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Post by hollygirl on Jul 10, 2006 12:50:42 GMT 10
great update!!! more soon! I love this fic
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rnintraining513
Duchess of Luby
"I don't need a ring or a white dress to tell you how much I love you."
Posts: 322
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Post by rnintraining513 on Jul 10, 2006 13:47:11 GMT 10
Chapter 16: “You’re Alright”
Abby grabbed a pair of rubber gloves and headed into exam room three. A young girl greeted her with a broad smile as she walked into the room. Abby picked up the chart and glanced at it quickly before heading towards the top of the bed to greet her patient. “Good morning, Evelyn. My name is Abby and I’m going to be looking after you today.” Evelyn nodded her head and smiled. “Nice to meet you,” she said with quick, labored breaths. “I think I could use some help.” Abby nodded back and gave her half a smile as she flipped through her chart. “Are you even a doctor?” The older man beside Evelyn said, sitting up straighter in his chair next to Evelyn. Abby spun around with the chart and looked at him. “Yes, I’m a doctor,” Abby said. “Dr. Lockhart.” The old man glared at her and Abby gave a quick glance over at Evelyn. She leaned over and gently nudged the old man and patted him on his hand. “Pop, I’m sure she is a great doctor,” Evelyn said. “Go in my purse and get out a few quarters and go get yourself a cup of coffee or tea.” The old man gave Abby one last glare before he leaned down and picked up Evelyn’s purse and a moment later held a handful of change in his hand. “Haleh, can you show…I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name,” Abby said to the older gentleman. “Robert,” the old man grumbled. “Robert Sanders,” Evelyn chimed in as she patted the old man on the back. “Sure,” Haleh answered as she walked over towards Mr. Sanders. “Go on,” Evelyn said and she pushed her grandfather forward.
Once he was out of the room, she dropped her head back onto the pillow, exhausted. “I apologize for my grandfather’s behavior,” Evelyn said. “He’s just a bit overprotective. I’m his only living relative.” Abby shook her head and smiled. “No problem,” she said. “I was a nurse for 12 years, so I sometimes forget to introduce myself as Dr. Lockhart to my patients.” Evelyn let out a quick laugh and then began to cough. A few second later, her nose was bleeding. “Oh, not again!” She groaned and Abby grabbed a gauze pad and leaned her head back while pinching her nose. “How long has this been going on?” Abby asked. Evelyn sighed and thought for a moment. “I’ve been getting nosebleeds for a few months. Sometimes they are really bad and last for a pretty long time.” Abby narrowed her eyes and she removed the gauze pad for a moment to observe the amount of blood loss. “How long is a pretty long time?” Abby asked. Evelyn shrugged. “About an hour or so,” she said. “But it isn’t heavy to whole time.” Abby nodded her head and stepped back. “Well, this one seems under control,” she said. “I also see that you have been feeling weak and spacey. How so?” Abby asked. Evelyn adjusted herself and Abby leaned down and raised the head of the bed a few degrees. “Well, I don’t know,” Evelyn started. “In the beginning, I would just have aches and pains, kind of like I had the flu, and of course the nose bleeds. Then it started to get so bad that I couldn’t even walk the dog, or take out the trash. I started to notice all of these bruises all over my body,” she said as she held out her arm for Abby to take a look at. Abby lifted the sleeve of Evelyn’s gown to reveal several other bruises on her upper arm and then lifted sheet to see legs covered in red and purple colored bruises.
“I couldn’t concentrate at work, so my boss sent me home. After that I just kind of fell apart. I haven’t been able to get out of bed for a week,” she said. “My grandfather’s friend was able to help me and drive us here, other wise I would have still been at home in bed!” The corners of Evelyn’s eyes wrinkled as she smiled. Abby flipped to the front of the chart and took a look at the girls’ date of birth. She quickly did the math in her head. “And you are 24?” Abby asked. Evelyn nodded. “Just last month,” she said. “My grandfather is 86. My grandparents raised me. My parents were killed in a car accident when I was five and my grandmother just passed away last spring.” Abby nodded her head and patted the girl’s arm. “I’m sorry to hear that,” she said. Evelyn smiled slightly. “It’s okay,” she began. “My grandfather has me and I have him, so we’ll be okay.” Abby took another glance down at the girls’ battered and bruised legs. “Well, we need to run a few tests,” she said. “We need to figure out what is causing all of this bruising and fatigue. One of the nurse’s will be in to take some blood,” Abby said as she smiled at the girl and turned towards the door. Evelyn nodded her head and played with a ring on her index finger. “Dr. Lockhart?” She called as Abby headed towards the door. Abby turned around and looked at Evelyn. “You don’t think it’s anything serious, do you?” Abby looked into the girls’ tired and fearful eyes. In this young girl, Abby saw a touch of herself. Let all alone, to face the world, taking care of the family other had left behind. Abby feared that Evelyn’s news wouldn’t be promising, but she tried to be optimistic. “I’m sure you’ll be okay,” Abby found herself saying and almost instantly, she regretted it. “You promise?” Evelyn asked. Abby gave half of a nod before she turned to walk out of the room.
