|
Post by Carlisle Cullen on Sept 18, 2009 17:40:06 GMT -5
{2 Years Pre-Twilight}
The creases were still visible in Carlisle’s white lab coat as he walked down Forks hospital’s corridors, taking in his next patient’s history from the nurse. He had yet to complete his first week within the institution, but he had already proved himself useful to the team of doctors and nurses that worked there. He had already caught many an eye, which he tried his best to discourage, but he could feel that a good many of the humans around him still felt uncomfortable in his presence. Still, his ‘credentials’ showed him to be a promising young doctor with just enough experience to take on a more senior position where he could enjoy a certain amount of autonomy rather than have to bow to someone else’s supervision.
“Thank you, Sandra,” he said, with a smile, as the nurse drew to a close on the patient history and handed him the chart in her hands. He cast his light golden eyes down on the neatly written document before nodding at the nurse before him. She smiled back at him and took her leave, eager to tell her friends about the smile she had just gotten from the new doctor.
As he continued to walk down to the examination room that the patient had already been directed to, Carlisle glanced down at the file again. Of course he could remember every word the nurse had said perfectly, but there was something about looking at the written word that helped even his honed vampiric mind focus. He pushed the door open whilst he simultaneously moved the chart to his side and directed his calm, welcoming smile towards the teenager.
“Mr Rivers?” he asked, his tone even and confident, although he could already smell the sour scent of abnormal blood work. Still, he shouldn’t know that yet, he just ‘knew’ the history. “Hello, I’m Doctor Cullen,” he introduced himself as he approached the boy, seamlessly sitting himself by the desk so as not to intimidate him. “What can I help you with today?” He hadn’t been told of the specific complaint or reason for the boy’s visit that day and he knew that even though he could sense something awry with his patient’s health, the teen may have come in for a different reason entirely.
|
|
Cole Rivers
Settled in Forks
Werewolf Imprinted on Brianna Wilkinson
Posts: 73
|
Post by Cole Rivers on Sept 18, 2009 22:30:43 GMT -5
Cole sat in the examination room, waiting for the doctor to come in. He didnt have a regular doctor he always saw but just went to the hospital and took whoever was available. Cole knew he didnt have to do this visit alone. His father would have gone with him, as would Elan if he had asked him, but Cole didnt want to put them through this again. Too many times before had they had to listen to the news and Cole had seen the looks in their eyes.
Cole didnt need the doctor to tell him what was wrong. He was feeling weaker lately. More tired. He had been sweating and looking pale. He felt sick and knew the cancer was back. He had started to believe that he knew this disease better than the doctors that treated him. He didnt need the bloodwork to tell him that he was sick, his body told him that much.
Cole looked up as he heard the door open and saw the also pale and blond doctor enter the room. He knew this one must be new as over the years he had gotten to know, at least by sight, most of the doctors on staff. "Cole's fine...you're new right?" He said with a polite smile as the doctor introduced himself. Cole took a deep breath as the doctor asked what he could help him with today. "I've had leukemia on and off since I was 10" He explained to the doctor. "It's back...I can feel myself getting sick again, weaker, less energy..." He explained hoping this doctor wouldnt be like some of the others had been and think he was just paranoid having contracted the disease once, only to realize later on that he had been right.
|
|
|
Post by Carlisle Cullen on Sept 20, 2009 8:42:06 GMT -5
(Eeeeeeee sparkling!)
The moment he stepped through the door, Carlisle took in the boy’s appearance along with the scent that immediately assaulted his senses. Although he was still, of course, paler than his patient, the sickly sheen that adorned Cole’s brow set them apart as ill and well. An immediate sympathy was roused in Carlisle’s breast, which came whenever he was faced with a patient that was fighting against the odds. Still, that was why he had come into this line of work, to use his gifts to help people and to exercise his compassion.
He nodded a little as Cole told him to call him by his forename and smiled as the teenager asked if he was new. Well, rather told him that he was new. Judging by his medical history he must have spent more time at this hospital than most of its part time staff.
