Earning and Building Trust
Laura was awakened by the vibration on her wrist. It took her a second or two to realize where she was and which patient she was still working with but she felt well rested.
Laura headed for John's room when she found it empty she stood for a moment trying to decide where to go next.
"There you are!" Laura said when she saw John coming toward her. "Is that shoulder hurting again?"
"No, I'm fine," John responded but he was obviously anxious. "The team is on their final approach for base and Dad asked me to alert you. Virgil got his foot smashed by a good-sized rock and Dad would like you to look him over when they land. Sorry about the alarm, I just thought it would be the best way to wake you."
"That was a good idea, it worked well," Laura acknowledged as she walked along side John. "How long was I asleep?"
"Almost seven hours." John answered and Laura had an idea how intense the rescue must have been before she heard the roar of the Thunderbird engines coming in for a landing.
"Where's the best place for me to be?" Laura asked then followed John as he led the way back to the main control room.
They hadn't been there long when the door opened to one of the elevator shoots and Virgil was there being supported by his brother Allen.
"This is ridiculous," Virgil complained at the attention he was getting, "I can walk on it myself, it can't be that bad."
"Proper immobilization and an ice pack," Laura evaluated, "Excellent first aid." Then turning to Virgil, "As a Thunderbird during a rescue you are running on adrenaline and your judgment in these maters can not and should not be trusted. So unless you have to move to save your life you should do just what was done here. You should act as if it's the worst possible injury and treat it that way, until you can get somewhere and be properly checked out. Which we will do just as soon as we get you to the medical center."
Laura instinctively slipped under Virgil's other arm to help support him for the short trip to the medical room but when he grabbed onto her shoulder for support she nearly buckled.
"Maybe we better borrow your father's desk chair again." Laura instructed Allen. Just then the next door opened and Gordon stepped out and took Laura's place helping Virgil to the medical room and onto the bed.
Laura carefully removed the splint and ice to see signs of blood then ever so carefully removed Virgil's boot. By the time she had done all this Virgil was admitting that it was a good idea that he hadn't walked on it.
"That's a nice laceration there," Laura evaluated being careful not to touch, "now that we have everything off I think we can get a good x-ray."
"Allen how would you like to go wash up good and slip into some scrubs and I'll let you be my assistant on this one." Laura instructed as she gathered her equipment.
Laura had just finished with the x-rays and was looking over the pictures when Allen returned with his father right behind him.
"How bad is it?" Jeff inquired from the doorway still covered with 'rescue residue' (Laura's pet name for the dirt covering one who performs a rescue).
"I don't think we're going to have to amputate, It's going to take me a while to clean out all the debris and glue him up though." Laura informed, "Did you get Brains delivered alright?"
"Yeah, Parker picked him up. Is anything broken?" Jeff replied.
"Good, if anyone can handle Brains, Thurman can." Laura stalled for time. "Yeah there's at least three broken bones in his foot. The biggest problem though is all the little pebbles in there. What kind of a mine was it?"
"Coal mine," Virgil interjected.
"Well, I guess I better get scrubbed up." Laura looked resolved. "Do you want to try this with a local or would you like a nice long nap?"
"What about that Electro-stimulator trick that Scott used on me when he took my appendix out?" John suggested.
"Not advised," Laura shook her head, "This will take too long. We could do damage to the spinal cord with that length of exposure."
Virgil still seemed indecisive so Laura took another look at the foot. "What do you say we start out with a local and if that doesn't cut it move up from there?"
"What ever you recommend," Virgil said leaning up on his elbows to get a good look at his foot. "I trust you."
"Thanks," Laura said appreciatively, "That means a lot."
Laura smiled at everyone around then looked at Virgil again. "It's going to take a few minutes to get everything ready. Do you need any thing for the pain before then?"
"No, it's not bad as long as I hold still."
"I'll go get a quick shower and be back to hold your hand." Jeff told his son, "Scott is still about thirty minutes out. Can you wait for him to start?"
"We could," Laura answered. "But I think the resident raccoon here can handle this one."
"Allen while I get the supplies I need together why don't you get a wash cloth and towel and help Virgil clean up a little."
Laura enjoyed watching Allen awkwardly wash Virgil's face but most of all she delighted in the show of concern between brothers. By the time their father returned Laura was ready to set down and start working on Virgil's foot. Just as she said it would it took nearly two hours to get the foot cleaned up and glued back together. When she was done Laura fiddled with one of her splint sets to make it resemble a walking cast. Then while it set up Laura finished a complete exam.
"How is he?" Jeff asked while he watched Laura check the circulation in Virgil's toes.
"Not bad, he needs to keep this foot iced and I'm going to keep it numb through the night so it would be a good idea if he had some one with him when ever he tried to walk. I used the same bone glue that I used on John's shoulder so as long as he doesn't have any complications he should be able to graduate to a good sturdy boot in a couple of days."
"Can I go back to work then?" Virgil asked.
"You thunderbirds are all alike. Your health and well being is determined by your ability to save others." Laura shook her head and smiled. "Yes, you can go back to work then but I would be very careful not to get yourself in a position where you might have to run for your life. It will be a couple of weeks before you're completely healed. One more thing, are you scheduled to spend time in the space station in the near future?"
