A Diminutive Existence
I was rolling the pencil back and forth in my right hand, a nervous habit I had. Waiting to see the doctor, trying to second-guess what she would say. Maybe she’ll think I’m crazy.

I looked down at my favorite pair of red heels as they slipped off my feet.I was puzzled. They used to fit just right, and maybe even a little snug.
The doctor’s assistant entered and said, “Okay Mrs. Brown, the doctor will see you now. First, though, let me get you on the scale and check your weight and height.”
I didn’t argue, just smiled as my heart pounded. I knew there was something wrong. The office wasn't as sterile as most are. Edna the nurse had some plants scattered throughout and family pictures on her desk. Even the furniture was a little warmer looking and made you feel more relaxed but I wasn't.
“Okay, slip off your shoes and step on. One hundred twenty-five pounds. Well, you’ve lost seven pounds—are you dieting?” Her eyes met mine and I could hear disapproval in her voice.
“You should gain, not loose. Now let see how tall you are.Sixty-three inches. Let me do this again something’s not right. The same results,” she said in a puzzled voice.
"Just come in, put on the gown, and sit on the edge of the exam table. I’ll send the doctor in.”
“ What is wrong? What did you find?”
“Just relax, the doctor will be right in.”
She left the file in the slot on the outside of the door, and a few moments passed. I wondered if I could retrieve it before the doctor came in. I was about to leave the table and get the file when the door swung open.There was Doctor Heather Asbury with my folder in her hand.
“Jane, my nurse was surprised about your weight loss but you have also lost two inches. What’s going on?” she said, glancing down at the paperwork.
“Maybe they let me keep my shoes on last time.” I looked at her. She was rolling her eyes.
“I can’t explain it, and I know it isn’t good for the baby to lose weight this late in my pregnancy. I’m eating like there is no tomorrow, but my clothes are getting looser, and my shoes don’t fit.”
Tears were welling up in my eyes as the doctor put her hand on mine.
“Don’t get upset, we’ll figure this out”.
“Let me check that baby and make sure he’s okay”. Doctor Asbury took the tube of clear jelly out of the cabinet drawer and put some in her hand. Lifting my gown so she could see my stomach, she rubbed the warmed lubricant. Then she picked up the ultra sound paddle and moved it in a circular motion. I looked, and there on the screen was the picture of my son; his heartbeat was strong and steady.
“Everything looks good, but I don’t understand the weight loss. You can get dressed, now.I’m going to have the nurse draw a blood sample. I’ll let you know if we have any concerns.”
“Thank you doctor,” I half-heartedly said. I still wasn’t satisfied—you know how doctors can say something, but not tell a thing.A moment later the nurse returned and went directly to the cabinets to gather the syringe to take a sample of my blood.
“Okay, by now you know the drill. Hold your arm steady and make a fist,” the grumpy nurse ordered.
“Your veins aren’t very easy to find.” She jabbed here, then there.
“Okay I got it, almost done.”
I was a little dizzy when she finished, and had to sit for a few minutes after she took two large vials. I got up, dressed, and then left the examination room to check out at the desk.
“The doctor will see you in a week if that’s okay. At the same time.”
“Alright, I’ll be here.”
Looking down at the desk I saw a rush order to the lab for my blood work. I still had unanswered questions that would just have to wait. I left, feeling light-headed, so I stopped at the corner café for a glass of orange juice and a muffin. I thought the calories would be good for me. They couldn’t hurt, anyway. The phone rang as I sat daydreaming. I pulled it out of my purse. It was my husband Greg. He asked me how my appointment had gone.
“Oh, just fine. Our baby—he’s good. How’s your day?”
“So-so,” he said. “I won’t be late. Do you need me to pick up anything on my way home?”
"No. I already have dinner in the crock pot. We’re good.”
“Okay then. See you around six,” he said. “Bye.”
I tapped the phone off and put it back into my purse. I didn’t mention the weight loss, or my concerns about whether or not this would affect the baby. He didn’t really notice, so why worry him?"
****

"Doctor, how many people is that now?” nurse Edna inquired.
“Lets see, ten patients this week…that makes a total of twenty-five in a little over a month. I have to ask a favor of you, Edna I don’t want anyone to panic, so I would appreciate you not saying anything about this.”
“Doctor you don’t have to say another word. My lips are sealed.”
“I am trying to figure how to get all of my patients to have a blood test, and not arouse suspicion.” Edna said with a laugh, “I’ll be your first volunteer.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary, at least not yet. I’m taking the sample to the lab myself after I’m done here, that way maybe I can find out what they’ve discovered. Since there are no more patients, go ahead and take the rest of the afternoon off.”
“Thanks doctor I have to drive to the airport and pick up my niece Chrissy . Maybe I’ll even beat the traffic.”
Edna wasted no time, grabbing her coat and purse, and flew out the door.
“Have a good weekend, Edna.” The doctor waved goodbye and then began to clean up her desk. She took Jane’s file and placed it with a stack with a question mark and a red band securing them. These cases all had the same things in common, and there was a real urgency to solve their mystery
The phone rang. “Hello, Doctor Asbury speaking.
“This is Ted at Mercy Hospital’s lab. I’m sorry, Doctor, we are totally swamped and won’t be able to come over and pick up the sample you have.”
“That’s okay. I’m closing the office and bringing it over. I should be there in fifteen minutes. And I need to talk to you.”
Doctor Asbury put her purse over her shoulder and stopped to pick up the vials of Jane’s blood. Ever-so-gently, she slid them into a side flap of her leather purse. She picked up her keys and walked down the hall, set the alarm, and then closed the big oak door. Walking across the parking lot, questions were flooding her mind. Should I call Dr Jeffery and ask his opinion, or wait till I get the results from the lab?

She clicked her key holder and opened the door of her car, carefully placing her purse on the passenger-side seat. Then she slipped the key into the ignition. The car hummed, and she drove off.
........second chapter coming

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Texte: (c) Serena Axel
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 31.01.2011

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