Disclaimer: Thunderbirds are not mine; they belong to Gerry Anderson & Co.
Author's Note: Thanks for your reviews!!! Praise, comments and criticisms alike. My tale continues...
Bit of a long chappie this time!
Fate By Suzi Roberts
Chapter Three - Diagnosis...? Part One
Jeff sat down uneasily on the chair.
Dr Krauss closed Virgil's file and turned solemnly to his friend.
"It appears to me," the doctor began gently, "That Virgil has suffered a hypoglycaemic attack, when the levels of glucose in the blood are too low. It's a common side-effect of diabetes,"
Jeff closed his eyes.
"We'll need to admit Virgil to hospital for a few days so that we can run some tests on him."
"Tests?" Jeff asked.
"Yes Jeff. To define whether Virgil is insulin-dependent or not."
Jeff looked worriedly over at his son, who had fallen asleep somewhere in the conversation.
"Doctor..." Jeff turned to his friend. "May we continue this discussion outside?"
"Of course." They left, leaving Scott watching his brother sleep, concern written all over his face.
Closing the door silently, Jeff turned to the doctor.
"Is it life-threatening?" Jeff asked, so quietly that Dr Krauss could have pretended not to hear. He looked Jeff in the eyes and took a deep breath.
"Potentially, Jeff, yes," the doctor paused before continuing. Being an emotional man himself, he hated having to be the one to deliver such news to a friend – particularly such a good friend.
"If it is Type 1 diabetes – which I suspect, as Virgil is rather young to contract Type 2, although cases HAVE been known – then I'm afraid it can be life-threatening. The risk of stroke is three times more likely –"
Dr Krauss cut off at the pain he saw etched on Jeff's mature features. Composing himself, he resumed from where he had left off.
"And also the risk of kidney failure and blindness is high if the disease is left untreated. If the opposite of what happened to Virgil today occurs – a HYPERGLYCAEMIC attack – when the glucose levels are too HIGH from lack of insulin – unless Virgil can be treated in hospital, he may fall into a coma."
The doctor did not feel inclined to add "and he may die" to the sentence – the look on Jeff's face as he mentioned the word coma was enough.
A few moments of uncomfortable silence passed between the two men.
Finally, Jeff brought his gaze back to the doctor's face.
"So we need to take him to hospital immediately?"
"I would prefer it if Emergency Services were called to transport him there."
"It's that serious?"
"At the moment I'm just taking precautions Jeff. But I still think this should be treated as an emergency." Dr Krauss reached into his pocket for his cell phone. "I'll contact the Emergency Services straight away."
The two men made their way to the lounge in silence. Jeff offered Dr Krauss a seat, glad he had engaged Operation Cover-Up before the doctor arrived. International Rescue was the furthest thing from his mind at that moment, but Jeff felt he couldn't jeopardise their secret; especially not now.
As Dr Krauss alerted Emergency Services, Jeff wondered how he could explain Virgil's illness to his brothers AND reassure them at the same time. The only hope they had for Virgil was that his disease had been caught early, and, with treatment, he could live a near-normal life. From what Jeff knew about diabetes, he understood that diet and lifestyle could affect Virgil's symptoms. A thought suddenly occurred to him.
"Dr Krauss?" Jeff turned to his friend, who had just disconnected the call he had made.
"They'll be here in an hour, Jeff."
"Right, thanks. The attack Virgil had yesterday..."
"The hypoglycaemic attack?"
"That's the one. Can it be caused by stress, at all?"
"Stress plays a big part in it, Jeff. Diabetics under high-stress have more attacks than others."
Jeff sat down heavily on the chair next to his friend.
Stress played a big part in diabetes.
Had Virgil been under stress?
Yes, he most certainly had.
When?
At the rescue scene.
So is it my fault? Jeff thought to himself. This condition? Have I caused it? Have I pushed him too hard with International Rescue?
Dr Krauss looked at his friend with obvious concern.
"Jeff? Are you OK?"
"I'm sorry, doctor. I was thinking that's all."
"Look, Jeff," Dr Krauss turned to him. "I realize that this is very worrying for you. However, Virgil's condition CAN be controlled. With daily doses of insulin, and a carefully managed diet, he can live a normal life."
"I understand that, doctor," was Jeff's reply, "But I can't help blaming myself for this."
"All good parents blame themselves, Jeff. But it's not your fault, I assure you. It's just one of those things."
Jeff looked at his friend. He was trying to be reassuring.
It wasn't working.
More silence between the two friends.
Kyrano came out of the kitchen.
"Mr Tracy? Would you and the doctor like some coffee?"
"Yes, thank you, Kyrano."
As Kyrano headed back the way he came, Jeff rose from his seat.
"I need to tell the boys," Jeff said, "Can you let me know when Emergency Services arrive, Doctor?"
