=Normal POV=
(Monday, 2/26/2018-12:15 pm)
(Archian Island, Berk)
(Arc Primary Care-Berk Office)
Spencer never pushed Hunter to tell him what happened between himself and Shane at lunch hour that day at school on the 23rd. Spencer assumed it had Hunter heated still, and left it be. His first priority on getting home that day was calling to schedule Hunter an appointment to be seen by his physician. The earliest appointment was the following Monday at 12:30 pm, so Spencer told Hunter he didn't have to go to school today, but wanted Glenn to take him to the doctor. Hunter despised the idea of being driven around, but agreed on the grounds that he could handle going into actual office himself. Spencer allowed the solitary condition understanding that Hunter was at least going to go, not put up a fight, and that he was three days away from turning eighteen, so he could handle going to the doctor's by himself. Glenn would either drive around, grab lunch, or whatever while Hunter was in with his physician. But the rule on no driving until they knew the cause and was being treated for it, or was cleared to be okay and it was just emotional stress, which would likely result in possibly going to therapy to have Hunter get help in dealing with the death of his mother.
Hunter did get his work from Friday done when Nicole came by with her mom to drop it off on the 23rd around 4 pm. Nicole stayed until 9 pm before her father came to collect her; she also took Hunter's work with her to turn in Monday morning as he wouldn't be there. Nicole promised to get his Monday work too, and that would be turned in on Tuesday when he returned to school. Hunter spent his Friday night in his room, mainly with Nicole; they came out to eat dinner with Spencer and Glenn for 6 pm, but returned to Hunter's bedroom afterward. However, now it was fifteen minutes to the appointment as Glenn just dropped Hunter off out front of the building.
"Text or call when you're done, lad. I'll get you and we'll grab lunch, okay?" Glenn stated. Hunter only nodded as he shoved his hands in his pockets and headed to the entry doors. Glenn sighed some and drove off to get a couple errands done, adding one more to the list of filling Hunter's jeep tank before they went back home.
Hunter strolled inside and checked himself in on the new computer system that allowed patients to just find themselves and make sure everything was correct before checking in which would alert office staff the patient was there and waiting, then the patient could just sit down. Hunter learned all this at his August physical that he had before returning to school for senior year. Hunter plopped himself down and pulled out his phone to find a message from Nicole there.
Milady, 12:18 pm
Hi, babe. Miss you, we're all at lunch and waiting on the bell. Everyone says hi. You in your appointment yet?
12:19 pm
Just checked in and waiting…Miss you too.
Milady, 12:19 pm
Let me know how it goes?
12:20 pm
I will when it lets out, babe. How are you?
Milady, 12:22 pm
I'm okay. Worried about you because I know you're not happy right now…
12:25 pm
How can I be? My cousin said something really messed up that I didn't think he would, even though he says a lot of stupid stuff and we usually call him an idiot for it…But this? Bringing up my mom, asking if I wanted to end up like her? When he knows I'm having a hard time with the fact the one year is coming up? I'm grounded from my jeep, practices, games, and even my job because of everyone making a big deal over a couple small incidents where I got too worked up, didn't feel well, got smacked in the chest with a ball, and emotionally stressed. Yes, I'm mad as hell. I just want this stupid appointment over, so I can come back to school and be able to tell everyone that they were wrong and it was nothing at all.
Hunter sent the message off and sighed, putting his head back and closing his eyes. "Hunter Haddock?" A woman's voice asked. Hunter glanced to find the nurse by an open door and looking at a file; he got up and headed towards her. The woman smiled and allowed him in before her, then she closed the door to walk beside. "Hi, I'm Jennifer. I apologize ahead of time if I'm a bit scattered or slow…First day on my own since getting hired last week."
"It's no problem." Hunter replied to her, not being hostile as the poor woman, likely fresh out of schooling, didn't need his attitude about being here.
"Thank you. Alright, we're gonna stop here for height and weight check. So extra layers and shoes off, please?" Jennifer stated. Hunter complied, stepping up on the scale first with his back to the read out screen because he knew that she'd be measuring him next and it was easier than having to change positions. Hunter didn't pay any mind to her checking the numbers and jotting them down in his file. "And right this way onto the room. It's the door right there on the right, number three." Hunter slid on his shoes, grabbing his coat and heading to the room as Jennifer followed him. Hunter boosted himself up on the table as Jennifer went to the computer to log in and start adding information to the online record for Hunter; it was another new system that allowed a patient to check their files at home, or if needing them for something else.