Abby saw Dr. Weaver making her rounds down the hallway and she walked quickly to catch up to her. “Dr. Weaver,” she called as she narrowed the gap between them. Dr. Weaver stopped and spun around, her metal cane making a loud, clicking sound against the smooth, tile floor. “Yes, Dr. Lockart,” she said as she gave Abby a quick nod of the head. When Abby began to speak, her voice was filled with confidence. “I have a 24 year old woman in exam three. She’s been have spontaneous bruising and bleeding for a few months. She came in with severe fatigue. I had Carol run a full work up to see if it’s anything with clotting factor, WBC, or possible anemia.” Dr. Weaver nodded in approval. “Great,” she said. “Let me know when the results are in and we’ll go over them together before you present to the patient.” Abby nodded her head and a moment later, Dr. Weaver was gone.
The curtain was yanked open by Carol as Abby was stitching a little girls’ forehead. “Abby, I got your labs back on Evelyn Young,” Carol said. Abby nodded her head as she cut a loose strand of stitching and placed a gauze pad on the little girl’s head. “How does it look?” She asked, turned around and looking up at Carol from her swiveling chair next to the patient’s bedside. “WBC count is 800,000ul and her platelet count is slightly elevated as well.” Abby’s eyes opened wide. “What?” She asked as she stood up quickly. “Can you look for Dr. Weaver for me?” Abby asked as she turned back to her patient. “I have to finish up Amy’s suturing.” Carol nodded as she turned and headed away from Abby’s side.
Abby felt her heart racing the entire time she sutured the little girl’s forehead. Thankfully, she kept her cool enough to do a decent job with the suturing. A few minutes later, Carol popped her head back through the curtain. “Weaver is MIA,” she said with a sigh. Abby stood up. “I need to find her,” she said. “Do you think you can finish applying this dressing for me so that I can go hunt her down?” Carol nodded and grabbed a pair of gloves and walked towards the sink. Abby looked at the little girl’s mother and father and smiled. “Everything looks fine,” she said. “Amy, you did a great job. You have 6 stitches to prove it,” Abby said as she patted the little girl’s arm. “Remember to keep the dressing dry for 72 hours. The stitches come out in a week. This is Carol. She is a wonderful nurse who is going to help me finish up in here.” Abby handed Carol Amy’s chart and headed towards the opening in the curtain. “I owe you,” she whispered to Carol.
As Abby searched for Dr. Weaver, she began to panic. She knew what those test results meant. Evelyn’s WBC count was anything but normal. Her head began to spin and her heart began to race as she walked aimlessly around the hospital. Suddenly, Dr. Kovac came into view. Abby smiled instantly and sighed to herself. He was a good doctor. She knew that he would help her. “Luka!” She called as she ran down the hallway to catch him. He turned and around and smiled at her. “Hi, Abby,” he said. “Hey,” she answered. “I need your help,” she said. Luka rolled his eyes and laughed. “Can’t you just ever say hi to me?” He asked playfully. Abby shook her head. “I have a girl with a WBC count of 800,000 and an elevated platelet count and I can’t find Weaver anywhere.” Abby handed him the chart and he looked down at it carefully. “With test results like this, she’s bound to have leukemia,” he said. “We’ll need to call oncology for a consult and take a bone marrow sample to confirm the type and prognosis. How are her symptoms?” Dr. Kovac asked. Abby sighed. “Severe nosebleeds, fatigue, and spontaneous bruising for the past few months. She’s the sole caregiver for her grandfather and she hasn’t been able to get in here any sooner. She’s been in bed all week,” she said.
Luka put the chart under his arm and looked over at Abby. From the look in his eyes, she knew that her secret had been revealed. “Abby, what did you tell the girl?” He asked. Abby lowered her head. “She asked me if she was going to be okay and I told her she would be,” Abby said. “Damn it, Luka, how am I going to walk into the room and pretty much hand her a death sentence?” Luka reached out and gently touched Abby’s arm with his great, big hands. She closed her eyes as he slid his hand more tightly around her bare arm. She was surprised at how soft his skin felt. “I’m sorry, Abby,” he said. His words sounded real and genuine and Abby knew that when he spoke, he really meant the words that he said.
She nodded her head. “It’s just,” she began but then stopped speaking. “It’s just what?” Luka encouraged. Abby looked up at him and met his eyes again. It was moment like these when she needed someone like him. “I know what it’s like to be young, and alone,” Abby said. She sighed and paused before she began again. She wanted to break down in front of Luka, to tell him everything because part of her hoped more then anything that he was different. But she was scared, so she held back. “I understand her family situation,” Abby said, simplifying her statement even further. Luka looked at her long and hard and then nodded his head. She felt the gentle touch of his fingers slid gently up her upper arm and then back down again and a chill ran up from the base of her spine. “Well, lucky for you, we are in this together,” he said with a smile. Abby looked at him puzzled. “What?” She asked. “How do you mean?” Luka laughed and removed his hand from Abby’s arm. She was sad to see it go. She felt almost instantly comforted by his soothing and caring touch. “Lucky for your patient that she has a team of well-qualified medical professionals to help her out,” Luka said. Abby smiled and nodded her head somewhat disappointed. Luka took a few steps forward and Abby almost instinctively followed. A moment later, Abby felt Luka’s hand on the base of her back. He held it there for only a second as he leaned down close to her ear. “And don’t you worry,” he began. “You’ve got me to help you out. Don’t you worry, Abby,” he said. “You are going to be alright.”
