Doctor's Notes - Chapter 3
Hi Everyone. Again, thanks for the kind sentiments!
"We need a sterile tray," Dixie told Joe.
Joe thought a moment and looked around. Trays in this place carried food and drink - not medical equipment.
He caught the eye of a puzzled waitress watching the proceedings.
"Nancy, could you bring us a tray and a couple of paper towels?" he asked.
Surprised both at the request and the requester, she finally responded to Joe's friendly smile, nodded and went to get the asked-for items.
A bottle of alcohol being passed around in a bar was nothing new - unless it was a bottle of rubbing alcohol. It went from Dixie to Kel, then Joe, who all used it to wash their hands. Joe then irrigated the patient's neck and chest. By then, the waitress had come back with the tray and the towel, which she handed to Dixie. Dixie quickly and carefully sterilized the tray, covered it with the clean towel and placed the needed equipment on top.
Joe assisted her by reaching into Kel's medical bag and pulling out a plastic syringe. He
used the utility scissors to cut off the tip, sterilized the rest and placed it on the tray.
"Scalpel," Kel told Dixie. She handed it to him.
While Kel performed the tracheotomy, Joe took a brief glance at the audience around them, primarily to make sure that they weren't crowded too close. He shook his head at the people usually involved only in their drinks and themselves. Suddenly, they had a new show to watch. And he was part of it.
Quickly, he turned his attention back to helping Kel and Dixie. In so doing, Joe missed some of the facial expressions of the people gathered around - people not used to seeing intricate surgery.
Just as quickly, Kel was able to do the tracheotomy and have the patient breathing relatively normally - in time for the ambulance attendants who came in with oxygen.
The patient's normal breathing was joined by gasps and cheers from the gathered crowd - and sighs of relief from Kel, Dixie and Joe.
"I'm gonna ride in with him," Kel told the ambulance attendants.
"I'll get your car, Kel," Dixie said. She turned to the woman who had alerted them to the man's condition. "Ma'am, would you like to come to the hospital with me?" The woman quickly nodded.
Kel, standing with the attendants next to the wheeled gurney carrying the patient, turned back to Joe.
"Thanks," he said quietly.
Joe resisted a sigh. "Anytime, Kel," he replied.
Dixie gave a semi-smile. "See you soon, Joe," she said.
Joe, rooted to his spot, nodded to Dixie and watched them leave.
Suddenly, he felt a wave of…something….
Was it longing?
It lasted long enough for him to feel a tap on his shoulder.
He turned around. Ella Rafferty, the boss of The Corner, gave him a smile.
"Going back to tickle those ivories, Joe?"
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the patrons going back to their seats. He nodded at his friend, but….
Joe thought a moment and swallowed hard.
"Uh, Ella? I've got to talk to you after the shift."
TBC….