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Post by *Natalie* on Jul 7, 2006 6:33:58 GMT 10
They chapters were great!!
hope theres more
natalie x
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Post by larue on Jul 7, 2006 7:08:06 GMT 10
Chapter 3 - An Old Friend
“Ouch...that’s a nasty cut, Carly”, Abby said as carefully observed the open laceration on the girl’s index finger.
“My Mom made me wash the dishes,” the 13 year old said. ‘I was washing a glass and it just popped in my hand.”
“ Well, it’s a little deep. I think we are going to have to take a couple of stitches to help it close properly,” Abby said as she pulled a rolling tray table between the girl and herself. ‘Dori, can you get me a suture kit, please?” Abby looked up at the girl’s white face and deep blue eyes. She smiled and her brown eyes twinkled.
“Looks like you will have to take a few days off from doing dishes,” she said. Dori returned with a suture kit and placed it on the table.
“She’ll just find something else for me to do instead,” Carly shrugged. “Do I have to watch?”
‘Oh no, sweetie” Abby said, “Dori is just going to wash the cut out and numb it a little bit. I’ll be right back and you can just lay back and close your eyes.” Abby jotted a note on the girl’s chart.
“Dori, give it a wash with chlorhexidine gluconate and then I’ll order some lidocaine,” she said. “ I need to check on a patient in in exam 3 and I will be right back.” She smiled at Carly and patted her knee.
“Then I am going to have a talk with your Mom about resting that hand for a few days,” she said.
“You can try ,” Carly sighed. Abby laughed and made her way through the Suture Room doors. Carly’s mother was in a chair in the hall filling out insurance paperwork. She looked up with a worried frown.
“A couple of stitches,” Abby said. “She’ll be fine. The glass missed the tendons.”
“Carly is a harpist,” her mother said. “She needs those fingers. Thank you, Dr. Lockhart.”
“I’m going to give the lidocaine a chance to set in and I will be right back to suture the cut,” she replied. “You can go in and wait with her. I think she is a little nervous.” Carly’s mother nodded. Abby turned and headed toward the exam room area. She pressed a hand to the small of her back and sighed. It had been a long, long shift. It seemed like she had seen every small cut and laceration in Chicago. Oh, and there was the sprained ankle she treated at noon. And the runner with leg cramps. It had been a strange day. She felt as if some unknown force were picking and choosing her patients for her.
“Abby, I need your help in here”, Luka called as she passed an open door. Abby grimaced as she caught the blood curdling screams coming from the bed. Luka was holding a writhing little boy in place while his very young mother watched from a corner.
“Hold him!” Luka ordered and Abby moved to the other side of the bed to help restrain the child in place.
“This is Bailey Miller,” Luka said over the screams. ‘He is five years old and was brought in with minor epistaxis, very bad breath and pain in his nasal cavity. I scoped him and there is an obstruction. I put five drops of Otrivin in his nose...which he did not like.” Abby chuckled. Obviously. Luka winked at her and then suddenly let go of the boy. Bailey stopped moving immediately and looked at Luka. With a flourish, Luka pulled something invisible out of thin air. The little boy watched as Luka pantomimed caressing a feather. He stuck it jauntily behind his ear and Bailey chuckled. Luka tossed the invisible feather into the air and pretended to blow it to keep it from falling. He gestured to Bailey and the little boy smiled and blew lightly at the invisible feather. Abby gently released her hands and watched their play. Luka blew the ‘feather’ at her and she whisked it back into the air over Bailey. Bailey blew harder. Luka reached over and held one of the child’s nostrils closed as Bailey blew.
“Again, Bailey,” Luka said. “Get it higher!” Chuny hurried into the room and handed Luka a pair of bayonet forceps. Luka quickly grasped the tiniest corner of something in the boy’s nose and pulled a tightly wadded mass from the nostril. It was bloody and mucousy and Luka laid it on the instrument table. Chuny busied herself wiping Bailey’s nose while the rest of them leaned over the table. Luka carefully began to unfold the piece of paper that was the mess.
“Bailey...you little freak!” his mother cried. "That’s my missing child support check!”
“Daddy told me not to lose it!” Bailey began to cry. Luka exchanged laughing glances with Abby and examined the boy’s nose. Dori came to the door.
“Dr. Lockhart,” she said. “Carly is ready.” Luka nodded and Abby walked to the door.
“Chuny, I never made it to exam 3...” She said.