Ten minutes must have passed as Hunter ended up answering a bunch of basic questions such as smoking, drinking, diet, exercise. Finally, she left him on the table and said the doctor would be in soon to see him. Hunter just nodded before checking his phone to find messages from Nicole, and his father.
Dad, 12:35 pm
R u at the dr son?
Hunter almost hated that his father didn't type in full sentences, but understood that it was texting, so likely time-saving for his busy father to abbreviate.
12:40 pm
Yes, Dad. I didn't steal my jeep and skip town…Despite the temptation to do exactly that. I just got into the office and waiting for the doctor now. I'll let you know afterward.
Hunter saw the message get read, but no reply. That was fine with him. Hunter went to check the one from Nicole next, it was sent before lunch had ended.
Milady, 12:28 pm
I know, babe…Shane feels awful about what he said, we all got on him right after you left lunch that day. But he knows to stay clear of you right now…Just try to see it from his side, Hunty…Even if you have reasons for all those instances; it was still scary for him as family after such a hard loss as your mom. And it was scary for your friends…And me too. I know what he said was wrong, and I'm sure there was a better choice of words that wouldn't have been so hurtful and heartless…But we can't change what happened or what was said. We just want you to be okay, love. Lunch is just about over, and I won't be able to message you until the last class switch. I hope I can see you soon, baby. I want to take you to dinner or lunch…My treat this time. A-And you still owe me driving lessons! I'll talk to you soon, Hunty! :heart:
Okay, that kind of put a smile on his face. He'd reply when he knew the switch would happen; he didn't want to get her into trouble. Hunter sat a few moments more, playing a game on his phone until he heard a knock. "Come in." Hunter said, the door opened and he nearly dropped his phone at who was standing before him. His girlfriend's father. "Mr. Strondsen?" Hunter asked.
"Hunter?" Keith looked up from another folder, handing it to Jennifer behind him.
"Yeah…Uh, what are you doing here, sir? I mean…I know you're a doctor, but don't you work in the hospital?" Hunter inquired.
Keith smiled softly. "I switch off with a few people, but they said a doctor called out today for an emergency and asked me to fill in. I have a few times since moving to Berk. I didn't know I'd have you today, if…That's alright with you, of course. I know some patients are more comfortable with their own doctor, but you'd likely have to reschedule to when your physician would be back…" He informed.
Hunter considered the options he had before him right now. Say no and reschedule, but possibly be grounded from his jeep and the other things longer. The only reason he got this appointment was because his father expressed it being somewhat urgent, but not needing a hospital. Or…Hunter could let his girlfriend's father be his doctor today and have it all cleared up to get his things back. Hunter didn't need to worry as Keith was sworn by patient/doctor confidentiality, so none of today would ever come up outside of the room they were in. "I…Don't mind you being my doctor for the appointment."
"Wonderful then. And I promise this is strictly professional with me as your doctor, not your girlfriend's father." Keith smiled. Hunter nodded, feeling better about this.
"Appreciated." Hunter replied as he got hold of Hunter's folder and Jennifer went off to do a few other things after Keith gave her a nod that it was okay to leave them in the room. Keith grabbed the rolling stood and propped it up a bit to me somewhat more level with Hunter, who was still on the exam table.
"Now…" Keith held the folder in his lap. "You just had your yearly physical toward the end of August for the new school year, correct?" He wondered.
"That's right…" Hunter responded.
"But the note in your file for this appointment is that you require another full one due to some matter or urgency expressed by your father when the appointment was made?" Keith glanced to the note.
"Father, Godfather, School Nurse, Principal, and Basketball coach required to return to…Let's say normal activities…" Hunter clarified.
"So this wasn't a you decision?" Keith asked, understandingly with a light smile. Hunter shook his head. "Care to explain the reason then?"
Hunter sighed some. "So…It started at practice back at the end of January; I think it was the…24th. It was the last run of a new play to avoid a situation where I got smashed into during a game. But anyway…Someone missed their footing and crashed into me, I missed catching the ball and it slammed into my chest. It knocked the wind out of me and aside from the minor pain, which I assume was the initial hit; I felt fine. One of the assistant coaches asked it I was alright as I was going to head for the locker room, and…I guess I took a step and passed out."
"Well, that can be explained. Hard ball to the chest at full force could take the wind out of you and then the aftereffects could result in feeling dizzy or lightheaded." Keith informed calmly.
"Thank you." Hunter stated. "I said the same thing." He added.
"So why consider something that happened a month ago up as urgent now?" Keith inquired.
"Because…" Hunter hesitated. "I've…Passed out more than once through February and…They don't really have…Reasons. That among other things." He muttered a bit, almost feeling nervous that maybe there was something wrong as Nicole's words about seeing things from everyone else's point of view. And the fact that his father and Shane both brought up the suddenness of his mother's dead and odd symptoms she displayed before that death.
