Appointment with Dr. Rose
Saturday (14 days back home)
— Thanks for taking care of John today Martha — Lois said, as she ate the last of her breakfast
— There's nothing to thank me for — she replied — I love spending time with my grandson
— I don't think it'll take that long... — Clark said — Dr. Klein wants to do a checkup today to make sure everything will go well on Monday with Dr. Rose
— It's been a blessing to have Dr. Klein on our side — Martha said — without his help we wouldn't have been able to keep the secret for this long
— That's true — Clark said — I think we'll have to invite him to dinner one day
— Sure — Lois replied, standing up — but when you're already discharged
— I'll wait for you with lunch ready — Martha said, getting up to pick up the breakfast plates
— Come on honey, or we'll be late — Lois said before leaving the kitchen to get ready to leave
— Happy to go out for a while? — Martha asked with a smile, knowing very well what her son would answer
— Very! I can't stand being locked up and in bed any longer — Clark said, guiding his chair out of the kitchen so he could go brush his teeth before leaving
Kelly and Sean had not yet given Clark permission to transfer to the car alone, so Lois helped him get in, just as they had done when they left StarLabs a few days ago
— I hope your back doesn't hurt from the movement of the car this time — Lois said, buckling up her seat belt
— Yeah, me too — Clark replied
To Clark's relief, the car ride this time was painless, except for a small bump that Lois couldn't avoid.
— Good morning — Dr. Klein greeted them upon receiving them in the StarLabs parking lot
— Good morning Dr. Klein — Clark answered after Lois helped him sit in his chair
— I see that you have mastered transfers very well, Lois — said Dr. Klein
— Hahaha... Yes, Sean gave me some exercises to strengthen my muscles so that I can support Clark weight better — answered Lois, taking her purse from the car and closing the door
— I'm glad — answered Dr. Klein — And you Clark, how are you doing with Sean's exercises? — I haven't seen you for several days
— Good... My strength hasn't returned yet, so what he has taught me has been very useful
— Excellent... Let's go inside then
— Before we begin, I wanted to tell you something important — said Dr. Klein, closing the door to the room — ...I think I've already discovered what the effect of blue Kryptonite is...
— Really? — asked Clark — is it dangerous?
— In the wrong hands, yes... — answered Dr. Klein — ...but we can also use it to our advantage
— What do you mean? — asked Lois
— From what I could see in my analysis, the effect is... Preventing the absorption of UV radiation or eliminating the UV radiation that's already absorbed
— Ok... — answered Lois without fully understanding
— Superman's powers are "charged" with sunlight — explained Dr. Klein, looking at Clark he added — ... Your cells absorb UV radiation and thus generate your superpowers
— So blue Kryptonite eliminates my powers? — answered Clark
— ...It "pauses" them more like it... Since the effect seems to be only temporary — answered Dr. Klein — and unlike the green version, apparently it doesn't damage your cells... So it shouldn't cause you pain
— Are you sure? — asked Lois
— Well, we can't be 100% sure until we test it on Clark... — answered Dr. Klein — but all the preliminary tests with your blood were successful
— If it's true... It could make medical exams easier, wouldn't it? — asked Lois
— Exactly! That's what I meant... — said Dr. Klein — if my theory is correct, with the blue Kryptonite you could be human for a while... Allowing us to do all kinds of medical tests without having to torture you with green Kryptonite
— It would be a great relief — answered Clark
— It could help us convince Dr. Rose that everything is fine — said Dr. Klein — or in the future if any doctor needs to check you up...
— That could be really useful — answered Clark — when I was in school, with my parents we had to invent a thousand excuses every time a vaccine was schedule, or if the nurse had to do a routine check up...
— In that case, let's do some last tests to confirm my theory — said Dr. Klein, who taking a slide from his pocket handed it to Clark — if you could give me a small skin sample... I can go do a quick test on the microscope, and I'll be back in a few minutes
— Ok... — answered Clark, taking the small glass rectangle. After aiming his heat vision at his wrist and getting the sample, he handed it to Dr. Klein.
— Thank you, I'll be right back — said Dr. Klein.
— Ok...
A few minutes later, Dr. Klein came back into the room.
— How did it come out? — Lois asked
— Just as we suspected — Dr. Klein answered — Ready to try it?