"Yes, of course, Jeff."
Dr Krauss looked on as his friend returned to the sick room, thinking how he would hate to be in Jeff's shoes at that moment. The doctor had no children of his own; yet he could easily identify with how Jeff must be feeling at this time. He had known Jeff for years – going back to before his wife died, and although Jeff was not often emotionally open, Dr Krauss knew the depth of his love for his sons.
Jeff rested his hand momentarily on the automatic door release, wondering how to tell his sons what was wrong with their brother without worrying them. After arriving at the conclusion that this was simply not possible, he pushed the button and the door slid open with a quiet hiss.
Scott, who had been alone in his earlier vigil, was now joined by Gordon, Alan and Tin-Tin. They sat watching Virgil sleep. No-one spoke; yet the atmosphere was not uncomfortable; it was peaceful.
The quiet hiss of the door caught their attention, and four pairs of eyes came to focus on Jeff.
He cleared his throat.
"There is something I need to tell you all..." he looked over at the sleeping Virgil, "...outside."
The clan of four silently left their seats and filed into the hall, no-one speaking until the door was firmly closed.
Jeff fleetingly thought about what he would say; then decided he would explain it straight – but as gently as possible.
He took a deep breath.
"Tin-Tin. Boys." He paused again. "I'm afraid Virgil is seriously ill. Dr Krauss suspects he is an insulin-dependant diabetic. Emergency Services have had to be called so Virgil can be taken to a hospital for treatment."
"Emergency Services?" Alan gasped.
"It's a serious complication, Alan. With treatment, he'll be fine. But we CANNOT leave this unattended."
Everyone suddenly understood what Jeff meant. If this disease was not treated fast and kept under control, they could lose Virgil.
Tin-Tin began to cry.
Her sobs were the only sound for some time.
Scott tried to hold up well, comforting Tin-Tin and trying to reassure her, but it was clear to Jeff that his eldest had taken the news very badly but would never admit to it.
Who wouldn't take news like this badly?
Gordon and Alan looked lost.
Virgil was their big brother. They couldn't lose him.
"Who's going to tell Virgil?" Gordon asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
"Tell me what?"
Virgil was standing shakily at the door of the sick room, his eyes looking questioningly at his father and brothers.
___________________________________________________________________
Author's Note: Chapter 4 – Diagnosis...? Part Two coming very soon, I promise! Don't forget to drop me a review!
Author's Note: Thanks for your reviews!!! Praise, comments and criticisms alike. My tale continues...
Bit of a long chappie this time!
Fate By Suzi Roberts
Chapter Three - Diagnosis...? Part One
Jeff sat down uneasily on the chair.
Dr Krauss closed Virgil's file and turned solemnly to his friend.
"It appears to me," the doctor began gently, "That Virgil has suffered a hypoglycaemic attack, when the levels of glucose in the blood are too low. It's a common side-effect of diabetes,"
Jeff closed his eyes.
"We'll need to admit Virgil to hospital for a few days so that we can run some tests on him."
"Tests?" Jeff asked.
"Yes Jeff. To define whether Virgil is insulin-dependent or not."
Jeff looked worriedly over at his son, who had fallen asleep somewhere in the conversation.
"Doctor..." Jeff turned to his friend. "May we continue this discussion outside?"
"Of course." They left, leaving Scott watching his brother sleep, concern written all over his face.
Closing the door silently, Jeff turned to the doctor.
"Is it life-threatening?" Jeff asked, so quietly that Dr Krauss could have pretended not to hear. He looked Jeff in the eyes and took a deep breath.
"Potentially, Jeff, yes," the doctor paused before continuing. Being an emotional man himself, he hated having to be the one to deliver such news to a friend – particularly such a good friend.
"If it is Type 1 diabetes – which I suspect, as Virgil is rather young to contract Type 2, although cases HAVE been known – then I'm afraid it can be life-threatening. The risk of stroke is three times more likely –"
Dr Krauss cut off at the pain he saw etched on Jeff's mature features. Composing himself, he resumed from where he had left off.
"And also the risk of kidney failure and blindness is high if the disease is left untreated. If the opposite of what happened to Virgil today occurs – a HYPERGLYCAEMIC attack – when the glucose levels are too HIGH from lack of insulin – unless Virgil can be treated in hospital, he may fall into a coma."
The doctor did not feel inclined to add "and he may die" to the sentence – the look on Jeff's face as he mentioned the word coma was enough.
A few moments of uncomfortable silence passed between the two men.
Finally, Jeff brought his gaze back to the doctor's face.
"So we need to take him to hospital immediately?"
"I would prefer it if Emergency Services were called to transport him there."
"It's that serious?"