“Dr. Morris is there,” Chuny said. “It’s the kid with the rash, right?”
“Morris...” Abby mouthed as she shook her head.
A half an hour later Carly was stitched up and bandaged and released to her mother’s care. She was smiling broadly as Abby outlined that she was not to get the finger wet for at least 48 hours and should have limited use of it for the rest of the week. Abby finished her chart at the desk and then picked up another file. She arched her back again and sighed.
“Tough day?” Chuny asked. Abby shook her head.
“ Not really,” she said. “Sutures and sutures and sutures...a sprained ankle...running cramps and more suturess. I’d like a little more variety, I think.”
“Dr. Kovac asked us to keep you out of curtains,” Chuny said. “We have had three cases of chicken pox and one roseola all from the same daycare. Dr. Morris is with a possible measles right now.”
“Dr. Morris has been handling all of the rashes today,” Frank said from the computer station. “A regular kamikaze of infectious diseases.” Chuny chuckled and nodded.
“Maybe he will catch something fun!” she said. Abby frowned at her in disbelief.
“Oh, Chuny,” she said shaking her head. “Someone needs to talk to Sam about you and Haleh working the same shift. You two are SO bad together.”
“Wouldn’t do any good,” Chuny grinned. “We have something called ‘seniority’...which YOU gave up to become the kick ass doc that you are!”
“Excuse me,” said someone at the desk. “I’m looking for Dr. Kovac? Dr. Luka Kovac?” Abby and Chuny turned to see a woman standing at the desk. She was looking around and smiled broadly when she saw Luka approaching.
“Luka!” she called and ran to him.
“Gillian?” he said. Gillian ran to him and threw herself into his arms. Luka was stunned as she reached up and kissed him soundly. Frank’s mouth dropped open.
“Gillian?” Chuny asked, not taking her eyes off the scene.
“From Montreal...” Abby said watching them. “Oh...and Kisagani...in Africa.” Abby sighed.
“That’s my guy,” she said. “A girl in every port!”
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Post by <3 LubyII <3 on Jul 7, 2006 7:48:14 GMT 10
Great update! Can't wait for the next one!!!
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Post by Little Amy on Jul 7, 2006 12:33:00 GMT 10
love the update!!!
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Post by luby2534 on Jul 7, 2006 15:31:34 GMT 10
Update soon !!
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Post by jaana on Jul 7, 2006 17:40:39 GMT 10
Update soon, please.
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Post by Maryna on Jul 7, 2006 17:48:40 GMT 10
UPDATE VERY SOON, PLEASE!!!
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Post by *Natalie* on Jul 8, 2006 5:43:52 GMT 10
That was great!
cant wait for you to update!
natalie
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Post by larue on Jul 8, 2006 11:12:14 GMT 10
Chapter 4 - Gillian
Gillian began to speak softly to Luka and with a quick glance at Abby he swept his friend into the lounge and quickly shut the door. Chuny nudged Abby’s elbow with her own.
“So, how close were they in Africa?” she asked.
“Pretty close...” Abby replied. “Luka calls her his ‘good friend.’ She brought him back to the states after Carter found him in the refugee camp.”
“I remember now!” Chuny said. “I thought I’d seen her with him before.” Kerry Weaver strolled up the desk with clipboards in hand.
“There are patients waiting in chairs people,” she said. “Let’s get them out of here.” She handed three of the clipboards to Abby.
“I just got a call about one of your cases, Abby,” she said, "It was from the very grateful manager of the Chicago Symphony. She wanted to know if it would unethical to present you with tickets to a concert series. You stitched up the finger of Carlotta Mendoza today? Good job on the patient satisfaction.”
“Carly?” Abby was flabbergasted. "She is just a kid.”
“And a prodigy,” Kerry added. “I have seen her perform. She is quite an amazing talent. Now let’s clear the board for the afternoon shift.” Abby nodded and eyed the closed door of the lounge.
She was busy with a patient when Luka left. He came to the window and waved, indicating that he would call her. But that had been hours ago. She was snuggled into a chair in her apartment catching up on some reading. It was hard to concentrate on the journal in her lap. The tea kettle whistled and she got up to pour the hot water into a cup. The telephone rang.
“Luka?” she said as picked up the phone.
“ No, Abby,” came the voice at the other end. Abby smiled happily. “Susan!” she exclaimed. “I am so glad you called. How are you?”
