See Chapter 1 for disclaimer

CHAPTER FIVE

A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE?


The rest of the week went relatively smoothly, except that Chet experienced a dizzy spell while shopping for the toiletries, and to his embarrassment Squad 51 responded.

Jeanette had become concerned enough to call because he had become ghostly pale and a bit confused.

When John and Roy arrived on scene, he was sitting on a quickly emptied display shelf and having some trouble breathing. He was less confused but now a bit anxious.

"Hey, Chet, Jeanette. What's up, pal?"

"Hey, John, Roy. What are you guys doin' here? I'm ok, just a little lightheaded. I'm really ok. Jeanette, why'd you call them?" He attempted to stand, but a wave of vertigo overtook him and he sat back down heavily.

"Oh, yeah, Chet you are in terrific shape. Just list me take your vital sighs and see what Rampart has to say, ok, pal?"

"O..Ok. Man, I bet it's just nerves, guys."

"Yeah, we'll see."

So John took his vital signs while Roy called it in. His B/P was 108/60, pulse 89 and bounding, respirations 14 and shallow. Pupils equal and reactive to light and accommodation.

"Squad 51 calling Rampart"

"Rampart here, 51. What do you have?"

"Doc, we have a male, age 28 experiencing dizziness, lightheadedness, and dyspnea. B/P 108/60, pulse 89 and bounding, respirations 14 and shallow. PERLA."

"Ten-four 51. What precipitated this attack? Is he alert enough to give you a history?"

"Ten-four, Rampart. I'll ask. Be advised the victim is Chet Kelly, Dr. Brackett."

"Chet? Rampart wants to know if you know what happened?"

"I don't really know, Roy. We were here grocery shopping when all of a sudden, I became dizzy and everything just started spinning."

Roy relayed this to Dr. Brackett who then asked if Chet thought this in any way related to his recent hospitalization. Chet denied this emphatically, refusing to believe that that SOB could still hurt him form the grave!

Dr. Brackett, attempting to calm Chet, ordered, "51, Start and IV of D5W TKO and transport ASAP. I want to check him out."

Chet, although reluctant, agreed with this. He was more than a little nervous about what was happening, especially after what Brackett had said.

Arriving at the hospital, Chet was beginning to feel better, thanks to the IV. Seems he was a bit dehydrated.

Dr. Brackett examined and determined that besides being dehydrated, Chet had an inner ear infection due to wax buildup. Dr. Brackett gently removed the wax and Chet immediately felt better. To his surprise, his hearing was better, too.

After Jeanette came into Exam room two, Dr. Brackett explained to both of them what happened. "Well, Chet, it is nothing serious. Seems you were slightly dehydrated and that contributed to the weakness. Your dizziness was from a wax buildup in your ears causing a mild inner ear infection. I've cleansed both your ears and put some medicated drops in. I want you to instill two drops to both ears four times a day for three days. So that means three more today and then Thursday and Friday. OK? We need you ready to party on Saturday, right?"

Chet smiled and said, "Yeah! Oh, Doc, you'll never guess where we are going on our honeymoon."

"No idea, Chet. Where, guys?"

"Massachusetts. We are taking a train and spending a couple of days in Boston and then twelve days on Nantucket Island. Ever been there?"

"Yes, I have. It's really nice there. But it gets rather cold there, especially the Island."
"Yeah, we know. The only things we have to buy are coats and gloves, which we'll get there."

"That's a smart idea.

Well, Chet, if you feel up to it, you can leave; just take it easy for the next couple of days, ok?

Jeanette, could you monitor his blood pressure for me every day? Call right away if it goes below 110/50, ok?"
"OK, Dr. Brackett, no problem."

And they left to wait for Denny. Jeanette had called him to pick them up, as she had driven in the ambulance and their car was at the grocery store parking lot yet.