Medical Check in

Posted on Sat Apr 6th, 2019 @ 7:06pm by Lieutenant Commander Carolyn Corrigan MD

2,013 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 97 - Cultural Exchange
Location: Sickbay, USS Sutherland
Timeline: MD 07 1400 hours

ON:

Kalani had just dropped off the artifacts from the surface. She had been due to go back to the Pegasus but decided to stop in and get things taken care of. She'd been on the station three weeks prior to leaving for this trip and in all that time she had not had a proper medical...which she technically needed for duty. She also needed her shot that she got every three months. If her pheromone level hit 5% it would be horrible. She was already at 3%.

"Hello?" She called out as she entered the sickbay.

Lynn who had been stacking supplies walked out to the main bay at the sound of the voice. As she saw the new guest her smile faded. What was an Orion woman doing here? "Yes?" She asked curtly.

"I'm here to see a doctor....for a medical."

Lynn gave her the stink eye. "Fine, sit there." She pointed to the bio bed. She hurried to the CMO's office where Corrigan was on duty, at least for the morning. "Excuse me doctor."

About to take a bite out of an apple, Carolyn set it aside as she turned to face the nurse. "Yes?"

Lynn cleared her throat. "There is a person to see you." There was clear distain in her voice. "She's out front." With that the nurse disappeared down the hall.

"Just... wow..." Carolyn sighed as the nurse disappeared. She wasn't entirely sure if the attitude was directed specifically at her, the new patient or the world in general but she was sure of one thing. She did not like it. At all. Or perhaps Hades was right and she just needed a break.

Climbing to her feet she left the apple sitting on the desk, leaving the office to find out who had come to see her.

Kalani looked up as a kind looking woman exited the office in the corner. She stood and stuck out her hand. "Hello! I'm Lieutenant Junior Grade Kalani Liora"

"Hi, Doctor Carolyn Corrigan," she replied, shaking Orion woman's outstretched hand. "I don't recall seeing you before, unless you are assigned from another ship... What brings you to sickbay?"

She smiled sheepishly. "I was actually on station for three weeks. I just kind of got swept away in all the excitement of work. I'm sorry I didn't come sooner."

"Not a problem," Carolyn assured her. "I just need to call up your medical records. Do you have any concerns about your health at all? Feeling unwell, injuries or anything else I should know about that isn't on a file note?"

She smiled, "Not really. I am due for another Equamine shot to inhibit my pheromones. I'm at three percent and five is the magic number where....it's not a good thing." She smiled, She handed Carolyn a PADD. "These are my medical records from the Heart"

While they were talking Lynn had reappeared and wiped down the bed and set up the exam equipment.

"Lets get that out of the way first," Carolyn grinned, moving to prepare a hypo. "How have you found the station so far? Or have you seen the labs and not much else?"

She smiled, "I've seen a few things, mostly through the computer's welcome program.. It's like...a dream. I have a lot to see but first getting my post in order. To be honest I haven't even unpacked yet." She hopped up on the bio bed instantly liking the doctor. Not many overlooked her Orion background and treated her well. Most of them treated her like the nurse did or worse. She was glad for small friendly encounters.

"Beats a starship," Carolyn grinned, administering the hypo. "I haven't been on the station long either and I didn't look much beyond the Irish pub! Okay... remember to keep you your appointments to get this inhibitor topped up. In the meantime, lets get the rest taken care of."

"Sounds good. I really don't have many complaints. A few aches and pains but i'm sure it's all normal." She said smiling.

"The physical itself will identify if it anything beyond normal aches and pains," Carolyn assured her. "And as a health professional I should also point out that the station has excellent facilities to keep fit and health. Running track, swimming pool... okay, think that covers the disclaimer and balances out the Irish pub part."

She smiled. "Well when that is done I do need your medical advice on something."

"I think it's as ready as it is going to be, thank you," Carolyn said to Lynn, gesturing for the woman to move on to other things. Giving the nurse time to sulk off, Carolyn looked back at Kalani, "what's on your mind?"

She sighed, "I have a scar.... of sorts I need you to look at. I want to know if it can be removed."

"Of course," Carolyn nodded, gesturing for the science officer to lay back on the biobed. "Lets get the physical out of the way. You had one just a few months ago so it should be fine. I'll let the scans run while I sort out your blood sample and get it organised."

She gave a nod.

Collecting the blood sample, Carolyn crossed to the nearby workstation, initiating the programme which would analyse the system within moments. Leaving it to do its work, she returned to her patient. "Have you had a recent injury?" she asked curiously, watching as the scans mapped out an overall picture of the science officer in precise detail.

"Um....kind of...what are you seeing?"

"The scans show some scaring, which appears quite old but there is also a broke rib. It is a little newer but from what I can see here, it hasn't healed properly. It must be hurting you?"