“Wonderful,” Susan sighed. “I love LOVE Iowa...but you’ve heard me say that before. Chuck and I signed papers today for a house! Can you believe it? It has a huge backyard for Cosmos to play in and I think we are even getting a dog.” Abby chuckled. A lump grew in her throat as she realized how much she missed her friend’s daily presence.
“How about you?” Susan asked. “How are you feeling? Any morning sickness yet?”
“Oh, here and there,” Abby sighed and settled back into her chair. “I saved the Chicago Symphony Orchestra today.” Susan laughed.
“How is Luka?” she asked. The lump in Abby’s throat tightened.
“I’m not sure,” she said. ‘Gillian’s back.”
“Gillian?” Susan repeated.
“Remember that nurse from Montreal that brought him back from Africa when he was so sick?” Abby reminded her. “Long hair? Long legs? Gorgeous body?”
“Oh yeah,” Susan said. “I remember. We all took a vow to hate her.” Abby chuckled and then wiped a tear from her eye. She was silent.
“Don’t do this to yourself, Abby” Susan said quietly. “You are sitting there imagining all kinds of things that are not happening. Luka loves you and he always has. For a long time...you know that. He would not screw this up again!” Abby sighed deeply.
“He hasn’t answered his pager or his phone,” she said.
“Oh, you know him,” Susan said. “He probably took her out to dinner and they’re sitting in a bar somewhere. He never could tell time...would always come and go when he pleased. I think he keeps his watch on Croatian time actually.” Abby laughed again.
“I miss you, Susan,” she said.
“Well, I am only a phone call away, kiddo.” she said. “Now, get up out off your couch and make yourself some soup. You are eating for two now, you know.”
“How did you know I haven’t eaten yet,” Abby asked her.
“Because I have lived your life, Abby,” Susan laughed. “I’ll talk you again soon. And I’ll send pictures of the house to Luka’s email.”
“I’d like that,” Abby said. “And Susan...thank you.”
“Any time you need me, sweetie, just call,” Susan said before hanging up. Abby set the telephone in it’s recharger cradle and sighed. Susan was right. She was eating for two. It wasn’t going to help either of them if she didn’t take care of herself. She busied herself in the kitchen and opened a can of spaghetti rings. There wasn’t much else in the cupboard. She’d eaten with Luka so often lately that she hadn’t really noticed that her own larder was empty. She was stirring the spaghetti in a pot on the stove when the telephone rang again. This time it was Luka.
“Hey, you should see me now,” she told him. “I’m cooking!” Luka chuckled on the other end and then there was silence.
“Is everything okay?” Abby asked as she scraped the spaghetti from the pan into a bowl on the counter.
“Gillian is here, Abby,” Luka said. “At my apartment. I need to stay with her tonight.” Abby’s heart fell.
“I see,” she said quietly. “Well, that’s fine. Whatever you need to do. But can I ask why?”
“It’s not for me to say,” he said. They were both silent.
“Are you on the schedule for tomorrow?” he asked finally.
“No...actually I have the entire day off,” she said. “I am not on again until Friday night. I promised Neela I would help her apartment shop...again.”
“Well, we have some things we need to do tomorrow so I guess I will call you when we are home again,” he said. “Good night, Abby”
“Luka...” she said softly. She heard him breathing on the other end of the line.
“I saved the Chicago Symphony Orchestra today.” She smiled as she heard his soft chuckle on the other end of the line.
“Good night, Abby,” he said again. She smiled a little and put the telephone away.
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Post by hollygirl on Jul 8, 2006 11:33:32 GMT 10
update again soon!!
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Post by Little Amy on Jul 8, 2006 11:41:40 GMT 10
I know it's nothing, but you really make me a little nervous now... but I am overeacting... right?
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Post by jaana on Jul 8, 2006 16:26:48 GMT 10
Great update!
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Post by Maryna on Jul 8, 2006 18:53:27 GMT 10
you made me very very very curious so please update it very very very soon!
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Post by larue on Jul 8, 2006 22:30:40 GMT 10
Chapter 5 - Choices
Luka was waiting in the ambulance bay when Abby hurried toward the E.R. to report for work on Friday. He tossed her a gown.
“Carbon monoxide poisoning,” he said. “Seven family members. ETA is less than a minute.” Abby nodded, removed her jacket and pulled the gown over her scrubs. Their eyes met for a brief second as Chuny fastened the gown and shoved Abby’s jacket under the gurney. A hint of a smile crossed Luka’s face just for her. Then an ambulance careened into the bay, followed by a second one.
