A couple of people, correctly but post-emptively, commented that this story should be betaed despite the fact it was marked as FIRST DRAFT. I have now posted the corrected chapters of LEGACIES AND LOLLIPOPS.
I thank Taruia for so kindly offering to edit my work. You will see how much a good editor gives to a writer's work without imposing their own words or attitudes on the text. Taruia is a fine editor and she is also the person who provides us with those invaluable transcripts of HOUSE MD at http/malaquent. . I also thank MacNMolly for her invaluable information on microdiscectomy spine surgery.
This story is a continuation of my previous fic "Breakfast with an Orang Utan" therefore the characters behave in character with their shared experiences in that fiction as well as their shared experiences at PPTH as seen on HOUSE MD. All characters from the series HOUSE MD are the property of the producers.
LEGACIES AND LOLLIPOPS - Part Four
Written by Magdala
Editor/Beta Taruia
PART FOUR
The white board was empty and the diagnostic team under Foreman was quiet and subdued. Foreman wrote Herniated Disc on the white board.
"Differential diagnosis people?" Foreman said; immediately embarrassed at using a key line, which clearly belonged to House. He looked down at his shoes, causing Wilson to suppress a laugh.
"We already know that's what it is. House diagnosed it and the MRI confirmed it," said Chase.
"Do you think it's something else?" asked Cameron.
Greg let out a grunt I could tell by his increased pressure on my hand that it was a grunt of pain. Suddenly they were all looking at him.
"Don't look at me for answers. 'Me' - patient. 'You' - diagnostic team."
They were uncomfortable, and I could feel Greg gathering his strength to galvanize them.
"With the exception of Dr Cameron. All of you in this room have seen my dick. Some of you have even had to touch it." A half laugh came from Chase. Greg turned his head away so they would not see the effort he had to expend to tell them what he needed and expected from them.
"Dignity is not an option for me now. You've heard me scream in pain and witnessed me cry like a baby. I need your damned help. I need you to do my thinking for me."
It had been too much for him, having to ask for help. Wilson stepped forward producing a lollipop which he placed it in Greg's mouth. I grabbed the hand towel and dabbed away the perspiration that had beaded on his face. Greg moaned.
Greg was respected for his mind some people even called him a genius only Wilson and I had seen him in pain this bad. So bad that this man, renowned for his brain, could no longer think. A muffled sob from the other side of the room. It was Cameron.
Greg pulled away from the Lollipop. I was expecting him to be cruel. When he did speak words came out staccato, but they were gentle. "Don't cry Cameron. I need you here because you care, but I also need you for your brain."
Greg pulled away from the Lollipop. I was expecting him to be cruel. The words came out staccato but they were gentle. "Don't cry Cameron. I need you here because you care. But I need you for your brain."
He had said just the right thing to Cameron. Because she led the way. His kindness has surprised her so much that she addressed him directly.
"Why do you think there is something other than the herniated disc?" asked Cameron.
"Because I slipped on the ice this morning and fell. Then fell again in my office. That's what blew the disc."
"But you'd been having breakthrough pain for more than a week." said Wilson
Greg nodded. Was about to speak but instead he gasped.
"Why the hell didn't you say something about falling?" Foreman demanded.
"Good question but your timing's way off." said Wilson clearly indicating Greg was not up to any hostile interrogation.
Wilson handed me the Lollipop, which I returned to his mouth.
Greg had said just the right thing to Cameron, because she led the way as the team was spurred into action. They were speaking in phrases unfamiliar to me, but fully understood by Greg. I realized why he had chosen every one of them. Cameron cared; she wanted to put a stop to his pain. Chase was creative; he wanted to have the problem sorted fast, understanding that if Greg was immobilized for any length of time he may never walk again. Foreman was the cautious one, ensuring enthusiasm didn't end in a deadly mistake. The whiteboard filled and as bits were added other bits were wiped off.
Methylprednesilone was rubbed out on the suggested medication list. The words synnovial cyst went up under herniated disc. Then there was a phrase I had heard before which made Greg turn fearfully towards me "disintegration of muscle tissue and influx of myoglobin, potassium, and phosphorus into his circulation."