— Are you sure it's only temporary? — Clark asked
— Yes... — Dr. Klein answered — although I still don't know how long it would take for everything to go back to normal...
— What do you think, Lois? — Clark asked
— I think that even if your powers take a couple of hours to come back, that would be better than having to undergo the green Kryptonite again — she answered — besides, we need to confirm if it's true, so we can use it on Monday when we see Dr. Rose
— It's true... — Clark answered — let's do it...
— Good... — Dr. Klein said, opening a small lead box, which contained a few blue stones that began to glow brightly — Do you feel any pain?
— No... Nothing — Clark answered — How long does it take to take effect?
— I don't know... In the tests it took a couple of seconds — Dr. Klein answered, looking at his watch — ... But a laboratory test is not the same as what happens in your body... We'll have to try...
Clark took the syringe that Dr. Klein offered him, and tried to prick his arm with the thin needle. It seemed that the effect would take a little longer, since the needle could not penetrate the skin, and only bent at the tip.
— It seems that we will have to keep testing every so often — said Dr. Klein, looking at his watch
— Ok...
— 60 seconds of exposure — said Dr. Klein — try again please
This time, to Clark's surprise, the needle pierced his skin without problems this time
— Ouch... — said Clark, quickly removing the needle
— Great... — said Dr. Klein — while we're at it, I'll take the opportunity to take a blood sample to see how your platelets are doing
— Ok...
— Ready — said Dr. Klein, who had obtained the sample quickly
After about 3 minutes, Dr. Klein said
— Now I'll close the box again... And we'll see how long it takes for your powers to return
— Ok..
— Try again to prick your skin please...
Clark tried again, and the needle again penetrated the skin without problems
— Good, it seems that the effect also takes a while to disappear — said Dr. Klein — try again...
They had already It had been 5 minutes since Dr. Klein had closed the small lead box, and Clark's powers still hadn't returned.
Clark had been pricking his arm every 30 seconds, getting the same result over and over again... the needle always penetrated his skin without problems.
Clark was already starting to worry... What if the effects were permanent? He had been exposed to the blue Kryptonite for only a few minutes, and his powers still hadn't returned...
— Ok, Clark... Try again — said Dr. Klein, somewhat nervous about what was happening
To the relief of those present, the needle finally found resistance in the skin and couldn't enter.
— Phew... — said Lois relieved
— You said it, honey — answered Clark, equally relieved with the result
— He was exposed for 4 minutes... if the exposure had been longer, would his powers have taken longer to return? — asked Lois
— I don't know... We won't know until we try again — said Dr. Klein — I'm sorry...
— Well, at least we know it's temporary... — said Lois — so there shouldn't be a problem using it on Monday
— That's right, it should make everything simpler — said Dr. Klein — especially considering that Dr. Rose wants us to see him at the hospital...
— We just need to think about how to keep the rock near Clark without it being suspicious... — said Lois
— Any kind of jewelry wouldn't work — said Dr. Klein — for the different exams they always make the patient take everything off... They only let them stay in their underwear... And socks!
— Socks?
— That would work, we could have some special socks, where in the hem they had small pieces of blue Kryptonite...
— Wouldn't it be dangerous if those stones were inside the Scanner? — Lois asked
— It shouldn't... This rocks aren't magnetic... — Dr. Klein said
— Well... In that case I think my mom would be happy to help — Clark said with a smile
— I'm sure she would — Lois said
— Well, in that case I'll go get some small pieces so she can add them to the socks — Dr. Klein said
— Aren't you going to do any more studies today? — Clark asked
— No... I wanted to run some tests today, so I wouldn't have to subject you to green Kryptonite in front of Dr. Rose, and we could take breaks between tests — Dr. Klein answered — but it's not necessary anymore...
— And the blood sample? — Lois asked
— Well, that's something I need to check... — Dr. Klein said — ...in the sample I took the other day at your house, the platelet count was the same as the previous one...
— They haven't gone up at all? — Clark asked
— No, in fact they've been going down slightly — he answered
— What does that mean? — asked Lois
— My theory is that the liquid Kryptonite is somehow damage your bone marrow, and you are not producing new platelets at the proper rate... — explained Dr. Klein — ...we know that green Kryptonite causes symptoms similar to radiation poisoning in you... And in humans, radiation normally affects bone marrow...
