Disclaimer – See Chapter 1

Authors note – See Chapter 1

Breathing Underwater
By:
AngelBabs81 and potterfan2006

Chapter 7

It was late afternoon when Levin returned and Westphalen gave him the news: The last blood draw was normal and with limited mobility, Dr. Williams would be able to get out of the chamber. Levin smiled and entered the hyperbaric chamber and tapped her shoulder.

"Dr. Williams."

Sammie opened her eyes "Yes?"

Westphalen came in to stand next to Levin and began to remove the straps holding Sammie still.

"Good news. You can get out of the chamber. Do you remember what I told you earlier?"

"Yes, I need to take it easy for the next few days."

"Did he tell you that you will be spending tonight in med bay for observation?" Westphalen entered the conversation as she undid the last strap.

"That, he did not tell me," Sammie glared at Dr. Levin.

"It's a precaution, we want to make sure that oxygen is coming in and carbon dioxide is going out in normal pressure," Westphalen explained as she folded up the straps..

Levin looked at Sammie apologetically.

"Oh well I guess I can do that," she said, rolling her eyes with exasperation.

"You're going to have to," Westphalen interjected firmly. "I'm going to raise the head of the bed slowly. If you start to feel nauseous or dizzy let me know."

Sammie started to feel light headed as the bed was raised. "Whoa, head rush!" She gasped closing her eyes.

The bed stopped. "Let us know when it passes," Westphalen responded.

A minute later Sammie's world stopped spinning. "Okay, I'm good again."

"It's normal," Westphalen assured her, and the head of the bed began to move again.

"I haven't felt like that since I was a kid. I used to hang upside down off of my bed," Sammie laughed lightly at the memory.

They chuckled. Soon the bed was at a 45-degree angle.

"How are you feeling?" Levin asked.

"A little woozy, but okay."

"Do you feel the need to vomit?" Westphalen asked, examining Sammie closely.

"I don't think so."

"Okay, we're going to move you slowly around off the bed, legs dangling, you might feel the need to stretch your legs, but please don't. This might be painful," Westphalen warned.

She told Levin. "Give Dr Williams your hand and support her back. I'll grab her legs."

He nodded; one arm went behind Sammie, the other hand took hold of hers. "Feel free to squeeze my hand during any discomfort," he said quietly.

As they moved her, Sammie hissed and squeezed Levin's hand.

"God that hurts worse than when I broke my leg as a teen."

"I'm sorry," Westphalen spoke as Levin continued to support her. Her legs were free and Westphalen righted herself. "Dr. Williams, do you mind if Dr Levin carries you out to the wheelchair?"

"No, I don't mind."

Sammie sucked in her breath as Levin lifted her carefully and carried her to the wheelchair.

"Why does this hurt so much?"

Westphalen answered, "Because your joints had air bubbles in them and you haven't moved them in nearly 20 hours." She connected the bag of fluids to the chair, and Levin wheeled Sammie to the med bay.

"If you'd like, we can get you some food," Westphalen offered.

"I am hungry," Sammie responded.

"If you can hold down the food, we'll take the IV out, Dr. Levin, you know what to do from here on out. If you need anything, call." With a nod, Westphalen left to write notes in Sammie's chart.

TBC…