The Paramedic's Brother-In-Law

Chapter Thirteen

Mitch returned 10 minutes later and found Dr. Sanders sitting at the same spot at the nurse’s desk. She looked up to an apple Danish, a cup of coffee, and two syringes being sat down on the counter. She looked at Mitch quizzically. “Okay, I get the Danish and the coffee. What’re those for?”

“That migraine you’re trying to work through, and nausea you’re trying to hide. Imitrex, and Zofran,” Mitch said, indicating each syringe in turn.

Dr. Sanders shook her head gingerly. “I don’t believe you. C’mon.” She rose and led him into an empty patient room and shut the door. “I should yell at you, but I’m more relieved than anything.” She undid the drawstring waist of her scrubs and tugged them and her underwear down enough to expose her left hip.

Mitch swabbed her hip with an alcohol prep pad and administered the injections. He offered a band-aid, which Dr. Sanders refused. “Thanks, Dr. Branston. I’ll let that Zofran kick in before I enjoy the Danish. You didn’t have to, you know.”

Mitch busied himself with disposing of the sharps while she adjusted her clothing, then followed her to the door and back to the nurses’ station. “I know. You might try to find some time for a little bit of rest. I’ve heard that Imitrex can make people fatigued.”

Dr. Sanders nodded. “I’ve not had the IM form of it before, but the pills have knocked me out before. I’ll find a call room soon.” She bent over the papers she had been working on before. She added a couple of signatures and called Julie over. “Here’s the discharge papers for Meghan McCoy. I know Dr. Branston has been over here, trying to hurry me along.” She winked at him. “Julie, when you get a second, Mr. Myers in 402 needs to have….”

Mitch left the desk and headed back to Meghan’s room. He knocked on the door and peeked in. “Are we decent?”

Brian was helping Meghan with a sock and shoe. “Come on in, doc. We’re almost ready to go here.”

“Any idea when the discharge paperwork will be ready?” Meghan asked. She was back in scrubs, and it looked like she’d been able to get her hair brushed and back up into its normal ponytail.

“Actually, they just got signed. It’ll probably be a few more minutes to finish up the formalities, but then you’ll be free to go.”

Meghan smiled and gave a little bounce on the bed. Brian looked up at her, amused, as he finished tying the bow in her sneaker. “Where’s the fire, medic girl?”

She looked at him as he stood. “As great as the service is here, I’d much rather be free to only visit, not be held a captive. Besides, I have a very important person I want to go see.”

Mitch looked at Brian, bemused. “I’m sorry. Do you two know each other?”

Meghan laughed while Brian explained. “I’ve known Meghan for a couple of years. We get ambulance crews in here all the time, usually picking up patients to go back to nursing homes. She’s in here at least twice a week to get someone.”

Mitch nodded. “Ah, I see. I guess I’m so accustomed to seeing the paramedics bringing me someone in the ER, I never thought about them returning the nursing home cases.”

Julie came into the room with some gauze, a roll of tape, and a sheaf of papers. “Well, Miss Meghan, you’re being sprung. I need to get you to sign some papers, and I’ll get that IV out. Then you’re in charge of getting Dr. Branston out of Dr. Sanders’ hair.” She winked again, to let Mitch know she was just teasing. “Actually, Dr. Branston, Dr. Sanders passes along her gratitude. She gets bad migraines sometimes, so I’m glad you were able to help.”

Julie removed Meghan’s IV, pressing a piece of gauze to the site and covering it with a piece of tape. “Okay, Meghan, I need your signature here and here. You’re being sent home with a prescription for Slow Fe, an iron supplement you can get over-the-counter at any pharmacy, and instructions to start taking a multivitamin. Dr. Sanders recommends you follow up with your doctor to monitor vitamin levels. This last page is all the stuff you probably know. If you’re feeling sick, nauseous, or have bad pain, visit the ER. We recommend a follow-up with your personal physician within a week.” Meghan signed the requisite paperwork, and Julie handed Mitch the copies for Meghan to take home. He placed them in the small bag she was taking home.

Meghan stood up from the bed and tucked the crutches under her arms. “Okay, I’m busting out of here. Thanks for the care, Julie. Brian, I’ll see you later.” She headed for the door, followed by Mitch. She made her way down the corridor, stopping by the elevators. She turned to Mitch. “Okay, where are we heading first?”

He chuckled. “Well, as much as I know you want to see Kelsey, I need to stop by the ER and do a bit of paperwork. It’ll only take a few minutes. Do you want to wait in the cafeteria or something?”

Meghan shook her head. “Nah, I’ll go with you. I’m sure there’ll be somebody there with a free moment who’ll want to chat.”

He laughed. “Now, you’re not supposed to be a bad influence on my team.”

She smirked and plastered an innocent look on her face. “Me? I’m never a bad influence, Mitch.” She winked at him as the elevator arrived. They got on, and Mitch pressed the button for the 1st floor.

**********

The ER wasn’t too busy when they arrived. Mitch excused himself to take care of his business. Meghan crutched over to the desk.

“Meghan! Darlin’, what are you doing back here?” Head nurse Bob Campbell rounded the desk and gave her a big hug.

“Oh, Bob, you big teddy bear! Put me down!” Meghan protested, amused. Bob stepped back and ushered her to a chair behind the desk. She sank into it gratefully. She gestured to the crutches. “These things require more work than you’d think.”

Bob nodded. “Yep, glad I’ve never had to use them. So what brings you to the ER? Feeling okay?” He gave her a concerned look.

She held up her hands. “No, I’m fine. In fact, I just busted outta here. Mitch – Dr. Branston – had something he needed to do, so I came to visit until he’s done.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re here unofficially this time.” Bob leaned back in his chair. “We heard about Kelsey. Sorry that y’all are going through this, but I’ve also heard some about the rescue. You got grit, girl!” He punctuated it with a decisive nod.

“You know how it is. You do what you have to do.”

Bob nodded. “So, word is that there may be two new EMT classes passing through here next term,” he said, changing the subject. “Is that true?”

Meghan nodded. “I’ll be teaching one class, and Fred Bellarmine will be teaching another. We’ve had a lot of inquiries this last class, and a growing waiting list, so we decided to do two classes this next term.”

**********

Mitch found Bob and Meghan still chatting when he came back. “Okay, Meghan, I’m done. Bob, has she talked your ear off yet?”

Bob raised an eyebrow. “Not unless you think EMT student rotations are chit chat, doc.”

Mitch raised his hands in silent surrender. “Far be it from me to stick my nose in that conversation.”

Meghan stood and put her crutches back under her arms. “I’ll let you know when I have more definite numbers and we’ll try to start planning clinicals.”

Bob stood as well and gave her another hug. “Girl, you take care of yourself. I don’t want to see you back here unless you’re working… or Dr. Branston brings you back for another visit.” He winked.

Meghan laughed. “I didn’t intend to utilize your services, Bob! But I’ll be back. You still owe me a soda.”

“You come back healthy and on duty, and I’ll pay up.”

“Promises.” Meghan waved goodbye and followed an amused Mitch out of the ER and over to the elevator bank.