AN: I do not own Twilight.

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Chapter 11: Katie's Point of view

"Katie Blake," called the nurse as she ushered me in to Dr. Cullen's office.

"Hi Katie, Dr. Blake," said Dr Cullen as he shook hands with Katie and her mother.

"The tests we did in the ER and the tests I've done today confirm the diagnosis. Katie, you have Dysautonomia/Neurocardiogenic Syncope. It is also called Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome."

"What is the treatment for this?" asked Dr Blake

"The bad thing is that there isn't really a set treatment," he said. "There are some medications that can help, but the best treatments are also a little hard for POTS patients- it is exercise to keep blood vessels strong and lots of fluids. Basically, your blood vessels are a little stretchy, allowing blood to pool in the legs, the brain doesn't get enough blood and that is why you faint. Your body over corrects."

"Will the medicine stop the fainting?" I asked.

"I think it will help it." Said Dr Cullen

"I know you said exercise helps. The problem is that she will get faint or fall when walking. It just isn't safe for her to be by herself. And she's a very independent girl. What do we do?"

"One of the tricky parts of this disorder is that exercise really helps, but it is exceedingly difficult to get exercise if you are fainting or feeling bad. The trick is to find a way to do this in a way that doesn't make you sick. There is one thing that I think could really help you, but it is a little unorthodox," said Dr. Cullen.

"What is it?" said Mom, "I'm willing to try anything at this point."

"It's a service dog," said Dr Cullen

"How would a dog help?" asked Mom

"Dogs have a much stronger sense of smell than humans. It is actually at least ten thousand times stronger than a human's. There is a slight change in scent that happens, and the dog can be trained to pick it up. "

"It's funny. Seth and Jacob and I were talking about it this weekend." I said

"Yes," said mom, "you mentioned that Jacob was training some dogs."

"He offered to help. I got to meet the puppies. They are amazing. And really smart. And I think one alerted when I was there."

"It is an interesting idea," said Mom, "but a Service Dog is more responsibility than Max. Will you be able to take care of the dog- training it, walking it, making sure it isn't a problem in school. I always worry about what might happen."

"I can handle it. A dog might be better than falling down all the time."

"True." Said Mom, "But I'm not giving up on treating this either."

"A dog is just a good warning and response tool. To help make things easier and better. I really wish I had better treatments. I still want you to wear the halter monitor, but from what I've seen, there aren't any problems with the heart. This is what we call a diagnosis of exclusion. Basically, I rule out every other cause for fainting."

"I can see that," I said. "The scary thing is that this is getting worse. It happens once or twice a day now. And frankly, it is insanely annoying. And the only reason I went to the hospital was because Mr. Miles made me."

"I'm glad he did," said Mom

"Really?" I asked

"Yes, because we finally got an actual diagnosis and a plan. I've taken her to several doctors. Of course, most of them look at her, see a teenage girl, and think she is faking to get out of things. She isn't. And if she was, that needs to be treated, too."

"Yes," said Dr Cullen, "It does. I think way too many doctors are quick to dismiss things too quickly. If it doesn't show up on tests, then it doesn't exist, or the patients is malingering. I've seen this happen before. And I've seen some people get better and go on to lead perfectly normal lives. There are some who struggle with it throughout their lives. I don't which category you will fall into, but I can certainly help."

"You've been more helpful than most doctors already. This all started after a flu. She recovered and started fainting. I think the flu must have damaged the nerve or she had a little encephalitis that did it."

"Yes, but what is this plan. Do you really think it will help," I asked?

The plan is to start her on florinef and DDAVP. Drink- you must stay hydrated. And don't drink water- Gatorade, Pedialyte, or those fancy waters with electrolytes. And as for exercise- swimming is great, bike riding, and walking. Don't push too hard. If the fainting gets worse, slow down. And the dog. I hear Jacob Black is starting to train some dogs. He'd be a good person to talk to."

"Yes, I know him." Said Mom

"I've got his number." I reply. I didn't say that I've already picked out the puppy. Or that the puppy picked me. But at least I'm getting puppy.

"What do you have to do to get a service dog? Does she need a doctor's recommendation?"