“You got me,” he said, good naturedly. “I just started here at the beginning of the week. Don’t worry, though, I assure you that I have more than enough experience in the field.” He reassured the boy, knowing that a few patients wondered at his credentials with his youthful appearance and being new did not help that. He could hardly tell people that he actually had centuries worth of experience in the medical field, and so he kept the explanation vague, upholding the self-confident yet gentle expression that he had mastered over the years.
“Alright,” the doctor said, his voice slow as he considered what the teen had just told him. He knew that the boy was right, but he also knew that it would take one of his colleagues a moment or so to ruminate over the information. After a moment he raised his amber eyes to meet his patient’s. “Have you been experiencing anything else lately? Any unusual nosebleeds, headaches, deep aching? Any breathlessness?”
|
|
Cole Rivers
Settled in Forks
Werewolf Imprinted on Brianna Wilkinson
Posts: 73
|
Post by Cole Rivers on Sept 21, 2009 22:17:28 GMT -5
Cole was a little surprised at how pale the doctor looked as well. It was almost like looking in a mirror. But he figured that doctors worked long hours, and the man probably didnt get much time out in the sun. Cole knew the fluorescent hospital lights certainly didnt give you a tan. He had native blood in him and was still paler than some forks kids, but that was more of a sick thing than being inside.
Cole gave a light smile as the doctor acknowledged he was new (something Cole was glad he didnt try to brush off since he knew better), but told him he had enough experience in the field. Cole didnt mind younger doctors, he trusted that anyone who got hired by the hospital knew enough, and Cole was pretty familiar with the procedures himself should he do something that didnt seem right. "I believe you" He said letting him know he didnt mind the newness "Welcome to the hospital, its a good staff here"
Cole watched the doctor's expression after he explained about the cancer coming back, knowing it wasnt what most patients reported, but appreciated that he didnt try to immediately convince him not to think so negatively until it was confirmed. "No nosebleeds, but my head and everything else aches most of the time" He reported. "And I dont really have enough energy to do anything to make me too breathless...but a flight of stairs can knock the wind out of me lately"
|
|
|
Post by Carlisle Cullen on Sept 22, 2009 7:30:42 GMT -5
It was with some relief that Carlisle noticed the small smile that Cole gave him after he explained that he was new to the hospital. It never looked good to have a patient refuse a doctor because they didn’t trust them, and he knew that his extra abilities might be able to help this boy fight his cancer. He could rush through tests, already knowing the outcome, which meant that treatment would be administered quicker, which might just push the odds in Cole’s favour. Hopefully.
“Thanks,” he said, still smiling calmly and confidently at his patient, though making sure that he didn’t flash his teeth in case it should make the boy uneasy in his presence. He nodded. “Yes, they seem like a good group, so far. Very committed.”
Although self-diagnosis by a patient quite often were detrimental to the diagnostic process (especially with the invention of that ultimate self-diagnostic tool: the internet), Carlisle appreciated the forthrightness with which Cole spoke about his symptoms. Even if he was just a regular, human doctor, he could still see that the boy had been in and out of the hospital by the history on his chart, which was backed up by the patient himself. It was unfortunate, but he ought to know what it felt like to be sick. Still, he listened closely to what Cole said about extra symptoms in case there was another explanation for the spoiling of the scent of his blood.
“Okay,” he said, after another unnecessary moment of thought. He pushed himself backwards, the stool he was on wheeling slightly to bring him closer to the equipment trolley. “I’m sure you probably know the testing procedure for this better than most by now,” he started, pulling out a couple of antiseptic wipes, the needle and the syringe that he needed to take the blood with. Once done, he turned to face his patient once more. “But we’re going to have to take some blood – would you like me to go over this?”
|
|
Cole Rivers
Settled in Forks
Werewolf Imprinted on Brianna Wilkinson
Posts: 73
|
Post by Cole Rivers on Oct 6, 2009 22:03:19 GMT -5
Cole gave a smile and a nod as the doctor thanked him. He seemed calm and sure of himself, but Cole liked that he wasn't cocky like some of the new doctors could be. "Yeah, they're good" He agreed as the doctor said how the group here was very committed.
Cole appreciated the time the doctor took listening to his symptoms as well. He didnt feel rushed by the doctor's presence, or as if he was already just making a list of what tests he wanted to run. He felt like the doctor was present, it was comforting. He also wasn't treating Cole like he was just a kid, being a teenager still.
