Medical check in

Posted on 12/01/2020 @ 4:35pm by

Mission: S3E1: Time of Change
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: Day 81 at 0730

Kiara made her way to Sickbay to get her medical sorted, walking inside she hoped she wasn’t going to spoil anyone’s Shoreleave by turning up for her medical now.

In fact, she wouldn't. Chet was the sort to get antsy on shore leave unless he had something planned to do, so he avoided it this go 'round. He was, in fact, wandering around Sick Bay looking for things to do. So far, he had straightened five medicine cupboards, restocked another three, made sure all portable equipment was fully charged, and helped the dentist sanitize her tools. Now he was gazing around and wondering if he'd have to schedule a drill or something when the doors parted and revealed a relatively tall young lady. "Good afternoon!" Chet said, jumping at the chance to actually work with a patient. "I'm Doctor O'Hamilin, Chief Medical Officer, shoe connoisseur, Bassonist, and avid reader. How may I be of assistance?"

Kara smiled warmly, she got the feeling she was going to like this doctor. “It’s nice to meet you doctor. I’ve just arrived aboard ship and I thought I’d best get my medical clearances.” She offered a smile. “You may want to check my medical records, I’ve been on a mix of medical and personal leave for the past year.” She paused before deciding it was probably easier to explain. “Long story short ... a rescued survivor of a massacre turned out to be the culprit. He tortured me, and when he tried to force himself on me I ... had no choice but to stab him with his own knife. I killed him.” She bit her lip, after a year it was still a very painful memory.

"It sounds like no more than he deserved," Chet replied somberly, almost sternly. "In fact, it sounds like quite a lot less than he deserved. Best not to dwell on it. Anyway!" he added, rubbing his hands together "Let's get started. Anything I should know about? Medically, of course."

“I’ve had some skin grafts on my chest to cover what he did to me but they said I’d need time to heal before I could have any more.” She moved her hair from the one side of her neck which still had some deep scars from the use of a blade. “All his victims had patterns and designs cut into them, their bodies were covered.”

Nose wrinkling of its own accord, Chet frowned. "Death was definitely less than he deserved," he muttered. "It looks as if it's healing nicely," he said aloud. "Hop up on this bio bed and I'll take some scans."

Kiara nodded and did as she was asked. “I’ll give you fair warning I’m pretty ... sensitive about my scars being seen and even more sensitive about being touched by men. I know men aren’t a threat to me but my fight or flight response still kicks in. So if I act a little strange you’ll understand why.”

"If you like, I could get Dr. Cameron to do that part of the exam," Chet offered. "I won't be at all insulted if you prefer a woman's eyes and hands."

Kiara shook her head. “No it’s ... fine. I’ve gotten used to medical personnel caring for me. I’m just sensitive about it. Being my new physician you need to see.”

"It is preferable, yes," admitted Chet. "Would you like a nurse present at least?"

Kiara nodded. “Please, it just ... helps me feel more relaxed that’s all.

“Of course,” replied Chet, turning to locate a nearby nurse. “Nurse Wittacre, would you mind attending?”

“Not at all, sir,” replied the short-haired nurse with a cheerful smile. “It’s always easier with another girl present, isn’t it?” she added to Kiara as she drew the privacy curtains around the bio bed.

Kiara offered the nurse a smile as she removed her uniform top, knowing that she would have to remove her under layer as well for the Doctor to see the full extent of the scars on her body. She couldn’t help but feel extremely self conscious as she removed her vest leaving just her bra on.

Chet examined the patterned scars with clinical detachment and with an odd sort of morbid fascination. On a willing participant, the patterns would have been beautiful, but because they had been forced upon their host, they held a certain foreboding that he didn’t think would ever quite go away. He shook his head. “I’ve never understood how anybody can do anything like this,” he muttered, making notes in her file.

Whittaker said nothing, but her Stoney silence spoke volumes. She clearly felt that life was too good for whoever had done this.