"At the moment I'm just taking precautions Jeff. But I still think this should be treated as an emergency." Dr Krauss reached into his pocket for his cell phone. "I'll contact the Emergency Services straight away."
The two men made their way to the lounge in silence. Jeff offered Dr Krauss a seat, glad he had engaged Operation Cover-Up before the doctor arrived. International Rescue was the furthest thing from his mind at that moment, but Jeff felt he couldn't jeopardise their secret; especially not now.
As Dr Krauss alerted Emergency Services, Jeff wondered how he could explain Virgil's illness to his brothers AND reassure them at the same time. The only hope they had for Virgil was that his disease had been caught early, and, with treatment, he could live a near-normal life. From what Jeff knew about diabetes, he understood that diet and lifestyle could affect Virgil's symptoms. A thought suddenly occurred to him.
"Dr Krauss?" Jeff turned to his friend, who had just disconnected the call he had made.
"They'll be here in an hour, Jeff."
"Right, thanks. The attack Virgil had yesterday..."
"The hypoglycaemic attack?"
"That's the one. Can it be caused by stress, at all?"
"Stress plays a big part in it, Jeff. Diabetics under high-stress have more attacks than others."
Jeff sat down heavily on the chair next to his friend.
Stress played a big part in diabetes.
Had Virgil been under stress?
Yes, he most certainly had.
When?
At the rescue scene.
So is it my fault? Jeff thought to himself. This condition? Have I caused it? Have I pushed him too hard with International Rescue?
Dr Krauss looked at his friend with obvious concern.
"Jeff? Are you OK?"
"I'm sorry, doctor. I was thinking that's all."
"Look, Jeff," Dr Krauss turned to him. "I realize that this is very worrying for you. However, Virgil's condition CAN be controlled. With daily doses of insulin, and a carefully managed diet, he can live a normal life."
"I understand that, doctor," was Jeff's reply, "But I can't help blaming myself for this."
"All good parents blame themselves, Jeff. But it's not your fault, I assure you. It's just one of those things."
Jeff looked at his friend. He was trying to be reassuring.
It wasn't working.
More silence between the two friends.
Kyrano came out of the kitchen.
"Mr Tracy? Would you and the doctor like some coffee?"
"Yes, thank you, Kyrano."
As Kyrano headed back the way he came, Jeff rose from his seat.
"I need to tell the boys," Jeff said, "Can you let me know when Emergency Services arrive, Doctor?"
"Yes, of course, Jeff."
Dr Krauss looked on as his friend returned to the sick room, thinking how he would hate to be in Jeff's shoes at that moment. The doctor had no children of his own; yet he could easily identify with how Jeff must be feeling at this time. He had known Jeff for years – going back to before his wife died, and although Jeff was not often emotionally open, Dr Krauss knew the depth of his love for his sons.
Jeff rested his hand momentarily on the automatic door release, wondering how to tell his sons what was wrong with their brother without worrying them. After arriving at the conclusion that this was simply not possible, he pushed the button and the door slid open with a quiet hiss.
Scott, who had been alone in his earlier vigil, was now joined by Gordon, Alan and Tin-Tin. They sat watching Virgil sleep. No-one spoke; yet the atmosphere was not uncomfortable; it was peaceful.
The quiet hiss of the door caught their attention, and four pairs of eyes came to focus on Jeff.
He cleared his throat.
"There is something I need to tell you all..." he looked over at the sleeping Virgil, "...outside."
The clan of four silently left their seats and filed into the hall, no-one speaking until the door was firmly closed.
Jeff fleetingly thought about what he would say; then decided he would explain it straight – but as gently as possible.
He took a deep breath.
"Tin-Tin. Boys." He paused again. "I'm afraid Virgil is seriously ill. Dr Krauss suspects he is an insulin-dependant diabetic. Emergency Services have had to be called so Virgil can be taken to a hospital for treatment."
"Emergency Services?" Alan gasped.
"It's a serious complication, Alan. With treatment, he'll be fine. But we CANNOT leave this unattended."
Everyone suddenly understood what Jeff meant. If this disease was not treated fast and kept under control, they could lose Virgil.
Tin-Tin began to cry.
Her sobs were the only sound for some time.
Scott tried to hold up well, comforting Tin-Tin and trying to reassure her, but it was clear to Jeff that his eldest had taken the news very badly but would never admit to it.
Who wouldn't take news like this badly?
Gordon and Alan looked lost.
Virgil was their big brother. They couldn't lose him.
"Who's going to tell Virgil?" Gordon asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
"Tell me what?"
Virgil was standing shakily at the door of the sick room, his eyes looking questioningly at his father and brothers.
___________________________________________________________________
Author's Note: Chapter 4 – Diagnosis...? Part Two coming very soon, I promise! Don't forget to drop me a review!
