A Medical Necessity

Posted on Wed Sep 21, 2016 @ 11:49pm by Commodore Michael Aravan & Lieutenant Phen Caticasse & Spencer Aravan

Mission: An Orion to Die For
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: MD 1 || 1900 Hours

It had been an eventful meal with the senior staff and Michael felt that he had gotten to know some of them on a more personal level, but the one he wanted to know and didn't want to know at the same time was the new Chief Medical Officer. As he thought about the man, he shook his head, then remembered that he had agreed to a physical with him and would bring his family.

He shook his head again, but was grateful that his Executive Officer had been able to clear things up regarding the uniform issue. Now he approached his wife and cleared his throat. "I know it's late, beautiful," he started. "But the new Chief Medical Officer wanted to see us for a physical. It slipped my mind earlier, then we had this dinner party, but would you mind?"

Spencer looked up at her husband just as she was beginning to settle down on the couch, arching a brow as she did so. "Physicals? Now? All I want to do is sit down and relax for a minute, and you tell me we have to go to Medical? Why would I mind?" she asked. "Sure... let's go get those done an hour before the baby's bedtime."

"I'm sorry, Spencer," Michael said. "It shouldn't take long. I will warn you, though...the new CMO isn't very conventional on some things. I was half tempted to write him up for disobeying a direct order earlier, but I let Maddy handle him and get things straightened out."

"Even better," the blonde haired woman said scooping up her son who was just about to dump a basket of his toys out onto the floor. "As for it not taking long... there are four of us, and I've got a pretty colorful medical history which caused me to retire in the first place. You can get Ava." Instead of waiting for him, she and Little Mikey made their way out.

He closed his eyes and knew he should have scheduled it for the next day, but he also had an entire ship and plans to launch the next day and the odds were good that the CMO would see that as a snub. He looked at Ava. "Come on, Ava," he said. "Daddy's going to be sleeping in the living room tonight because he's not smart."

Ava moved over to her Dad and raised her arms do he could pick her up. "Daddy can sweep in Ava's bed! Ava will sweep wif Mama!"

Michael laughed as he picked her up, imagining his six foot four inch frame in her small bed. "The couch is comfortable enough. You can sleep with Mama, though." With that, he headed out of their quarters and walked to catch up with Spencer. "You could arrange a check up with him at a later time, Spencer."

"It's fine. The kids could use a check-up. Let's just get this over with," Spencer said, stepping into the turbolift and moving off to the side so he could step in with her. "I haven't had one done since shortly after little man was born, either, so maybe getting one isn't such a horrible idea."

"Deck Seven," he requested as he entered the turbolift with her. "I really don't want one myself. I got one at the end of our last mission and if that didn't get me sick, nothing will."

"Don't say things like that. You'll jinx yourself," she said.

"I'll be fine," Michael assured her as the turbolift came to a stop and the door opened. "I also don't plan on accepting any more missions like that. They can send a Medical ship if they have that kind of need. After you, dear."

Spencer stepped off of the turbolift and turned in the direction of sickbay. "I don't disagree with you. That was one of the worst missions we could have been sent on, and I'm pretty happy it's over," she said as she began to move down the corridor. It wasn't a long trip to Medical, and when she entered, she looked around. "Who are we supposed to be meeting?"

"Lieutenant Caticasse," he said. "He's a Lorillian and our new Chief Medical Officer. He's also a bit unique in his outlook as far as uniforms go, but that's been hashed out."

"I'm glad for that. Let's hope he has a gentle hand, because Mama Bear will make an appearance otherwise," Spencer stated, moving over to one of the vacant biobeds so she could set the baby down. "Do you need to tell him we're here?"

"With two hundred personnel and two decks, he could be anywhere," Michael said before he reached to tap his combadge. =^=Lieutenant Caticasse to primary sickbay.=^=

Finn appeared almost as if he had heard the call before, slipping out of the antechamber behind the nurses station and around to the entrance of sickbay, and around to the beds. "Sorry about that Captain," He said, brushing his hands against his teal scrubs as he stopped. "I sent my attending nurse on back to quarters a bit early. She's not adjusting to a twenty-four hour day terribly well. Twenty-two on her home colony," He stopped and gave the group a smile. "Glad you could drop by. I'll try to make this as quick as I can."

"Lieutenant Caticasse," Michael began. "This is my wife Spencer, my daughter Ava and Michael Junior."

He offered a quick nod. "I've already met Captain Aravan, so I hope you won't mind if I come back to you in moment, sir." He said moving his eye contact from family member to family member, "I'm Lieutenant Phen Caticasse," He said with a small smirk, "But you can call me Finn, or Doctor Finn if you want to be formal." He offered a hand towards Spencer. "Mrs. Aravan, I presume? Or do you prefer Commander?"

