Chapter XXXVIII: Testing
Hello, again, everyone. We welcome you back to "Summer Love, Summer Fears." This story is, admittedly, getting angsty at times and we hope that doesn't turn you off to it, dear readers. Anyway, again, we thank you loyal readers and reviewers, and greet you! Last time, Chazz was brought into Annie's room, now a great deal more battered than when he woke up in the morning. And now, Annie is facing the tests that determine exactly what is wrong with her. Sy will not leave her side. So what is in store for them?
Disclaimer: We don't own GX. We looked. We don't. We own this story, our OCs, non-established characters and our interpretations. We would also like to thank several medical websites which gave us valuable information regarding testing for tachycardia.
Warning: This might be a little angsty and yet a bit romantic, too.
Annie waved to her friends as she, her boyfriend and the two doctors headed down the hall. "Dr. Benson's in the west wing, Annie. You okay?" Kisara asked. Annie's expression had gone very serious. This was the face she wore when taking school exams.
Syrus placed a hand on Annie's shoulder. "Annie, it's okay. Don't worry..." Darla nodded.
"I'm okay...I have my game face on, don't I?"
Syrus nodded. "That's your 'game face??'"
"That's what my dad calls it," Annie blushed.
"I go all serious right before something I have to do," Kisara smiled. "My dad noticed the same thing about me, Annie."
"Really? I get nervous," Syrus replied, sweat-dropping.
Darla laughed a little. "But you're getting more confident, Syrus."
"Yeah, Darla, you should've seen him duel Missy Underwood. She's Weevil Underwood's cousin," Annie smiled.
"Underwood? Oh, I detest him," Kisara groaned.
"Yeah, and she had the hots for Zane," Annie sighed. "Like he'd like her!"
"That's how I got into Ra Yellow, Mom," Sy grinned.
Darla smiled. "I remember you telling me about that, son. I was so proud of you..." Then, they realized that they'd reached the right room for the testing.
Annie suddenly gripped Sy's hand tightly. "I know I have to do this, but...I don't like this..." She was starting to panic.
Syrus gave Annie's hand a squeeze. "Don't worry, Annie. I'll be right there with you..."
Annie took several deep breaths. And then a nurse came up to them. "Oh, hello Dr. Kaiba, Dr. Truesdale. This must be Annie...and is this Syrus?"
"Yes, Sarah," Kisara said, "and Syrus needs a pair of scrubs. Sy, you need to go with her for a minute, okay?"
Syrus nodded. "Annie, I'll be back before anything happens. I promise." He kissed her on the cheek and then let go of her hand to leave with Sarah.
Sarah led Sy into a changing room. "Hmmm...Okay, I think we have just the right size for you. And it'll look awesome on you!" She pulled out a pair of blue scrubs. "You can put these on. And they'll really bring out your eyes and go great with your hair. Gosh, you look like your mom!"
Syrus blushed. "Uh, thanks," he mumbled, going behind a curtain. A few moments later he walked back out, wearing the blue scrubs.
Meanwhile, Kisara had gotten Annie down the hall to an exam room. "You okay, Annie?"
"Yeah...they're going to have to draw blood aren't they?"
"Yeah...you weren't conscious when we had to the last time..."
"I don't like needles that much, especially the big ones..." Annie looked really nervous.
"It'll be okay and Sy and Darla will be in soon."
As luck would have it, Syrus walked over in his new outfit with Darla by his side. "Hey, Annie. Do I look okay?"
"Oh, wow...Sy, you look awesome!" Annie said. "You look like a doctor! Doesn't he, Kisara?"
Kisara grinned. "He does..."
Syrus blushed again. "He'd make a great doctor if he wasn't so scared of blood," stated Darla.
"Oh, Sy...then...I feel bad 'cause...I wanted you to be in here when I was getting a blood draw..."
Syrus' eyes widened, but a determined look came onto his face. "Annie, I'll still stay with you. I promised not to leave you alone," he replied a little shakily.
"You sure? I don't want you upset...I just...kind of passed out the last time I had one," Annie blushed.