Cole watched as the doctor started to pull out the needle and syringe as well as the antiseptic wipes. He had been stuck enough times that he knew he should be used to it, but his heart still beat a little faster as he saw the needles. "Nah, its okay, I know the drill" He told him as he asked if he wanted him to go over things.
|
|
|
Post by Carlisle Cullen on Oct 7, 2009 7:34:51 GMT -5
Carlisle’s confident façade didn’t falter in the least as he dealt with this patient. He appreciated that Cole didn’t feel animosity towards the medical staff that had been treating him, having seen occasions where a patient suffering a return of an illness blamed his doctors for it. It was particularly important for Cole to trust in his judgement if he was going to be successful in accelerating the process from testing to treating.
As he turned back to the teenager, fully equipped to take some blood for lab analysis, he noticed the slight elevation in his heartbeat, though his words had the nonchalance of experience attached to them. Radiating calmness, as he always did when he was with those that he was treating, Carlisle kept his senses firmly attuned to the rhythm of Cole’s body, making sure that nothing untoward started happening. He was quick in preparing the area of the teenager’s arm for the sampling, doing everything in a smooth, practiced manner in his cold, gloved hands.
“Alright, ready to go now,” he said, having wiped over the test area. He flicked his eyes up to his patient and smiled a little, intending to give him the chance to look away if he wanted – it comforted many people to be ignorant of the needle when it was so invasive.
“Just a little sting now,” he warned, inserting the needle and beginning the draw of blood into the waiting vial. He put his enhanced abilities into practice, his sensitive touch ensuring that no more pressure was put on to his limb than was absolutely necessary and the accuracy keeping bruising to a minimum. He sat back once more.
“All done,” he announced, holding gauze over the puncture wound and directing Cole’s arm into a bent position to staunch any bleeding. He nodded his head to the gauze and the position of his arm, aware that the chill of his own touch, even being gloved, would alert the teen into thinking something was off before long. “Could you hold that there for me while I get this en route?”
|
|
Cole Rivers
Settled in Forks
Werewolf Imprinted on Brianna Wilkinson
Posts: 73
|
Post by Cole Rivers on Nov 3, 2009 23:12:15 GMT -5
Cole's arm twitched only slightly as Dr. Cullen's cold gloved hands began preparing the area for the blood draw. It wasn't something the alarmed Cole, having experienced many medical staff with cold hands before. He always thought they should just turn up the heat, hands and stethescopes never seemed to be warm.
Cole caught Dr. Cullen's look and smile as he told him he was ready and Cole took a deep breath looking away slightly, trying not to make it obvious he didnt want to watch, not wanting to seem like a kid. He nodded as he said it would sting a little. He knew there wasn't enormous pain with a regular needle, but it still brought up his nerves. Memories of bone marrow biopsies flashed back whenever he saw a needle. The pain of these was excruciating.
Cole was surprised at what little pain their was with the blood draw. For a young doctor, Dr. Cullen seemed to be good at the needle sticks, even getting it on the first try. Usually the nurses or physician assistants ended up being better at that. "You're good at that" He commented in thanks as the needle was removed.
Cole let out the breath he had been holding once it was all done. He nodded as Dr. Cullen asked him to hold the guaze, moving his hand over to keep it in place. "Dr. Cullen...can I wait for the results? I just want to get it all over with today" He said hating to go home and wait for the phone call he knew was coming and then have to come in again to figure out his next course of treatment.
|
|
|
Post by Carlisle Cullen on Feb 2, 2010 8:44:17 GMT -5
(OOC: No idea how long blood tests actually take to come through - it's always weeks before our GPs have access to the results and I've never had any at the hospital - "doctor" (hehe) the 'few hours' if that's wrong )
Being both blessed and cursed with the super-enhanced senses of a vampire, Carlisle felt the smallest of movements in his patients when he was performing any kind of exam or test on them. The reaction from Cole as he began to prepare his arm for the blood test was incredibly slight, but it still made him more wary of limiting the amount of time that he was in contact with the boy's skin. Limited contact could easily be bad circulation, but if he realised that his skin wasn't heating up at all, then there could be some interesting questions.