"I don't usually spend time in the space station, why?" Virgil asked.
"Your appendix is in what I call a susceptible state. You could have an acute flair up with in a week or it could remain as it is for the rest of your life with out any problems." Laura began to explain. "Given the experience we had with John you may want to consider having it removed before you put yourself anywhere that you can't get to a doctor in a reasonable amount of time."
"What do you consider a reasonable amount of time?" Jeff asked.
"Oh, a couple of hours, possibly as long as a day if you don't wait till you're doubled over in pain to start heading out." Laura answered.
"Well now I'm confused, should I have it out or shouldn't I? Virgil asked.
"If it were me, I wouldn't, unless you are going up to the space station or start having problems with it." Laura put it out on the line.
"What if it flares up after you leave?" Virgil raised up on his elbows again.
"I shouldn't be more than a few hours away from here. You can drop in on me any time." Laura reassured, "or I can always talk Scott through it again."
"I thought you were trying to get Scott to go with you." Allen spoke out. "Brains said that you need a pilot and surgical assistant and that you're trying to get Scott."
"No!" Laura said with out any reservation in her voice. "Scott is a Thunderbird, it's who he is and this is where he belongs. I will not take Scott away from here! He belongs here, not with me."
No one in the room knew what to say but Jeff became concerned when he looked up and saw Scott standing in the doorway behind her having heard everything that was said.
"With Virgil done the only ones on the island I haven't seen in an official manner are your servants." Laura got back to business, "Does anyone know if they are interested in getting check ups?"
"I, um, I haven't spoken to them about this." Jeff stammered slightly, "I'll have a talk with them as soon as we get Virgil settled."
"If you don't mind I would like to talk with them." Laura hung her head, "I can't give them back their son but I can give them the chance to tell me what they think of me to my face with out any fear of reprisal from their employer and offer my feeble apology."
Jeff wasn't sure it was the right way to go but gave a non verbal approval.
"Okay then, let's get Virgil settled in, let's start by getting him on his feet and teach him how to walk again."
Virgil was offended by Laura's statement and jumped down from the exam table to prove he still knew how to walk. With his foot still numb and the elevated step heel on his cast Virgil only made it one step before he fell, saved from hitting the floor by Allen and his father. Laura took the time to help him orient himself and stood in the hall watching him navigate to his room flanked on either side by Allen and his Father. When Laura was sure Virgil was taken care of she turned to find Kyrano and his family.
Laura first saw Kyrano tending to the houseplants then her gaze responded to the sound of humming to see his wife working at cleaning up the kitchen. Who should she speak with first and just what should she say? Laura had no idea but took her first cautious step into action.
In honor of the traditional head of the family Laura first approached Kyrano and swallowed hard when he stopped what he was doing and looked up at her.
"Mr. Kyrano, May I please speak with you and your wife?" Laura began then wondered if she should bow to show proper honor and respect but she didn't know so she just stood there waiting for an answer.
"Yes," Kyrano answered respectfully, "We will listen." He then walked toward his wife and Laura followed. Kyrano stepped next to his wife and whispered something to her. Then the two of them faced Laura and Onaha spoke with obvious fear in her voice. "Is this about our daughter?"
"No," Laura said quickly, "this is about your whole family."
"We don't understand," Kyrano spoke.
"What I want to say is that if you can trust me, I would like to offer my services to you and your family. I don't know if you have any health concerns or if you would like to have medical exams but I would very much like to help you that way if I can."
"I know Mr. Scott has been helping you, would my wife and daughter have to undress in front of him?" Kyrano asked.
"No, in this case I would have your wife assist me with your daughter and your daughter assist me with your wife. Then you could choose either your wife or Scott to assist with your exam." Laura explained a plan that she thought would be acceptable
"May my wife and I talk about this privately?" Kyrano asked.
"Absolutely," Laura answered without hesitation. "I will wait for you in the medical room and what ever you decide I will respect."
Laura turned and walked away giving them the privacy they had asked for.
While Laura was talking with the Kyrano's Jeff was looking for Scott. He didn't have any luck until he checked with the security system and found that someone was in the launch silo with Thunderbird one. Using the security cameras he found Scott sitting on a workbench deep in troubled thought. Jeff wasn't sure what he should say to his son so he choose to go to his office to look for the more resent set of sketches for Laura's medical boat, the ones she had told him about before Brains was shipped out. Somehow he hoped that getting a good look at her plans would help him to better understand what Laura's future plans were. Then he hoped that Scott would come to him when he was ready to talk and that he would have something meaningful to say if he did.
Sitting at his desk Jeff scrolled through the 200-foot roll of paper past the designs he and his sons had looked over at Brains bedside. He scrolled past the schematics for four different devices that Jeff was sure served some kind of a medical function, past a chemical formula and a modular room design then there they were. Laura's medical boat dubbed the 'Boat Doc' was sketched out to the finest detail including the placement of the generator and a propulsion system powered by the same generator that powered all of the instruments on the boat. For the next thirty feet of paper every room and every detail of the boat was sketched, Including a Helijet landing platform on the top. Jeff was amazed at the detail and the obvious engineering talent Laura possessed then he realized she must have come by it honestly. Both her grandfather and her father had been engineering masters. They must have taught her a thing or two over the years.
