Page 73 of Shadows of Recovery

Alert Dr. Jin Chao to evaluate her trachea and esophagus from compression.

Dr. Sam Harris to follow-up on other injuries except brain. Bring in cardiology prn.

Dr. James Blackwell to follow up on brain bleed.

Completed: Forensic Examination and Documentation

Antibiotic Therapy: Due to the presence of healing vaginal and anal tears, and lacerations from initial assault, as well as a persistent left-sided pneumonia secondary to post-splenectomy care, Sophie will remain on a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics to prevent worsening infection and promote healing.

Check on patient compliance. Continue based on need.

Follow-Up Care: Sophie will receive ongoing medical follow-up to monitor her physical recovery and address any complications that may arise from her injuries. This will include regular check-ups to assess healing progress and adjust treatment as necessary. Cardiac stress testing secondary to cardiac arrest suffered during original surgery. Re-check of surgical wounds.

Emotional Treatment: Refer to Blackwell Institute Psychiatrist

Trauma-Informed Therapy: Sophie will be referred to a qualified therapist specializing in trauma-focused therapy modalities.

Support Group: Sophie will have access to a support group for survivors of sexual assault, where she can connect with others who have experienced similar trauma and receive peer support. These groups provide a safe and supportive environment for sharing experiences, expressing emotions, and finding solidarity and validation.

Psychiatric Evaluation and Medication Management: Sophie will undergo a psychiatric evaluation to assess for symptoms of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to the assault. If indicated, she may be prescribed medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), to help manage symptoms and improve her overall well-being.

Advise start on Prozac 10.0 milligrams QAM for Panic

Safety Planning: Sophie will work with her therapist to develop a safety plan to address any ongoing safety concerns and mitigate the risk of future harm. This may include identifying triggers, establishing coping strategies, and accessing resources for crisis intervention and support.

By implementing this comprehensive treatment plan, we aim to support Sophie in her physical and emotional recovery from the traumatic experience of sexual assault, empower her to regain a sense of control and agency in her life, and facilitate her journey toward healing and resilience.

It was signed by Chris Skylar and Sam Harris.

Sophie fixed her eyes on the rape kit results and the police report. A knot formed in the pit of her stomach. Her heart began to pound. Her palms were sweating. Her breaths came fast.

Short memories began to flash like a strobe light. She dug out the scissors from the pouch. As she watched out the window and saw the snow billowing from the sky, her hands trembled. Fright surged through her, and she pulled her hair into a ponytail, hacking it off in jagged chunks. The uneven strands fell around her, a symbol of her shattered self.

“No one is going to pull my hair again.” She looked down at her hair covering the floor. She tried to run, but the door was locked. Panic engulfed her.

She raised her cat sculpture over her head and slammed it into the glass again and again, finally cracking the window like a car windshield. Using her healthy foot, she kicked it repeatedly. After ripping a piece of glass free from the pane, Sophie slid down the wall to sit on the floor in the corner of the room, where she began to rock. The memories flashed in her mind, each one more horrific than the last.

Patient was admitted with multiple three-inch lacerations to her forearms, thighs and buttocks, likely from a knife or other straight blade.The note in her chart ran through her head. Then Damon’s voice echoed in her head.

Sophie’s eyes fell on the healed lacerations on her arms, reminders of her assailant’s cruelty. In a frenzy, she began to cut them open until they bled, the physical pain a desperate attempt to drown out what she was feeling. The memories were so dark and frightening, she felt like she was suffocating.

Twenty-Eight

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