Chapter 7: Hospital talks

During the next few days work kept me quite busy, but I had not forgotten Rue and her tiredness. After pondering this for some time, I decided to write a detailed email message to a cousin of mine, who was a medical doctor in the big research hospital at Seeburg, our family residence. I described what I had observed with Rue, specifically the tiredness she had shown in the last few weeks, her quiet behavior, and herself looking so much younger than her real age, and I asked if he knew about any kind of illnesses potentially matching that. Of course I knew quite well that my cousin would not be able to conjure a full diagnosis based on that, but maybe he could provide some hints at least. This being done, I felt better and focused on work again.

For a few days I sat together with Haymitch and a young engineer from Seeburg, discussing means of energy storage. While we had plans to generate electrical energy with wind turbines and solar energy, those means would not always be available. For instance, solar energy would be not available during the night to provide light, and thus we needed to think about energy storage. This was of course not only a local problem, but a general one for electricity. When generating power with coal plans or nuclear power plants, storage was not an issue as those plants could and should run 24/7, but they had problems attached, like CO2 exhaust with coal power and nuclear waste with nuclear fission power. Fusion power would be able to overcome those issues, but was not going to be feasible in the next few decades.

The engineer from headquarters explained the various means of storing electrical energy. Some of those could be done with little effort, but were expensive, such as batteries (like those used in electrical cars). Others were cheaper, but very inefficient, like generating hydrogen from electricity. Others again were more efficient, but required extensive preparations and landscaping, specifically pumped storage hydro power. This one, though, had the big advantage of being very efficient – almost 90% of the energy required to pump water up could be regained when having the same water drive generators when flowing down. Naturally, I was all in favor of it, but realized that we needed to find proper locations first. For a short term solution it might be practical to collect used batteries from cars and such and assemble a battery based storage unit first. This could be done on a smaller scale, with limited effort, and we decided to go ahead with this one first.

In addition, we wanted to find out how solar cells could be arranged without reducing area for agriculture too much. I had read an article in a technical magazine about farmers constructing rows of solar cells about 5m above their fields, but with larger gaps between the rows, so that only about 10% or less of the total area would be shaded at any time. I would have to discuss options with my farmers, and probably we would want to experiment with various row distances as well as different produce to be planted. Well, I was looking forward to those experiments – this was almost a little like playing for adults, and I enjoyed this time of work in particular.

A few days later my cousin, the medical doctor, had replied to my message. He wrote that he could of course not really diagnose Rue from afar, but he strongly suggested to have a full diagnosis and very thorough examination done. Knowing where I lived he recommended Panem University Hospital. The children's unit was headed by a Dr. Aurelius, who happened to be an expert in both pediatrics and psychology. My cousin had attended university together with him and thus knew him quite well. Finally my cousin pointed out that such thorough examinations were, without being some kind of emergency, not always covered by health insurance plans. I quickly replied and thanked him for the advice.

Well, the issue about the examination potentially not covered by insurance was going to be a problem. Most likely the citizens of the poor districts would only be able to afford the cheapest health insurance plans, so that the likelihood of a full series of tests being covered without a serious illness being apparent would be slim. Of course, I had more than enough money available to pay for it, but I also knew that the locals in district 11 and 12 were mostly too proud to accept charity. Somehow I'd need to find a way to get around that problem.

Two days later I happened to be in Panem Capitol area to visit some shops and order some merchandise for farm and lab, when I decided to find out if Dr. Aurelius was available for some conversation. I told the receptionist that I was a cousin of his friend from university, and he was able and willing to spend ten minutes with me.

I did my best to summarize the problem: "A friend of mine, a twelve year old girl, has started to sleep and nap a lot in the last few weeks, and she has been getting very quiet. She is still able to follow lessons at school, but seems to find less energy for almost everything else, and she is also not eating well, or maybe not nourished sufficiently because her family is very poor. In addition, although she is now twelve years old, she looks more like an eight or nine year old. My cousin recommended to have a very thorough examination done here, but also mentioned that most health insurance plans would not cover that. While I would be willing to jump in, her parents would probably not be willing to accept this kind of charity."

