58: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)

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The Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) hormone is important in the early stages of pregnancy. It is produced by cells that are surrounding a growing embryo, which eventually forms the placenta. hCG can be detected in your body as early as 1 week after an egg is fertilized, which forms the basis of most over the counter pregnancy tests. hCG also ensures the corpus luteum, a temporary endocrine gland a woman’s body produces after ovulation, continues to produce progesterone during the first trimester of pregnancy.

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"Take the day off tomorrow, Anrie. You look awfully sick." Dr. Pierce told me as we started closing a patient on the table.

"I might accept that offer. I really feel like I'm going to faint soon." My voice was low and my words were almost whispered. Hilong hilo na ako.

"Heather, stay right there!" Dr. Pierce yelled to Heather then winked at me before grabbing my gloved wrists and pushing me away from the table, touching Heather and the other equipment. I groaned in annoyance.

"Are you serious, Amanda?"

"Because you need to rest. I need you to scrub out and now you're unsterile so automatically you're out We're almost done here. You're welcome." Ngiting aso pa siya sa palagay ko, natakpan lang talaga ng surgical mask.

I removed my gloves and gown and went to the nearest sink to wash my hands. Naghanap ako ng mauupuan at nang nakahanap ako ng stool, bigla namang nahagip ng pang-amoy ko ang pamilyar na amoy ng cautery.

The smell of burning flesh made me do a double take. Even worse, it made me hungry and crave for sashimi.  Seeing severed limbs and skin makes me crave for raw fish all of a sudden.

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Nakatungo lang ako at nakapangalumbaba sa study table ni Raven. We've been sleeping in the same room for quite a while now so my room became his make-shift office.

Nang hindi ako mapakali sa posisyon ko sumandal ako at halos dumausdos na sa swivel chair habang at pinaikot ikot ito. I got dizzy because of the motion and ran into the bathroom to empty the contents of my stomach.

Goodbye strawberry cheesecake.

Nasa harapan pa rin ako ng lababo nang datnan ako ng bagong dating na si Raven.

"Ri, are you ok?" He rubbed my back and held my hair. Inabutan niya ako ng isang maliit na tuwalya matapos kong magmumog at maghilamos.

"Seriously, just tell me if you need anything or if you want to go to the hospital right now." Worry showed on his face.

"Rae, I'm fine. In case you forgot, I am a doctor. I know when to seek for treatment." I rolled my eyes and hugged him, tiptoeing to sniff his chest. He always smells so good. "How's work?"

"Boring, as usual. Asshats everywhere, people who think money can buy out even the justice system." He sighed. "You want me to take a day off tomorrow? I've got less workload anyway so I can just call in sick or something. We'll go to the hospital and get you checked." Inakbayan niya na ako habang naglalakad kami papasok sa kwarto namin.

I helped him remove his office suit as he remove his clothes piece by piece, keeping only his boxers on. I handed him his towel before he kissed my cheeks.

Naupo ako sa paanan ng kama habang hinihintay siyang matapos maligo. Sunod sunod lang ang pagbuntong hininga ko.

I was lost in my thoughts when he suddenly knelt in front of me in all his wearing only a white towel on his waist. Kung hindi pa siya pumalakpak ng malakas sa mismong harapan ng mukha ko ay hindi ko siya mapapansin.

The Wicked DoctorTahanan ng mga kuwento. Tumuklas ngayon