=Nicole's POV=
(Saturday, 4/28/2018-1:30 pm)
(Archian Island, Berk)
(Strondsen Home)
One of the hardest things to cope with about Hunter's tumor is not knowing what was causing him to feel ill; the tumor, or him actually being sick. I noticed that he didn't seem all into going to dinner after his extended shower when the game was over last night. I was going to ask if he was alright while we were in the jeep, but my dad beat me to it and I obviously went with what I felt originally by getting close enough to find he was warm. I didn't hear from Hunter all night, but I expected that he likely went right to sleep when he got home. I haven't heard from him all morning either, so that made me wonder if this was tumor-caused or he caught some kind of bug. Hunter told me more than once that his early birth left his immune system shot and weak, so he picked up illnesses really easily and he often got hit hard by whatever he got. I didn't know all of Hunter's symptoms for the tumor, so I couldn't tell what this was, and I didn't want to bring it up my dad because he probably wouldn't tell me anyway. I might be Hunter's girlfriend, but that didn't mean the patient/doctor confidentiality was broken.
I sighed some as I was reading my book in bed; I'd done my homework between last night and first thing this morning after breakfast. Mom had to work until 4 pm, but dad was off and home with me today. I turned the page and started to read on when I heard dad on the phone with someone; I got up and moved closer to my door to listen.
"I understand, Spencer. Let me grab a few things and I'll come over to examine Hunter. Okay?" I heard my dad say. I left my room just as he was getting off the phone.
"Are you going over to the Haddock's place?" I inquired.
"Yes. I guess whatever Hunter has isn't lightening up at all, so Spencer has asked if I'll go see Hunter and figure out what's wrong." Keith replied softly as he went to leave the room and grab his emergency home care bag from his office. After five minutes, he was back to get his keys and make sure he had everything.
"Is it the tumor or actually sick?" I decided to ask, looking down a bit. Dad seemed to stop and look at me. "He told me about it the night of our shared party…I don't know all the symptoms, but I know it makes him nauseated, dizzy, lightheaded, and joint pains."
Keith sighed. "I'm not sure if its symptoms of the tumor or if he's actually caught something. Either case, I have to go see him and determine if things are getting worse and that we need to make a hospital trip to do the tests that were missed yesterday because of his game."
"Can I come? I just want to see him…" I wondered.
"Alright, but I don't want you too close to him, okay?" Keith stated. I nodded quickly, rushing to get to my shoes and light jacket. Dad and I left the house, got in the car, and headed down the road to Spencer's house.
. . .
(1:45 pm)
(Haddock Residence)
Reaching the front door and knocking, Glenn answered with a soft smile. "We appreciate you coming, Keith." He stepped aside to let us in.
"I did offer to come if you needed to me take a look at him." Keith smiled as Glenn closed the door and we saw Spencer walking towards us.
"Hi, Keith. Hello, Nicole," Spencer greeted. "Wasn't so much need as it was request." I arched a bit. "Hunter asked if we'd give you a call."
I was surprised. Hunter asked for my dad to come check him over? Why didn't Hunter just call my dad himself? "I was asked for, no matter who it was by. Where is he? Bathroom? His room?" Keith inquired.
"His room's restroom," Spencer informed as he led my dad down the hall and knocked on the door. "Son? Keith is here, Nicole too. Want me to send him in?"
There was no response for a few moments. "Yeah." Hunter's voice came through the door. "But just him." Hunter added. "Sorry, babe. I don't want you to get sick…" I didn't take offense to it, of course.
=Normal POV=
Spencer had stepped aside as Keith went into the room, and closed the door behind him to find Hunter sitting on the edge of the bed. "Hi, lad," Keith greeted lightly, moving closer.
"Hi…" Hunter replied miserably.
Keith took a seat on the side of the couch that was closest to the bed. "Want to tell me what's bothering you?" He wondered.
"It's just everything. I felt like hell since about 3:30 pm yesterday, mainly with my body feeling like it was hit with a truck and the headache. It started to hit harder after the game with feeling dizzy and nauseous. I suspected having a fever too, but wasn't sure until after the cool shower as I had been running around during the game." Hunter explained.