"I think the school will need a letter," said Dr. Cullen, handing a letter to mom.

"Wow," said Dr Blake, "this prescription actually says, "Labrador Puppy, to be filled at Black's Labs."

"Awesome" I replied.

"Sometimes, the best medicine isn't drugs, sometimes it is a creative solution. And sometimes it has four legs."

"Thanks," said my mom.

"Is it ok to hug you?" I asked

"Absolutely," He said as I threw my arms around him. The funny thing he is cold, like a block of ice. Seth is always so hot there is practically steam coming off him. He is so cold, yet one of the warmest doctors I've ever met.

That evening, Katie sat on her bed thinking. I don't feel good, she thought. She thought, that wasn't right. Anyone in her family would jump in and say, "well." The truth was that Katie's head hurt. It is amazing that no one has come up with a word to quantify pain. You can rate it, but even with numbers that doesn't convey how pain feels just the severity and the hope that narcotics can treat it. Katie's true scale should revolve around how easy it was to think or do things. For example, the head pain started to hinder things when it reached a five or 6. But the difference between numbers got longer, not shorter as numbers went higher. An eight meant Katie couldn't think unless something took the pain down- Tylenol 3, tramadol, or even lorazepam would take it down for a bit, so she could think. If she could get the headache down, then no one would freak out. The eight she discovered, was the level where friends and relatives started to freak out. If Seth knew she was there, he might be the one to force her to get help. See, if Seth really could read her mind, this was going to be a problem. She was not going to be able to hide the pain from him. She'd gotten good at hiding it from everyone else. The problem with headaches had begun just before her brother's wedding six months ago. On that day, her mother had given her some advice, "Take the drugs. Put on the dress. Smile." And that is what Katie tried to do ever since. The pain was at a 7. Katie stood up, went to her dresser, and found the Tylenol 3, some Benadryl, and a glass of water. Hopefully, the meds would help. She checked her phone. Seth had promised to call after he talked to Jake and Seth.

Then she sat down and pulled out a pad to start writing. Excerpt from her journal.

I'm not sure what to do with the news that Seth has imprinted on me. It is just so wonderful and so terrifying at the same time. I mean, we are only seventeen. It would be great if we can be one of those couples who meet in high school and are married for sixty or seventy years. But it is also scary because this means that we will be together no matter what. What if he decides that my illness makes me too much of a burden? What if he can't handle it. Forget that, what if I can't handle it. Plus, there is fact that I must meet with the tribe to prove all of this. The whole thing is so archaic. What do the other imprinted couples know that I don't? I mean, I guess Nessie is too young to get it and Seth says that happened at birth- which is weird. I know that arranged marriages of infants were all the rage in medieval Europe, but the world has moved on. The Quileute tribe hasn't/ I just hope that I can prove that I'm strong enough to handle this. I know a lot of people that couldn't. Ackk this is so frustrating. Saved by the bell.

"Hi Seth," said Katie

"How'd you know it was me?" he asked

"Because I have caller ID and you always call at this time of night. What have you been up to today?"

"Not much. Jacob and I took Nessie fishing. And I'm working on History paper. At least it is medieval Europe, so that is fun." Said Seth

"Yes, it is."

"How are you? How was your appointment with Carlisle?

"It went well. He talked Mom into the dog and says he will talk to the school and do whatever is needed for me to take the dog there. He gave me some more medication for the headache. He said that there is a new drug coming out that is really supposed to help."

"Well, that's good." said Seth

"He even went so far as to mention Jacob by name."

"I'm not surprised. He is a very well-respected doctor. Even Sam likes him." Said Seth

"Why does this make me worry more about this interview with Sam and Jacob?" said Katie

"There isn't a reason to worry too much." Said Seth

"You're just trying to ease my mind. I know there is something weird about this whole thing. I can hear the trepidation in your voice. And you said that imprinted pairs can read each other's minds. And I can see that it makes you nervous."

"It is just that all this tribal stuff is unusual to outsiders. But don't worry, Jake will be easy. And you can charm the pants off anyone."

"Katie, dinner," called a voice

"I have to go, dinner is ready," said Katie

"Ok. Call me later."

Katie hung up and went to dinner.