Page 76 of Tumbleweed Temptation
Ginny nodded. “I guess I didn't realize there were so many moving parts.”
“Yeah, neither did I. Would have been better to walk into an existing practice, I guess, but that didn't happen.”
“Building it from the ground up is good, though. Hard, but you can do it your way.”
“I guess. Should have minored in business, though.” He shoveled in a bite of salad and grinned at her. “Good thing I have you.”
*****
AUSTIN DIDN'T KNOWwhy he was so uptight about examining Mr. McKay, but Wednesday night he had trouble sleeping thinking about it. He was going to be alone with the man, having to examine him, and the tension between them...
Worse, the appointment was late in the day, so he had to go through his whole day with his stomach in knots.
But at least Ginny was there with him. That would make the day better, if not smoother.
Finally the man himself stood before Austin, and Austin still had to look up at the man.
“All right, we’re going to get some basic vitals, and I’ll give you the exam, and I’m going to want you to come back Friday for the blood draw. Maggie’s going to be set up doing them all day. You don't need an appointment, as long as you’re here before five.”
The older man grunted and sat on the table. Austin strapped the large cuff to the man’s muscular bicep. The bulk of the man’s arm didn’t leave a lot of give in the cuff. The two men didn't make contact as the machine did its thing, and as expected, gave a high reading.
“Do you have a blood pressure cuff at home?”
“No, why would I?”
“I’d like you to get one and check every day at the same time, preferably in the morning before breakfast. I suspect you’re usually pretty high, but I don't want to prescribe medication until I’m sure.”
“How much is something like that?”
“Cheaper than a stroke. I don't know. Look online. Thirty bucks?”
The man grunted again, and Austin listened to his chest. Nothing too alarming, but he’d wait to see what the blood tests said.
The rest of the exam grew more and more uncomfortable. He would give anything not to give the man a prostate exam, but since he’d been the one to insist on the appointment, he had to be thorough.
God help him.
“Do you have any particular complaints?” he asked Mr. McKay, turning away and removing his gloves, then washing his hands.
“Getting tired a lot faster than I used to. And I sweat like the very devil, even on days that aren’t too hot. My wife thinks it’s my thyroid.”
Austin made a note. “We’ll do a full blood workup on the samples. Could be thyroid, could be diabetes.” He looked up at the man then. “How’s your diet?”
“Well, you probably wouldn't like it. Full breakfast, you know, to get me going in the morning, eggs, bacon, toast. Don't usually eat too much for lunch, maybe a sandwich. Big meal at night.”
“Lots of vegetables? What about sweets?”
“My gal makes great desserts, and yeah, we usually have something every night. Jam on my biscuits.” Mr. McKay’s eyes narrowed. “You think I have diabetes?”
“I’m thinking it’s something we need to know so we can treat it.”
“I’m not giving myself daily shots.”
“Okay, well, if it comes to that, come to town and I’ll give them to you. Happily.”
The older man snorted and sat back.
“Again, I’m not going to make a diagnosis until I get the blood tests back, but I want you back here in two weeks, so we can go over the results.”