"Well, Nicole said you were warm last night. Happen to take your temperature once you got home?" Keith inquired.
Hunter shook his head. "No, I barely made the ride home without throwing up. That was gone as soon as we stepped foot past the door frame; I took a shower, and went right to bed. I took it this morning when I got up around 5:45. It was 99 point something, can't remember the number. I took two pain and fever reducers, and another two at noon when I woke up…But they haven't helped much. I still had the fever at 12:15 pm."
"Did it go up at all?" Keith questioned.
"Yeah, it jumped to 100 something at noon, and just checked it again at 12:45 pm; it was still 100.4, I think." Hunter responded as Keith was pulling out his thermometer, and a couple other things.
"What other symptoms are you having?" Keith looked at him.
"Tired no matter how much I sleep. Nausea, and headache that won't stop. Stomach is in knots, sore body like aches. No appetite, only drinking water at this point to stay hydrated because it seems like the vomiting is endless." Hunter explained.
"Why do you say seems endless?" Keith brought over the thermometer and ran it across Hunter's forehead as it beeped.
"Because when I got home last night, I threw up five times in a matter of fifteen minutes. Four in one bout, one before the shower. Was back and forth to the bathroom all morning since that first wake up at about 6 am just because every time I lay down; it kicks up. Even sitting like this or slightly reclined isn't helping much." Hunter said.
"Well, your fever has jumped to 101.5, Hunter. And that's just from 12:45 to now…When's the last time you ate? I know said no appetite, but…" Keith paused.
"Lunch yesterday." Hunter informed.
"What did you have?" Keith inquired. "I'm trying to rule things out as to what it could causing all this. Food poisoning is usually a culprit for excessive vomiting just a couple hours from eating bad food."
"I didn't have cafeteria food, I never do. I always make my own food in the morning. All I had was a peanut butter and fluff sandwich, flavored water, and-," Hunter stopped, closing his eyes and jerking once. However, he didn't throw up and took a few breaths. "Small bag of the baked chips." He finished.
"Nothing at all last night, this morning or afternoon? Not even crackers or bread?" Keith asked. Hunter shook his head no. "I believe that rules out food poisoning, but not a bug or the flu," He said. "Or the symptoms of the tumor…" He added quietly. Hunter looked at him now, seeing the serious but still sympathetic look on his face. "Did you take the medications at all today or yesterday? Hunter hung his head down lower and shook it. "Why not? They're meant to keep the symptoms down…" Hunter didn't respond again. "Tell me the truth, son…"
Hunter sighed, closing his eyes. "They're not working…" Hunter confessed. "They haven't for about a week now."
"Hunter, we had a deal that you'd update me about the status of your condition. If the medications have stopped working completely, you could be getting worse and really shouldn't have missed yesterday's appointment with me…Those tests are to watch things to make sure you aren't getting close to needing emergency surgery. We had an agreement about this…I know it's not what you want to resort to given you're in the playoffs now, but you have to think about your health, Hunter. For all we know, without the tests to confirm, you being sick might be your body telling you to stop ignoring the problem, or that it's in trouble…"
"I know…I know," Hunter replied. "But I haven't felt any different. I always feel the symptoms of it…Even with the medications, they haven't stopped…Just lessened a bit."
"Hunter, I told you that they were not a permanent fix and would stop eventually," Keith reminded and was about to speak again when Hunter jerked and brought a hand to his mouth, quickly moving to the bathroom and closing the door, but not all the way due to lack of time before lifting the lid to the toilet and getting low enough that he wouldn't miss when he threw up. Hunter coughed hard and puked another two times before managing to get on his knees and pant heavily. Hunter went to lean back to try and catch his breath, but the movement just made it start again. Staying over the bowl, he vomited three more times. Keith got just outside the bathroom door, opening it just enough to roll his water bottle to him. "I really think we should go to the hospital, Hunter…That was six times in less than two minutes…All without any food in your system."
"I wouldn't…Even make the ride, Keith…That last three times came from just trying to move against the tub to catch my breath…" Hunter remarked, attempting to sip from the water bottle, but more using it to rinse the taste of puke from his mouth.