"Talk to me, Hunter." Keith invited gently. "You said this wasn't your choice to be here, but clearly necessary to return to things you want to do. So tell me what's up and we can figure it out."
Hunter sighed some; he knew Keith was right. Hunter wouldn't get his jeep or freedom back until this was settled. "I've fainted two other times and nearly passed out once. The first was just a bit into February, a couple days after the basketball hit to the chest incident. I was walking away and felt dizzy and went to walk away, but nearly just dropped…But's my ex's boyfriend caught me, and I didn't go out completely. The…Second one was last Tuesday; I hadn't eaten breakfast or slept well the night before due to not feeling great. I passed out in class for thirty seconds and caught by my friend Fisher. After I woke up, Fisher and another classmate took me the nurse. I was with her through lunch and went back to class for the second to last one of the day." Hunter explained.
"And were there any others?" Keith asked.
"The last one was…Last Friday. My…Cousin said something to tick me off, and I stormed out of the cafeteria and about a minute later; I just dropped and was out for almost two minutes according to the nurse and principal. That is…What wound up being the one that got my dad called to the school and…Here we are. I'm benched from practices and games, my godfather won't let me work, and I can't drive my car until they get the all clear that I'm okay, or find the reason and be treated for it." Hunter informed.
"The instance where you weren't feeling well and hadn't eaten breakfast…Though a bit out there as a cause to pass out, still possible. The…Almost passing out and caught by your ex's boyfriend; that one doesn't appear to have a reason behind it unless you were feeling other things that may have been happening at the time. Same with last Friday situation as well." Keith sat back a bit. "Was there anything else you were feeling?" Hunter didn't want to answer; he almost shyly looked down and turned his head a bit. Keith sensed the hesitation, that perhaps Hunter had more symptoms and was afraid to speak up because it would mean he wasn't okay and everyone's worries were placed correctly.
"Hunter," Keith began again as Hunter looked at him. "Your aversion to the question tells me that you're worried that everyone's concerns about something being wrong with you because of these fainting spells being right. However, if there is something going on, lad…I want to help you, Hunter, but in order to do that; I need you to tell me everything, truthfully that you've been experiencing. You seem to already feel in your heart that something may not be right and you're scared. I understand that, but I can't help if you don't talk to me. I need to know to find out what's wrong, so you can be treated. At least with an idea of what's wrong, and perhaps some medication to fix whatever is happening; you could return to normal activities and the worry from others would fade and things would return to normal. But we can't move forward in this unless you tell me what's going on with you. I'm asking as nothing more than your temporary doctor, and none of this will be revealed to anyone than us, and your current doctor, so that he can be caught up on things."
Hunter looked at Keith, before dropping his head and sighing. "Okay so…There's been other stuff going on for a couple months now that I don't exactly find…Normal. In a symptom-wise context." He revealed.
"Tell me everything." Keith urged softly, and paying attention.
"It started around the end of October last year…" Hunter began to tell Keith everything that he was dealing with from start to now with the fainting spells. He brought up the headaches, joint pains, nausea, blue tinge on his fingertips, the dizzy and lightheaded feelings. Hunter brought up the ridiculous fatigue, random fevers and coughing. It took a good ten to fifteen minutes to get through before he finally took a breath, fiddling with his hands a bit nervously in his lap. "And that's everything since I already told you about the passing out instances."
Keith considered everything carefully, rubbing his chin a bit, which did not help Hunter's nervousness any. "I know it's not want you want to hear, Hunter…But none of that in combination for this period of time sounds good." Hunter felt his heart drop into his stomach. "I won't say anything officially, but I have my suspicions that this could be something bigger and with your consent…I'd like to set up a time for you to be seen by me at the hospital, for more advanced testing. I'd order it here, but this office doesn't have the equipment needed for what I'd like to do." Keith said firmly.
The look in Keith's eyes told Hunter all it needed to; whatever was going on wasn't good and obviously hadn't been normal to be happening. If a doctor ever said further testing, it was because of something bigger and possibly worse being the outcome. Keith would have told him here and now if he were okay, and he hadn't, so something was definitely wrong. Hiccup didn't want there to be, but he also though back to what his father and Shane said on Friday about ignoring what was wrong, and the suddenness of his mother's death. It would probably kill his father and hurt others close to him if he didn't take care of this by finding out. Keith didn't say it was something bad, only suspicions of it being so. The further testing could reveal nothing. "You have my consent…" Hunter finally said.