Wilson was quick "No we are not looking at the past insult to his body. We need to keep focussed on the current problem. We can't dismiss his history but it seems to have little do do with the herniated disc or the breakthrough pain"
"I think we have to schedule Microdiscectomy spine surgery immediately and stop this pain. We can worry about everything else later," Cameron finally sighed.
"It's normally a six week wait for that procedure," said Foreman.
"And what is normal about House? Wait six weeks and he'll never walk again," said Chase.
"What about fusion?" asked Foreman "I would prevent the risk of re-herniation.
"He has to twist and pivot to walk a fusion will compromise movement," said Chase
"That would only increase the current disability and probably increase the pain," said Cameron
Foreman looked at Wilson.
"Do you agree with a Microdiscectomy?"
"Yes and it has to be immediate," said Wilson
Foreman walked over to the bed and looked Greg in the eye. "Do you agree, Dr House?"
"Yes."
He looked at Wilson "How long since he's eaten?"
"Long enough" said Wilson.
"Do you know a microsurgeon he hasn't pissed off?"
"He's okay with microsurgeons you can have your pick"
"New York a problem?"
"No. Cuddy said 'anything, anyone, anywhere'." Wilson confirming the order came from the top.
"Steigler?" Greg reacted to the name. Obviously it was someone he respected.
"Next you'll be handing round Yankee tickets," said Greg.
"You'll have to ask Steigler for those."
Foreman had scored a major point and he knew it.
"I'll call Steigler now."
He headed for the door and Chase followed.
Cameron was reluctant to leave, but just as she turned to go Greg called her.
"Dr Cameron."
"Yes."
"You made the right call. Thank you," said Greg and I saw the young doctor glow at his words. "I know there is more but this has to be addressed first. You were right."
I moved my hand away from Greg's so she could touch it. I nodded my permission. She took his hand in hers.
"We will look after you, Doctor House."
"I know." he said allowing his eyes to close. Cameron looked at Wilson who indicated it was time for her to leave she put down his hand and smiled at me.
"Thank you Mrs. Warner" she said and then she left.
Wilson leant over the bed and whispered, "She's gone. You can open your eyes now."
But the patient was asleep.
Wilson gently removed the Lollipop from his mouth.
"They might be small but they pack a wallop," I said.
"I use them for children with end stage cancer." He saw my look of concern "No he only fits the profile in the child area. I think he is right, I think there is more than just a herniated disc, but I am pretty sure it's not cancer."
"Why don't I go and get us both a coffee and we can sit in the corner, keep a careful watch on House, and you can tell me about Singapore," I nodded. I needed to talk so badly, and I needed to talk to someone who loved Greg probably as much as I did.
It was such a relief to talk, so good to be able to show Wilson the photographs of us in Singapore, and then at last I told him about Phillipa. For some reason I had always kept her letter to me in my purse. I never opened it; never read it once in the five years since Greg had said, "Forget about Singapore, forget about Phillipa. Nothing is ever going to be the same again."
"Isn't it extraordinary that you would forget a woman like that and still have her letter with you," said Wilson. "Are you sure you don't mind me reading it?"
"I don't remember what is in it." I answered.
"I'll read it out loud if you like," and he did. Wilson had a softer, more calming voice than Greg, and as he read the letter I looked at that last picture of Phillipa with Greg at Changi Beach.
My dear Stacy,
Thank you for the kindness and generosity you have shown me in allowing my intrusion on your time with Gregory House. I can remember what it was like to be in love the way you are now and I am not sure I would have been as sanguine or welcoming to an ancient stranger. What you did not know, and I was not sure of until Audrey told me what you had said in the car at Changi Beach about Greg's previous visit, was that I had met him before.
Indeed, I knew him in 1966, when he was a child. It was the first time I had been back since the war had ended. Greg was staying in Singapore with my friends Commander John Monteath and his wife Diana; a navy couple stationed at HMS Terror, the Royal Navy Shore Establishment. Greg's mother, a delightful woman, was in the hospital; her shoulder had been badly injured in a fall. His father was on R&R leave from Vietnam. Maybe it was the effect of the war over there but we all thought he treated his son very shabbily.
His father didn't even attend the party Diana arranged for Greg's seventh birthday at the Officers' Club. Greg did his best to hide how terribly hurt he was. He told Diana he still wanted to do the party piece they had rehearsed for his father to hear. That poor little boy sang "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" with tears running down his cheeks.
