The Paramedic's Brother-In-Law

Chapter Six

Meghan was awakened every 2 hours through the night for neuro checks. It was after 8 am that she finally woke for good, feeling stiff and sore. She could hear Mitch on the phone outside her door and motioned him in when he knocked.

“Just a moment, Kelsey, she’s awake.” Mitch pulled the phone away from his ear. "Good morning, Meghan! I’ve got Kelsey on the phone. She’s running errands and wanted to know what you wanted her to bring from your apartment.” He handed the phone to Meghan.

“Hi, sis… yeah, that’d be great. Undies, maybe a few skirts, and some comfy tops. Oh, would you grab my big orange project bag and the little one with all the writing on it? Those should be by my easy chair. Also, I think there’s a tote bag in the same area with a few journals in it. Always trying to play catch-up on those. And please don’t forget the prunes… ha, ha, sis. Yeah, okay. I’ll tell him. Bye!” Meghan hung up and handed the phone back to Mitch.

“Kelsey said to tell you she’s already dropped samples at the lab. She’s swinging by my place to get stuff, then is heading to the supermarket before heading home.”

“Cool. So how are you feeling, Meghan?” Mitch asked, dropping into the chair he’d pulled close to her bed.

“Like I got hit by a car. The leg is throbbing in time with my headache.” Meghan winced.

Mitch nodded gravely. “I’ll get you something for that in just a moment. Let me do a neuro check first.” He had her follow his finger with his eyes, checked her grips, and made sure she was oriented. “I’m going to go get some meds. Be right back.” He left the room and headed to the exam room. He drew up morphine and Zofran in syringes, and, grabbing some alcohol prep pads, headed back to Meghan’s bedside. He administered the meds through the new IV port and disposed of the supplies.

“Better?”

Meghan sighed. “Yes, much, thanks.” She shifted in the bed.

Mitch punched the button that raised the head of the bed. Meghan smiled in thanks. “So, ah, Dr. Mitch, I just wanted to say thanks again for taking care of me yesterday. I appreciate it, I really do.”

“It’s just Mitch, Meghan. No need to hide behind formality. And you are most welcome. Do you need anything right now? I think Kelsey was going to fix a late breakfast when she got back. I know she was going for some eggs since we just ran out.”

“I’m not that hungry, but I’ll try some toast when she gets home.”

“Sure thing. Hey, could I ask a question?” Mitch leaned forward.

Meghan nodded. “Ask away.”

“What is the deal with the prunes?”

“Mom always gave them to us when we were growing up if we were having trouble using the bathroom or needing to take narcotics. They work as well as laxatives,” Meghan replied.

Mitch peered at her. “Are you having issues with constipation?”

Meghan shook her head quickly. “No, no issues! But y’all have me on strong painkillers, so I want to do what I can to prevent getting backed up. Pre-emptive strike and all that.” She felt like her cheeks were flaming, having this conversation with her brother-in-law!

Mitch noticed her blush and decided not to push further. “Sounds like a good plan. But if you have any issues…”

“I know where to find you. I’m good, Dr. Mitch.”

He chuckled. “Now I just need to figure out how to get you past the formalities.”

“Let’s just say that I haven’t quite figured out how to move past the working relationship to the family one yet.”

Mitch patted her arm and chuckled. “Well, we’ll work on that. What would you prefer? Staying in here for a while, or going to the couch in the family room? We could prop your leg up on some pillows.”

“I think I’ll stay here until Kelsey comes back with some clothes. I feel a little under-dressed at the moment.”

“Okay, Meghan.” Mitch rose, pushing the chair back. “I’ll be down the hall in my office if you need anything.”

Meghan nodded, and Mitch left, closing the door partway.

**********

Mitch entered his office but left the door open in case Meghan called for him. He opened his charting software and started a new chart for his sister-in-law. He and Kelsey had been making notes on paper yesterday and overnight, but it needed to make its way to the electronic database.

The last 24 hours had been a whirlwind for all three, and Mitch knew that this was just the start: treating Meghan in the ER, bringing her home, the exam, and finding that cyst was just the start. His mind ticked off what was probably going to happen. Meghan would be having surgery for her leg in two days, and would probably be off work for at least 6 weeks while it healed. And then there was the issue that he suspected was an ovarian cyst…

Mitch picked up his office phone and dialed the hospital’s Radiology department. He put in orders for a transvaginal ultrasound and then contacted the scheduler to make the appointment. He wasn’t thrilled with having to wait over a week for the procedure to be done, but at least it was scheduled.

Mitch moved on to other patients and general office work when he heard the car pull up in the garage and turn off. Shutting off the computer, he went to meet his wife in the kitchen. He bent down to kiss her. “Hey, hon.”