"I can call an ambulance; they'd have medication to keep the vomiting down until we got there. Hunter, I need to know if it's the tumor causing this. I'm not saying it is, you could just be sick and amplified by the symptoms you feel every day. But I still need to know, and if I'm wrong; I'll admit to it. But let's at least go and rule things out, so we can get you something for relief and be able to rest. I promise you, that right now with how you are, you're not playing in tomorrow's game. I heard what your coach told Glenn…" Keith stated as Hunter stared at the floor now. "Anything at all, even a fever…And you won't play. You won't even watch because he'll send you straight home. Your games and practices are this important to you, but if you don't take care of yourself now while you're sick; you won't even get to participate…Now, I'm asking nicely, begging even…Let's go to the hospital for you to be checked out."
Hunter felt his stomach settle a little, enough to move. He flushed the toilet and washed his hands before opening the door fully to see Keith there. "Will it be you examining me, or some other doctor who isn't familiar with what's going on…" Hunter asked.
"I can make sure that it's me. Your condition isn't in the system, Hunter…I never put it there. It's all in a folder that only I have access to. We go to the hospital, I see where things are…Only me. I promise. We don't even have to bring the others; you can tell them to stay here. That's your choice by law that you're legally an adult." Keith informed.
Hunter sighed some. "I really…Don't want to go to the hospital by ambulance…I feel that's excessive. Just…Can't I try that tea you gave me last time? The ginger one; that helped with the nausea. And if I could just get some relief from that, I might be able to sleep...That's…All I want to do right now, is sleep."
"You could try it, Hunter, and it might help for a little bit…But you're still gonna end up right back where you are now until we find out the cause…" Keith said.
"Just…Let me rest today and tomorrow. You said yourself that it could be normal illness intensified by the symptoms of the tumor…Let me have today and tomorrow, at least…And if I'm not better; I'll miss school, and go to the hospital Monday morning…Just let me see if I can ride this out over the weekend, I won't even attempt to go to the game on Sunday…I promise…" Hunter tried.
Keith sighed. "I really…Really shouldn't allow this given what I know…But you're right; if you're sick and the symptoms are coming together…It would make you this sick anyway. I'll give you today and tomorrow, Hunter…But if there is no change by Monday morning, or that fever hits 103 or higher at any time…Hospital, immediately, and ask for me. Do you understand?" Keith said firmly.
Hunter nodded his head to him. "Swear it on my mom's grave…" Hunter vowed.
"Good. Now…Go lay down, and I'll get you that tea to try. And I'm gonna hang here for a little while to watch the fever, okay?" Keith stated.
"Got it." Hunter replied, thankful he wasn't being forced to go to the hospital. Hunter headed to get back into bed as Keith exited the bedroom, finding Nicole, Glenn, and Spencer sitting in the living room.
"How is he, Daddy?" Nicole asked instantly.
"Still sick and miserable, now laying down." Keith said softly.
"What do you think it is?" Spencer wondered.
"We've ruled out food poisoning, based on the time timeline. Hunter stated he was fine all day, until about 3:30 pm, began to feel a bit tired with a headache and it just progressed as the night continued. By the time the game was over; he was completely spent with no appetite, feeling nauseous, awful headache, and fever. He hadn't been sure if he had one after the game since he was running around and sweating. Hunter claimed he took a semi-cool shower at the school and was still warm after the fact, and confirmed it was a fever. So…I have to say that could be a twenty-four hour bug, given how fast it all seemed to it in just a few hours. We'll have to see as the hours countdown to the twenty-four hour mark. If things venture beyond that point, we can still call it a stomach bug or the flu." Keith explained.
"I hope it doesn't last longer than today; he really doesn't want to miss any playoff games." Glenn frowned. Unknown to them, Hunter was listening with his door open to Keith tell his dad, godfather, and girlfriend that it was likely a bug or the flu.
"Anything we can do for him?" Spencer inquired.
"Ah, yes. That ginger tea you made me last time I was over…Do you have more?" Keith asked.
"Of course." Spencer nodded, getting to his feet to get the kettle going on the stove after filling it. "Why?"
"Ginger-based things can help with nausea and vomiting, which unfortunately, Hunter seems to be dealing with quite a bit of. It's one of my concern in him being sick." Keith said.
"Are there others?" Nicole stated softly.