— And why have they been decreasing? — asked Clark
— Platelets have a life period of less than two weeks... so at this point all the platelets you had on the day of the attack have already died and have been replaced — explained Dr. Klein — but the production seems to be slow and in low quantity... That is why it has been decreasing slightly... They are dying faster that you produce them
— Is there a treatment? — asked Lois worried
— There is... In humans at least... — answered Dr. Klein — we have already passed the first phase of "observing and waiting to see if the problem resolved itself"... So the next option would be a drug that enhances and activates production...
— But would it work for Clark? — asked Lois — wouldn't his metabolism interfere?
— No, not if it's not activated — said Dr. Klein, lifting the lead box containing the pieces of blue Kryptonite.
— Oh... — said Clark, understanding what Dr. Klein meant — is it really necessary to do this? You said they weren't low enough to worry about
— True... Not yet, but if they keep going down soon it could be a problem... — he said — why don't you come with me to the lab... I can analyze the sample I just took, while Lois looks for small pieces of blue Kryptonite... Depending on today's results we'll see what to do
— Ok...
— Ready — Lois said, shaking the lead box where she had placed several small pieces of blue Kryptonite that she had taken from the vault where Dr. Klein kept it along with the other colored versions
— I'm done too — Dr. Klein said, looking up from the microscope — the count is slightly lower than the previous one, and we're about to cross the normal limit...
— So we should do the treatment? — asked Lois
— I think so... — answered Dr. Klein — if you want we can consult with Dr. Rose...
— No... We trust you Dr. Klein — said Clark
— Good... In that case let's see the treatment plan... — said Dr. Klein — as I was saying before, my theory is that the bone marrow was affected by the Kryptonite... Fortunately the production of red and white blood cells has not been affected...
— That's good...
— Which makes me suspect that the effect should be reversible
— Could it not be? — asked Lois
— Yes, although with the current data it seems unlikely... — said Dr. Klein
— Does that mean that I will have to permanently use blue Kryptonite in order to take the medicine? — Clark said, starting to get anxious
— No... Not necessarily — Dr. Klein said — the medication is usually administered once every ten days or so...
— Oh... I thought it was taken every day — Clark said
— It's a subcutaneous injection, so the medication is absorbed slowly into the blood stream — Dr. Klein explained — The effect can last up to two weeks...
— So every ten days he would have to be exposed to Blue-K in order to receive the injection? — said Lois
— That's the original idea — answered Dr. Klein — but we'll have to do some studies to see how fast the metabolism is in Clark — explained Dr. Klein
— Oh... — said Clark.
— The objective of the subcutaneous injection is for the medication to be absorbed slowly over several days... — said Dr. Klein — this way the medication reaches the blood, and then it takes approximately two days to begin to metabolize and be eliminated through urine... This allows stable levels of the medication to be maintained in the blood for several days
— I understand...
— ...If with your powers the metabolism is too fast, the blood levels will be too low to have the desired effect, and we will have to adjust the dose... Or eventually decide on the permanent use of Blue K, so that it is metabolized at a normal rate
— Isn't it possible to just increase the dose? — Lois asked
— Raising the dose too much could overload his kidney, and that wouldn't be good...
— Oh... No...
— As I was saying before, based on the data we have, the damage is most likely reversible... — said De. Klein — And therefore the treatment should be repeated a few times until the count stabilizes, but not forever
— I hope you are right — said Lois
— Clark, do you think we can start the studies on Monday? — asked Dr. Klein — ...in order to perform the initial studies and see if the treatment is possible, you would have to stay at StarLabs for a few days
— What? Really? — asked Clark disappointed
— I'm afraid we have no other option — said Dr. Klein — I'll need blood and urine samples several times a day
— Oh...
— But don't worry, you won't need to stay in bed all the time
— How many days? — Lois asked
— Three, probably... As soon as I have all the necessary data you can go home — said Dr. Klein
— Okay... On Monday after seeing Dr. Rose we will come here — said Clark resignedly
— How long does it take for the medicine to take effect? — asked Lois
— We should start seeing an increase in at least one or two weeks — answered Dr. Klein
— Are you okay honey? — asked Lois as they walked to the car
— Yes... Just a little frustrated I guess...
— It's just a little stumble... You'll see how the treatment will soon end — said Lois trying to cheer up her husband
— I hope so...