"It's not uncommon, honey," the nurse said.
"Don't worry, Annie. I can handle it," he stated reassuringly.
Darla nodded. "All right then. Let's get you started..."
Annie swallowed as a nurse came in to check Annie's vitals. The room was getting a little bit crowded so the two doctors had to step out. Annie's blood pressure and temperature were checked and then the nurse took out a rubber strip, a cotton ball, rubbing alcohol and the familiar large syringe. "Okay, Annie, I'll have to have you lie down. Your boyfriend can hold your hand."
"O-okay," Annie groaned.
Syrus took her hand, sending her a comforting smile. "It's going to be okay, Annie. Just relax..."
"I hate shots...I hate 'em," Annie moaned. The needle went in, and Annie gripped Sy's hand tightly. She made a fist as the nurse told her to and the blood flowed into the vial. And the girl turned pale.
Syrus winced when he saw the blood, but knew he had to be strong for Annie. He kissed her forehead, even though his hand was shaking.
Finally, it was over and the nurse took the fresh tube of blood. "Okay, Annie, I'm putting your legs up. You're feeling kind of lightheaded aren't you?" Annie nodded. The nurse left the room briefly and came back with pillows which she placed under the teen girl's legs, elevating them. "I'll be back in a minute, okay?"
"Okay..." Annie said weakly. "Thanks, Sy," she said softly when the nurse left.
Syrus nodded weakly, a little shaky from seeing the blood. "N-No problem, Annie."
"You held up well," she said softly. "Thanks for the kiss."
He smiled. "It was the only thing I could think of that would calm you down."
She propped herself up a little so she was facing him. "Sy, come here a minute."
He leaned over. "What is it, Annie?" She got her arm around his neck and kissed him on the lips, gently.
He blushed, then wrapped his small arms around her waist to better return the kiss.
"Mmmm...this is nice," Annie said when they finally broke the kiss.
"Yeah..." Syrus would have said more, but then the nurse walked back in.
Nurse Sarah seemed to know something had occurred. "Should I...leave you two alone?"
"No, ma'am..." Annie said, blushing. "Um...is Doctor Benson coming?"
"He'll be here in a minute...Let me check your blood pressure again, okay?" Annie nodded and offered her arm. Syrus was blushing as well, moving back a little so that Sarah had room to work. "Okay...your blood pressure's okay, Annie, honey, and I'll get Doctor Benson. Syrus, keep her happy, okay?" the nurse grinned, giving the boy a thumbs-up.
Syrus' blush intensified, and he sweat-dropped after the nurse had left. "Heh…uh, Annie, that was kind of awkward..."
"I don't think that's the first time that's happened. And besides, remember when we woke up in the infirmary after our little fall? I thought I was going to die of embarrassment! And remember how Dr. Crowler flipped out?" Annie affected a good Crowler imitation. "WHAT IN THE NAME OF ANCIENT GEAR GOLEM! AN OBELISK BLUE WITH A RA YELLOW! He was so freaked!"
Syrus was laughing hard, holding his sides as he tried to regain his breath. "Oh, yeah, that was hilarious! I thought he'd be mad at the position we were in, but he was mad that we were in different dorms!!"
"I think he was just really shocked. He seems to do that a lot, and it's an old habit he's trying to break because he likes the kids in the other dorms now." Annie looked a bit puzzled. "I think it's because of Jaden..."
Syrus nodded. "I noticed that, too. He doesn't really pick on the Slifers anymore, and he seems to be giving the Ras more respect. I guess Jay just brings out the best in people."
"Yeah...I think Jaden's cool, but I wouldn't trade you for him...you're the one I love..." Annie might've asked for another kiss, but then there was a knock on the door.
"Annie?" and the doctor entered the room. He was a middle-aged white man with blue eyes, sandy brown hair and a Georgia accent. "I'm Leonard Benson. You can call me Leonard. And who are you, young man?" he asked the aqua-blue-haired boy.
