Ty Mira Black-Snape for beta
Warning: medical things… any questions I'll try to answer
Reminder: PEG: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (tube in the stomach), PN: Parenteral Nutrition (tube near the collarbone), BP: Blood Pressure
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Jim was still on the biobed, Spock on his left, McCoy at his right and M'Benga at the end of the bed.
"Correct us if we are wrong: high BP, tremors, headaches, blurred vision, you piss very little, widespread swelling, you have pain when I touch you in the right region of your abdomen where the liver is, and not to speak about your exams. Never mind, I don't need your confirmation." He said stopping the blonde from speaking.
"First, the PEG is no longer an option: it's useless if you can't keep food down, and the fact that you have thrown up on me without having nausea means medications are pointless. It comes out tomorrow. But Geoffrey and I believe we can try a PN or parenteral nutrition. We will basically place a catheter in your subclavian vein – indicating a point near the collarbone – and feed you nutrition intravenously. Of course, you can still feed normally but with the PN we will give you more. Any additional weight lost now it's too dangerous. But with the PN, you will need to stay in your quarters since it needs about 14-16 hours to run. Here or your room, no other choice. So, for the next week, you are on medical leave even if I allow you some paperwork. BED rest, the couch at max. Understood? After that, we will see. Questions?"
James was astonished, too shocked to speak, he only nodded with his head.
"Secondly, I want you on bed rest because you are suffering from pre-eclampsia. It's a prenatal syndrome that if left untreated can lead to serious – even fatal – complications for both you and the babies. We are facing a challenging task. Babies need more time to mature. We will help you. I know it's a lot to digest. Go do your captain's thing for today."
The good doctor placed a kiss on the boy's head gaining a growl from the Vulcan.
"Oh, shut up pointy ears! He's my best friend and he has at least 5 more months of hell ahead. Cuddles! Huggies! And love, from everyone. Tomorrow we will speak more."
Leaving the couple alone, McCoy was concerned about how Jim reacted to the news. His goal from now on was to stay with him more when Spock was working, and informing the commanding crew to do the same. The poor boy needed all the help and company possible.
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Another night on the Enterprise. Jim was crying into the pillow. He was afraid to lose the babies. His thoughts were on how shitty the pregnancy was evolving. He had read about Terran women's pregnancies, but he could not believe how hard it was for him. The same unhealthy thoughts in his mind,
"I'm not good enough. I am not taking care enough. I will lose the Enterprise. I should promote Spock, but doing that, he will not be able to do his science and first officer jobs… What should I do?"
Spock, working in the living area, thanks to his acute hearing, heard Jim crying. He went to the bed, sitting next to James and caressed his face.
"My love, please do not cry. Share with me your concerns. I want to help."
But with this statement, the blonde cried more, pressing even more his face into the pillow.
Work forgotten, Spock changed in his sleep clothes, and went to bed, under the covers and in front of his husband, who couldn't turn on his left side due to the PEG tube still in. He embraced the crying man, murmuring softly in Vulcan, trying to soothe the frustration and agony he could feel coming from the other side of the bond. They both fell asleep in that position.
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Medbay.
The captain was on a biobed waiting for the surgery to remove the PEG. He had only a hospital gown on and was shivering. He hated so much medical staff and items, thank you Tarsus. In the aftermath of the genocide, he spent over a year recovering from the weight loss and the tortures he endured by Kodos's men. The doctors didn't have his medical file since he didn't say his last name, many times he got into anaphylactic shock from his allergies. Bones was the first doctor he could trust.
Speaking of the devil… The good doctor entered, followed by Nurse Chapel. She placed a tray with the surgical instruments near the patient and fetched the medications.
"Ok kiddo, standard procedure: breath from the mask, relax, and in less than two hours the PEG comes out, and then I will fix the PN. After you wake up, I'll tell ya what we will do next." And placed the mask on Jim's face.
Two hours later, Jim was coming around. The medical staff that attended the captain came in and out of the room for their check. Everything went smooth.
Another hour passed, the captain now was arguing animatedly with the doctor, standing in front of the door, with only his boxers on. Call it fate, call it bad luck. The door opened when McCoy stood too close to the sensor.
Hearing talks, Jim turned to the source of the noise. Two young midshipmen were coming out of the infirmary when they saw him. Horrified, the man hid behind the bulkhead, but the damage was now done.
"Damn Bones, I'm soooooo screwed." The captain stated, demoralized.
"They saw nothing Jim, don't worry too much. They gossip anyway. Go finish dressing, I'll take you back to your room and I will start the PN. This is magnesium sulphate, it will prevent seizures due to pre-eclampsia." And the doctor hypoed his friend.
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The news, no longer murmur, changed versions depending on who told it. For some, the captain had a tumour in the lower abdomen, for others he suffered from anorexia, still others spoke of experimental cybernetic implants.
Either way, everyone agreed on one thing: their Captain needed their help.
Notes: next in 10 days ^_^