Monday (16 days back home — 4 weeks since the attack on the Planet)
— Ready to go? - Lois asked Clark, as she finished her breakfast
— Almost... I have to go to the bathroom before leaving — Clark answered, leaving his coffee cup on the table — I'll be right back...
The day before, Martha had put the small blue stones in the hem of Clark's socks, just as they and Dr. Klein had planned. Socks that Clark had been wearing since an hour ago.
— I hope he doesn't have to stay long at StarLabs — Martha said, starting to pick up the breakfast plates — it won't do him any good to be there for too many days
— No... I hope he doesn't get too depressed... — Lois answered worried — I'll talk to Dr. Friskin later if he wants...
— Good morning, I'm here for a check-up with Dr. Rose — Clark said to the hospital receptionist
— Your name?
— Clark Kent
— Dr. Rose will see you in a few minutes — said the receptionist, who pointed to the waiting room and added — you can wait over there
— Thank you — replied Lois, who turned around to find herself face to face with Dr. Klein
— Good morning — said Dr. Klein with a smile
— Good morning Dr. Klein — said Clark cordially, guiding his chair towards the waiting room
— Are you wearing your socks? How are you feeling? — asked Dr. Klein, sitting next to Lois
— Yes, I put them on this morning — answered Clark — ...I feel fine... Just a little more pain and discomfort on the car ride
— Well, that's to be expected... Without your invulnerability or speed healing, it's very likely that the car ride would be more unpleasant — answered Dr. Klein — but, has your pain level gone up?
— No... just in the car... it's going down now...
— Mr. Kent? — said the receptionist loudly
Lois and Dr. Klein stood up, to accompany Clark, who followed the receptionist to Dr. Rose's office
— Mr. Kent... Good morning — said Dr. Rose — Good morning everyone... How have you been feeling?
— Good...
— How are your pain levels? How long are you sitting in the chair?
— I sat for about two hours — Clark answered — …the pain has decreased considerably compared to the first day…
— Do you still feel pain?
— Yes… But very little… I would say that it is more discomfort and annoyance than pain…
— I see… And is that the same all the time, or does it get worse at some point?
— The pain remains low… Until I have been sitting for a long time or lying down for a long time in the same position… Or when traveling in a car
— That is totally normal and expected — Dr. Rose answered — with time your body will continue to heal and the pain will decrease… have you started physical therapy yet?
— Yes… and with an occupational therapist
— Excellent, by exercising the muscles it will also help with the pain
— Yeah, I have noticed it
— Good… I would like to be able to do a review of the incisions before we begin with the different test — said Dr. Rose — how about that?
— Ok… Should I get on the table?
— That's right...
— I'll help you — Dr. Klein offered
Dr. Klein and Lois helped position Clark on the high observation table. Clark remained seated and removed his shirt, so Dr. Rose could examine both incisions
— This looks pretty good... — the doctor said — ...very good healing... There are some thin scars, but they look very good... Does it hurt if I touch here?
— Discomfort, not pain...
— Excellent... Can you lie on your back?
— Ok...
— At night do you sleep on your back or on your side?
— Uhm... Mostly on my side, but I vary it throughout the night...
— On both sides?
— Mainly on this side — Clark answered, pointing to the side that didn't have a scar
— Good... That's normal at first, with time you'll return to your normal sleeping routines — Dr. Rose answered — very well, sit back down... — as soon as Clark was seated again he added — do you feel pain when you try to sit? Have you started transfers yet?
—I just feel a little pain when I sit up... Just a little pull in my back — Clark answered, as he put his shirt back on — Yes, I've been doing transfers... To the toilet, the bed or the shower
— Any problems with that?
— No... My arms were a little sore at first, but nothing serious — Clark said — ... my back was also a little sore at first, but it's getting easier every day
— Excellent... And with the trips to the bathroom? — Dr. Rose asked — any accidents?
— Uhm... — Clark answered, somewhat uncomfortable with the intimacy of the question
— There are no problems with the feces — Dr. Klein answered, seeing that Clark was somewhat uncomfortable with the question — for urine we established a schedule for trips to the bathroom, so we could re-train the neurogenic bladder
— I see... And has it been working?
— Yes, very well — answered Clark, grateful for Dr. Klein's help — there have been no accidents...
