Rude Awakening, Part II

Posted on 30 Oct 2014 @ 10:31pm by Lieutenant Tuula Voutilainen M.D.

811 words; about a 4 minute read

Previously, in Jaana's personal log...

"I want to see a doctor," said Tuula through her tears. "Where's the doctor?"

"I'm sure he is on his way. The nurse went to get him."

"This isn't happening..." Tuula held her sister as tight as she could. "This can't be happening..."

And now, the continuation...


"Ms... Voutilainen, I am Doctor Solek," said the tall Vulcan as he entered the hospital room, with one eye on the patient and the other on his PADD. He frowned slightly at the sight of the other woman, and the tears running down both of their cheeks. Humans were so... emotional. Though he had to admit that even looking at the situation logically, it wasn't good for his patient. "I'd like to talk to you about your condition." He glared at the other woman "...in private."

Jaana quickly wiped away her tears with her sleeve, stood up and grabbed her bag from the stool it was on. "I'll just grab a coffee, I can really use one." before she left the room she looked at her sister. She didn't really want to leave her. "Do you want me to get you one too?"

Tuula's stomach rumbled as she looked up at Jaana. "Can you get me something to eat?" she asked. But her eyes pleaded with her to stay.

Jaana looked from her sister to the doctor, hesitating to stay or to go. In the end she decided to go. "Sure, I'll be back as soon as I can." she smiled at her sister before she turned around and left the room.

"Please hurry," Tuula said quietly as Jaana left, not sure if she had heard her or not. Tuula kept her eyes on her sister as long as she could before staring up at the doctor. "Doctor..." she started, not knowing what to say.

"Ms. Voutilainen, I'm sure you have been informed that you've been in a shuttle accident." The Vulcan doctor relayed the information to her in a cold and emotionless tone. "You had received numerous injuries, including broken bones, lacerations, and internal bleeding, most of which had been repaired during your initial treatment. However, your L1 and L2 vertebrae, that is, the bone in your back--"

"I know what a vertebrae is; I'm studying medicine," interrupted Tuula.

"Yes..." the Vulcan paused for a moment. "In that case, I will spare you the layman's terminology. Your L1 and L2 vertebrae have been shattered, severing your spinal column. We have scheduled you for surgery tomorrow, but your prognosis is not good."

"Will I make a full recovery?" asked Tuula. It was perhaps a naive question, given her knowledge of anatomy and what she had heard from the doctor, but she had to hope.

"No."

"No?" asked Tuula, her eyes welling up with tears again.

"Your vertebrae were completely shattered. The probability of you recovering any sensation in your legs is less than 20%, and the chance that you will be able to walk again is practically nil."

"No... no... this isn't happening," muttered Tuula. "This is just a dream."

"I assure you it isn't," replied Dr. Solek, in a deadpan voice.

"No, you don't understand," said Tuula in a desperate voice. "This can't be happening to me! I'm studying at the academy... I'm in Starfleet Medical..."

"Your studies have little bearing on your injuries. Now, on a scale of one to ten, how intense is the pain?"

"It hurts so badly all over..." Tuula started to break down again. "My life is over..."

The Vulcan sighed. Humans were so emotional. "That is... highly illogical."

"Is it?"

"Yes, it is, you are in your early 20s and humans have an average lifespan in excess of 100 years. Now, I can increase your dosage of morphenolog--"

"Please..." begged Tuula. Part of her wished he would just give her too much and end it. She knew from her studies that there are far worse ways to go than overdosing on morphenolog.

"In the meantime, the nurses will take care of your needs. Press this button to call them. If you require..." the Vulcan let out a slight grimace, "emotional support, there is a chaplain on the premises."

"I just want my sister," cried Tuula. As she began crying again, she saw the door to her room open behind the doctor.

The doctor quickly left the room upon seeing her sister was back. Those emotional humans.

When Jaana saw her sister's crying had gotten worse, she quickly place the coffee and sandwich bag on a chair and hurried to her sister. She sat next to her on the bed and pulled her sister to her, soothing her. "It will be ok, we will fight this. Don't worry."

Tuula said nothing; all she could do was cry, hold her sister's hand, and wait for the morphenolog to kick in.

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