“Hey yourself! Is Meghan still awake, or did she fall asleep again?” Kelsey opened the fridge to put away the groceries she had bought.

“I checked on her about an hour ago, and she was awake but in pain. I gave her some more meds, so she might be out.” Mitch grabbed a box destined for his office.

“I got clothes and stuff for her.” Kelsey hoisted a duffle bag. “I’m sure she’d feel more comfortable in her own clothes, rather than a hospital gown.” She started down the hall towards the bedroom.

Meghan was indeed asleep, although the sound of Kelsey at the door woke her. “Hey, sis. Is that for me?” she asked, pointing towards the duffle bag.

“Sure thing, kiddo. Let’s get you cleaned up and feeling more presentable. Want me to help you with a sponge bath?” Kelsey was pulling out clothes and placing them in a small wardrobe in the room.

“Yeah, I think I’ll need a little help. Plus something not as revealing as this gown would be much appreciated!” Meghan scooted closer to the edge of the bed. “Help me up, Kelsey? I need to visit the bathroom.”

Kelsey helped her sister up and situated on the crutches, but after gaining her footing, Meghan waved her off. “If I need you, I’ll holler.”

“Wait just a second, sis, and I’ll put your toothbrush, paste, and hairbrush in there for you. There should be a washcloth and hand towel already in the bathroom.” Kelsey skirted by her sister and deposited the toiletries, checking quickly for the linens. She exited, holding the door for her sister. “I’ll be in the exam room getting ready for that sponge bath if you need me. The opposite door there leads into the exam room.” Meghan nodded and closed the door behind her.

Kelsey busied herself getting washcloths, towels, and a basin of warm water plus a bar of soap. She put these on a stand and wheeled it into the bedroom as Meghan hobbled out of the bathroom. Kelsey saw that she had brushed her hair and worked it up into a ponytail. Meghan sat down on the edge of the bed and handed the crutches back to Kelsey, who leaned them within reach against the wall.

Shutting the bedroom door, Kelsey helped Meghan out of the hospital gown and assisted her with a bed bath, letting Meghan do most of it and helping just with her back and her feet. Kelsey knew her sister had a fierce independent streak, and she wasn’t going to step on her toes any more than was necessary.

Kelsey helped her sister get dressed. “There! Now you’re presentable. Feel better?”

Meghan nodded. “Definitely, although I think I could fall back asleep now.”

Kelsey laughed. “I never thought taking a bath could wear me out until I had my gallbladder surgery, so I know what you mean.” Kelsey took the basin of water into the bathroom and dumped it. “I think you should come with me to the rest of the house. I’ll fix us a little breakfast, and then get you settled on a couch for a while. I grabbed your knitting.”

“I’m not really hungry, but I’ll try to down something. And I would like to spend some time out of this room while I’m here.” Meghan accepted her crutches from Kelsey, and carefully hobbled down the hallway to the kitchen. Mitch was already there, setting up the coffeemaker.

“Glad to be wearing real clothes?” he teased.

Meghan ducked and nodded. “Yeah, feel more like a human now.”

“I’ll bet. Want some coffee?”

“Sure. I’d love a cup.” Meghan, who hadn’t had much of an appetite before, was suddenly dying for a cup.

“Let’s get you settled on the couch, and I’ll bring it to you. How do you take it?” Mitch got her settled comfortably on a couch in the family room that extended from the kitchen in the open-concept house.

“Thanks, Dr. Mitch. Cream, one sugar for me, please.” Meghan shifted a bit on the couch to get more comfortable.

“Coming right up. And it’s Mitch.” He headed back to the kitchen to see what Kelsey was making since the coffeepot was still sputtering.

“What’s on the menu, hon?” Mitch slipped behind his wife, brushed aside her ponytail, and kissed her neck.

“Mmm!” She reached up a hand to caress his cheek and let go. “I thought I’d make scrambled eggs and some toast.”

Hearing that the coffeepot had ceased its grumblings, Mitch left his wife to her cooking and poured them all a cup. He doctored the coffees and set about serving everyone their brew.

Meghan took hers with both hands. She brought it up to her nose, took an appreciative sniff, and tasted it. “Ah, sweet elixir of life!”

Kelsey and Mitch burst out laughing. “Should we leave you alone with your coffee, there, Meghan?” Mitch asked between chuckles.

“Mitch, has no one ever told you not to stand between a paramedic and her coffee? We live on it at the station.”

He held up his hands in surrender. “Far be it from me to keep you from your coffee. Let me know if you need a refill.” He turned to Kelsey. “You forgot to warn me about that.”