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Post by rorygilmore on Jul 10, 2006 16:29:07 GMT 10
“And don’t you worry,” he began. “You’ve got me to help you out. Don’t you worry, Abby,” he said. “You are going to be alright.” ...Awwww...that was sweet
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Post by lubyfan on Jul 10, 2006 17:48:55 GMT 10
Great updates!
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Post by strizzy on Jul 10, 2006 20:25:24 GMT 10
Great updates!!!
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Post by zelda on Jul 11, 2006 0:46:37 GMT 10
waouw,Luka and Carol!! Didn't expect that. Can't wait to know what happens next. I'm addicted to your fic.
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Post by les400coups on Jul 11, 2006 1:35:09 GMT 10
great chapter as usual !! i'm getting addicted !! i cant wait for more !!
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Post by *Natalie* on Jul 11, 2006 6:53:36 GMT 10
That was a great update!! Hope Luka and Abby get it together... hope to read more soon when i come back my holidays natalie x
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rnintraining513
Duchess of Luby
"I don't need a ring or a white dress to tell you how much I love you."
Posts: 322
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Post by rnintraining513 on Jul 12, 2006 8:59:34 GMT 10
Chapter 17: “Always”
Abby slid the curtain to the side and walked towards Evelyn’s bed. She felt relieved when she turned around and spotted Luka close behind her. He greeted Evelyn and her grandfather with a friendly smile. “I’m Dr. Kovac,” he said taking both their hands. “Dr. Lockhart and I are going to run a few more tests.” Evelyn glanced over at Abby nervously. “Is something wrong?” She asked. “I mean, something serious that you aren’t telling me.” Abby lowered her head and bit her lip. She searched for words, but Luka intervened just in time. “Evelyn, your blood test came back and your white blood cell count is 800,000,” he began. Evelyn nodded her head. “Okay, she answered. Is that bad?” She asked. Luka pulled over a stool and sat beside the woman’s hospital bed. “A normal white blood cell count is about 120-200,000,” he said. “Your numbers are extremely high.” Evelyn looked down for a moment and Abby made her way to the head of Evelyn’s bed and stood beside Luka. When Evelyn looked up again, she looked directly at Abby. “What does that mean?” She asked, her eyes were filling with tears. Abby put the chart down on the side of Evelyn’s bed and leaned closer. “Numbers like that are indicative that something is seriously wrong with the immune system. You body is producing an excess amount of cells to destroy pathogens and bad things, but actually, they are destroying your blood and bone marrow. We aren’t 100% sure about anything quite yet, so we need to run a few more tests,” she said.
Evelyn nodded her head. “Do whatever you need to do,” the young girl said. Abby nodded and looked at Luka. “What do we need, Dr. Lockhart?” Luka asked. “A bone marrow biopsy,” Abby said. Luka nodded. He walked towards the curtain entrance and motioned for someone. A moment later, Carol appeared. Luka turned back to Abby. “Dr. Lockhart, tell Carol what you need,” he said. Abby walked over towards Carol. “Dr. Kovac and I are doing a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. I need a 25 gauge needle for the skin and a 22-gauge needle for the remainder of the procedure,” she said. Carol nodded. “Local anesthetic?” Carol asked. Abby nodded and glanced over at Evelyn. “10cc of 1% Xylocaine,” Abby said. Carol smiled, nodded, and left to retrieve the items Luka had ordered.
Once again, Luka sat on the stool next to Evelyn’s bed. Abby watched as he ran his hands through his hair and stretched his back. Then he leaned his chin into the palm of his hand and sighed silently. “A bone marrow biopsy is a relatively simple procedure,” Luka began. “We will begin by giving you 10cc of Xylocaine, which is a local anesthetic. Then we will make a small incision in your lower back and use two different types of needles to perform the procedure, one will be for the bone marrow aspiration and the other will be for the bone marrow biopsy. Once you are finished, we will close the incisions with a few stitches or steri-strips. Then we will send the samples down to the lab to get tested. Once we find out what is going on, we’ll be able to give you the correct diagnosis and work on a treatment regimen for you.” Evelyn slowly nodded her head. “Will it hurt?” She asked. Luka shook his head. “The numbing medication will remove the majority of the pain. You may feel a bit of pressure and a little discomfort, but it will not be overwhelming and the procedure will not take that long. I’m sure you will be just fine,” Luka said as he patted Evelyn on the arm.
