And love
Chapter 88 We can face anything!
A/N: Not to keep you deep under the sheets, the Dx will be here forthwith – but that's only the beginning. You knew that, right?!
Dr. Casey Nelson's office
Wednesday 7:00 PM
Jamie knocks on the locked door. The waiting room that they can see is dimly lit. Eddie also texts Debbie, announcing their arrival. Momentarily, Debbie came to the door and let them in; she escorted Jamie and Eddie to Casey's office. After greetings and handshakes, they sat.
"Jamie and Eddie, welcome. I wanted to have this discussion ASAP and in person." Casey begins.
Tension is high, Eddie has a firm grip on Jamie's hand.
"The PAP smear did show a smattering of cancerous cells; indicating cancer of the uterus."
"Cancer!" Eddie whispers. She leans tightly into Jamie's side.
"Yes. The cells do not look 'angry', a layman's term. That would indicate highly aggressive cancer. The pathologist did not see that. So, we have a bit of good news."
"And the bad news?" Jamie mutters.
"We heed to talk about next steps. 1) We can do the DandC as I described, preceded by an ultrasound looking for pelvic abnormalities – a tumor or mass somewhere, for instance. Or 2) We can go directly to a total hysterectomy, which is probably where we would end up anyway."
"TOTAL hysterectomy?" Eddie wonders what that means.
"A TOTAL hysterectomy means removing the cervix along with the uterus."
"Why not remove it all?" Jamie voices.
"Some people feel that the sexual experience is altered or diminished if the cervix is removed. There is no research to back that up." Casey smiles.
"The risks?"
"Taking the cervix also removes another source of cancer down the road."
Debbie slips out for a minute as Casey pauses. She quickly returns with a coffee carafe, mugs and bottles of Coke or Sprite. After everyone takes a beverage of choice, they settle back down.
"What would you recommend?" Eddie asks.
"I would do a pre-op ultrasound then a total hysterectomy."
"You would do that at Stony Brook?"
"I would recommend Dr. Young, with me assisting. He did your c-section remember."
"Ah, I remember," Eddie rolls her eyes.
Jamie winces – some bad memories there.
Eddie raises his hand to her lips and kisses the back. She looks up at him and smiles.
Jamie asks, "The DandC isn't needed?"
"I think there is a 95% chance we will go to hysterectomy anyway. Especially since you have 5 children. This will treat the cancer and 100% close the factory."
They all laugh, breaking some tension.
They talk some logistics and scheduling.
Debbie will contact Dr. Young's office tomorrow and let Jamie and Eddie know about possible surgery dates. After tossing their trash, they exit the back door together.
FREEZE – HANDS UP
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2-HOURS PRIOR
RING – GREGG NELSON'S CELL PHONE
"Hi Casey, babe! What's up?"
"Gregg, I'm sorry. I'll be late tonight. I have a conference with the Reagan's. I've got some bad news to present in person."
"Damn, drastic?"
"No, beatable. I'll buzz when I'm on my way home."
"Ok, be safe. I'll call the guys, and shoot some."
"Bring me a champs target!"
"Will do, bye. Love you."
"Love you more," Casey grins.
"Love you most! Gotcha, bye!" Gregg grins wider.
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1-HOUR PRIOR
SUFFOLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
"Ibrahim, are you sure you can patrol alone?" Mohammed Abdul is concerned. The office is understaffed at the moment, but he is not sure his eldest son is ready for this.
"Yes, father. I have been patrolling with you for 8 months now. I am ready."
"Your vest on?"
"Yes, sir."
"Radio charged?"
"Yes, sir?"
"You know the trouble spots to avoid, when alone?"
"I do. Quit worrying, dad!"
"Ok, I'll head on home. You call at the 1st sign of trouble, yes?"
"Yes, sir!" They salute and father heads home in his private car.
Ibrahim checks his duty belt one last time and heads to the sheriff's cruiser. After buckling in, he takes a deep breath and the 22 y/o heads out on patrol.
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20-MINUTES PRIOR
Gregg, Tony, Bill and Alex are finished at the gun range. They are all marine buddies – 2 tours together. They often get together to shoot, catch up, kill a mess of burgers & FF and have a good time.
They are headed to their favorite bar and grill; they have just gotten their 1st beers and sat down. Gregg's phone begins to incessantly chime. He immediately stands and looks at the screen. "Emergency alert, guys. Casey's in trouble!"
"Where is she?" 2 ask.
"Just a moment-
Gregg switches to find-a-phone, "At her office. I gotta go!" He heads out, on the run.
The others follow, one throwing some bills at the bartender.
"We're back up!" Alex shouts as they reach their cars. Bill throws the others marine vests from his trunk shouting "PUT THEM ON!"
They tach up and follow Gregg.
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AT THE SCENE
Jamie and Eddie instinctively take 2 steps apart, while Jamie whispers loudly, "Behind us." Debbie & Casey know Jamie is NYPD So they follow his lead instantly; Debbie steps with Eddie, Casey with Jamie.
I SAID FREEZE
Jamie reaches for his shield and holds it up. "NYPD, gentlemen. I don't think you want to do this, think about it for a moment." His other hand is sneaking toward his Glock in his back waistband.
Meanwhile Eddie puts her hand into her shoulder bag, holding up her other hand as directed. In the bag she grasps her Glock.
The 4 perps are each in a shooter stance, holding out in front of them a handgun. They appear to be heavily tatted 20 something's. They are now uncertain what to do.
As they assess the situation, 4 cars enter the parking lot – 2 from each side. They screech to a stop, a marine vested man rips out of each car, taking cover behind the driver's side door. Each man holds up a handgun.
The perps are badly outnumbered and outgunned. They are about to lower their weapons and surrender when a sheriff's cruiser enters the scene, lights and sirens coming on. Screeching to a stop, a young deputy hops out. He pulls his weapon, assumes a shooters stance and shouts "EVERYONE DROP YOUR WEAPON, DOWN ON THE GROUND, NOW!"
Two of the perps panic, turning and firing at the deputy. The other two drop their weapons and drop to the ground. The 4 ex-marines immediately fire at the 2 shooters, eliminating the threat.
Eddie calls 911, identifying herself and her husband. She requests 2 backup units and 2 ambulances. Casey and Debbie run over to check the deputy, finding 2 GSW. One to the upper abdomen on the right side, just below his vest Another to his left shoulder, a clean through shot. Debbie puts pressure on his wound while Casey runs into the clinic to get some gauze to assist Debbie.
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Jamie calls the sheriff's office, requesting that the sheriff call him.
Eddie calls home, "Cassie, it's mom."
"Mom, why are you calling now? What's thematter?"
"Oh, dad and I had a little excitement but we are ok. Just calling to make sure you guys are all right. We'll tell you all about it when we get home."
"Ok, should I call the cops?" Cassie giggles.
"Ha, ha. No. See you soon."
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Just as the ambulance takes off for Atony Brook with the deputy, sheriff Abdul calls Jamie.
"Sheriff? This is Lt. Jameson Reagan."
"Yes Lieutenant. What may I do for you?"
"Sheriff, there has been a shooting-
"What? Where?"
"The parking lot back of Dr. Casey Nelson's office."
"That's a troublesome neighborhood! Why are you calling me?"
"Well, your son-
"Ibrahim! Was he there?"
"Yes, he came upon the scene and preemptively jumped into the action and got shot."
"What?! If you are responsible, I'll have your badge, believe you me!"
CALL DISCONNECTED.
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TBC