“Sorry, Doctor, but there’s no medical test for caffeine deficiency.” Kelsey smirked, then returned to her skillet of scrambled eggs. She finished buttering toast and plated up generous portions for herself and Mitch. “Meghan, do you want eggs and toast?”

Meghan looked at her indecisively. “Let’s stick with toast and see how that goes first.”

Kelsey added a couple pieces of toast to a plate and carried it to the breakfast nook table. Mitch followed her with their plates. Kelsey then rummaged in the fridge and pulled out jam and apple butter. She set them on the table as Mitch helped Meghan up from the couch and over to the nook.

“Oh, you have apple butter!” Meghan exclaimed. “I need to get some more. I ran out last week.”

“I thought you’d like some for your toast. I might have a spare jar I can send home with you, or else I’ll get some more when I’m at the farmer’s market. I found a good lady who makes the best!”

They ate breakfast in peaceful company. Meghan managed a couple pieces of toast and a couple bites of eggs, but it was apparent that her appetite was lacking.

They settled her back on the couch after breakfast and covered her with a blanket. Within a few minutes, she was sound asleep.

Kelsey, with a glance at her sister’s sleeping form, asked her husband, “What do we need to do for her today? Let her rest and keep her comfortable?”

Mitch nodded. “Yes. Her surgery for that leg is in two days, so it’s mainly letting her rest, keeping her off the leg, and keeping her comfortable.”

“Did you call about that ultrasound?”

“Yes, although they aren’t able to get her in until Friday next week. By the way, do you have a recommendation of who I should refer her to if that cyst is as big as I think it is?”

Kelsey thought for a moment. “Well, normally I’d suggest Stan Horwitz, but he’s had to cut back a lot on hours while he cares for his wife. She was diagnosed with breast cancer last week. So he’s out.” She carried her coffee cup over to the pot and poured another cup. “He’s still a resident, but I’d highly recommend Kevin Meyers. He’s in his last few months of residency and is brilliant. He’d be the one I’d go to if it were me.”

**********

The rest of the day was uneventful. Meghan slept, knit, watched TV, and generally just camped out on the couch in the living room. That evening, Mitch helped her back to her bed and bid her goodnight. Kelsey disappeared for a moment, then returned with a few supplies.

“Mitch wanted me to get vitals on you before we go to bed.” Kelsey wrapped a blood pressure cuff around Meghan’s arm and slipped a pulse ox on her finger. She took the blood pressure and noted the readings on the pulse ox. “Blood pressure 124/76, pulse 72, O2 99% on room air. Looking good.” She removed the blood pressure cuff. “Now for your temp. Turn over, Meghan.”

“Whoa, sis! Oral works just fine, you know!”

But Kelsey was back in nursing mode. “As I told you last night, rectal temps are the only way we take temps here. C’mon, roll over.”

Meghan wasn’t very happy, but she dutifully rolled over and lifted her hips for Kelsey to slide her pants and underwear down to her mid-thighs. She heard a snap of gloves, and felt Kelsey’s gloved hand part her cheeks, exposing her anus. Kelsey poised a lubricated finger at her sister’s bottom.

“Deep breath in, and out.” Kelsey inserted her finger into her sister’s rectum, gave it a quick lubricating turn, and removed the digit. She slid the temperature probe into her sister’s bottom and waited for it to register.

“You know this is humiliating and awkward, don’t you, sis?” Meghan asked, her voice muffled by the pillow she had her head buried in.

“Believe me, I thought the same thing when Mitch first started taking care of me. He was the one that helped nurse me through the whole gallbladder attack rigmarole. But after a while, it became not quite so bad. You get used to it after a while, is what I’m trying to say.” The machine beeped. She removed the probe and helped pull up Meghan’s underwear. “I dunno, sis. You’ve still got a bit of a low-grade temp.”

“What is it?”

“100.8 degrees. I’m going to go tell Mitch, see what he wants to do. Be right back!” Kelsey left the room with her equipment.

After a few moments, Kelsey returned. “Mitch said it’s probably from your leg and such, but he wanted me to give you some Tylenol.” Kelsey snapped on another glove. “I’m going to pull your undies back down.”

It dawned on Meghan where that Tylenol would be administered. She inwardly groaned but didn’t complain as Kelsey exposed her anus and inserted the suppository, holding her finger in for a moment to let the medicine dissolve. Kelsey pulled Meghan’s underwear back up, and then helped her change for the night.

“Anything you need before I leave?” Meghan shook her head no. “Remember, let us know if anything comes up. We’ll probably check on you once or twice through the night, but no neuro checks! Get some rest.”

Kelsey left the room, and Meghan settled back in the bed, a distinct squishy feeling coming from between her buttocks. I guess there’s one plus for a hospital room – everything is done orally!