Evelyn turned and looked at her grandfather who was peacefully sleeping in the chair beside her. “What about my grandfather?” She asked. Abby smiled when she looked at the sleeping old man. “I’ll have one of the nurse’s take him someplace quiet so he can rest,” she said. Evelyn looked at her grandfather and smiled. “Okay,” she said. Just then, Carol walked back through the curtain with a handful of supplies. She placed the on the table beside Evelyn’s bed and waited. “Have you seen Weaver?” Luka asked, but Carol shook her head. “No, I haven’t seen her in about an hour,” she said. “Sorry.” Luka shook his head too. “It’s alright. I’m an attending so I’ll observe Abby,” he said. “Thanks,” Abby called as Carol headed back out into the ER.
Abby stood by the table with the supplies and thumbed through them. Luka came and stood next to her and looked down at the table. “Are you ready to do this?” He asked. Abby looked up and him nervously. “I’m just scared for what these tests results are going to say,” she said. Luka smiled at her with kind and sympathetic eyes. “I know,” he said. “But right now, we don’t know anything, so we have nothing to worry about.” Abby rolled her eyes slightly and bit her lip. “Luka, her WBC count was 800,000,” she said. “That’s something to worry about.” Luka picked up a pack of gauze and slapped it between his hands. “I know it’s hard Abby, but sometimes you just have to try not to worry about everything,” he said. Abby’s eyes opened wide. “What?” She asked. Luka shook his head and held out his hand. “No, no, don’t get me wrong,” he started. “Worrying is natural. You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t worry. But what I’m saying is, you need to try not to worry about things that you can’t control, like this,” he said. “What you can control is doing this procedure correctly and assuring her that she is getting the best care possible while she is in this emergency room. After that part is done, it is out of our hands.” Abby looked and his long and hard and then nodded her heard slowly. “You’re right,” she said. “Let’s do this,” she said. Luka tossed her a pair of gloves. “Okay,” he said with a smile.
Carol helped position Evelyn correctly in the bed. Once she was laying on her side, with one leg bent and the other straightened, she draped a gown over Evelyn and exposed only a tiny patch of skin where the procedure would be performed. “All ready,” she said and she smiled at Luka. He smiled back and Abby looked away. “I think we’ve got this,” Abby found herself saying to Carol. She looked over at Luka and he nodded. “Okay,” she said. “If you need anything, let me know.”
Abby glanced down at her shaky hands as she stood above the supply table. When she saw Luka coming up from behind, she lowered her hands below the table so that he couldn’t see how nervous she really was. Luka drew up a syringe with 10cc of Xylocaine and handed it to Abby. She sat on the stool and steadied herself. “Okay, Evelyn,” she began. “You are going to feel a little pinch and then a slight burning for a few seconds.” Evelyn nodded her head. “Make sure you keep absolutely still,” Luka added. “Okay,” Evelyn said.
Luka handed Abby a small surgical blade and stood back to observe her work. “Incision started,” Abby said, handing Luka back the blade. He turned back to the table and handed her the aspiration needle. “You are going to insert the needle at a 90 degree angle until you feel it make contact with the bone,” he said. Abby nodded her head. “Okay, I’m there,” she said. “The needle is advanced by rotating clockwise and counterclockwise slowly until the cortical bone is penetrated and the marrow cavity is entered. Usually, you can feel a sudden change in give when the marrow cavity has been entered,” Luka said. He watched as Abby narrowed her eyes and scrunched her face as she concentrated on the task at hand. As he stood behind her, he let himself smile.
Abby removed the stylet and handed it to Luka. He turned to the table and then he quickly handed her a 20cc syringe. “Okay, now aspirate 2-3cc’s,” Luka said. He watched closely as Abby slowly pulled back on the needle until a small amount of body fluid was in the needle’s cavity. “Good,” he said as he reached out and took the needle from Abby’s hand. She turned around and grabbed two 4 x 4 gauze pads and put pressure on the area for a few minutes before beginning the other part of the procedure. As Abby held the gauze pad on Evelyn’s back, she leaned forward. “You okay Evelyn?” She asked. “That was okay,” the young girl answered. “Good,” Abby said. “We’ll be all finished in just a few minutes.”
Once the bleeding had stopped, Abby put down the soiled gauze pad and turned to Luka. He handed her another needle and smiled. “The Jamshidi needle is the most popular needle used for this procedure,” he said. “The needle is tapered at the distal end to help retain the specimen.” Abby gently took the needle from his hand and turned back to Evelyn. “Now, I want you to hold the needle between your palm and index finger and then lock the stylet until in penetrates the bone just like before.” Slowly, Abby pressed the needle deeper and deeper into Evelyn’s back and once she had reached the bone, she nodded her head. “There,” she said. Luka pulled over a chair and sat down beside Abby. “Using firm pressure, slowly rotate the needle in an alternating clockwise-counterclockwise motion and advance it into the bone marrow cavity to obtain the specimen,” he said. “It should be approximately 1.5-2 cm in length.” He watched as Abby slowly and gently maneuvered the needle in her tiny hands. Luka put his hand in front of his face to cover the smile that was now impossible to hide. He couldn’t help it. The way her face scrunched up so that tiny, bunched wrinkles formed in the top of her forehead. Her short, brown hair was brushed back behind her ears. Even with the awkward, gigantic, surgical glasses on, she still looked perfect to him.
