For the next couple of hours Aaron struggled on, his pains and fatigue getting worse and he was getting tired from having to strain to urinate tiny amounts into the same bottle.
Around 2pm, he was exhausted, his back and stomach were killing him and he was struggling to stay upright as he stood straining and crying softly in pain at struggling to pass urine that wasn't in his bladder into the bottle.
He had only just finished, zipped up and screwed the top back onto the bottle when, walking back to his desk, he collapsed in pain and exhaustion and blacked out from the pain he'd been having.
Just a minute later J.J knocked on his door, and, getting no response, opened it to see Hotch lying on the ground motionless. She yelled for Rossi, Blake and Reid as she ran into the room and knelt over Hotch, his body hiding the bottle from her view. The 3 agents ran into the office after hearing her yells to see Hotch lying there. J.J, having checked his pulse to make sure he was still alive, started to yell his name at him but got no response at first. Dave was doing the same thing but calling 'Aaron' instead of 'Hotch' After a few agonising minutes he started to groggily come around.
"What's happened to him Rossi?"
"He was okay when I came by to talk a couple of hours ago."
"I saw him running to the bathroom a lot this morning. That's definitely not the Hotch I know."
"He was complaining about suffering the symptoms of a bladder infection when we talked. He's got a doctor's appointment at half 4."
Morgan and Garcia came rushing into the bull pen having been texted by Blake saying 'Hotch collapsed'
"Guy's we got your text. What's wrong with Hotch?"
"I don't know. I came in just now and found him collapsed and unresponsive…Dave said he'd been complaining about suffering the symptoms of a bladder infection."
"That's why he seemed in real pain in the men's room this morning…"
"Derek, why didn't you tell any of us you thought there was something wrong then?"
"I did. I called Rossi who said he would speak to Hotch for me."
"He was too embarrassed to go see the doctor when I spoke to him, but I managed to convince him he had no other options and so he got a 4.30 appointment with his doctor."
Hotch slowly came around to find all of the team in his office crouching over him with concerned looks on their faces. They saw him opening his eyes and blinking. Dave and J.J helped him sit up, thinking the bottle underneath him had juice or something in it.
"What happened Dave?"
"Aaron you're in your office. You collapsed and blacked out."
"J.J, guys why are you in my office?"
"I found you lying here when I came in to ask you something…I was so scared I yelled for the others."
Looking closely at his face, J.J could see the man was clearly unwell.
"Rossi told us that you were complaining about having a bladder infection…."
"Dave that was in confidence…And I got a doc's appointment at half 4…"
Reid, not knowing what was really in the bottle picked it up and handed it to Hotch.
"Here boss, I think you need to drink something…."
Hotch saw the bottle in Reid's hands, remembering what he had been using it for and grabbed it from Reid, embarrassment clear in his face.
"Reid I can't drink this. It's not juice…."
"Then what is it? Surely you can drink it…"
"No I can't guys….
"He means to say that to avoid embarrassment, he resorted to using the bottle when the urges hit…."
The other's couldn't believe that their boss and leader, Aaron Hotchner, had been so desperate to hide his symptoms and so embarrassed, that he had been resorting to using a bottle in his office every time the sudden urges hit him…
"I'm fine you guys, so please can you just go, I need to get back to work….I'm going to see my doc at half 4 so I'll be okay…"
"Oh no you're not Aaron. Morgan, help me get him to his feet….."
"Why?"
"We're taking you to the nearest emergency room. You need to see a doctor now. You obviously can't wait til half 4 Aaron."
"But what if I need to go before we get there?"
"Reid, grab that empty bottle off his desk and bring it with us. If he gets hit with another urgent call again, he can use that. Also bring the bottle in his hands. The docs can use that as the urine sample if they want…"
Even though he didn't want to go, Aaron hadn't got the energy to fight them off as Rossi and Morgan put an arm each around their shoulders and pulled him to his feet.
"Blake grab his wallet, credentials, keys and cell phone. We'll take them with us just in case. J.J grab his go bag in case he has to stay there. You girls and Reid follow us in the second SUV. Morgan, we maybe best lying him across the back seat….Aaron do you think you can walk?"
"Probably but can I keep leaning on you guy's? I'm so tired….."
"Sure no problem boss."
Slowly but surely they led Hotch out of his office and into the elevator.
"Garcia, when we're driving, I need you to phone Jessica and tell her what's happened and that she'll have to keep Jack for now. Once we get there and a doc is seeing him, I'll phone the section chief and tell him what's happened."
They managed to lead Aaron to the 2 SUV's and Morgan and Rossi lay him on the back seat of the front SUV. Reid handed Hotch the empty bottle before going to get in the second SUV with the women.
