Page 67 of Dr. Alaska
Today’s exam showed improvement with decreased congestion in his lungs and improved oxygenation. His heart rate was stable without murmurs. Thanks to IV diuretics and compression stockings—and a low-salt hospital diet—the swelling in his legs had decreased.
He pointed toward his feet. “I can barely get these on. When can I stop wearing these stupid socks?”
“How about never? Those stockings help keep you alive, Bruce.”
“Some life if I can’t get them on because they’re so tight.” He set his jaw. “How about I use them until next week?”
“How about we get you one size larger socks that are easier for you to put on at home? Once your swelling stabilizes you can then go back to this size. Or you can use elastic bandages if you’d prefer.”
“Hmmph.” He flicked at the tape over his IV site.
Lee logged into the bedside computer. She reviewed the daily vitals, fluid balance, and labs. His renal function was hanging in there, despite having his kidneys wrung out with diuretic.
The fine balance—help the heart and dry out the kidneys, or water the kidneys and overload the heart. It was a seesaw that needed to stay perfectly balanced—a job made extra challenging when someone added bacon.
“Dr. Burmeister did a great job tuning you up the past few days.”
His answer was in the form of a grunt.
She clicked a few more tabs and nodded, satisfied with the information.
“You still courting that ambulance driver?” he said.
She choked on spit and turned toward him. “Bruce. Come on, now. Let’s be professional here.”
“So that’s a no.” He stroked his scruffy gray beard. “You want to date Calvin?”
His son, Calvin, an ER physician from Seattle, had stayed with Bruce in the hospital and was now spending a few weeks in town. One of the nurses mentioned that Calvin might stay on at least short-term for ER shifts at the hospital. The more help the better. Guilt prickled at her neck. Help would be especially needed here if she ended her assignment early.
“I’m sure your son is very nice, but no thank you,” she mumbled.
“Why aren’t you seeing Maverick anymore? You two got along like gangbusters when you were taking care of me with my heart attack.”
Slinging her stethoscope around her neck so hard the bellthunkedagainst her sternum, she winced and said, “Bruce, you were unconscious the entire time we cared for you. How in the world would you have firsthand observations about anyone who saved your life?”
“Hmm.”
“Bruce?”
The grizzled man tried to appear innocent and pitiful. It didn’t work.
“Spill it.” She glared at him.
“Cripes, you’re scary.” He raised his hands. “Tuli said you two were a good pair.”
She blew some hair back off her face. “He wasn’t there, either!” Her voice rose on every word.
His gaze darted all over the room. “Well, he must have heard it from one of the nurses!”
Probably Deirdre or Amberlyn or Clyde. They all conspired to set her up. Billy the receptionist probably had an extra hand in stirring the pot.
Lee didn’t need help being set up.
She needed help making a massive decision about her life. Take a leap… somewhere. That first step was proving to be the stumbling block.
The locums recruiter had already texted this morning, gently asking if she had any questions about the assignment.
Regardless, Lee’s inner conflict would not be subject to Bruce’s prying. “Does everyone know everything about everybody in Yukon Valley?” she snipped.