Dr. Aurelius replied: "This girl looking much younger than she is could well be an issue of undernourishment. I have had quite a few children here from the poorer districts who were too skinny, but their parents simply cannot afford better meals. The sleepiness gets me concerned, too, and I agree that a full series of tests would be best."

After a short break he continued: "I am aware of the issue of lacking financial coverage. Years ago we have started a special fund here enabling us to at least perform basic checks on the children brought to us, although many poor parents do not even bother to come here. We could get started with means from that fund, but this is limited. As a matter of fact", he said while looking at me directly, "we have been looking for fund donors, and as you seem to be both interested in the issue and also have significant financial means available..."

He did not have to complete his sentence – I had understood: "So, if some treatment was covered by your hospital's fund rather than an individual person, poor parents are less likely to see that a charity, right?"

Dr. Aurelius nodded: "Yes, indeed. In addition to that we always point out that we are a University Hospital, and we are interested to learn from patients. As a matter of fact, the local pediatrics unit is quite large and is combined with a significant pediatrics research facility. Being able to collect health data from children from different background is helpful for us, but of course we still rely on external donations."

I thanked him for the conversation and promised to get more details about the fund from his receptionist. She handed me a thick brochure showing all of the details, and I intended to study that in details soon. First, though, I stopped at the Madison residence on my way home. I was lucky to find Mrs. Madison at home, as she had to stop working early due to adverse weather conditions. I told her about the importance of a full medical examination of her daughter at the hospital, and of course I also mentioned that at least the initial checks would be covered by the general fund.

She hesitated: "Do you really think that we should bring her to the hospital? I do not know anybody there, and so far we have been consulting our local healer."

I asked: "Yes, but has the local healer been able to find out anything yet?"

She shook her head: "No, not really. She provided some hints for better nourishment, but most of that is outside of our means. She does not have an idea where the sleepiness might come from."

I continued: "I can promise that Rue will be taken care of at the hospital. They have a large pediatrics unit, and Dr. Aurelius really cares."

Mrs. Madison promised to talk to her husband and think about it, and I drove myself home. Rain was still pouring down, and dark clouds also affected my mood today.
-

On the next day I joined Prim in the afternoon when she started to spend some time in the new herb garden. My farm workers had completed the initial preparations some time ago, and the plot was now ready to be prepared for seeding and planting. Turning towards the blonde girl, I suggested: "Prim, on this side here there is some shade from the trees. Would you be able to select herbs according to the level of sunshine and soil moisture they need?"

She responded: "Yes, I think I can do this, and I'll also get some advice from my mom on that."

I continued: "On the other side, I would like to grow a few berries which can be eaten directly from the bushes, like blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. Do you think that makes sense?"

Prim smiled: "This is a great idea, specifically if you offer to hand out some of the harvest to the children in the Seam!"

I nodded and confirmed: "Yes, this is exactly what I have in mind. I will have Mr. Brown get started with the proper bushes and shrubs."

Looking around I added: "I will sent one of my hands around later on to collect a list of material you may need, like various gardening tools – please do not hesitate to tell them what you need! Also, before I forget to ask, have you found somebody else to share the work with?"

Prim responded that Leevy, a 15 year old girl living right next to the Everdeens, had volunteered, and that they were looking forward to working together. Leevy did not yet have that much knowledge on plants, but she was interested and willing to learn. Hearing that, I nodded and I took my leave. While walking home, I again pondered the hospital situation and Rue – Mrs. Madison had not yet told me how to proceed, and she was probably not sure if she could trust the hospital employees with her daughter. However, I had made up my ind to provide a significant donation to the hospital funds, and there was going to be both an initial larger donation and a smaller monthly donation. Grandfather always insisted to spend money on charity and social work, and I had a special fund for that. One of grandfather´s favorite statement was like that: "God gave us the gifts and talent to gain a lot of money. This is not supposed to be spent on personal enrichment, but mostly for the benefit of others, so that we must balance between wise long term investments and socially important activities."