"I-I'm Syrus Truesdale, sir. Annie's boyfriend," he replied nervously, blushing.
"Ah...Oh, you're Darla Truesdale's youngest, aren't you? Well, I'm glad you're here to help. Annie, we're not going to do any cutting open today, but we are going to hook you up to an EKG and we're also going to have you walk around and then jog on a treadmill. I want to see how your heart reacts..." Annie nodded.
"Cutting...open...?" repeated Syrus weakly. His face went pale at the thought, and he quickly leaned against the doctor's table for support.
"Are you all right, Syrus?" the doctor asked, helping him to a chair.
"Sy?!" Annie gasped.
"S-Sorry...it's just that I'm afraid of blood, and..." He shivered at the thought of Annie being "cut open," and all of that blood and...ugh.
"Oh, you're not doing the groin thing?" Annie asked. She'd done some reading on a medical website about heart tests off and on and feared that particular test.
"No, young lady, we won't be doin' that. It's okay, son; your girlfriend won't be doing anything like that; we don't need to be that invasive..."
Syrus let out a sigh of relief. "All right. That's good to know," he mumbled, sweat-dropping.
"All right then...If you're okay, we'll get the ambulatory EKG..." Annie nodded, and again, the kids were alone for a minute.
"Sy...they wouldn't let you in the room if they had to do major surgery on me," Annie said calmly.
"Well, now I'm really glad that they don't have to. I told you that I'd stay with you through all of this," he replied, standing. Syrus walked back over to her, bending to place a kiss on her lips.
"I'm glad you're here with me...I don't think I could do this all alone," Annie said softly.
And then the doctor was back. "Okay, Annie," he said, holding something that looked similar to the Duel Academy PDAs up, except that it had wires and patches, "we need to put these on your chest, so you need to lift your top..."
"Okay, Leonard," Annie said.
Syrus blushed, turning to face the wall. He wasn't sure if Annie was okay with him seeing anything yet.
Fortunately, it was very quick and the doctor tied the PDA-like device around her waist. "There we are, and we're done. I need to call down to the therapy/exercise area so there's a treadmill available...I'll be back..." And again, Sy and Annie were alone.
"Sy, you can turn around now..." Annie said.
He did so, a light blush still on his face. "Uh, I just wasn't sure if you...uh..." he mumbled, staring at the floor.
"You didn't look?"
Syrus shook his head. "Like I said, I wasn't sure if it was, uh, okay with you..." His blush intensified a few shades.
"Did...you...want to, though?" Annie asked, also blushing.
Syrus' eyes widened. "N-no! Of course not!! I mean, uh, oh man," he mumbled, biting his bottom lip.
"Well...umm...I didn't mean like...oh, boy..." Annie was blushing furiously.
Luckily, the two were freed from the awkward conversation as Dr. Benson returned. 'Thank goodness...' thought Syrus.
"Is...everything okay?" the doctor asked.
"Yes, Leonard," Annie said.
"Well, a treadmill is ready for you, Annie. Your boyfriend can come with you...Want to, Syrus?"
He nodded. "Yeah." So, the three went out into the hallway, where Annie's wheelchair was waiting to be used.
Annie sat down again and the doctor wheeled her out to the waiting room as Sy walked at her side. "Dr. Benson?" Kisara asked.
"She's ready for the tests, Dr. Kaiba. And this young man's pretty brave. And a gentleman, too..."
"Oh, is he?" Kisara asked, grinning.
Syrus blushed again. "That's my Syrus, all right. Polite as ever," stated Darla, smiling.
"Well, head on down to Therapy/Active Testing...Dr. Kaiba, a word, please?" Kisara nodded and headed into a room with Benson.
Kisara looked at the cardiologist. "What is it, Leonard?" she asked when they were standing in the exam room.
"This is going to be a test on her stress. I'd like you to have her walk down to Therapy, so I can see how her heart reacts for normal walking. Then she'll run on the treadmill and...she may pass out..."
"Okay, then," she said.
"Keep an eye on the young man..."