“What next,” she asked, turning to look at Luka for a brief moment. The way she looked at him made him lose his train of thought, so he didn’t speak. “What’s so funny?” Abby asked. Luka shook his head. “What do you mean?” He asked. Abby laughed. “Your face is just….silly,” she said. Luka laughed. “Are you saying I am funny looking?” He asked. Abby looked down. “That’s not the word I was thinking of,” she said. “Now Dr. Kovac, what’s next?” She asked, masking her smile once again. Luka sighed. “Rotate the needle along its axis to help cut the specimen, pull back approximately 2-3 mm, and advance the needle again slightly, at a different angle, to help secure the specimen,” he said. Abby nodded and made sure to follow his words exactly. Once she had done everything that he had said without asking him to repeat a single instruction, she couldn’t help but smile to herself. “Good,” Luka said when he saw Abby’s face light up with a smile. “Now, slowly pull the needle out while rotating in an alternating clockwise and counterclockwise motion.” She did just that and Luka assisted her to place the specimen in the appropriate container as she applied pressure. “How does it look?” She asked. “Did I do everything right?” Luka nodded. “Impressive, Abby, very impressive,” he said. He held the specimen in front of her so that she could take a look. “It looks dry,” she said. “Shouldn’t it have some fluid inside of it?” She asked. Luka nodded. “With a WBC count of 800,000, it’s bound to be dry,” he said.
Suddenly, the curtain was pulled over abruptly and Abby and Luka both spun around in their chairs. “What is going on here?” Dr. Weaver asked. Her face was red and angry. Luka looked at Abby. “I got this,” he said as he began to stand up. He didn’t give Abby a chance to stand up or take the blame for herself. “I just assisted Dr. Lockhart in performing a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy,” he said. Dr. Weaver slammed her chart down onto the empty bed next to Evelyn’s. She glared down at Abby and then back over to Luka. “Dr. Kovac, please go get one of the nurse’s to finish up here,” she said. “I’d like to speak to both you and Dr. Lockhart in my office now.” Luka made his way out of the enclosed area and Abby turned back to Evelyn’s incision to avert her eyes from Dr. Weaver’s painful glare. She closed her eyes and sighed until she no longer felt Dr. Weaver’s evil presence in the room with her.
Chuney and Luka returned to the curtain a few moments later. Abby stood up. “Evelyn, you did great,” she said. “Chuney is one of our nurses. She is going to finish up here. I’ll be back in a little while to check on you.” Evelyn nodded. “Thank you Dr. Lockhart,” she said. Abby smiled down at her. “No problem,” she said. “And just call me Abby.” Evelyn nodded and smiled back. “Thanks, Abby,” she said. When Abby turned around, she widened her eyes and looked up at Luka. “She’s pissed,” Abby said. “This is going to be good.” Chuney held a fresh gauze pad against Evelyn’s back. “Good luck!” She said with a sarcastic eye roll as they headed towards Weaver’s office.
“She can’t kick me out of the program, right?” Abby asked. Luka crossed his right arm across his chest and laughed. “No, Abby,” he began. “She cannot kick you out of the program for trying to save a woman’s life.” Abby looked down at her feet as she walked and shoved her hands into her pockets. “I hope your right,” she said quietly. Luka bumped her with his arm. “I’m always right,” he said with a laugh. “So you have nothing to worry about.”
Luka knocked on Dr. Weaver’s door and then opened it and stepped in. He held the door open for Abby and then closed it behind her. “Have a seat,” she said as she nodded to two chairs sitting across the desk from where she was seated. Abby sat down first and Luka followed right after. “Dr. Lockhart, I am extremely surprised that you would perform a procedure like that before clearing it with me first,” Dr. Weaver said. Abby opened her mouth to speak, but Dr. Weaver held up her hand. “And Dr. Kovac, I am even surprised at you and extremely disappointed that you would set such a bad example for one of our medical students,” she said. Abby crossed her uncrossed her legs nervously. She watched from the corner of her eye as Luka leaned forward in his chair and began to speak. “Dr. Weaver, if I may,” he began and she nodded her head and allowed him to continue. “As a resident here at County, I take my job seriously to educate and train our medical students in the best way possible. After all, these are the doctors that will most likely be taking care of you and I in our old age,” he said. “And we’d like them to be trained in the best way possible, am I correct?” Abby bit her lip to keep from laughing at Luka’s ridiculous comment. She could tell by the look on Dr. Weaver’s face that she was not at all impressed.
“And your point is, Luka?” She asked sternly. He smiled for a moment and then his face grew serious. “Dr. Lockhart ordered a full panel and the patient’s WBC count was 800,000,” Luka said. Dr. Weaver narrowed her eyes. “800,000?” She asked, looking at Abby. Abby simply nodded her head. “Dr. Lockhart was looking for you for quite some time,” Luka continued. “She approached me and asked me if I’d seen you. When I told her I hadn’t, she told me her situation and I told her what I’d advise as an attending. We determined that the situation was critical, and both Abby and I were concerned for this woman’s well being and survival, so we decided to proceed the way that we did.” Luka paused for a moment before he spoke again. “I apologize for not taking every necessary measure to find you, Dr. Weaver,” he said. “But I’m sure when you see the results of this woman’s aspiration and biopsy, you’ll see that our decision was the right one.” Dr. Weaver clicked and unclicked the tip of her pen and then looked back and forth from Abby to Luka. “You better be right, Luka,” she said. “And as for you Dr. Lockhart, next time make sure that you do all that you can to find me before you perform an invasive procedure on a patient whom I’ve never even seen.” Abby nodded her head. “I will,” she said. Dr. Weaver nodded back at her and a slight smile formed in the corner of her mouth. “Very well,” she said. “You are both excused.” Abby and Luka stood up and began to walk towards the door. “And Luka,” Dr. Weaver called. “I want those results as soon as they are back,” she said.