Although he could no longer feel the flesh and blood pain of normal physical injury or ailment, Carlisle didn't judge the human for looking away as the needle dipped under his skin. Everything in a regular human's nature instinctively strove to avoid damage to the body - and they had a deeper laid natural avoidance to anything taking away their life blood, even if it was just a little bit.
He chuckled lightly as Cole commented on his skill with a needle. "Plenty of practice," he told him, his tone warm. "I used to be afraid of needles until I learned how to use them and when I did I decided to learn how to use them properly - never let a nurse do it yet." It was a lie, but definitely white and he hoped it would just be a little comforting to the sick boy.
He let go of the gauze smoothly, ensuring that there was no rapid gain or loss of pressure on the puncture hole as he did so. As Cole asked him if he could just wait for the results rather than be called at a later date, Carlisle gave him a slightly more serious look.
"There's no problem with you sticking around here, but they are going to take a few hours, most likely," he told him honestly. "And are you sure you wouldn't like someone here with you when they come through?" His tone wasn't patronising as he asked the question, he was merely giving the teenager an opportunity to bring in a adult figure - parent or guardian - before it was too late. He already knew what the results would be and he didn't want Cole to suffer any further if he wasn't prepared to receive bad news himself.
|
|
Cole Rivers
Settled in Forks
Werewolf Imprinted on Brianna Wilkinson
Posts: 73
|
Post by Cole Rivers on Feb 24, 2010 22:23:41 GMT -5
Cole gave a small half smile as Dr. Cullen told him he had plenty of practice. He didn't look like he was old enough to have that much practice, but figured he must have been the type of student to practice a lot of extra times so that they were extra good with the IVs and needle sticks once they actually started practicing on their own.
Cole nodded as he listened to what Dr. Cullen told him about how he used to be afraid of needles but then learned to use them and now never let a nurse do it. It was comforting to hear and eased his nerves a little. "If all your sticks are that painless I'm sure your patients are thankful for it"
Cole could see by the look on the young doctors face that he didnt think it was the best of ideas that he wait by himself here for the results. He knew he was probably lucky that the doctor hadn't insisted that his family called in even before he took the blood.
"I don't mind waiting." Cole said honestly, knowing the results could take awhile. He knew the doctor was showing concern for him as he asked if he was sure he didnt want someone with him when the results came. "Honestly...I already knew before I came in what the results were, so for me I already know the news and had to deal with that feeling alone...now I'm just getting confirmation so that they don't try to give me false hope and so I can figure out what if anything else we can do"
|
|
|
Post by Carlisle Cullen on Mar 2, 2010 8:52:03 GMT -5
Carlisle smiled, his honey-coloured eyes crinkling slightly at the corners, having been at the age where the slightest sign of aging had just begun to affect his features (something that he was now thankful for as it meant that he could remain in one place for far longer than if he still looked like a baby-faced youth). He liked to hear that his patients were thankful for the work he did for them, not just out of wanting praise, but so that he could be sure that his presence wasn't merely frightening them. If something so basic as administering blood tests or fitting IVs himself would make them accept him more then he would keep doing it.
He nodded as Cole to him that he didn't mind waiting, easing the latex gloves off his fingers, being sure not to dislodge his rather large crested wedding ring as he did so. He admired the bravery of the boy coming to do this on his own, especially when he suspected that the worst was wrong with him, but he also knew what value family could have in difficult times. Then again he didn't know about this boy's family, and unlike his son he couldn't glean their character from Cole's thoughts. In Carlisle's own time boys were men from age twelve and he believed that it was possible for teenagers to make their own decisions.
"If you're sure that's what you want," he said, gently, meeting the young man's eyes as he admitted that he already knew what the results were going to be. This put him into a slightly awkward situation, knowing that Cole's assumption were bang on the money, but also knowing that he should be doing all he could to reassure the boy, without giving false hope. He nodded, clearly appreciating Cole's frankness about the situation and the mature way in which he was speaking.
"Well even if the worst is the case, there will always be something we can do," he told him honestly, knowing that even if the outcome was that he is was terminal there would be something they could do to help him deal with the information and the pain. "But if you need to talk any of this through with anyone then my door is open - I know you barely know me, but the offer stands."
|
|