Page 100 of Nice Guys Don't Kiss Like That At Christmas
When he does, I pull out my stethoscope."Want to hear your own heartbeat?"
His eyes widen as I place the earpieces in his ears and position the chest piece over his heart.The moment he hears it, his whole face transforms.
"That's me?"he whispers in awe.
"That's all you," I confirm."And when you use your inhaler properly, it helps your lungs work better, which helps your heart work better too.Then you have more energy to visit Rocket and help him get better."
I demonstrate the proper technique for his new inhaler, having him practice several times.By the third try, he's mastered the coordination, breathing and pressing at exactly the right moment.
"You're a natural," I tell him, and mean it.
After explaining the dosage schedule to Mike, I pull out my phone while they gather their things.
"Would it help if we checked on Rocket?"I ask Jamie, whose eyes immediately light up."I can text Dr.Adam for an update right now."
Jamie nods enthusiastically, and I send a quick text to Adam:
Me
I have someone who is very worried about Rocket.Any updates on his condition?Might help with treatment compliance.
Adam's response comes back almost immediately:
Adam
Rocket's responding well to IV fluids.Pancreatitis improving.Eating small amounts this morning.Definitely well enough for a short visit if that someone wants to ask his dad.
I show Jamie the message, and his entire demeanor changes."He's eating again?Can we go see him right now?"
Mike laughs, the tension in his shoulders visibly easing."Let's finish up here first, buddy.Then we'll head straight to Dr.Adam's."
As I document the visit, I catch Dr.Harrison Sr.watching me from the doorway, that Santa hat tilted at a jaunty angle.
"Making good use of our veterinary connection?"he asks, nodding at my phone.
I nod, feeling strangely caught."It might help Jamie take his medication if he knows his dog's improving too."
"That's good thinking," he says approvingly.
After Mike and Jamie leave—with a prescription and a promise to visit Rocket—Dr.Harrison hands me another patient file, but I can't stop myself from asking: "Why did you hire me?"
He pauses, those kind eyes - so like Adam's - studying me.
"I mean," I continue, the words spilling out, "you saw my file.Why do you do those second chance contracts?"
He clears his throat."Twenty-five years ago, I lost my license for six months.Prescription drug dependency after a car accident," he says, adjusting his Santa hat."Best thing that ever happened to me.Made me a better doctor.More compassionate.More aware."
My chest tightens.Because Adam never mentioned it.And his father says it so matter-of-factly, like it was...a thing that happened.A hard thing, sure, but not a life sentence.Not something he had to claw his way out of for the rest of his career.
I've spent the past year treating my suspension like a debt I had to pay down, like every patient, every shift, every cautious step forward was proof that I deserved to be here again.But Dr.Harrison Sr.kept going.Found a different way to give back.
"I stayed overnight with a patient during a blackout," I find myself saying."Against protocol.Then when I questioned an attending's order about starting with Dilaudid for a patient with moderate pain and respiratory concerns..."I pause, the memory still raw."I followed protocol - documented my concerns, suggested alternatives, got pharmacy consults.But my ex, Chuck, was Chief of Emergency.He twisted it, made it sound like I was refusing to give ordered medications, letting emotions interfere with patient care."
"The board takes those allegations seriously."
I nod."Three-month investigation.Had to surrender my license during the review.Even after they cleared me - found I'd followed proper channels for questioning orders - there were conditions for reinstatement.Supervised practice hours, peer review meetings, documentation audits.Plus completing additional continuing education in medication administration and ethics."
"Not easy, coming back from that."