Once they were out of Dr. Weaver’s sight, both Abby and Luke broke down with laughter. “Jesus Christ, she is scary!” Abby said. Luka laughed. “She’s really a big softie,” Luka said. “She’s just putting on an act and trying to scare you.” Abby shrugged. “Well, if that’s an act, then it’s a damn good one!” She said. There was silence for a moment as they headed back towards the lobby. Then Abby got the courage to speak. “Kovac, you better be right!” She said with a laugh. Luka laughed too. “I will be,” he said. Abby looked at him and rolled her eyes sarcastically. “And how do you know that?” She asked. He rolled his eyes back at her and smiled. “Like I said, I’m always right,” he answered. Dr. Greene came out of trauma one and called out for Luka. “We need you in here!” He said. Luka sighed as he turned and headed towards the trauma room. “I guess I’ll see you later,” he said. “Find me when those results come back!” He called. Abby nodded as he turned back to the trauma room door. “Hey Luka!” Abby yelled. He quickly spun his head around and smiled. “Yeah?” He asked. Abby looked down as she felt her face beginning to turn red. “Thanks for watching my back,” she said. He ran his hands through his hair and smiled. “Always,” he answered.
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Post by strizzy on Jul 12, 2006 9:08:28 GMT 10
Great update!!!
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rnintraining513
Duchess of Luby
"I don't need a ring or a white dress to tell you how much I love you."
Posts: 322
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Post by rnintraining513 on Jul 12, 2006 9:33:51 GMT 10
Chapter 18: “Chats Over Cheetos”
Abby squatted down on the dirty tile floor and reached blindly underneath the old, creaky vending machine in search of the quarter she had dropped. “Damn it,” she mumbled as she banged her wrist against the jagged metal. She wrapped her fingers around the scrap that was already beginning to bleed. Carol walked into the room and looked down at Abby. “Did the change monster get you?” Carol asked with a laugh. Abby looked up at her puzzled and then laughed when she realized what Carol had said. “Yeah,” she groaned. “I lost a quarter.” Carol nodded her head and reached into her pocket. “Here,” she said. “I always have a ton of change. I practically live on vending machine food.” Abby laughed and nodded in agreement. “I know,” she said. “Cheetos, Doritos, Fritos. I’m waiting until I turn into a salted, cheesy snack food.”
Carol pulled out a dollar bill and shoved it into the machine. “I’m also a caffeine addict,” she said. Abby laughed. “Me too,” she said. “Isn’t the medical field a bitch?” Carol nodded her head. “Tell me about it,” she said. “And try going home to twin girls! I swear, my work will never end! Well, at least not for about another 18 years.” Abby laughed. “I guess I’m lucky in that sense,” she said as she pressed B3 and waited for her bag of Cheetos to fall from the 2nd row. Without fail, they got stuck on the edge of the metal ring and hung loosely, just enough to completely torture Abby. “Oh come on!” She groaned and she banged her hand against the sticky glass. “Give me my food!” Carol laughed and set her soda down on the table. “Let me,” she said as she walked onto the side of the machine. Abby watched in amazement as Carol kicked the machine and then banged her butt against it. A moment later, the Cheetos were free and a smile came across Abby’s face. “I learn something new every day!” Abby said. “Thanks.”
The girls pulled out the chair that surrounded the creaky old table and sat down. “10 more minutes of fun,” Carol groaned. “Then it’s back to work!” Abby rolled her eyes. “Fun? I don’t think I know what that word means. What is this fun you speak of?” Abby asked with a laugh. Carol laughed too. “You know,” Carol began. “I couldn’t remember the last time I had fun until last weekend.” Abby narrowed her eyes as she swallowed a Cheeto. “Did you go out with Luka?” Abby asked politely. She felt herself force a smile as the jealousy began to well in her chest. Carol nodded. “Yeah,” she said. “We just went out and grabbed a bite to eat, but it was a good time.” Abby nodded. “Well, that must have been nice,” she said. “I’m happy for you two,” Abby lied. Carol sat up in her chair and shook her heard. “Oh no,” she said. “We aren’t an ‘us,’” she said. Abby felt her heart drop. “Oh no?” She asked. Carol shook her head once more and laughed. A moment later she was coughing up the pepsi she had just swallowed. “No, no,” she began. “I like Luka, but just as a friend. My heart still belongs to Doug. He’s the father of my children and the love of my life, as much as sometimes I wish it wasn’t that way,” Carol said with a playful eye-roll. Abby swallowed hard as she felt her heart begin to race. Maybe the signs and feelings she felt between she and Luka had been real after all.