When Jeff reached the end of the Boat designs he found a piece of sketchpad paper rolled up inside the exam table paper. Curious he unrolled the paper till he saw that it was the original sketch he had seen her drawing at the camp in Australia showing his son. The next several feet of the roll was filled with charcoal portraits of Scott, six in all each one in a different action setting, looking majestic and powerful as well as gentle and tender. They were of the best quality and suitable for framing. The first depicted his son cradling an infant in his hands wrapped in a T-shirt, in a full run. Every muscle in his bare chest was detailed so clearly that Jeff looked at it in awe. He remembered the day he visited his son at the camp and saw him rush a newborn to a tent where it was aided in taking its first breath. The next five portraits were just as dynamic and gave Jeff a clearer picture of what camp life was like for his son as well as what his son must have meant to the camp and the other people there.
Jeff leaned back in his chair closing his eyes; he was feeling a discomfort that he had become all to accustomed to in recent weeks. As he rubbed his chest waiting for the pain to subside he remembered Laura's council that he keep up on his rest to prevent an acute attack. Then he realized that the portraits that he had been looking at not only displayed what his son had meant to the people of camp they also displayed what his son meant to the person who had drawn them. He couldn't go to sleep now he had to be here for his son when he was ready to talk. He had to show him these portraits.
Laura meanwhile was puttering around in the medical room cleaning up and putting things away. She was totally unaware of what was going on with any one else on the island. Her mind was consumed calculating one solution, 'where to from here'. If the Kyranos didn't take her up on her offer she was done except for one more surgery, even if they did take her up on her offer it would likely mean no additional time on the island. She needed to have her next station planned and ready to go there in a week. She would need to talk with Mr. Tracy to plan a trip off the island so she could make arrangements.
"Excuse me, Doctor Linstone," Kyrano's voice interrupted Laura's thoughts.
She turned to see Mr. Kyrano and his wife Onaha standing in the doorway with their teenage daughter between them.
"You came," Laura said with a smile and moist eyes, "Thank you for forgiving me."
The Kyranos' first concern was for their daughter who had been complaining of a headache for over a week, second for Mrs. Kyrano who had noticed a lump in one of her breasts. Mr. Kyrano refrained from making any complaints until his loved ones were cared for.
Laura took on Tintin's headache first but after an extra through exam she didn't' have a clue what was causing it.
"Well let's see what the blood tests tell us," Laura spoke to Tintin like she was an adult, which helped Tintin feel better. "While we're waiting how would you like to help me with your mom's exam?"
Tintin agreed and her mother hesitantly took her place on the table to be examined. Laura did a through head to toe scan then spent some extra time looking over the several lumps in Onaha's breasts. Before she was done she found five lumps in total. After begging for time to think about it for a while Laura examined the blood work and still didn't have any answers for Tintin or Onaha. After programming her computer for additional tests on Tintin's blood Laura coaxed Kyrano to lay down for his exam with both his now seasoned daughter and wife assisting.
Starting at the head and heading for the toe Laura was soon relieved that Kyrano's troubles were easy to solve. He had impacted wisdom teeth. Before she was done Laura found multiple old fractures not all of them had been set properly. This further testified of the hard life he had come from, before living on Tracy Island. Laura then made one more check of the blood work and although they were with in normal perimeters there was one result that gave her a clue.
"Alright family let's sit down together and talk about what I found." Laura pulled out a chair and a stool as she motioned for everyone to sit down. She then went to her bag and shuffled through a pocket retrieving a sample packet of medication before sitting down herself.
"I think I have an idea what is causing your daughter's headaches. If I'm right this medication will eliminate the headache in five minutes." Laura opened the package and squirted a small amount of cream on a patch then placed it on Tintin's arm. Laura then turned to Onaha
"You're right there are some lumps I found them easily with my equipment but I want to let you know that the percentages are in your favor that they are nothing to worry about. However the only way to know for sure is to do a biopsy. The real trouble is I'm not qualified nor do I have the proper equipment to do the Pathology on the biopsy samples. If you have me remove the lumps I'll have to send them to a lab and it will take two to three weeks to get the results back. Or I can help you find a hospital where they can remove the lumps and you will have an answer with in three days." Laura paused and looked at them but remained silent for a moment to give them time to think about what she had said. "I think the best move is to take tonight to talk things over with your husband and let me know what you want to do in the morning." Laura let out a sigh and looked back to Tintin.
"How's the headache?"
Tintin got a sudden surprised look on her face before looking at Laura and her parents. "It's gone."
Laura handed Tintin's mother all of the medication samples she had telling her how to administer it and that if the problem persisted after three days, to come back. When Laura started talking to Kyrano about his wisdom teeth he said that he would get back to her in the morning about them and Laura nod her head in understanding. She watched them walk out knowing that they wouldn't be sleeping real well that night.