“Well he’ll never do it again.” Kiara took a deep breath keeping her emotions in check. “When he was done with this he tried to ... force himself on me, I had no choice but to use his own knife. That combined with his own self inflicted wounds trying to pose as a wounded colonist killed him.” She sighed.

"Hm!" said Whitacre in a tone that quite clearly indicated, "as it should be!"

Chet nodded once in agreement. "It seems to be healed all right," he commented, scanning the skin grafts with his tricorder. "I understand you want the rest of these... replaced? Covered? Fixed, in any case- as well?"

Kiara nodded. “I would, I just need to find the right time. It took a while to recover from the first time and I can’t have my duties interfered with. I’m thinking of maybe having it done during shoreleave time between our missions, that way I’ll have the time to rest and heal.”

"You can take medical leave for that," he advised. "I'd hate to see you use your personal time for medical reasons."

“Of course” Kiara nodded. “How long do you think I’d need for recovery if I had some more of my scars dealt with?”

“Less than the last time,” he assured her. “Healing is tied to mental state and since you have presumable healed a bit mentally, it should be easier to heal this time around.”

Kiara nodded and offered a smile. “Then I may ask you to assess what needs doing and organise getting another set of grafts done.”

"Absolutely," agreed Chet. "I'll have to take some scans and you'll have to give me some time to review and consult the chief surgeon, but I can have some information in, oh, I'd say about a week?"

Kiara nodded. “That sounds good. I appreciate your advice and your help.” She smiled warmly. “I could say I’m getting used to these scars but every time I see myself in a mirror they just bring up bad memories. I’d like to get rid of those left on my neck, chest and stomach first. They’re the most visible.”

Chet nodded, focusing his scans on those areas. "Of course," he replied. "With reconstructive surgery, we can start wherever the patient prefers. All right... I think I've got everything I need. You can get dressed and we'll complete your physical."

Kiara nodded and started redressing. “Thank you Doctor” she smiled warmly feeling a wave of hope sweep over her.

Once the Lieutenant was dressed once more, Chet nodded to Whitacre as he resumed the regular physical scans. "Thank you, nurse," he said, effecitvely dismissing her.

"Any time, doctor," smiled Whitacre, and she pulled back the privacy curtains before going back to her regular duties.

"Any complaints aside from the scars?" Chet asked Kiara.

“None that I can think of” Kiara smiled warmly.

"How remarkable!" replied Chet. "No complaints. Most people tell me, 'my arm hurts when I do this.' So I tell them, don't do that! Why would you need to twist your own arm behind your back anyway? Just use a back scratcher like a normal person."

“I don’t have any physical ailments to complain of” Kiara smiled. “But I do have a headache. Although I know what’s causing that. I’ve had my Betazoid abilities since I was ten, that’s early for any Betazoid. I’ve spent a lot of years learning control but it still gives me problems from time to time, especially when I’m new somewhere.”

"Well, knowing the cause is half the trouble," Chet agreed. "Do you have any natural remedies that seem effective?"

“I generally try and meditate, not that it always works.” She smiled warmly. “If I have to I use a neural inhibitor for a short time, but I hate using those. Any other suggestions are most welcome.”

"Just pain killers," replied Chet. "Or, caffeine works, but that's usually with normal headaches. I'm not sure how it would work with your particular issues."

“Pain killers don’t do a lot, just takes the edge of.” She smiled warmly. “I just need time to adjust.”

“Even so, if it gets to be too much, let me know,” he replied, closing his tricorder. “Otherwise, everything else looks just fine. I’m clearing you for duty.”

“Thank you Doctor.” Kiara smiled warmly. “I appreciate all your help. I’ll pop back and see you if I have any problems.”

“Glad to hear it,” replied Chet. “Too many people avoid doctors. We’re here to help. Anyway, take care of yourself.”

Kiara nodded. “I will, see you around doc.” With that she headed on her way.

A post by:

Dr. Chester O’Hamlin
Chief Medical Officer
USS Sittig Bull

And

Lieutenant jg Kiara Rahl
Counsellor/Diplomatic Officer
USS Crazy Horse