“What’s the story?” Luka called over the sirens as the ambulance doors plunged open.
“It’s a bad one. A kerosene heater caught a family at the dinner table. We have one DOA. Six others on 100 oxygen push.” the paramedic said as the crew pulled out two stretchers from the back of each ambulance. The E.R. team kicked into gear as each patient was transferred to a waiting gurney and pushed to an expectant exam room.
Abby did a rapid visual exam of her patient. She was elderly, Asian, approximately 120 pounds and breathing hard and fast with the oxygen mask. Her hands were clutching the worn house dress over her chest.
“‘Hurts...” she was muttering as she tossed from side to side.
“Ma’am, do you know where you are?” Abby asked as she used her stethoscope. Sam looked up and gave her a blood pressure reading. She began to hook the heart monitor to the woman and the rapid beeping of the machine filled the room.
“Hurts...” the woman moaned again.
“What’s your name?” Sam asked her gently. The woman’s eyes opened and she looked from Sam to Abby.
“Lily...” she gasped.
“Lily, I know that your chest hurts and we’re going to find out why,” Abby said quietly as she leaned close to the woman. “You need to be calm and breathe as slowly and as deeply as you can through the mask. Can you do that for me please?” Lily nodded slowly. She grabbed at Sam’s hand.
“Family?” she asked.
“They’re being taken care of ,” Sam said and pointed into the next exam room where Neela and Chuny were working on a little girl. “See? You are lucky they brought you to County. We’re the best at this sort of thing.” The woman nodded and relaxed. She closed her eyes and began to breathe slowly and deeply. The heart monitor’s beeps slowed as well. Abby grinned at Sam and gave her a thumbs up sign.
Ray and Morris were not so lucky. There were just four surviving family members to transfer to medical beds. Nearly half of the family was wiped out by simple carbon monoxide poisoning. The loss of so many lives so quickly put a pallor on the departing shift as they left for the day. The rest of the evening was busy with the usual Friday night patient traffic. Abby wasn’t aware that Luka was still there until she found him sleeping on the couch in the lounge.
She knelt next to him and smiled. Who was watching who for a change? She leaned over and pressed a light kiss to his cheek. Luka’s dark eyes flew open. He saw her and smiled. His arm snaked around her waist and he brought her closer for another kiss.
“I’ve missed you,” she said quietly when they separated. He nodded and turned on his side to face her. Abby glanced down at his long legs curled to fit on the vinyl covered sofa.
“Your bed at home is not comfortable enough?” she asked. Luka shrugged.
“I wanted to talk to you before I left,” he said quietly.
“Well, I’m here,” she said. “So...talk.” Luka looked at her a second and chuckled. He sat up on the couch and gently pulled her next to him. He laced the fingers of one hand with her’s and sighed. Abby watched his face expectantly.
“Well?” she said. Luka took a deep breath.
“I have asked Kerry for some time off,” he said. “I need to go to Montreal with Gillian for a while.” Abby’s brown eyes widened a bit.
“Because?” she asked slowly.
“I can’t say,” Luka said. Abby pulled her hand from his slowly and stood up.
“Fine,” she said and headed toward the door. “Does Kerry know the reason?” He shook his head.
“Abby,” he pleaded as he stood up and caught her. He turned her around and smiled softly as he toyed with the strand of hair that had escaped her pony tail. She looked up at him.
“Soon I will be able to tell you,” he said and put his hands on her shoulders. “Right now, I can’t. But it’s important.”
“Of course!” she said as a fire began to burn in her eyes. “Go right a head and prance off to Montreal with your old...paramour! Who am I to stop you? I don’t need any explanations. I never have.” She pulled away from him.
“Send me a postcard this time,” she added darkly as she headed for the door. “Did I just say paramour? Geez...” Luka sighed heavily as the door closed behind her. What was he going to do?
Abby was looking at the information on the board and ignored Luka as he headed out the ambulance bay doors into the night. Sam eyed Abby’s angry face and Luka’s retreating form as she picked up the ringing telephone..
“Uh oh...trouble in paradise?” Frank asked.
“Shut up, Frank,” Abby said sharply. She jerked a chart from the stand and headed toward the triage area.
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Post by hollygirl on Jul 8, 2006 22:40:32 GMT 10
update soon!!!
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