Thanks for everyone's reviews. One of you pointed out I have been spelling Kirsten's name wrong and I corrected it here. Thanks- spelling isn't my best skill. I hope you enjoy.
CHAPTER 6- THE DOCTOR'S IN
Dr. Peters arrived right when he said he would. Kirsten was quick to let him in.
"Thank you so much for stopping by. We're just so worried about him."
"Not a problem. Let's go take a look at the young man in question."
"Of course. He's upstairs in the guest room."
Upon reaching Ryan's room Kirsten softly opened the door hoping not to startle the boy. He seemed to be asleep though he still moved about restlessly as a result of his still high temperature.
"Ryan, can you wake up for me?" Dr. Peters gently asked with a light tap to his shoulder.
Ryan's eyes drifted open slowly. For a moment he seemed startled when the unfamiliar face was before him but after a moment his brain seemed to catch up and put a name to the face.
"You really do make home visits." Ryan croaked out. "I sort of thought they were having me on."
"I only make home visits for the most interesting patients. Anyone a part of the Cohen clan certainly fits that bill."
"He knows us so well." Kirsten said with a mischievous edge to her voice.
"Well let's take a look today and see where we stand. Can you tell me how you're feeling right now?"
"Umm tired." Ryan mumbled sleepily.
"Well yes I figured that much out my boy but a little more detail might be required."
Ryan lowered his eyes in embarrassment at the slight admonishment.
"It's alright Ryan just speak the truth you're not in trouble for being ill." Kirsten added sensing Ryan's hesitancy and misplaced guilt over the whole situation.
"That's right son- this is my job. Individuals like you keep me in the lifestyle I've come accustom to." The doctor said trying to use a bit of humor to relax the edgy teen.
It seemed to work if the lowering of Ryan's shoulders and relaxing of his posture indicated anything.
"Well my head is killing me. I thought it hurt bad yesterday but it's worse today. My chest feels sort of tight and well obviously my throat hurts as you can tell from my voice."
The room Ryan was in was fairly dim and they hadn't turned any lights on upon entering relying on the soft glow from the sun in the window to do their work. Wanting to check something Doctor Peter's leaned over and turned on Ryan's bedside lamp. The action had an immediate response from Ryan as he winced and looked away a slight gasp coming from his lips.
"Ryan did that light hurt your eyes?" Dr. Peters questioned.
"Yes." The teen ground out between clinched teeth.
"Alright I'll dim it in a minute but I want you to do something else for me. Can you touch your chin to your neck?"
Giving the Dr. a funny look out of the side of his eyes Ryan started to comply only to stop have way through with a cry of pain.
"Okay Ryan you can stop- thank you. Kirsten, go ahead and dim the lights. Is Seth at school already?"
"Sandy's dropping him off now they probably are almost there, why?"
"Call him for me and see please. " The doctor stated avoiding answering the question.
Confused Kirsten did as asked. Soon she had Sandy on the line telling her Seth was just about to get out at school. When Kirsten relayed this to Dr. Peter's he told her not to let him go to school and instead have them head over to Children's Hospital. Even more confused and now slightly frightened Kirsten relayed the message and then put Sandy on speaker phone when his immediate reaction was an alarmed why.
"What's wrong Dr. Peters?" Kirsten demanded now that Sandy was listening in on speaker.
"Everyone stay come for a moment and I'll explain. Ryan is showing some signs of a serious illness that may be contagious and rather than allow Seth to go to school and possibly infect others I want to have you'll meet us at the hospital where we will run some tests and determine the next step."
"Okay I guess I understand that, but I'm not going to let you stop with some contagious disease mumbo jumbo I want you to tell me what you think it is."
"Meningitis." Ryan whispered frightfully,
"What did you say Ryan?" Kirsten asked hearing the teen mumble something.
"You think it's meningitis don't you?" Ryan asked the Doctor.
"Yes. I think there is a good chance you are definitely exhibiting many of the symptoms considering it started with cold symptoms and then developed into a high fever, severe headache, light sensitivity and problems touching your chin to tour neck. It could be something else, but I don't want to take any chances. How did you come to your conclusion?"
"I remember a time in Chino when a kid in my class got really sick and ended up dying. They told us later it was meningitis and everyone had to take this pill as a precaution and we were warned about the symptoms. It was so long ago I almost forgot." Ryan managed to tell with ragged breathes and clinched features indicating the level of pain he was still in.
"How are we taking Ryan to the hospital?" Kirsten added.
"Normally I would recommend an ambulance but considering the benefit of not infecting anyone else this once I am going to tell you to drive him you self. I will call ahead to the hospital to let them know to expect you and will follow behind you."
"Okay we'll meet you there." Sandy responded before he hung up.
The next few moments moved fast as Dr. Peters and Kirsten helped Ryan to get up and in the car and soon the Cohen's were off to the hospital praying all the while that things weren't as serious as the doctor expected.