"His fever doesn't seem to be dropping," Keith mentioned as the other three adults looked at him from where they were positioned. "Hunter stated he never took his temperature last night, but this morning about 6 am, it was 99. He took fever reducers, but when he checked his fever again noon, it had gone to 100.4 and he took another dose of the medication. I just checked it about ten minutes ago and it has risen again, to 101.5. Now, I know fevers are more than likely while sick…"
"But you don't like that it's not going down or breaking with the fever reducers." Spencer said with a sigh.
"No, I don't. And I expressed that concern to Hunter, but we have an agreement that he'll remain resting today and we'll see what happens. However, if he isn't feeling better by Monday; he will go to the doctors office and be checked out. Or, if the fever doesn't drop or rises to 103 or higher; he'll go to the hospital. As you know that a temperature of 103 is dangerous, but anything between 104 and 107 is severely dangerous and could be life-threatening."
Glenn, Spencer, and Nicole nodded as they did know that fact. "Least he isn't as stubborn with you." Glenn chuckled a little.
"I think that's because he knows I'm a doctor and would advise these courses of action before immediately jumping to going to the hospital anyway. Any doctor would tell him to take it easy and eat light while staying on water and basic over the counter medications. So he's doing exactly what he'd be told to do." Keith smiled.
Hunter smiled some, he really owed Keith for this and hoped that Keith would deny ever knowing anything about the tumor because if Hunter's father, especially, knew that Hunter had a tumor and they put it off for so long; Spencer would flip out. Hunter slipped back into his room and laid down as he was feeling a little dizzy and wanted to relax. After a few more moments, the kettle whistled as Keith took over preparing the drink while Spencer had taken a phone call. Keith made up the tea and added a little something from his bag that he kept on hand, once ensuring it was all mixed up; Keith had Nicole deliver it to Hunter. Nicole reached the room and knocked lightly.
"Come in…" Hunter said. Nicole headed in, holding the mug with one and. "Babe, you shouldn't be in here…" He sighed.
"I'm just delivering your tea while my dad and your godfather talk. I think your dad took a call and stepped into his office." Nicole informed as Hunter sat up a little, then adjusted his pillows to recline against them. Nicole sat on the edge of the bed, and carefully handed it over. "Dad said the ginger should help with nausea and vomiting, and also that he added a little extra that helps in reducing fevers. Like a home remedy or something."
"Thanks." Hunter took the mug, sipping it slowly.
"Are you okay?" Nicole asked gently.
Hunter sighed softly. "Honestly…No. I'm starting to think all this is because of the tumor I have. That's what your dad believes…I confessed to him that the meds he gave me to keep symptoms like what I'm experiencing down until surgery aren't working at all. They helped a lot in the start, then it started to only work half, then less than that, and nothing at all this past week." Hunter admitted to his girlfriend. "Your dad wanted me to go to the hospital today, and I said no…I'm sure you heard; I was listening…"
"You probably should have, Hunter…If this is all part of the tumor, and medications not working…I mean, what if this is your body telling you that it needs that tumor out or you're in going to end up dead…?" Nicole said softly, with some concern and sadness in her voice. "Hunter…I don't want to be at school with you one day and see you collapse. I don't want to see it anywhere we happen to be…"
"I know, babe…But I could just actually be sick too. You know I get sick easily with my weakened immune system from being born early. And yes, I get symptoms from the tumor too…Your dad thinks that it could just be a mix of the both making me like this…Because I never got this bad with just the tumor stuff." Hunter countered.
"I sincerely hope that's all it is, Hunter…" Nicole kissed his forehead. "So you do promise that if this gets worse, or the fever rises and stays…You'll be seen?" Hunter nodded to her gently. "Good…Drink up, and try to rest, okay? Let me know how you feel later if you're up to it?"
"I will, babe. I love you." Hunter said.
"I love you too." Nicole got up and exited the room, desperately praying that Hunter would be better soon and that this wasn't all the tumor symptoms kicking into high gear in order to tell Hunter that he needed that surgery or he would die. That was the case if this was drawn out too long, and they didn't know the state of things because Hunter missed yesterday's appointment for the game. Nicole just hoped that everything was okay.