"It's nice to meet you, Finn, and you can call me Spencer. Missus Aravan is his mother," she said with a smile. "I've been retired from active duty for about a year now, so there's no need to refer to me as Commander any longer."

He gave another nod, and leaned to make sure he could make eye contact at a similar level to the children, it was instinct. "And Ava, that's a pretty name."

Ava looked to the man who was looking into her big brown eyes from her father's arms. She cocked her head to the side, then extended her little arms in the Doctor's direction. It was no secret she was a friendly child, and liked to see the best in people, but at nearly three years old, it was expected. "Hi!" she said with a bright smile.

"Hi!" Finn said back with as chipper of a tone with as bright of a smile, "Captain," He offered his arms out to take the little girl, "May I?"

Michael gently handed Ava over to the Chief Medical Officer and gave a nod. "She's a handful, Doctor Caticasse," he warned the man.

Finn talked to Ava, but probably was directing his information to the parents. "Noted, but they're more fun that way. We'll get this done - and then I'll check your parents," He quickly grabbed a tricorder with her safely cradled, "You're about my daughter's age, she's a little older." He said with a smile, scanning her rather quickly, "And we're done! Easy." That was simplified, he still had to go over the data. He slipped back towards her father, "Let's get you back to your dad, and in a few minutes - if your parents are okay with it, I might have a sweet treat for you," He paused, "And anyone else who wants one,"

Michael waited for the Doctor to scan him, which would reveal a series of old breaks that had been healed. "I'm in good shape, Doctor," he assured the man.

"I agree with you," Finn said with a quick twist of his head as he looked over the data. "For the most part." The doctor turned about and slipped over to Spencer, taking a quick scan, "And now you," He directed at the youngest. It was just a quick scan, and he was done. "Now for the hard parts, questions while I scan your parents." He paused, "Well, not questions for you," He spoke to the little one with a smile. He started to scan Spencer after a few taps on the tricorder, taking the time to save the data. "How are their verbal patters? Is he mimicking well? First words yet?" He said, quickly as he scanned, "And her storytelling?" He paused a moment, "And their eating habits? Or any concerns you might have?"

"Their verbal patterns are good. Ava's is obviously growing by the day considering her age. Little Mikey says a few words. Mostly Mama, Dada, eat and A... which is what he calls his sister. He does mimic us. They both have really good appetites. As far as concerns for the kids, I don't really have any," Spencer said, climbing up onto the biobed so he could scan her better. "I was put on medical leave late in my pregnancy due to pulmonary embolisms. I collapsed on the bridge, and was placed on bed rest after the diagnosis. After that, I had to come back every three days with thrombolytic medicine," she paused, looking toward Michael, then back to the doctor. "I almost bled out delivering my son."

"I recall reading up on that," Finn said quickly. He scanned lightly, "After thrombolysis, have you had any re-occurrences of embolisms, DVT, or the like?" He said with a quick scan of some of the associated areas. "And on any current treatments to keep healthy?"

"I do get short of breath on occasion, and of course, that really starts to freak me out because of what happened, but I take a few minutes to calm myself down. I've been doing my best to avoid stress, which is another reason I decided to retire. I haven't had to continue with the medications or anything like that, though, so I consider that to be a win. I'm always going because of the little ones," Spencer said. "As for re-occurrences on anything like that, no, I haven't."

"Well, those are good options." He said with a nod and closed the tricorder, "This is just a traditional quick physical. But, I'd like to ask if you wouldn't mind scheduling a more in depth look." He gave a quick nod, "So, to go over quickly. You all seem healthy. The kids seem good. They're actually well into their growth curves, and just from my little bit with them right on track with speech." He shrugged quickly. "Like the Captain, I don't see anything on you that I would worry about immediately. But with your history, the mention of shortness of breath, and being a married couple, there are a few things that I'd like to check and either discuss with you" He motioned towards Spencer, and then both Spencer and Michael, "or have you discuss with another doctor before too long." He slipped the tricorder onto one of the beds. "And I'd like to ask if you'd consider a small dosage of an anti-anxiety medication. Just about half the minimum usual dose should let you feel the anxiety of that situation coming on, and give you a little extra to help handle it," He held up his hands, "But, if that's not acceptable, that's fine. I just wanted to know before I slip back to grab a few last things for you folks before you leave."

"Something for anxiety might not be a bad idea... as long as it doesn't affect my ability to take care of my kids. I know it sounds completely ridiculous that I let something that happened just over ten months ago get to me like this, but it does. It was scary, and I know the possibility for it to happen again is always there," she said, shifting the baby on her lap. "Thank you, Finn. I'd really like to keep you as my primary doctor. Ava and Little Mikey's, too. If you wouldn't mind, that is." She'd let her husband speak for himself, but she found their new CMO to be easy to get along with.

