ETWentHome
I'm glad Ethan's alright - well, kind of alright. At least there's a breakthrough in his condition, but I hope he'll be okay. Can't wait for more!
Yes! Thank you xx
CBloom2
Oh dear this doesn't sound good. I'd Google it but I'm too tired ha ha - I'll just wait for your update instead xx
Hey, thanks! I've left a bit of explanation in the author's note as I didn't think it was entirely clear from the story what the condition actually is!:)
tracys dream
Awesome story! Looking forward to more.
Thanks:)
rachbob
Noo, you can't leave it there! Brilliant chapter looking toward to next one :)
Here is the next chapter then!:)
Becs2202
Oh dear he must be feeling bad but he can live with this now he has a diagnosis right?
Yes I'm sure he'll be okay, I could never hurt Ethan toooo much! xx
Tato Potato
Oh my goodness I can't believe I missed this story! Brilliantly well written and I can't wait to read more! :)
Thank you so much!:) xx
Microwave35
Great work! *eagerly awaits next chapter* :)
Thanks! *struggles to write next chapter whilst juggling school work* :) xx
Hey! I'm sure by now you already know how apologetic I am for not updating sooner, so I would just get straight into it, but I'd like to add a little explanation of what Postural Tachycardia Syndrome(PoTS) actually is because I didn't really explain it in the story other than listing symptoms as Ethan and Cal would obviously already know what the condition is!
So PoTS is really just an abnormal decrease in heart rate if someone suffering from the condition has been standing or sitting up for too long. It causes dizziness and fainting etc. Someone with the condition has a nervous system that doesn't quite function properly for whatever reason, so there is a drop in blood supply to the heart & brain when they have been upright for too long. To try and compensate for this, the heart races and too much noradrenaline (a hormone) is released, leaving the person with a few unpleasant symptoms (these are pretty much all covered in the story).
Hope this explanation helped if you were a bit confused, I already knew most of these things from a friend of mine who had the condition previously, but I did look at the NHS website as a reference to back me up a bit. It's worth a look if you're interested in knowing more!
So, on with the show…
6.
"I have reason to believe, that Ethan is suffering from Postural Tachycardia Syndrome, Dr Knight."
"What?" Cal snapped.
"I'm sure you know full well what the condition is, Dr Knight," Connie said sternly, repeating the doctor's title.
"Yes, of course I do," he scoffed, but his eyes still held a hint of worry, "I just, I thought he just fainted.." Cal muttered, then his expression hardened with realisation, "Has this happened before, Ethan?" he said, accusation implicit in his tone.
Ethan looked down shamefully, picking at a loose thread on his sleeve. He bit his lip, nodding slowly but keeping his eyes fixed away from Cal's hard stare.
The older doctor sighed, obviously quite frustrated but trying to mask it for Ethan's sake. "Why didn't you tell me Eth?" he demanded.
Ethan lifted he gaze, and then sent a pleading look in Connie's direction.
"Alright, I think that's enough interrogation, Cal" she spoke, also seeming quite irritated with the situation. Then she turned to Ethan, "how many times has this happened?" she questioned.
"I-I, I don't know, Cal's quite protective a lot-" said Ethan nervously, trying not to offend his brother.
"-the fainting, Dr Hardy, I'm asking you about the fainting, not your brother."
"O-oh, ummm, I'm n-not really s-sure-"
Cal interrupted his brother's stuttering, "-you're making him more nervous than I was!" he exclaimed, running his hand through his hair in frustration, leg bouncing up and down off of the floor.
"Dr Knight! I'm trying to access any symptoms your brother has been experiencing over the last week or so, if you cannot let me do that, then I will ask you to leave!" Mrs Beauchamp hadn't shouted, but something about the harsh tone of her voice shut Cal up immediately. "Right, Ethan," she turned back to the younger brother, she was almost smiling, pleased with herself, Ethan noticed. "10, maybe 15 times, would you say?"
"Y-yes, maybe around 10," he admitted, slightly confused by the accuracy of Mrs Beauchamp's guess.