"Garcia as soon as we start driving I need you to send the co-ordinates to the nearest hospital to my phone. Morgan's going to be driving as he can get there faster. You guys follow behind us."
The team got into the SUV's. Morgan drove him, Dave and a sick Hotch whilst J.J drove herself, Reid, Blake and Garcia.
They had only just got inside the doors 25 minutes later when Hotch being supported by both Morgan and Dave and helped to walk was hit again. The others walked in behind them.
"Dave I really need to go again…."
"Okay there's a bathroom just there. Guy's you go get Hotch registered. We'll just help use the bathroom again."
They hurriedly rushed Aaron, half dragging him to the bathroom. Helping him quickly inside they headed for a stall, knowing he would probably collapse again if he stood up.
"Aaron, you need to sit for this time. You don't have the strength to stay upright…"
"Sure just get me to the toilet please…."
They helped the guy to the stall and let him sort himself out. They hadn't even shut the door before Aaron was rushing to undo his pants.
"We'll wait outside this door man."
Aaron sat down and the 2 men had to endure listening to Hotch's cries and moans of pains and straining before the urge eventually passed him. He managed to stand up and pull his clothes back up whilst leaning against a stall wall. The 2 men outside heard him zip up.
"We okay to come in Hotch?" Dave yelled.
"Yeah, but I don't think I can walk out of here on my own…"
They opened the door, took the guy's arms around their shoulders and helped him walk back out to the waiting area where the others were sitting in the empty waiting room trying to fill out the admission form. They saw the men returning from the bathroom. Hotch looked even worse and more exhausted than when he had gone in.
Dave and Morgan helped Hotch sit and half lie in a chair.
"Hotch there are some questions we don't know the answers to. If we write can you at least help with the answers?" Hotch nodded and they went through the few questions they needed his help with before handing the completed form back to the admitting desk. Only 10 minutes later a nurse appeared
"Mr Hotchner?"
"He's here." Dave replied pointing at Aaron.
"Can you come through please Mr Hotchner?"
"We'll have to help him as he's too tired to walk on his own."
"That's fine. If you and your friend help him and follow me…"
They followed the nurse into an examination cubicle. Morgan and Dave, carrying the bottle of urine Hotch had been using that day in one hand, helped Hotch onto the bed.
"Is it okay if they stay at least until the doctor comes?"
"Sure. Now I just need to confirm a few things with you Mr Hotchner."
"Actually its Agent Hotchner."
"Oh please excuse me Agent Hotchner."
She confirmed his basic details of name, age, date of birth, occupation and reason for coming to hospital. Then she held out a hospital gown and a patient's belongings bag towards the men.
"I'll need Agent Hotchner to change into this gown. His clothes can go into this bag."
"What about underwear? Can I keep that on?"
"I'm afraid not Agent. Please take the underwear off as well. The doctor may need to examine you there if he chooses."
She left the gown and bag with the 3 men and left.
"Aaron are you okay changing by yourself? Or do you need help?"
All Aaron wanted to do was lie there and sleep. He didn't have the energy or strength to change clothes.
"I may need help. Don't think I have the strength or energy to do it on my own…"
"Okay Aaron, Derek?"
Together they helped the exhausted and weak man undress his top half, taking off his jacket, tie, shirt and undershirt, first so that they could pull the gown over his arms. Then, after pulling off his shoes and socks, Dave undid Aaron's belt and pants and pulled his pants and underwear off.
Five minutes later a doctor and the same nurse appeared.
"Aaron, do you want us to wait outside?"
"Morgan you go back to the waiting room. Dave can you stay here? Is that okay with you doc?" Hotch looked at Derek.
"If that's what you want Agent Hotchner then I'm fine with that. Now it says here you maybe suffering from a bladder infection. Can you tell me when you think it started?"
"When I woke up at 6am this morning?"
"And what symptoms have you had?"
Aaron told him everything that had happened and listed every symptom he could remember having.
"I'm going to have to examine you and will need to run some tests and take a urine sample for urinalysis before I can be certain but it sounds like you are suffering from a UTI, or a urinary tract infection. It's more common in women then men but men can get them.
"Why did he collapse from a simple bladder infection?"
"Probably from a combination of being run down from his job and life and fatigue and exhaustion from having to go so many times and the energy he had to use in straining and bearing the pain. Also its common for men who get them to have it worse than a woman. Okay I'm going to need to ask you some questions Agent Hotchner and I need truthful answers…"
"Okay"
"Have you been sexually active in the last 6 months."
"Does on my own count?"
"Not really as that is classed as normal unless you over do it.
