LIFE OR DEATH
"People think you're special when you have a talent or skills that they don't have. But believe me, we are all unique, in our own way..."
- Author
Louise saw someone waving at her from afar, holding a bouquet of flowers and a box of gifts.
"This man never fails to surprise me."
Louise whispered and smiled. The man walks toward her and smiled back. He has a perfect smile, a gentle eyes, looking so handsome wearing a simple white polo, under knee shorts, and Vans shoes.
"Hey, so how's the event?"
She gave the flowers and a box of gifts.
"Thank you. Hmmm, nothing special. What brings you here?"
"Well, I'm here to pick you up and bring you home. Your dad asked me to do so."
"Ohhh I thought you're doing this to impress me"
Louise whispered.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing. Anyway, how's NIH? Not being there for 2 days makes me feel homesick already. *laughs*"
"We're all doing great, actually there's a patient waiting for you to check her medical status. I told her to just go back tomorrow when you get back to work."
"Okay cool, Dr. Steve. Let's go home, I'm really effing tired with this thing..."
Louise said as she pointed her 6 inches heels.
"Alright, Ma'am. Commended."
Steve saluted, he opens the car door for Louise and drove.
Dr. Steve Lee, Endocrinologists (experts on hormones and metabolism. They can treat conditions like diabetes, thyroid problems, infertility, and calcium and bone disorders.) Lately, look he mastered Psychiatrists (work with people with mental, emotional, or addictive disorders. They can diagnose and treat depression, schizophrenia, substance abuse, anxiety disorders, and sexual and gender identity issues.)
He finished his masters at Harvard, he's with Louise since 1st-year college but Louise graduated in advance because she excelled. He's a best friend to Louise, but also he secretly admires her (he wasn't actually saying he's courting her but, that's what he was obviously doing.)
Known as handsome, quick-witted, trustworthy, and intelligent. One of the best Doctors in NIH. Also with the help of him other than Louise, he cleared the name of NIH as the worst hospital as he successfully operated on the daughter of a senator with a bone fracture because of an accident.
*kring~kring!!*
"Hey, dad! What's up?"
"Did Dr. Steve do what I commanded him?"
"Yeah. You don't need to ask him to do that. He has a lot of things to do. Besides, i can drive on my own."
"I know, but he didn't refuse so, I think he wants to do it either."
Louise looked at Steve who's focus on driving. He tilted her head and smiled.
"I think so... Anyway dad, you told me earlier that you want to move to Boston right?"
"Yup, kinda. Your stepmom wants to. But I don't think we can because we have to start over again and save more money to rent."
"No need dad. I'll text you the details later. I won the award at "The Doctorscope" event, with a condo unit in Boston. I don't need that because I'm fully paid to my apartment."
"What the heck are you freaking serious Louise?!"
"I have to go, dad, bye!"
"Hey wait~"
Louise hangs up the phone, leaving his dad confused and shocked. Steve stopped the car in the middle of his driving. He was confused too by the things he heard earlier.
"What the hell are you doing Dr. Steve?"
Cars behind them starting to make a fuss and getting angry about the traffic they are causing.
"I asked you earlier what happened at the event and told me "nothing special", how will you supposed to explain what I heard just now?"
Louise blinked her eyes, she was frozen while Steve was talking for the whole time.
"What Louise Martin? Am I not getting any answer from you?"
"HEY! CAN YOU MOVE YOUR WAY OUT! GET OFF ON THE CAR!" - An angry guy just came out to his car and trying to knock on their window.
"Okay!! I'll tell you but please move the car first! We're getting into trouble!"
Louise said as she's trying to ease the tension.
"You will get into trouble if you don't tell me the whole story!"
"WHAT THE FUCK STEVE LEE JUST MOVE THE CAR OR ELSE I'LL PUNCH YOUR FACE RIGHT NOW!"
And yes it worked. Steve drives the car as nothing happens. Silence at its best. They were best friends since college, one of the most hated thing when it comes to their friendship is, keeping secrets or hiding something.
"First of all, it wasn't that "special" as I said to you earlier."
"Then what about the condo unit thingy..."
"I won an award earlier, with that condo unit in Boston worth $25 Million."
Steve accidentally pulled the break
"GOD! STEVE! DO YOU WANT US TO DIE?! Can you please pull over on that side first because if we're going to die I don't want Dr. Harold to make any surgery to me for Pete sake."
Steve pulled over on the side of the highway and starting to make the confrontation with Louise. They never used this for the past 6 years.