Michael listened while the Doctor made a suggestion and watched Spencer's reaction while he waited. "That's actually a good idea," he said. "It certainly beats the alternatives when I can't get away from the bridge to help you through an anxiety attack. Do you have any suggestions for migraines, Doctor?"

"Yes." Finn said with a grin, "But I have to ask, do you mean for your stress induced headaches, or another form of migraine? Slightly different medicines."

"My stress induced headaches," Michael said. "I've never been able to get an effective grip on them despite various relaxation techniques and different medications."

"I have the thing," Finn nodded. "If you folks will just wait here for a moment, I'll call over to the pharmacy real quick and get a few things." He gave a nod. "Oh, and Mrs. Aravan, I appreciate that you want to continue working with me, and your children. I look forward to getting to know all of you much better." He said with a nod to the children before stepping back. "One moment, feel free to talk among yourselves."

Finn moved to the nurses station in sickbay and hit a button, and tapped on some console, "Finn to Pharmacy One," He said somewhat quietly. "I'm transmitting an order to you," He said after the muddled response. "ETA?" He replied, again to the muddled voice, "Alright, thanks." He took a moment to look for something, and then in only a few moments he was back at the family.

"Alright," He said quickly. "I've ordered a couple personal hypos of the small dose anti-anxiety. One for each of you," He said quickly. "It should have very limited side effects, if any. But, if you feel more anxious, more depressed, any sudden allergic reaction symptoms, or you have any problems come to me any time, day or night." He nodded. "Sir, I didn't discuss it fully with you, but like I mentioned to Mrs. Aravan, it should give you a little more time to realize a headache is coming on. I also ordered a relatively powerful painkiller. Its anti-inflammatory, non-sedative, and should give you plenty of time to cut off the headache before it gets bad." He clapped his hands together, "Take it as soon as you feel it starting. If its not enough, come back to me, and I'll do a few more scans." He smirked, "Now, are they allowed to have confectionery things," He motioned to the children, but looked between the two parents, "Or should I not offer?"

"They're allowed to, but mommy might hold on to them until tomorrow," Spencer said with a smile. She couldn't help herself, but she really liked the new doctor. His bedside manner was incredible, and her kids seemed to like him, which was a definite win. "Thank you for everything, and if either of us feels anything abnormal, we'll let you know right away."

Ava smiled to Finn from her daddy's arms and laid her head on his shoulder. She was a friendly little girl, and it was no secret that little ones could sense the good... or bad... in people. Her baby brother was all smiles, too, clapping his chubby little hands together and babbling something that only he could understand.

"Thank you, Doctor Caticasse," Michael said, his opinion of the Doctor having changed radically since that afternoon when they had first met. "I believe the Triumphant and her crew have a Doctor worth far more than his accumulated medical experience. I'm looking forward to seeing how you interact with others."

Finn offered over a handful of individually wrapped treats, simple velvety cake-like treats of a variety of flavors, each about the size of a small coin. "A couple extra for mom and dad too." He said lightly, "From Dhei. Ada's favorite," He gave a nod and a quiet smile, "And thank you, sir," He said to the Captain, with a light nod. "I like to think that this might be my element," He smiled, "So, I hope you remember this the next time my other side comes out," He gave a quick wave towards the door, "Anyway, you are probably tired, the lot of you. Try to get a good nights rest - that is more important for health than people think. Harder for young families too. And I'll be here if you need anything, anytime."

Spencer smiled and took the candy from him, putting it into her pocket for safekeeping until it was time to dispense them among their proper owners. Though, she planned to share with Little Mikey since he wasn't allowed as much sugar as his sister was. "Thank you again, Finn. I'll be in to see you in the next couple of days or so to let you know how the new medicines are working for Michael and I. You have a great evening." With that, she slid off of the biobed to settle the baby on her hip.

"Thank you again," Michael said as he gathered up Ava. "For everything. Should we come back for the hyposprays or could you have them sent to our quarters?"

"I'll have a tech bring them to your quarters. I was hoping they'd be here quick, but," He shrugged a bit, "It sometimes takes a while. Need the medicines to be just right. If it doesn't get finished very soon, I'll have them drop it off tomorrow morning." Finn said, "If it isn't there in the morning, contact me. But, the chances of that are very low."

"I'll let you know if they don't show... probably in person. I always try to find a reason to get out and wander around the ship," Spencer said with a smile. "Thank you again."

"We should get back and put the kids to bed, Spencer," Michael said as he glanced at Ava.

Spencer looked to her daughter who happened to be snuggled against her father with her head on his shoulder. "You're right. She didn't take a nap today, either," she said, looking to Finn. "I'll let you know how the medications are working. Welcome aboard." With that, she smiled and made her way out of medical with Little Mikey.

With a smile, the Captain headed out with his daughter, wife and son.