"All right," she said and then they headed back to the waiting room.
Syrus looked up when Kisara returned. "Kisara, what's going on?"
"Dr. Benson was telling me about the testing and what may happen, Syrus. Annie, we'll have an exercise outfit ready for you, okay?"
"Okay, Kisara."
"And Annie, you're going to walk down to the therapy/exercise room..." Annie nodded.
Syrus stepped over so that he was right beside the wheelchair, ready to catch Annie if she fell. "You can do it, Annie..."
Kisara moved and raised the foot platforms so Annie could step down. The girl was wearing skid-free socks so she could walk down in her stocking feet.
"Okay...ready..." Annie said and stood. She took a few steps, holding Sy's hand. "I think I'm okay..."
Syrus kept a strong grip on her hand, walking beside her. "That's it, Annie. You're doing it."
Annie held onto his hand all the way to Therapy/ Exercise. "I did it..."
"You did, sweetie," Kisara said, smiling. "Now, we have some exercise wear for you..." She moved to a cupboard and pulled out a raspberry pink sports bra and bike shorts, white athletic socks and a pair of clean sneakers. "I'll help you put these on, all right?" Annie nodded.
Kisara took Annie to a changing room and helped her into the gear. "There you are. And you look darling, Annie!" Kisara complimented.
Annie looked at herself, surprised. A good six inches of skin from the bottom of her bust to her belly button was showing. "You really think so? I'm not that toned..."
"You're fine," the doctor and mother said, helping the girl with her shoes. "Let's go out and see what your boyfriend thinks!"
"Um...okay..." Annie blushed. Together the women stepped out to where Sy and Darla were waiting.
Syrus was sitting on one of the benches in the room, and blushed madly when Annie returned. 'Oh man, she looks so...so...cute! But, I don't want her to think I'm a pervert like Atticus. Oh man...' he thought, eyes wide.
Darla noticed her son's look and laughed quietly. "I think he likes it, Annie..."
"Sy, it's okay...do you...like this?" Annie asked, blushing. "If you do...you're just telling me the truth and there's nothing wrong with that..."
"Uh, yeah...it looks really nice on you, Annie," he mumbled, blushing more.
Annie smiled. "Yay! I'm glad...Well, so I guess I take a jog, huh?"
Kisara nodded. "Let's get you in there...c'mon, Sy..."
Syrus nodded and stood, everyone walking to the treadmill.
Another nurse was waiting for them. "Hi, you must be Annie. I'm Jimmy." He looked like he should be in security rather than nursing as he was barrel-chested. He had dark hair and tanned skin and was very handsome. "Okay, Annie, up on the treadmill. If you start feeling weak, let me know right away, all right?" Annie nodded and climbed on. The nurse turned on the treadmill and Annie began to walk.
"You can do it, Annie," stated Syrus encouragingly. Darla nodded.
Annie walked for a couple of minutes and the heart monitor recorded everything as normal. Then Jimmy raised the speed slightly. Annie moved to match the speed and her heart rate moved slightly upward. The speed increased.
"Is this normal?" Syrus asked.
Kisara nodded. "This is testing her endurance. The real test will come when he gets her running."
Syrus nodded. "You can do it, Annie."
Annie gave Sy a thumbs-up, concentrating on her movement. This went on for a few minutes and then Annie ran on the treadmill. Her heart rate jumped. She started to feel dizzy and signaled for Jimmy to drop the speed so she could stop. Annie turned pale.
"Annie?" Jimmy and Kisara asked, moving close.
"I'm feeling dizzy..."
"Maybe she should sit down," stated Darla worriedly. Syrus bit his bottom lip nervously.
But before they could steer Annie to a chair, her legs buckled and she fainted. "We've got her..." Kisara said. "Jimmy, page Doctor Benson..."
Syrus was beside Kisara and Annie in a heartbeat. "Is she okay, Kisara??"
Kisara moved to the EKG. "It's a reaction...I need Leonard to look at this. Sy, she'll be all right...her heart rate will come down..."