— Do you feel the urge to urinate, or do you just go by the schedule? — asked Dr. Rose, who was taking notes of Clark's answers
— By the schedule...
— I see... And can you urinate alone or do you have to use a catheter?
— I can do it by myself most of the time — answered Clark — although at night before going to sleep I use the catheter... Dr. Klein said that this way I could completely empty my bladder and thus avoid any kind of infection...
— That's right! Excellent, everything is going very well...
— said Dr. Rose — it's possible that you regain the ability to feel the urge to urinate... Nothing sure, but it could happens
— Great
— Then let's move on to the tests — said Dr. Rose — Dr. Klein has kept me informed of your progress, but I would like to do a complete check-up so that we don't miss anything
— Ok...
— We'll take a blood and urine sample, we'll do an ultrasound to see how that kidney is doing, some x-rays of your spine, we'll do the EMG, and then the myelography. Is that okay?
— Sure... — answered Clark
Clark and Lois were very grateful to Dr. Klein. Thanks to his discovery of Blue-K, Dr. Rose had been able to perform all the tests without any problems, and without Clark suffering from the effects of green Kryptonite.
Clark and Lois were waiting for Dr. Rose and Dr. Klein to return with the latest test results.
The door to Dr. Rose's office opened, and the two doctors entered.
— Well?
— The myelogram looks the same as the one Dr. Klein performed a few weeks ago... Which agrees with the negative results of the EMG from an hour ago... — said Dr. Rose — ...we can now say that the diagnosis given is completely definitive
— Oh...
— I'm sorry Clark, but all in all, I'm glad you're evolving so well, and so quickly — added Dr. Rose — I was somewhat worried about the possible side effects of those strange bullets
— Oh, yes... Like everyone else — answered Clark
— But from what I see, everything is going well — said Dr. Rose checking the results of the blood and urine tests — I'm just a little worried about the platelet level... Apparently those bullets produced a negative effect on the bone marrow, but luckily it's not affecting other levels...
— Oh... Yeah
— Dr. Klein told me that you already have a treatment plan in mind — said Dr. Rose — ...with the data we have, it's most likely that the treatment will be effective and the levels will soon return to normal
— Are you serious? — Clark asked hopefully, thw fact that Dr. Rose agreed with Dr. Klein was reassuring.
— That's right, there's nothing to suggest extensive bone marrow damage, so it's probably just a matter of giving the system a little push to get it back to its normal levels.
— That's wonderful, sweetheart — Lois said to Clark, squeezing his hand affectionately. Lois knew Clark was worried about the possible consequences of his low platelet levels.
— Yeah — Clark replied with a small smile of relief.
— In that case I'm happy to say that you're now medical discharged — Dr. Rose said — I'd just like to do periodic checkups on your kidney, and make sure everything is still working well... I'd like to see you in a month, and then leave it at checkups every three months for a year. Then, if everything goes well we can leave it at checkups every six months or once a year.
— Oh... Ok — Clark replied resignedly. Having to have "checkups" was something new for him. At least Blue-K would make everything easier.
— You can't go back to work yet, but you can start staying in the wheelchair for longer periods of time as your back can handle it — said Dr. Rose — So, you also can start leaving the house for short periods of time now.
— Really? — asked Clark, excited about the idea of not being stuck at home anymore.
— Yes, it's important that you start building up resistance to pushing your chair on different surfaces and for longer periods of time — explained Dr. Rose — pushing a wheelchair all day can be very tiring
— Yeah... I guess so
— I'll tell the nurse to schedule an appointment for you in a month... — said Dr. Rose — ...you can go now, I'm glad you're doing so well Mr. Kent, that strange substance had me very worried
— Thank you very much for everything Dr. Rose — said Clark — I'll see you in a month then
— At that time we'll evaluate if you can go back to work or not
— Oh, great
Lois and Clark were in the car on the way to StarLabs. Dr. Klein was also on his way, but had left the hospital a few minutes before them.
— Are you tired? — asked Lois, glancing at Clark out of the corner of her eye so as not to take her eyes off the road and the cars in front of her. It was lunchtime, they had been at the hospital all morning
— No more than usual — Clark answered — at the hospital I hardly had to move the chair or do any transfers... It was always you, a nurse or someone else... So I haven't felt much of a difference
— Oh, that's good
— Except for the car rides — Clark said, just when Lois hit a pothole
— Oh, honey, I'm sorry!! There was no room to avoid it
— Don't worry, I know it's not your fau... LOOK OUT!!