“You’ll see Abby. Once in a lifetime this guy comes along and you just know you are meant to be with him forever. There isn’t a thing about him that doesn’t make you weak at the knees. Everything he does is beautiful and perfect even if he is if far from flawless. Once you find that person, you know that there will never be anyone else. You can try as hard as you want, but that feeling with never go away.” Carol paused for a moment after she spoke. “I haven’t told anyone yet, but Doug asked me to move to Michigan with him and I’m going to,” she said. “The girls need their father and I need their father.” Abby nodded her head. “I think that’s great Carol,” Abby said. “Well, not that you are leaving, because we are all going to miss you. You are such a great nurse. But, I think it’s great that you found that person. I hope one day I’m that lucky.” Carol smiled as she stared blankly into the distance. “I am lucky,” she said. Then Carol looked back up at Abby. “And I know you will be too, someday, Abby.” Abby laughed and crumbled her bag of Cheetos into a ball and threw it into the trashcan. “Someday,” she groaned as she stood up and stretched. “For now, for me at least, it’s back to the real world of throw up, piss, and other nasty bodily fluids!”
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Post by hollygirl on Jul 12, 2006 9:49:57 GMT 10
Great updates!! more soooooon! I really like your fic.
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rnintraining513
Duchess of Luby
"I don't need a ring or a white dress to tell you how much I love you."
Posts: 322
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Post by rnintraining513 on Jul 12, 2006 12:32:35 GMT 10
Chapter 19: “In These Eyes”
No one was opening the glass window down at the lab and Abby was growing impatient. She lifted up her hand and banged on the glass loudly. “I know you’re in there!” She said as she hit the glass on final time. “You promised me my lab results an hour ago and I want them, now!” Abby yelled. Finally, she spun around dejected only to find Luka standing close behind her with a cup of coffee in hand. “Oh, hi,” she said, embarrassed. “Hi,” Luka said as she put a hot cup of coffee in her hand. “Watch a professional,” he said with a slick smile. Abby rolled her eyes and stepped back. “Go for it,” she said. “I’ve been banging on that window for half an hour. No one is going to answer.” Luka laughed and turned towards the window. “Just watch,” he said.
Abby watched as Luka reached out and gently tapped in the window three times. About 10 seconds later, the window slid open and a dorky looking woman with wire-framed glasses appeared. “Test results for Evelyn Bradley,” Luka said with a pleasant smile. The woman looked at him with a smile and then glared over at Abby. “For you, no problem,” she said. “I appreciate you knocking softly. Someone else has been banging for quite a while now, and honestly…I have a terrible headache.” The woman disappeared and Luka turned back to Abby and smiled coyly. “What the hell!” Abby said. “How did you do that?” Luka shrugged as the woman reappeared. “Thank you,” he said. “Have a good day.” The woman nodded. “Same to you,” she said as she glared at Abby once again and then slammed the glass door shut.
“That is unbelievable!” Abby said. “Being at the bottom of the totem pole sucks!” Luka laughed. “Patience is key,” he said. “Then you can get almost anything you want.” Abby laughed. “Being Luka Kovac is key,” she said. Luka stopped dead in his tracks and turned to look at her. He narrowed his eyes and tried to hide the smile forming in the corner of his lips. “What does that mean?” He asked. Abby continued walking ahead of him. “You know damn well what that means,” she said. “Women see you with your thick head of dark hair, your dreamy eyes, and they just melt in your hands.” Luka smiled. “Like M & M’s?” He asked. Abby rolled her eyes. “No, M & M’s melt in your mouth and NOT in your hands!” Luka muffled his smile. “Oh,” he said shyly. “But don’t worry,” Abby began as she pressed the elevator button. “I’m sure that the lab woman and Agnes from Doc Magoo’s would be more than willing to melt in your mouth as well.” Luka put his finger down his throat and imitated throwing up. “That’s disgusting,” he said. Abby laughed and shrugged. “Hey, you asked for it,” she said. The elevator door opened and Abby jumped inside quickly. Luka still stood back for a moment, taking in everything that she had said. “Hey, and what about you?” He asked. “Do I melt in your mouth or in your hands?” Abby’s jaw dropped and Luka saw her cheeks turn a bright shade of red. She quickly pressed the button to close the door over and over. “Both?” Luka asked as he ran towards the elevator. “Really? Both?” He asked once again as the door slid closed. Abby shook her head and watched as the door closed, leaving Luka behind.
Abby couldn’t help but fall back against the wall of the elevator and laugh out loud. Once she had calmed down a little bit, she realized that she was in the elevator with an older couple. They glared at her curiously and she smiled back at them. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t know anyone else was in here with me.” The old man glared at her but one the woman’s face was a smile. The doors opened at Abby stepped back to allow the elderly couple to exit. “After you,” she said with a smile. The old man got off first, and the old woman followed slowly behind. As she went to walk by Abby, she leaned over and gently grabbed her arm. “He’d melt in my hands and my mouth too,” the old woman whispered as she smiled at Abby. They old woman let out a quick laugh and then joined her husband waiting for her outside of the elevator. Once again, Abby fell back laughing but quickly ran off of the elevator as other people began to pile in and the door began to close once again.