She sighed, "Yes the scaring is old years ago when I was young and working in the dilithium mining sector....long story. The rib is recent just months prior to my transfer there was an incident with someone who wasn't fond of Orions." She sighed, "I thought it would have healed but yes...there is pain."

"Did you get in a fight with a Cardassian too?" Lynn asked curiously as she walked by.

"Ignore her, it was too one sided to be considered a fight," Carolyn told Kalani dismissively. "Okay... scans are finished and bloodwork results are in. All looking good. Lets take care of that rib and then we can talk scars."

Moving to get the equipment needed she looked across the room at Lynn, "I believe Dr Hades has a few appointments this afternoon. Can you make sure all of his kit is ready to go?"

If nothing else, she figured it would keep the woman out of the way. "This kind of tingles a little," she told the science officer, "just as it knits the bone back together properly. It takes a little while so why don't you tell me a little about the scars? You mentioned dilithium mines?"

Kalani closed her eyes as the Osteogenic Stimulator worked. The doctor was right the tingling was a little uncomfortable but bearable. She sighed, "Yes...when I was in the possession of the Syndicate. I was working in the Dilithium mines and I acquired it then."

"Sounds like you had quite the journey to get to where you are today," Carolyn said softly, unable to even imagine what a life like that would have been like. She continued to work, brow furrowed in concentration, offering an occassional apology when she had to apply pressure around the fracture to ensure the repair was complete. "You are clearly a tough lady."

Setting the stimulator aside she opened up a tricorder, rescanning the area. "Take a few deep breaths for me, see how that feels?"

She did tentatively at first and then deeper. "That's great! It doesn't hurt anymore. Thank you doctor."

"Perfect," Carolyn smiled, closing the tricorder and giving Kalani her full attention. "Do you want me to take a look at the scar now, or would you prefer to wait until we are back on the station? And in case I do need to say it, anything in here is private and will stay in this sickbay."

She smiled, "Thank you." It's actually my back between my shoulder blades. She turned around and lifted her hair so that the spot just between the nape of her neck was visible. There her flawless green skin was marked with three intersecting circles a symbol that stood for dilithium. It was less a scar and more a branding mark. "I know it will probably be hard to remove. A doctor I spoke with about it said that it would take several treatments."

Scanning the damaged tissue, trying to think of it as nothing beyond that, Carolyn examined the readings and nodded. "There is deep tissue damage, so I would have to agree," she said, closing over the tricorder. "However, it would be possible to do. I am going to be honest and say it will likely be a painful procedure but we can counter that with medication at the time. If it brings you some peace of mind then the option is definately there."

She looked up as the doors to sickbay opened and Dr Hades headed for his office. Carolyn offered him a small wave in greeting before returning to the task at hand. "I can get you some additional details on the procedures, what it involves, projected outcomes etc? And if you do want to go ahead we can start whenever suits you. It is something we would need to do on the base though."

"Yes please. I want to get rid of it." She was ready for it to go.

"Is there anything else you want to discuss?" Carolyn asked.

"I'm all good." She watched the figure of the retreating man as he breezed by seeming lost in thought. She looked back at the doctor. "Well thank you. You have been so kind to me. I look forward to learning how to get rid of that." She hopped off the bed and zipped up her jacket "Am I cleared for duty?"

"Passed with flying colours," Carolyn assured her. "I will sign off on the paperwork and get it updated. When we are back on the station just come by and we can look to get you scheduled in."

She smiled, "Thanks doctor."

"Take care and see you around the station."

She waved and left.

Lynn came back out. "Thank goodness she's gone."

"I'm sorry?" Carolyn asked, turning to face the nurse, not entire sure she had heard her correctly.

"Well she's an Orion...you know what those animal women are like. They'll tare through any male in a heartbeat! Imagine if poor Doctor Hades had been here the whole time." She went about puttering. "The nerve of her joining Starfleet."

"I had no idea you were xenobiologist," Carolyn observed drily. "However, I have no doubt Dr Hades would have been far more professional than you were. You have no idea what she has gone through in her life. Or why she has joined Starfleet. But she is a fellow officer and a patient. She deserves your respect and your care. Or is that just for the species you approve of?"

Lynn blushed, stammering. "Well...I .... I'm sorry." She hurried away

Carolyn watched as the woman disappeared into the store room, the door closing behind her. Releasing a deep breath, she picked up the padd with details of the lieutentant's physical and headed towards the office.

"Perfect timing," she told Hades as she stood in the doorway, suddenly feeling very tired. "The EMH is offline for upgrades, I sent Ensign Kyle home for gossiping in front of a patient and Lynn is hiding in the store room for a bit lamenting Starfleet's admission policy for Orion females. Sorry..."

Hades pulled out a chair for Carolyn. "Please sit down. I'll get he hot chocolate and you can tell me the details."

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