"Why do you look so, fine and relaxed, while telling me those things?!"
"Because it's not that special! How do you want me to react? Like "OMG YOU KNOW WHAT DR. STEVE I WON THIS FUCKING AWARD EARLIER WITH A FUCKING CONDO UNIT AND AN EXTRA FUCKING WORLD EXPOSURE"?! Do you want me to say it like that?"
"Like hell Dr. Louise, don't be so overreacting. I'm just confused about why are you so relaxed while everyone who'll get that will be, excited! Proud! Something like that!"
"You know me, Dr. Steve, I don't have much time to be overjoyed or what. Deep inside of me was happy. But a part of me saying I don't deserve it. You know, it's really complicated."
Louise sighed. Yeah, she thought maybe Dr. Harold was right. She doesn't deserve it because she has this kind of ability, making her remember everything she saw. It was unfair to other doctors who did their very best, unlike her who just, well, remembering, everything...
"So what award did you won to get that freaking condo unit?"
"It was the "Doctor of the year" of "The Doctorscope". It wasn't special so..."
"HELL WHAT?! IS THAT THE AWARD THAT MOST OF US DOCTORS WANT TO WON?!"
"Hmmm yeah, I think so..."
"You're really something Dr. Louise. Might as well we have to celebrate before we go home."
"Alright then. Your treat?"
Steve nodded and started to drive again to the nearest restaurant. That's how they ended their misunderstanding.
-
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Louise got home by past 11:00 PM, 3 hours of driving is not easy for Steve but yeah, he'll do everything for her best friend. She took a shower and ready herself to sleep, she's pretty tired so she needs to rest.
Louise received an email on her phone, containing the possible questions to answer on her upcoming interview with TIME Magazine. No date was assigned so it possible that it will happen any day. She reads it briefly and tilted her head.
"Are they sure they'll just write a 3 pages article about me with these questionnaires or they'll be writing a whole book of autobiography about me..."
She murmured. A minute after, she received another email from Steve.
≥≥≥≥≥≥≥≥≥≥≥≥≥≥≥≥≥
EMAIL:
FROM: Steve Lee
TO: Louise Martin
"So I assume you're getting some rest right now, but please take time to read this. Here's the file with your patient's medical record. I know it's a bit annoying that I sent you this but, try to read this so you can be prepared for her tomorrow's consultation. It's complicated but, I hope you can check out on her. She needs help.
Your superman,
Steve
*Attached Document File*
≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤≤
She reads the medical records and... Yes, Steve was right. The patient's situation is too complicated. The patient is 8 months and 2 weeks pregnant but her doctor recommended she take consultation with a Cardiologist like Louise before giving birth in 2 weeks. By reading her medical record, it seems incomplete and something wrong with it.
"If she has a heart problem during pregnancy, why are they recommending her to me now when the baby was already 8 months old on her tummy."
She notices that the medical record of the patient seems made by a thoughtless, heedless mind, seems so prevaricated. Well, maybe she really needs this patient tomorrow. It's her bad to judge the OB-GYN before checking out on the patient.
She doesn't want to think about it for now so she finally turned off her phone and sleep.
-----------------------
Louise arrived at exactly 9:00 AM at NIH, surprised by her congratulatory tarpaulin, posters, and flowers in front of the hospital.
She gets shy while walking on the entrance. I hate this attention she thought. Her Co-doctors, nurses, and staff giving her a warm welcome and congratulations. She hopes it'll end soon.
Dr. Harold who must be the first person to congratulate her for giving another honor to the hospital just passed by and gave her a smirk. Bitterness all over her veins.
"Congratulations Dr. Martin!"
"You really deserve the award!"
"You're really amazing Dr. Martin, that's why I really Idolize you!"
Said by some staff. Louise just smiled and continue to walk on the way to her office. She unlocked the door and put her stuff on her desk.
"Those fake compliments really annoyed me."
She whispered.
She remembers the time where her office comfort room toilet was clogged, so she needed to go to the staff office comfort room, and she heard those people who were the ones exactly complimenting her at the entrance.
"You met Dr. Martin right?"
"Ah yeah, the all-knowing doctor?"
"Exactly, she was like "I remember this. I know that. I can do it on my own" like hell, I don't think she deserved to be a doctor. She must be a lawyer or something"
"I know right. The last time I asked something, she answered me like she was a walking Wikipedia. I also hate her attitude and her personality. She's acting like a goddess."
