Sam was left alone with her own thoughts, as she wondered what else could go wrong. She couldn't even take a drink of water without it turning into a production. Sam sighed, and closed her eyes, waiting for Janet to return with the vet.
Chapter 11
Sam roused quickly from the light doze she'd fallen into when she heard footsteps approaching her bed in the infirmary. She was sitting up when Janet entered followed by Captain Brunsfeld. The Captain smiled down at her. "Afternoon Major. I understand you're having a little trouble swallowing." Sam nodded and meowed in response, she looked down at her feet in embarrassment at needing help with such a simple task.
"I think I have an idea that will help you get used to swallowing. Cats tend to gulp down their food, and it's quite a bit different since their heads are lower than everything else usually when they eat. If we can try something else to get you used to the feeling, I think with practice you'll be able to eat unassisted." Sam perked up a bit at the Captain's words; she really didn't like having to depend on someone for something as simple as eating.
Captain Brunsfeld left with Janet to collect the food he'd recommended earlier. They soon returned with the Captain carrying a bowl that gave off a rather appealing aroma. Sam's nose worked at the smell of warm beef and vegetables. She noticed that Janet was also carrying a towel and several empty syringes, with the needles taken off. Before Sam could wonder what the extra items were for, Captain Brunsfeld settled on the bed beside her, setting the bowl on the bed. Sam investigated the contents, whiskers forward and nose twitching. A brown mush was in the bowl, and it looked most unappetizing. Sam looked up at Captain Brunsfeld questioningly.
The Captain smiled. "Doesn't look very appealing does it?" Sam shook her head no, feeling her lips curl back slightly and her ears flatten just a little. "I'm sorry ma'am, but I had to puree it and mix a little water in so it would go into the syringes." At Sam's confused expression, the Captain explained that he would use the syringes to squirt a little bit of food into the back of her mouth. He felt the thick mixture would be easier for her to swallow, and the syringes would allow her to eat while sitting up, letting gravity assist with the act of swallowing. Sam nodded her willingness to give it a try.
"It would be easiest if I could hold you on my lap. Major?" Captain Brunsfeld asked. He was still adjusting to what appeared to be a cat as his superior officer. Sam nodded and rose to her feet making it easier for the Captain to transfer her into his lap. Expertly, the Captain settled her, and gently wrapped the towel Janet had been carrying around her, explaining that it might be a bit messy. Janet remained, watching with interest as the Captain filled one of the syringes. Using one hand he gently positioned Sam's head tilted just a little bit back, than gently poked the tip of the syringe between her lips at the side of her mouth and squirted just a little bit of the warm mixture onto the back of her tongue. Startled at finding a mouth suddenly full of food, Sam's mouth and tongue worked and she reflexively swallowed most of the food going where it was supposed to go. She coughed just a little bit and some of the food dribbled onto the towel. Sam blinked and looked at the Captain, who grinned at her. Janet looked pleased with the results.
"Shall we try a little more ma'am?" The Captain asked politely. Sam nodded in agreement, and the Captain repeated the process. This time Sam didn't cough, and almost all of the food went down. She wriggled a bit in pleasure that something was finally going right.
A nurse entered the cubicle, "Captain Brunsfeld?" He looked up and nodded. "I just received a call from Lieutenant Cartwell, sir. He needs your assistance with one of the dogs. Something about a broken leg." Captain Brunsfeld frowned and looked down at Sam. Janet, sensing his dilemma, stepped forward. "I think I can finish up here Captain." She said.
Captain Brunsfeld smiled in relief. "Thank you Doctor. Ma'am." He said, as he passed Sam off to Janet after she'd settled herself on the other side of the bowl of pureed meat and vegetables. "Major Carter should only need to eat a few ounces, a few times a day. I'll check back later to see how things are going. Call me again Doctor, if you have any further concerns."
Janet thanked the Captain, echoed by Sam's meow as Janet settled her in her lap, adjusting the towel and picking up the syringe full of food. The rest of the feeding went without a hitch; Sam coughed very little, usually only if she'd gotten too big a mouthful of food. Most of the food went where it was supposed to, and less and less got on the towel as they both got a feeling of comfort regarding the procedure. Sam's tummy grew full of warm food and she started to grow sleepy again. Sam shook her head as Janet offered her another syringe full, a sudden yawn catching her off guard. Startled, Sam looked at Janet. She couldn't be ready for another nap already could she?
As if sensing Sam's worry, Janet hastened to reassure her, as she removed the towel from around Sam and transferred her sleepy friend to the bed. "Don't worry if you feel like you're sleeping more than you are used to. The Captain tells me that cats normally sleep nearly 18 hours a day." Sam's eye's widened in shock. 18 hours? Asleep? Janet chuckled at her friend, and gently closed the jaw that Sam didn't seem to realize she'd opened. "Cats sleep much lighter than humans, so they tend to sleep more. Your mind may still be human, but your body isn't and as such there will be a lot of things to get used to"
You're telling me, Sam thought, as she settled back on the bed. Janet ruffled Sam's fur, and Sam glowered at her friend, before curling into a little ball, her tail reflexively tightening around her. Janet gently smoothed Sam's fur in apology and Sam gave into the feeling of warm contentment of sleepiness and full stomach. She felt a rhythmic vibration start deep in her chest. Was that a purr? Sam was too tired to care, and drifted off to sleep. Janet smiled down at the sleeping figure. She hadn't missed the purr. Reassured that Sam was adjusting as well as could be expected, Janet left her to her slumber.