Chapter 4 - Susan Has a Problem

Dr. Cummings took a slow deep breath and wiped the moisture off his forehead with the back of his sleeve. He watched Sister Katherine and Susan enter a combination exam room and bathroom from the entrance of the main exam room. He knew that Sister would be busy for a while taking care of Susan’s personal needs before she would be propped up on the proctologist examination table. He raked his fingers through his hair and thought, WHEW, this girl certainly is a pistol. He smiled to himself and thought she’s even more ravishing when she’s mad.

As Susan was undressing behind the screen Sister asked her, “So, what DO you think of our Dr. Ken ?”

“I think HE is an egotistical, pompous ass!” Susan answered angrily. “ Why, he doesn’t even LOOK like a doctor! What does he do in his spare time, model for “Olympus Magazine”?”

“You don’t mean that, Susan!”

“I MOST certainly DO mean it, Sister! Who does he think HE is? He has some nerve talking to me like that! He is no different from his brother!”

“Susan, he ONLY has your welfare in mind. I told you before, he is a compassionate doctor that cares about his patients.”

“Well, I can do without THAT kind of COMPASSION AND CARING!”

“You know Susan many individuals think because he looks like some big handsome ‘hunk’ that he is not capable of being gentle and nurturing. People don’t like to associate those characteristics in regards to a HE MAN. They seldom realize it when they first see and meet him.”

“OH, the POOR dear! I don’t want to hear anymore about how he’s misunderstood or about HIS so called benevolent nature! I JUST want this humiliating situation to be OVER with!”

Sister thought it best to not to press the issue any further. “It will soon be over, Susan. Please don’t fret SO. I will be with you every minute during the exam.” Sister answered soothingly.

Dr. Cummings proceeded to the closet to obtain a few items for Susan to take home with her. In a bag he put in a large bottle of acidophilus tablets, and a canister of colon cleanse with psyllium husk to be mixed with juice and drunk twice a day. He also gave her prescription strength hemorrhoid cream and suppositories. He thought it a good idea to give her sitz bath receptacle along with prescription strength powdered packets to mix in the baths for relief of the hemorrhoids. For good measure he threw in a couple bars of medicated soap to wash around her anal area. He wouldn’t at all mind taking part in helping her with that activity. He ended by placing a type written copy of a diet she should follow and a bottle of herbal stool softener pills.

Fifteen minutes had passed when he thought he heard a loud moaning sound coming from the bathroom adjoining the second exam room. At that moment Sister came out with a troubled look on her face.

“What’s up Sister?” He asked.

“It’s what won’t come down.” She answered. “Susan has a fecal blockage at the opening of her anus. This is worse than a month ago. I don’t dare let her strain any more on the commode because she is bleeding from the hemorrhoids. It’s the opening itself that needs to be cleared first before any nozzle will be able to be successfully inserted .”

“Did you get a blood sample? She could be anemic from those hemorrhoids.”

Sister said, “Yes, it was done first thing along with a urine sample, weight and vital signs.”

“ Let’s try penetrating a small baby nozzle attached to a syringe of warm oil.” he suggested.

“ It won’t work. I just now tried to insert a small enema bulb of warm soapy water with a similar nozzle. The nozzle was not able to enter her anal opening. I’m going to have to go in there and remove fecal matter manually. She’s a nurse and she is fully aware of what’s going to happen and what has to be done.”

“I’m going in there to take a look at her.” He said anxiously as he approached the door.

“NO, wait don’t do that! Hear me out first Dr. Cummings.” She gently placed her hand on his arm to stop him.

He turned towards her. “Sister, as the doctor in charge it’s my responsibility. It’s a very unpleasant procedure for the care giver as well as the patient. I should be the one to do it.” He adamantly said.

Sister closed her eyes and hoped that he would agree to what she was about to say. “Susan just now begged me to be the one to do it, NOT you. Dr. Cummings, if you go in there NOW and do THAT humiliating procedure to her, you definitely will NOT see her again. She said that if that was to occur, the shame would be SO great that she would quit her job here at St. Anthony’s. I believe her. I’ve seen you do this procedure many times. I myself have done it many times during my nursing career.”

She gave a good reason and he knew she was more than capable. He wanted very much, in the near future, to develop an intimate relationship with this girl. If she ran a way from him because of feeling embarrassed than he would lose the opportunity and consequently HER. He wasn’t about to let that happen. He consented to Sister’s request only if she agreed that if Susan or herself had difficulty she was to call him to take over. She agreed.

He said, “Sit down and rest a bit. I will prepare the items that you’ll need.” He felt bad for Susan and Sister. It was unfortunate and distasteful, but these situations did happen from time to time in their profession. It went with the job and they were used to it.

She said, “Let me go in there a moment to tell her that you have given your permission allowing me to do this. It will put her at ease, somewhat.” He could hear Susan softly whimpering when sister opened the door to reenter. He also took a liking to the girl and it was making his heart ache to see and hear her suffer like this. Hell, who was he kidding? He was crazy about this gorgeous living thing inside and he desperately wanted them both to get to know one another better.

He thought to himself, damn, nothing ever comes easy. He remembered what his poor wife went through before she died. He mustn’t allow himself to think of all that now. Susan was his prime concern at the moment and she was going to be fine. He’d make damn sure of that.

On the tray he placed a heavy-duty mask that covered the nose and the mouth, rubber gloves, a special anal cream with an anesthetic in it, a small anal probe and a stool specimen bottle for the lab. He’d hope that sister would not have to use the anal probe and that her lubricated gloved fingers would be sufficient.

Ken knew that Sue would need a strong suppository and than some warm oil injected up her rectum after Sister accomplished her unpleasant task. On a another tray he placed an empty syringe bulb that deflated when squeezed and a rather large intimidating suppository. He was in the process of putting the mineral oil in a small saucepan when he heard someone enter his adjoining office.