John Monteath was a clearance diver and a specialist in underwater mine demolition. He had met Greg's father when he gave a series of instructional lectures to the US Marine Corps, and he was furious with the man after seeing the way he treated his son. John asked me if I could stay with them and back up Diana in looking after Greg. John had to go to sea the following day and would be away for the next two months. I was more than happy to oblige because even at seven Greg was a bright and entertaining companion.
You are probably wondering why he did not recognize my name. Well that is because no one called me Phillipa then. I was either addressed as "Pip", "Mrs. Fox-Robinson" or "Mem-sahib." The Raj was still alive, even though it was on its last legs. Greg called me "Foxy" because he thought it was funny and I loved it. I loved him too. I had a son who died when he was still a baby, and being around Greg helped me to recover in part from my own grief. If my son were alive today he would be 63. Had he lived, had he been anything like Gregory House, I would have been so proud.
I am not surprised he grew up to be a doctor, or chose the specialty he did. I used to take Greg to the hospital each day to visit his mother. He was interested in everything, the equipment, what illnesses people had, and he displayed an almost ghoulish fascination with surgery. One day I left him with his mother as I went to get her a magazine. When I came back she was asleep and he was gone. He had told the nurse where he was and I found him speaking to a young man who was in severe pain. I asked if Greg was annoying him and he answered that the boy was taking his mind off things.
On the way back to HMS Terror he told me about the patient who was scheduled for surgery the next morning. His leg was to be amputated because gangrene had set in following a poorly treated jungle ulcer. I felt as though my heart would break and I went to lie down. Greg spent that afternoon looking up things in the Encyclopedia Britannica at dinner he announced to Diana and myself that he was going to be a doctor when he grew up. We both thought he would want to be a surgeon, but he surprised us saying that he wanted to be a diagnostician. After he'd gone to bed Diana and I looked up the word "diagnostician" in the encyclopedia.
Stacy, I wanted you to know Greg as I remembered him all those years ago. He was a wonderful child and I feel privileged that I was able to see what a fine man he has become. Thank you again for so generously sharing Greg with this ancient stranger. He loves you so very much and I believe he has made the right choice in asking you to be his bride. Look after him; he is such a remarkable and talented man.
Noel Coward said, "We have no reliable guarantee that the afterlife will be any less exasperating than this one, have we?" and I know that Greg believes that white lights and visions are just symptomatic of the brain shutting down. However, I am hopeful that there is an afterlife because at last I feel ready to live again. If there is an afterlife I will send you back to Greg if you turn up first, and if Greg turns up before you I promise that if I am able, I will turn him around and send him back to you.
Bless you both.
Sincerely,
Phillipa.
Wilson faltered with emotion several times while reading the letter and I found myself sobbing against his shoulder.
"Stacy" Greg said quietly.
"Darling I'm sorry. We were trying to be quiet,"
"It's alright. I heard Wilson read the letter right from the beginning. Audrey told me about how Phillipa and Foxy were the same person right after you left. But hearing her words. God she was a wonderful woman."
"Was that young man the reason you wouldn't allow an amputation?"
"Yes, Phillipa didn't know but I used to go and see him everyday after the operation. The gangrene spread and they kept hacking more and more off. When I last saw him he was delirious and the room reeked of rotting flesh. The next day he was gone, and the bed was clean and empty; it was as though he had never existed."
"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked.
"Five years ago pain was a new to me. It frightened me. I couldn't think properly, my leg hurt so much. I knew I couldn't win an argument with a lawyer. And there you were begging me to live for you. But I loved you too much for that. I knew better than anyone how much damage there was I could smell it. I wanted to die and have it over with."
"You don't want to die now?"
"Not anymore. Not when I look at you, Stacy. I've been so cruel to you. Sorry darling, I am so sorry."
"It okay?" I kissed his forehead.
"Can you be there when I wake up?"
I nodded "I'll sit in that little waiting room I sat in with you and I won't move until I get noticed and everyone knows how much I care."
I expected Greg to smile but he didn't maybe he didn't like the reminder of us waiting as Mark was going through the exploratory operation. But it was more than that.
Greg actually looked frightened.
I stroked his face.
"I am not going anywhere I promise" I said.