Carol prepares for a revision.
Denise inserted the comment, “And you did it twice.”
“Yep. Slow learner.”
Denise replied, “I hope I am smarter.”
After a long pause Dr. Davis replied. “You aren’t one bit smarter than she is to someone looking at your overall medical condition. It isn’t that good. You didn’t have accidents but you really ran yourself down with the booze. Although it doesn’t show yet you could have some liver damage that will shorten your life. But you can learn from the mistakes of others. You don’t have to do it as many times as they did.”
“I guess I am stupid too.”
“Depends on what you do from here on.”
Dr. Davis lowered Carol’s stump after intense prodding. “I don’t feel anything that will be a problem. Let’s get the x-rays and blood work. I don’t know if you were told but the extension of the program has a kink in it. I need to average two limbs a week. Any month without eight limbs we get cancelled. There are some very powerful people who don’t want this program to go forward. They could loose some big money if it is successful. The FDA has limited the length of time to six months to get in the number of cases, then we watch them for a while. If all goes well they may approve it. If they do the insurance companies will have to pay. Your boss has agreed to have the two other women be available Tuesday if needed. They are on standby if we have a slow week. He sees this program as important. We will do you on Thursday rather than Friday as planned. The four of you will be off the road for three weeks.” Dr. Davis had the other two doctors check her stump.
“He told me that was possible. They will drive in today, both have surgery on Tuesday and then as soon as two of us are ready to go we leave on tour with two other women. When the two here are ready they fly to meet us, the other two women fly home. We will pick up the missed sites after the regular tour.”
“Wow, Busy.”
Just after the doctor left a technician came in and took blood from Carol. She was just leaving when a nurse came in with a wheelchair. “We’re taking you to x-ray.”
Carol protested the wheelchair. The nurse was adamant. Denise looked over, “Trying to be a difficult patient?”
Carol hung her head. “No. Let’s go.” She slid off the bed without her prosthesis and sat in the chair. To the nurse she said, “Understand. I’m only doing this to set an example. Don’t expect to have it this easy when I don’t have to put on a good front.”
Denise laughed, “It’s good to see someone be humble.”
She was back in about an hour. She wrapped her stump and she and Denise did rounds on crutches.
Denise Chapter 01: Success in Hollywood
Denise Chapter 35 – the Therapy Intensifies
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