Just then the car in front of them had been hit on the passenger side by a car that had run the red light at the intersection they were passing through. Lois had reacted quickly by stepping hard on the brake pedal, to avoid hitting the rear of both cars that had crashed. Fortunately there were no more cars behind them.
— Are you okay? — they both asked at the same time
— Yes... I'll go see if they need help, it was a very violent crash — said Lois, taking off her seatbelt and getting out of the car — call 911
— Ok... — answered Clark, while he saw Lois running to help the injured.
The crash had caused the car that was originally in front of them to end up on the sidewalk in front of them and facing the opposite direction. The other car, the one that had caused the accident, had ended up against a light pole.
Clark unbuckled his seatbelt so he could stretch and reach Lois's purse, where both cell phones were kept
— 911, what is your emergency?
— There was an accident at the intersection of Lincoln and 12th... — answered Clark — a car ran a red light and hit the side of the other car
— Ok sir, I understand... What is your name? Were you in the accident?
— Clark Kent. No, I was with my wife right behind the crashed car
— I see... Are there any injuries? What condition are the passengers in the cars?
— I don't know... My wife went to help them and see how they are...
— I see... are you talking on a cell phone?
— Yes
— Are you still in your car?
— Yes
— Could you be more empathetic and go help the injured? — said the angry operator — or at least go near the cars and see if there are any injured? I need to know the information so I can send the ambulances... — said the operator, then adding in a low voice (which Clark could hear perfectly) — I can't believe you're just sitting there doing nothing
— Don't you think I would if I could? — Clark answered, hurt and very angry — I'm a paraplegic — first time he said it with those words, and it hadn't been easy to do so — and I can't get out of the car without help... I already told you, my wife went to help them... You better do your job, and send a couple of ambulances and the police as soon as possible — Clark normally didn't react like that, he wasn't one to treat other people badly, but the comment had really hurt...
— I'm sorry sir, I was totally out of place
— I shouldn't be... AHHH!!!
— Mr. Kent!? Sir, can you hear me!?
— Are you okay? — they both asked at the same time
— Yes... I'll go see if they need help, it was a very violent crash — said Lois, taking off her seatbelt and getting out of the car — call 911
— Ok... — Clark answered, as he watched Lois run to help the injured
— Are you okay?! — Lois asked, approaching the car that was originally in front of them.
In the car there was a woman in the driver's seat, and in the back seat there was a girl of about 10 years old, fortunately no one was in the passenger seat, where the other car had hit them
— Are you okay?! — Lois asked again
— Ye-yeah... I think so — the woman answered, trying to take off her seat belt — honey, are you okay?
— Don't move... The ambulance is already on the way — Lois told the mother
— Yes mommy... But my head hurts — the girl answered
— Let me see... It looks like you hit the window, but it's just a small cut — Lois told her — the paramedics will treat you as soon as they arrive
— Ok...
— Don't try to get out — Lois told them both — it's best not to move, in case you're hurt, the ambulance shouldn't take long... I'll go see the people in the other car, I'll be right back
Lois ran to the other car, and approached the driver's window
— Are you okay?! — Lois asked the driver, but there was no answer. The window had been broken by the crash, so Lois was able to put her hand in to feel the driver's neck to check for a pulse. There it was, the driver was alive, but unconscious. Fortunately, there was no one else in the car.
Lois let go of the driver's neck and looked at the first car, thinking about what she should do next. The best thing would be to tell Clark, so he could tell the 911 operator. Lois turned around to be able to walk to her car, when she saw another car speeding towards them.
— Clark!!!! — Lois screamed in fright, as she watched the driver of the car try to avoid hitting Clark from behind, but without completely succeeding
— Clark!!! — Lois screamed again, running desperately towards her husband
.
Don't worry, I have the next chapter ready, I just wanted to add some suspense. I'll upload it next week.
For clarification, there are medications to activate platelet production. I used its mechanism as a basis to invent one that could be adapted to Clark's needs.
Again, all medical aspects in this story are simply reality adapted to fiction.
Thanks for reading, and for your reviews