Next week there was another 'Prim visit day', and I had promised her to show her around on the site for a few hours after school. Right after she had arrived, we started walking towards the wind generator area. She must have noticed that I was unusually silent, as she mentioned after a few minutes: "Timotheus, something is bothering you. Is it a girl?"

Hearing that I smiled briefly, but did not deny. She picked up on that: "So it is. Let me guess – it is Rue?"

This time I almost blushed and turned away from her. She jumped around me to look into my face and continued: "Don't bother to deny it. Of course I noticed that you care about her, and that you worry about her sleepiness. I do, too, but she has been my friend for years. It is so sweet of you to care so much!" and she hugged me.

When I could breathe again I responded: "Prim, it is almost a little scary to be the object of your deductions, but you are right. Maybe you should consider being a detective or private investigator as your future career path?"

She laughed and told me: "No, not really. I definitely want to become a medical doctor, although that's probably not going to happen."

I turned towards her and noticed that her face had turned sad again at the end of her statement; I couldn't resist to let her know about an option: "Prim, don't get your hopes up too early, but there may be a solution for that. My family runs a university hospital in my home city, and each year we award a few grants for gifted students. That is, we invite interested candidates for a week and run them through extensive tests, written ones, verbal ones, and practical ones. Those we feel are really gifted are given a grant for free education as an MD plus free boarding and a small allowance. But, and please keep that in mind, the tests are very tough, and while sometimes hundreds of candidates apply, only a handful or less are accepted."

Prim´s face started to lighten up when she heard that, and she asked: "Timotheus, is that really true?"

I confirmed: "Yes, it is, and if you are still as dedicated when finishing school as you are now, I can get you into the testing group easily. However, actually passing the tests is something you would have to do on your own!"

Prim hugged me again and said: "Yes, I understand, but this is at least an option I may have, and I am very happy to learn about it!"

We had arrived at the wind generator site (I was thinking about giving the areas specific names, like 'Site A' or so, but had not decided yet), we spent half an hour looking up and actually took the internal elevator to the power house with the power generators and the gear box. While being here, I also briefly outlined the issue of energy storage, and Prim was quite interested. As a matter of fact, Prim seemed to be very intelligent and smart way beyond her age.

When we were down again and walking towards the farm, Prim started talking again: "I really should not talk about it, but you can keep a secret, right?"

I nodded and confirmed: "Yes, Prim, I can. But feel free to only tell me what you really want to."

She replied: "Yes, of course, but for some topics there are few people I can really talk to. I mean, my mother is mostly occupied with her healing business, and most of my school mates absolutely cannot keep a secret. There is my sister Katniss, but it is actually about her."

I warned her: "Prim, I may not want to hear about girl stuff and any private details about your sister!"

Prim understood but continued: "Yes, but this is something I so need to share with somebody. Did you know that Peeta Mellark, the youngest baker's son, has had a crush on Katniss for many years?"

I shook my head: "No, I did not know; however, thinking about it, that would explain why he had baked katniss cookies in addition to primrose cookies for your birthday."

Prim replied: "Yes, indeed, and Katniss almost sent them back, but I talked her into eating them. When she did, she definitely like the taste. Before, Katniss never really recognized Peeta, but a few days ago Peeta came to our home with some burns on his arms – this is what sometimes happens when you are a baker. Mom treated the burns and suggested Peeta stay for a few hours to have the treatment repeated a few times. Katniss was home, too, and when Mom went outside to get a few herbs, I noticed Katniss holding Peeta´s hand!"

I still did not know if I needed to know about that, but I started to smile: "So, is this good?"

Prim turned towards me and claimed: "Of course it is! Peeta is the perfect match for Katniss, but my sister has so far refused to notice that – she can be so stubborn!"

I smiled even more and commented: "So, you claim to know better than your sister?"

Prim nodded: "Of course I do. Katniss is so … unaware of social interactions, that she urgently needs help. Fortunately, she has me!"

[Author's Note: The issue of energy storage as discussed at the beginning of the chapter is something I am personally interested in, and I believe that it is an important topic to address in our world when moving more and more to green energy]