"I know you told me about the pain and frequency of urination. Could you describe the level of discomfort you get?"
"It feels like I'm trying to pass razor blades."
"After passing actual urine, how long after does the need to urinate keep going?"
"Quite a few minutes."
"Each time you have to go, how much urine would you say you passed on average?"
"Not sure."
"More than an egg cup full?"
"Probably say half a small cup at most, but it feels like I have to go."
"Besides the pain in your abdomen and back and pain when urinating, does it hurt anywhere else?"
"No."
"Do you drink plenty of fluids during the day?"
"I try to, although doing my job means sometimes I live on coffee."
"Have you noticed any blood or discolouration in your urine since or before the symptoms started?"
"No, but most times I'm too busy straining and in pain."
"Do you frequently have to wait for extended periods of time before you are able to use the restroom?"
"No."
"Have you had a catheter in the last 6 months?"
"No"
"Have you taken any OTC's since your symptoms began?"
"No, I've just been bearing the pain as I have a high threshold."
"How much have you had to drink today?"
"Hardly any. I was hoping that by not drinking, I wouldn't have to go so much."
"Unfortunately that may have made your symptoms worse than they would have been. Your body was trying to pass urine but you were dehydrated and were not producing the proper amount of urine. And what your body was producing was stronger and more concentrated. Even if you had drunk the normal amount, you still would have been going as many times as you have been but there would have been enough urine in your bladder to pass so that your bladder felt like it really was being emptied. Now, I'm going to lower your gown so that I may examine your upper torso area. Okay?"
"Fine."
"Doctor would this be able to be used as his urine sample?" Dave held up the bottle. "Aaron was so embarrassed at having to walk through the bullpen so often and had to go so bad, he was using this for the last few hours."
"As its in the last few hours and I trust that it is from only Agent Hotchner himself then I'm sure we can use it."
Dave handed the nurse the bottle and then watched as the nurse helped Hotch sit up whilst she slid his gown off of his arms and left it draped over his waist. After taking his temperature and checking his vitals, Aaron winced in pain as the doctor poked and prodded his stomach.
"I'm going to have to examine your genitals as part of the general assessment then, as you have back pain Agent Hotchner, I will need you to turn over so that I may examine your lower back as well. Whilst you're on your back I will want to perform a prostate exam. Your friend may wish to wait outside…"
"Dave? Would you?...I'll call you when its all over."
"Sure Aaron, I'll be right outside the cubicle."
After Dave had left, the doctor pulled his gown right off and did the exam on his privates before the nurse helped Aaron roll over and winced in pain as the doctor examined his lower back. Then he had to endure the humiliating time of having the doctor perform the prostate exam. Even though all the guys on the team had to have prostate exams during their annual physical requested by both the FBI and the health insurance company, it never got any easier for any of them.
The doctor finished and the nurse helped Aaron roll back over and helped him pull his gown back on
"Dave? You can come back in now."
Dave reentered the cubicle just as the doctor was writing something in his notes.
"Well, I have to run this through the urinalysis but you appear to have a urinary tract infection that may have started to spread to your kidneys due to you restricting your liquid intake to avoid bathroom use today. Once I can be sure, I'll be back to decide whether or not to admit you for a day or two of fluids, pain relief and antibiotics."
"Erm…what if Aaron has to go again before you get his results?"
"You may either help your friend to the bathroom by the nurses station or he may use this." She handed him a urinal before following the doctor out.
An hour or so later, after Hotch had been forced to send Dave out of the cubicle a few times and been forced to strain helplessly into the urinal, the doctor and the nurse returned.
"Well Agent Hotchner it looks like we were right after all. You are suffering from a complicated UTI. Due to your extreme fatigue, exhaustion and your dehydration, I have decided to admit you for the next couple of days to give you I.V fluids, pain relief and a strong course of antibiotics. I have started your paperwork and will need your signature on this admittance form." He handed Hotch a clipboard and pen and he signed and initialled his name on the line before handing it back to the doctor.
"As well as the I.V's, to ease your discomfort and frequent need to use the bathroom and so you can conserve all your energy into fighting the infection, I have decided you will have a catheter inserted for at least a couple of days. That way all you have to do is lie in bed instead of constantly get up to run to the bathroom. It should also give your body a rest from all the straining you've been having to do. I have managed to find a private room up on urology for you to stay in and someone will move you very soon. You also have the best urologist to take over your care in the form of Dr Brooks. He is our best and most experienced urologist. In the meantime you just rest Agent Hotchner. and you will be moved shortly, after which time you will start getting fluids, pain relief and start your antibiotics. Once you are settled in the room a nurse will also insert the catheter."