That two staff didn't know that Louise was in the cubicle. And she hears everything. That's why she isolated herself, and she doesn't want to be close to the other staff except for Steve.
Louise sat on her chair, she organized some papers on her desk, and minutes after she started to write a diagnosis of her patients
Steve came with a silly smile on his face.
"Hey Doctor of the year, how's your sleep? And do you like the hospital's surprise for you?"
"First of all, stop calling me like that. Second, I've never liked such things. You know me, I don't wanna hear some fake, sugar-coated words. They can't flatter me"
"Woah Woah, chill Dr. Martin. Don't worry, it won't last. By the way, have you read the email I sent to you last night?"
Louise looked at him on the eye and stopped writing.
"Do you know exactly what I'm thinking?"
Steve thinks he knows what it is all about.
"Hmmm yeah, kinda. I think it's too complicated. There's something wrong with her medical records. Obviously, her OB-GYN didn't write something on her records, it's incomplete."
"Yes. You got the point. And now, the doctor was trying to send her to the other doctor like she doesn't want to face the problem of her patient."
"So, what's your plan?"
"For now, I need to see and talk to the patient first..."
She called her medical secretary, Alex, and asked if she can make an appointment today by 11:00 AM for this patient.
"Yes Dr. Martin, I'll call her right away."
"Okay, thanks, Alex."
Louise exhales deeply. She hopes everything on that patient is fine.
"Let me know what's her problem okay?"
"Yeah sure."
"And, let's lunch together."
"As always Dr. Steve"
Steve smiled and walks out.
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Time goes by, Louise finished the job she needs to work on when finally someone knocked on the door of her office.
"Come in"
An average of 28 years old pregnant woman came in.
"You must be..."
"Yes, I'm Bea. I visited you here last time but your secretary said you're not here so I just gave her my medical record, hoping that you may check on me."
"Oh, please sit down. I just read your record last night and I have some questions regards to your situation. May I ask why Dr. Shane, your OB-GYNE sends you to a Cardiologist?"
"Actually Dr. Martin, I didn't know too. For the past few months, I keep on telling her every time we have a check-up that I feel so much pain in my chest. And I also have high blood pressure. It started during my second-month pregnancy"
"Do you have any other pain from your body?"
"Sometimes I'm feeling shortness of breathing, vaginal spotting, and bleeding on my pregnancy."
Louise started to think about something about this. She stood up and checked on the patient's skin.
"You also have Rashes with a lacy, net-like pattern."
"Ah yeah, Dr. Shane said it's just normal and a symptom of my pregnancy."
"How about your legs, do you feel any pain?"
"Yes. I felt pain, swelling, redness, or tenderness in my legs."
"Did you take any medicine during your pregnancy?"
"Yes, because of my high blood pressure, Dr. Shane gave me medicine for it. Hydralazine for high blood pressure, and the heart rhythm-regulating medication Quinidine. I'm continuing to take it for the past 5 months to maintain my normal blood pressure..."
Louise go back to her chair and sat down.
"Is there any problem Dr. Martin?"
Louise looks at her trying to feel at ease. This can't be real.
"To tell you the truth Ms. Bea, as I can see and hear about your situation, you have Antiphospholipid (AN-te-fos-fo-LIP-id) syndrome. This occurs when your immune system attacks some of the normal proteins in your blood. It can cause blood clots in your arteries or veins. And it can cause pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage and stillbirth. Blood clots in your leg veins cause a condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Damage from blood clots in your organs, such as your kidneys, lungs, or brain, depends on the extent and location of the clot. For instance, a clot in your brain can cause a stroke."
Bea trying to calm herself down, as tears started to fall from her eyes. Louise felt sorry but, she won't have a choice but, to be honest for the sake of Bea's baby.
"I~is there a~any cure?"
She can barely talk knowing about her illness. Louise doesn't know how to let her know, but she can't do the same mistake as Dr. Shane did as her OB-Gyne.
"There's no cure for antiphospholipid syndrome, but medications can reduce your risk of blood clots."
"How about the medication? Is it expensive?"
"It's pretty expensive, as it'll be your maintenance."
"My baby... I~is my baby safe? Isn't there any risk of giving birth to her?"
The question that pound Louise's heart.
"Giving birth can risk you to high blood pressure and could lead to a stroke. As I never experience like this before, I heard that in most cases, we have to choose between a new life or a mother's life."
"What do you mean Dr. Martin?"
"It means, we have to choose between you or the life of your baby..."
End of Chapter Two.