He was relieved by that a little, but still worried. "Uh, does this mean her heart condition's really bad?"
Kisara looked straight at him. "I don't know, sweetie..."
Syrus sighed, and hoped that it wouldn't be. Then, Dr. Benson came in, having obviously rushed.
"Leonard, she passed out...Take a look at this..."
He read the meter. "What did you do the last time it was this high, Kisara?"
"I had to use..." she named a medication... "…to bring it down after it was up like this for ten minutes."
"Let's watch her..." And so they waited for a few minutes.
Syrus stared mostly at the floor, every now and then glancing at Annie's motionless form. Darla placed a comforting arm around her son's shoulders.
Finally, Leonard Benson called for a gurney. "We need to get her heart rate back down now..."
"Agreed...Darla, bring Sy..."
They wheeled the gurney out of the room and moved quickly to a room not too far from the Therapy/exercise room. Dr. Benson plugged an IV back into Annie's arm and got a shot of the same medicine to bring down her heart rate. "This is telling," he said.
Syrus' eyes widened. "What? Does it mean something??" he asked anxiously.
Dr. Benson nodded. "Syrus, I have to talk to her parents before I tell you for sure, though, okay?"
He nodded, hoping it wasn't anything bad. Darla pulled her son close, knowing he was worried.
"Let's take them back to her room," Kisara said, once Annie's heart rate was back down. She wasn't awake, but that wouldn't be a problem.
Darla sighed, and the little group traveled back to the hospital room. Violet appeared to have dozed off in her chair, head propped up by her hand. Alexis and Atticus had been talking with Chazz, and looked up when they entered. "Oh no, is she okay??" Alexis asked worriedly.
"She just had another episode," Kisara explained. "But it tells us some things. Oh, guys, this is Doctor Leonard Benson." She introduced the entire group to the cardiologist.
"Dr. Benson, is Annie all right?" Bastion asked, holding Violet protectively.
"We'll tell you as soon as I've talked to her parents," the doctor answered.
Alexis sighed. "All right. We can wait a little while longer. Right guys?" Atticus nodded, Syrus doing so a few seconds later.
Then, Violet's head slipped off of her palm, waking her so quickly that she jumped up in surprise. "The answer is Pluto!" she yelled, eyes wide.
"Um...Violet, darling? What were you dreaming of?" Bastion asked, laughing.
"Pluto?" Chazz asked, looking at Jaden.
"Your guess is as good as mine, pal..."
Annie chose this moment to moan softly. "Oh..."
Dr. Benson moved close to her bed. "Welcome back, Annie...How are you?"
"Okay, but wondering why I'm in bed and...I did it again, didn't I?"
Violet sweat-dropped, and was kind of glad that Annie woke up and took everyone's mind off of her. Syrus moved to her side, taking her hand. "Yeah. They got the results, but Dr. Benson wants to tell your parents before he tells us."
"I just have to ask you a couple of questions, Annie, okay?" Dr. Benson said. Annie nodded. "What do you remember?"
"I remember...feeling dizzy and then...my chest hurt a bit."
"You had chest pain?" he asked. Annie nodded. The middle-aged doctor and the younger doctor shared a serious look.
Syrus tensed, squeezing Annie's hand a little. Serious looks were never a good thing when it came to doctors. Violet bit her bottom lip and sat back down, staring at the floor.
Annie, tired, just squeezed back. "Sy, Violet...guys...it's okay..."
Kisara brushed the girl's hair. "Leonard and I will be right back, honey...we'll be able to tell you in a few minutes..." She and Benson headed out in the hall.
Nurse Sarah was waiting. "Doctor, here are the blood test results..."
"Thank you, Sarah," he said and took a look.
"What is it, Leonard?" Kisara asked.
"You have a good sixth sense, Kisara; your call of tachycardia has been confirmed."
And so, what Kisara initially thought was wrong has been confirmed. How will it affect the group? Will they find laughter again? Next time, the group will find out and they will discuss happier times. Prepare for some laughs, folks. Until then, read and review and stay tuned!