"And you've been feeling dizzy and nauseous, yes?" she continued, and Ethan nodded. "You've been experiencing chest pains, excess perspiration, headaches, and blurred vision?" Mrs Beauchamp asked in a way that made it seem like she wasn't questioning Ethan, but stating symptoms she somehow knew he'd already had. The young doctor nodded again, glancing warily over at the clinical lead as her hand quickly scribbled words into his notes. "Have you been feeling anxious at all, any poor concentration or memory after fainting? Difficulty sleeping?" The list when on, and symptoms rolled off Mrs Beauchamp's tongue liked she'd spent centuries memorising them. Ethan responded with another nod. "Anything you'd like to add, Dr Hardy?"
"I, umm… I've been sick a few times after the fainting," he said, embarrassment lacing his words, "and.. I've had palpitations, and my neck feels a little stiff."
"And he's shaking," Cal observed.
"Yes, Dr Knight, glad to see your observations are immaculate, what else could you point out to me?" Connie challenged, eyebrows raised.
Cal looked at her, then studied his younger brother for a few seconds, then turned back to his boss, puzzled look on his face.
"Fingertips, Dr Knight, your brother's finger tips are tinted purple," she stated with simplicity, like it was so totally obvious to everyone and outrageous that he had missed it. It made Cal bubble with slight anger, but he masked it with a sassy tone, only to spare Ethan the embarrassment though, of course. (A/N: I don't really know what happened here, I've never seen the words 'bubble' and 'sassy' in the same sentence before haha)
"Well how was I supposed to see that, I don't pick out every detail like you," Cal argued.
"Well, considering you're a doctor, maybe you should start 'picking out every detail', Dr Knight" Mrs Beauchamp responded, never losing a battle. "I'm fairly certain that it is PoTS by the way, but we'll have to run a few tests to confirm it, Ethan can be discharged straight afterwards."
"Thank you, Mrs Beauchamp," Cal sneered, and Ethan simply sent a small, slightly apologetic smile in her direction.
"Sandwich?" Cal offered, walking into the cubicle a couple of hours later.
"Yes please," Ethan breathed, wheezing slightly through the persistent pain in his chest. He sneezed, sending his head spinning, "I really think I ought to be laying down, Cal."
"I almost forgot you were ill because of all this that's been going on Nibbles," Cal said, handing Ethan a tissue, "and yes, you can sleep in a bit, but we both know it'll help if we get some food in you."
"Yes, I guess so," Ethan muttered, fighting against his drooping eyes. He took the sandwich from Cal's hand, nibbling (A/N: no pun intended, honestly) at it and taking small, careful bites. After all he was the first thing he'd tried to stomach since he, well, un-stomached his breakfast.
The dusty blue curtain suddenly shot to the side, revealing Mrs Beauchamp, "Right, Dr Hardy, the ECG and stand test have pretty much confirmed that it is PoTS, although the symptoms have probably been bought on from your recent illnesses, it is an underlying condition. Now, because your heart rate is incredibly high, I'm able to prescribe you some beta-blockers, which will help to take the edge off symptoms like the anxiety and chest pains, which I'm sure you know already." Ethan nodded, finding it hard to concentrate on what she was saying, his foggy brain fighting for sleep. "Now, I recommend that you also drink plenty of fluids and don't involve yourself in too much physical activity. If you can, try to avoid hot showers and baths and also just be careful if you're standing up for a long time, and take extra caution when sitting or standing after lying in bed, okay?" she said, a hint of kindness evident in her tone for once. Ethan was too out of it though, remainder of his sandwich slipping out of his limp hand and he dozed into sleep. Cal snickered, taking the sandwich from his little brother's hand. "Well, as Dr Hardy is clearly exhausted, I suggest you both go home once I've gotten his prescription, you already seemed to have abandoned your shift, Dr Knight."
"Thanks, boss,"
"Mrs Beauchamp," she corrected, leaving the cubicle with a small smirk plastered on her face.
"Thank you, Mrs Beauchamp," Cal whispered, words falling on deaf ears as the tapping of heels against the floor could be heard from the distance. He carelessly through the rest of Ethan's sandwich into the bin, and span round on his heel, smiling once again at the sight of his little brother sleeping. He always looked so innocent, soft features relaxed with sleep. No, Cal thought, it was definitely not weird to be thinking these sorts of things about his 30-year-old brother. As long as he kept it to himself anyway.
I probably could've extended that a bit, but I'm pushed for time and I really wanted to get something posted up tonight! Hope you enjoyed it regardless!