Chapter 19

Thankfully it was a quiet night with just some tossing and turning on Steve's part, but nothing nearly as scary as last night. He actually felt good enough to go for a swim before breakfast.
All three of them were hungry and also with regard to the fact that it is going to be late again in the evening they prepared a big breakfast. They took their time, eating outside again and enjoying the sun. After they had cleaned up, they all needed some time to relax and sat down on the chairs at the beach. Catherine took one from the lanai, because she felt more comfortable in it than in the adirondack chairs. Eddie loved having them all around, but he couldn't animate any of them to play with him. He stopped trying after a few minutes and lay down between the chairs to get some shade.
After an hour Steve got up, took Eddie's ball and threw it into the ocean. Eddie gratefully ran after it and they played around for another hour and a half.
When they were done Catherine reminded Steve of their PT session, but told him to sit down and rest for a few minutes first. The few minutes turned into almost an hour, but when they finally started, he was concentrated and focused on every exercise they did. The exercises still weren't exactly complicated. They were still designed to just loosen muscles not to build or strengthen them, but Steve felt tired after the short workout and took a nap on the couch. Catherine prepared a mixed salad they agreed on eating after they would come back from Dr. Jensen when she heard him moan and mumble in the living room. She immediately went over and talked to him soothingly before she put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it slightly. He stilled almost instantly and went back to breathing deeply and evenly. An hour later he woke up feeling rested and not as drained as before.
Shortly after Dr. Jensen called and asked if they could come an hour earlier, because one of his patients cancelled his appointment. They agreed and after having a sandwich they left – a bit early, but they agreed on better being early than late.
Dr. Jensen called them in all at once this time.
"Okay, commander. Your blood and urine are negative on drugs and alcohol, but I think that didn't surprise you. But I had to do this, it is standard procedure if you want to prescribe meds like this...And it was a good thing we did that, because you have a vitamin B6 and B12 deficiency. Did you have problems with that before?"
"No, I had never problems with anything whenever I've got tested. Except after an injury or sickness."
"Good. It shouldn't be a problem we will treat that as well. Am I correct when I assume you didn't eat properly for a few months?"
"Yes, you are. Didn't exactly feel like eating, lately."
"Lately? I think it is more than that. What would you say? More like weeks or more like months?"
"Months. I think it started after my mother died."
"That explains the low level, but as I said It shouldn't be a problem. I will give you injections with B6 and B12 starting today to boost your level and then every time you are here for our talk– that means once a week. I will do that over a period of 6 weeks. You will also start to eat properly again and I know that your friends here already have an eye on that. You should include fish, poultry, chickpeas, dairy products, potatoes, eggs and bananas. That should help a lot. The deficiency also added to your health issues it most likely aggravated fatigue, loss of appetite, mood changes, muscle pain and probably even weakened your immune system. You should be more careful with that, especially in relation to your radiation poisoning."
Yes, sir. I'll try."
"Good. Now why are you here today? I selected an anti-anxiety medication for you. It is our first try and we might change that after your first taking or maybe later. It might as well work the first time and we'll stay with it until the end – which means when you don't need it anymore. The whole therapy is aiming at living without them of course. These tablets are called "Estadoxon". They will help you to relax physically and mentally. They will take effect after 20 to 30 minutes. I want you take just one on every day you have a one-on-one interview, doesn't matter if you feel good or stressed after it. And I want you to take that right before you go to bed. That way I hope to reduce the intensity – and hopefully the quantity – of your nightmares. If you have a bad day and feel really uneasy and/or agitated, you can take one too. But please, take just one and only in exceptional circumstances. This not for daily use. I really need you to keep that in mind. You can get addicted easily. If your situation gets worse – we don't want to think about that though – and you need more medication than I think, we have to change immediately. Do you have any questions so far? Any of you?"
They all shook their heads and said "no".
"Now we have to take care of the side effects. You told me you have problems with "normal" medication. You will already know this, but "Estadoxon" is not a "normal" medication. That is why I want you to observe closely – all of you – if there are any problems with dizziness, slurred speech, upset stomach or blurred vision. I know, I've told you to take them before you go to bed, but the dose you get will last a few hours. So, if you get up at night or wake up in the morning and notice any of these side effects, I need to know. Don't take them again. I can assure you it won't be a one-time incident. Any questions?"
"What are "a few hours" Danny asked?
"That varies from patient to patient and depends on the present constitution and frame of mind of a person. But we can narrow it down to ten to twelve hours as the average time. We had patients with less and with more hours though. Anything else you'd like to know?"
"Yes. What are we going to do if I experience any of these side effects?"
"Unfortunately, you have to ride it out. Stay in bed and wait till it subsides enough for you to get up without any trouble. Inform me as soon as possible if that happens. Anything else?"
"What if I took two of them accidentally?"
"Call an ambulance. Don't debate, don't wait. Do it – just to be on the safe side. Don't and I emphasize don't drive anywhere. You are not roadworthy. If you are alone and need help call an ambulance, if someone is with you call out and let them help you to calm down and ease your discomfort. Try to lay down, don't run around for long...Everything clear now? Don't hesitate to ask if there is more."
"Last week Steve took Razalpam – a friend of mine, she is a psychologist too - prescribed it for him. It helped a lot. Will you prescribe that too and can he take that at all when the month is over?"
"I will prescribe them without hesitation if you, commander McGarrett, want them. They are a good choice for short-term use. But during the three days you take them, you can't take Estadoxon. Under no circumstances. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"Fine. What I need from you is the therapy plan so we can coordinate. Did you have one-on-one today?"
"No, I haven't. It was scheduled, but since we wanted to meet here and might discuss things, we decided not to do it."
"Anything planned for tomorrow?"
"Yes," Catherine said. "I thought you would need the plan, so here it is." She handed it over. "And tomorrow we have Jacobsen and a massage. Sunday is free."
"Right. I like your plan. You have not only put in everything necessary, but also split it perfectly. You've ever worked in this line of action?"
"No, not exactly, but I've learned a lot about it over the years from a lot of different sources."
"You did a good job with that. Now, back to the plan. I'd like to take over the talk-spot on Wednesdays if you don't mind."
"No, it's fine for me," Catherine answered. Danny just nodded.

"Commander McGarrett, I want you to take the first tablet on Monday. I want to exchange PT on Monday for sports on Tuesday - just for this week. Just in case there are symptoms you might have missed. This way you are not on your own if something happens. Do you agree?"
"Yes, sir" they all said in unison.
"Fine. If you don't have any other questions we are done."
He waited a few seconds, but since they didn't ask anything he said "Okay, then. Commander I am going to give you your vitamin shots and your pills. I hope you all have a great weekend."