When she got off of the elevator and turned around, Luka was standing in front of her once again. “Oh my God!” She said as she dropped the envelope with Evelyn’s test results all over the floor. “What are you stalking me now?” She asked. Luka bent down and helped her pick up the papers. Abby glanced up at his face and couldn’t help but laugh. Soon enough, the laughter consumed her and she fell backwards and down onto the cold, hard, floor. Luka saw her begin to slip and tried to catch her, but ended up landing almost on top of her instead. “Sorry,” he said as she looked down at her. She lowered her eyes and then looked back up at him. Their faces were only a few inches apart. Every fiber of her body told her to lean in and kiss him, but she held back. “Thanks,” she said as she began to scramble to her feet.
Luke grabbed her hands and gently helped her up. When she stood, a sharp pain shot up the side of Abby’s ankle. “Ow,” she muttered. “Ow.” Luke grabbed either side of her arms and looked into her eyes. His face was concerned. “What’s wrong?” He asked. “Are you hurt?” Abby shook her head. “No,” she said and then she tried to take a step forward. Once again, the pain returned. “Yes,” she said, changing her answer. “Don’t put weight on it,” he said. “I’ll get an x-ray.” Abby shook her head. “It’s not broken,” she said. “I may just be a medical student, but I know that much.” Luka nodded his head. “Okay,” he said. “How about some ice?” Abby sighed. “That would be nice, but I have to look at these results,” she said as she looked at the messy pile of papers in her hands and on the floor. “Can you just help me wrap it up and then I’ll take a look at these and go give Evelyn the news.” Luka nodded and smiled. “You just wait here,” he said as he ran around the corner of the hall. Abby tried to balance her weight on one foot as she waited for him to return. A few seconds later, he came back, pushing a wheelchair in front of him. “I hope this has a seatbelt,” Luka said with a smile as he helped Abby into the wheelchair. “I’m a terrible driver.” Abby grabbed onto the side of the chair tightly. “Remind me never to get into a car with you,” she said. Luka smiled. “Ha ha,” he said. “Such a funny girl we have here.” Luka removed Abby’s shoes and socks and compared her ankles carefully. “How does it look?” She asked as she winced in pain. “A little swollen,” he said. “No discoloration yet.” Abby shook her head. “Yet, that’s the key word,” she laughed. Abby rested her chin in the palm of her hand. Her elbow was resting on her upper thigh as she sat in the wheelchair. For a minute, Abby carefully watched Luka wrap her ankle, but then she drifted into a daydream. The way she was sitting, with her head in her hands, a bandage on her foot, and tears in her eyes, she looked like just a little girl. From the ground, Luka looked up into Abby’s eyes. For the first time, he noticed a deepness in her light, brown eyes. The curves around her eyes and mouth marked the stressful life Abby never spoke of, but that was so obviously a part of who she was. There was a certain sadness in her eyes that made her look like a little girl, of about 7 years old, frightened and all alone. Luka knew that look all too well. It was the look of someone who was determined and confident on the outside, but damaged, battered and broken on the inside. Luka saw that very same look each and every time he looked at his own reflection in the mirror.
She was beautiful, but she didn’t know it, or at least she didn’t let anyone know that she knew. Abby was a girl who wanted the world to see something else. Being beautiful didn’t matter to her, it didn’t change her. She tried to hide it. Luka knew there was more to Abby then just beauty. In fact, that was what he liked to most about her. She was a mystery, revealing herself a little more to him each time they were together. There were so many things left unsaid. So many things they didn’t know about each other, but somehow, none of that mattered quite yet. The here and now was enough for him at this moment. Just looking at Abby made him smile and being with her made him feel a certain sense of happiness and peace like he hadn’t felt in a very, very long time. It was then that he realized that Abby was someone really special.
Luka reached up and gently put his hand on Abby’s knee. She looked down at him and smiled. “Are you okay now?” He asked. Abby nodded her head. “That’s fine,” she said. “Thank you for fixing me, Luka.” Luka looked deep into Abby’s eyes and he knew that she knew. It was unspoken, but powerful, that deep connection that they shared. But in that moment, he knew that she felt it too. And right then, nothing else in the world mattered.
“Seven Years” By Norah Jones
Spinning, laughing, dancing to her favorite song A little girl with nothing wrong Is all alone
Eyes wide open Always hoping for the sun And she'll sing her song to anyone that comes along
Fragile as a leaf in autumn Just fallin' to the ground Without a sound
Crooked little smile on her face Tells a tale of grace That's all her own
Spinning, laughing, dancing to her favorite song A little girl with nothing wrong And she's all alone
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Post by hollygirl on Jul 12, 2006 14:32:21 GMT 10
great update!!
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Post by anna982 on Jul 12, 2006 16:05:29 GMT 10
[glow=red,2,300]You have to UPDATE!!!!![/glow]
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