Opo..."

"You came alone...that was very brave of you..." Migs smiled but instantly turned serious as he continued. "...it may seem that your heart rate readings have reached plateau again but when Sam mentioned about your vomiting, I reviewed your results and saw a slightly raised level. It isn't very significant because it was within the range of your normal rate but it bothered me all the same. If the results of this pre-screening that we're going to do today come in with raised levels, I will recommend catheter ablation." Migs spoke as he began examining Rj.

"I read a little about it when Ninong mentioned it to me..."

"Yes. So what basically happens is that we will insert wires through your veins an destroy the tissues that are causing the problem." Migs paused for a little bit and looked at Rj.

"Will it hurt?" Rj asked as Migs continued with his examination.

"It might be a little uncomfortable but it's bearable. You can be put under general anesthesia so that you'll sleep through the procedure if you're anxious about it..."

"Well..."

"I know. That's why I asked kung may kasama ka today. I know how you are when it comes to needles..."

Rj looked at Migs with wide eyes. He inhaled deeply.

"I understand. But it's not good to panic yet. Kailangan mo pang magpa-x-ray muna. Come back here after your x-ray and we'll continue with the..." Migs said but paused before finishing his sentence. He knew that the mention of 'blood' and 'injections' made Rj uneasy and nervous.

---

"Bakit ang lamig ng kamay mo?" Meng asked as they walked, holding-hands, towards the radiology lab.

"...malamig yung aircon..." Rj responded.

Meng just nodded although deep inside she knew that he was probably nervous.