I hope you don't mind the shorter chapters but that's the only way I can get them out so quickly.
Chapter 9Dr. Roth reviewed the MRI results with House, Wilson and Foreman. House had requested Dr. Foreman be in attendance to observe.
As Dr. Roth spoke he looked at the light board. "There's some very slight swelling that didn't appear on the first MRI," he said, pointing to the affected area. He looked at Wilson.
"Is there any chance you hit your head again?"
He slowly shook his head. "No, I don't think so." He turned to House for help.
"I didn't see any evidence of that," House said turning his attention to Dr. Roth.
"You're thinking second impact syndrome," Foreman said.
"I was, but since Dr. Wilson hasn't experienced a second injury this could just be delayed swelling which does happen."
"So the swelling accounts for all my symptoms?"
"I'd say most of them. The others would be a result of the original blow to your head which would be consistent with PCS."
"So what now?" Wilson asked.
"The swelling is very minimal so we'll wait and see if it subsides. I'll schedule another MRI in a few days to check. If the swelling doesn't go down, surgery may be indicated, a bone flap removal to relieve pressure."
Pausing, he looked at his patient to see how he was taking the news. Interestingly, he appeared to be unaffected by the possibility of surgery.
Dr. Roth continued. "In the meantime we'll monitor you closely for any changes to your symptoms which, hopefully, will eventually taper off."
House glanced over to Foreman who nodded his head in agreement.
"Can I go home?"
Dr. Roth shook his head. "I'm afraid you can't, not as long as there's swelling. And I'm concerned about your panic attacks…."
"Attack." House interrupted. "He only had one."
"Correct, and we can always hope there won't be a recurrence, but I anticipate there will be. Fortunately, your episode was of very short duration and didn't require medication. The less meds we pump into you the better."
Dr. Roth scanned his patient's chart. "I guess that covers it for now." He looked at Wilson. "Do you have any more questions?"
He shook his head. He was tired. He just wanted to sleep.
"I'll check in with you later." Dr. Roth gathered the records and test results and turned to leave, signaling to House to follow him out.
House glanced over towards Wilson whose eyes were now closed. "I'll be right back," he said quietly to Foreman, as he limped out of the room.
Dr. Roth was waiting for him outside; they walked to the nurse's station together. Dropping Wilson's chart into the inbox, he looked at House. "I'm recommending the use of restraints."
"No."
Dr. Roth sighed. "Dr. House, no one wants that. But we can't keep him sedated all the time and he will have another panic attack. We can't have him tearing out his IV every time or risk other injury to himself."
"I'll be there with him."
Dr. Roth eyed the other doctor. "You won't always know when he's about to have an episode. And even if you do, do you honestly think it would be better for him if you physically hold him down yourself? You are aware that second impact syndrome is potentially fatal."
House remained silent, casting his eyes towards the floor.
"He won't need them all the time. If you notice that he's becoming agitated it would be in his best interest to put on the restraints."
"Why haven't you told him this?" He eyed the neurologist.
"Because there's no reason to. He may not even remember having them on afterwards. Use them as necessary. He doesn't need to know beforehand."
House sighed. "Alright," he said, hating himself for agreeing. He turned around and limped back to Wilson's room.
tbc