Kevin

 

Kevin

 

Leslie was waiting for Kevin outside his office when he arrived for duty. She wanted to explain to him first hand what had happened between her and Antony. She valued Kevin’s trust and she wanted to maintain the friendship she had developed with him and also keep her professionalism. 

“Leslie, looks like you and my older daughter have something in common. Sexual harassment is ugly at any age isn’t it?”

“I’m afraid it is. I’m sorry it got that far with Antony. He pushed the wrong button at the wrong time. When he slipped his arm around my waist I just went into automatic. If I’m due a write up over that, I understand. I filed the incident report with the supervisor on duty.”

“I read it and Antony’s statement was well. You are not facing any disciplinary measures. We do have to place a copy of the incident report in your file. I’m putting a copy of the incident report in Antony’s file and he is getting two days administrative leave. Are you thinking about filing charges?”

“No, no nothing like that at all. He was a little full of himself, that’s all. I guess he thought he was irresistible or something. I may as well tell you, the last guy I dated and was serious with turned gay on me. Nothing against gay rights or gays, but it was a pretty big blow to my ego to realize I almost married someone who fancied his best man more than me.”

“He told you the day of the wedding?”

“Well, he didn’t tell me in so many words, but the best man and he were pretty well engaged before they played the bridal march. It could have gotten very ugly if I had been left at the altar. My father’s an ex-marine and still looks like he just finished boot camp. Thank God he didn’t find them. It was bad enough my maid of honor walked in on them.”

“I don’t blame you for staying clear of men for a while. You know you have your first month review coming up in a week, so be careful and keep up the good work. Now, could you please explain how you came to be at the Regionals?”

“Oh, gymnastics has always been my passion, but with my height and long legs it was hard for me to compete with the shorter girls. I seemed to tower over everyone in the gym. Long story short, I volunteer to help with any event that’s close, and I love to sing. I almost got on American Idol, but the second audition was right after the wedding that never was so I decided to work instead. I got to meet some great people, but after coming here I feel like I am more in tune with who I am and what I want to be right now. Anyway, the coordinator knew I was in town and asked me to do the National Anthem.”

“You have a great voice. Are you sure you aren’t going to regret the decision to work here rather than go to Hollywood?”

“I never look back. Once I make a decision, I stay with it. I can always go to Nashville and pound the streets until someone gives me a record deal or just tell my agent to start booking me in videos. I know my potential and my limitations. I have a cousin who started pounding the Nashville sidewalks, knocking on doors and finally became an overnight sensation after five years of bar scene work. Changing the subject, if you don’t mind me saying this, your girls are very, very good. If you ever need sitter, I would be glad to sit with them. That little one is so cute.”

“Thanks and I may take you up on that. My sister has been trying to get me out on the dance floor again, so next time she asks, I’ll give you a call.”

“Thanks, I’d like that. Antony is going to be okay, right?”

“Broken wrist, six weeks in the cast. He can work the trucks again after the cast comes off. We’ll have him doing administrative duties once he finishes his two days off. I’m sorry this happened to you.”

Leslie returned to her studying and hoped this incident would forever be placed behind her. She was deeply involved with the new ACLS guidelines when Joyce interrupted her.

“Leslie, how was Kevin this morning?”

“He’s fine. I think he is really being extremely fair about this especially considering what happened to Stacy yesterday. Weird huh?”

“It was just a strange day all the way around. Hilary said Stacy could have killed that boy. She held back when she threw her knee to his face.”

“She probably didn’t want to hurt her knee. Anyway, I told Kevin about the botched wedding and I guess I should have told him that story sooner, but I was afraid it might change the way I was treated here.”

“It wouldn’t have affected Kevin one way or the other. He’s just not like that. You think you’ll ever be able to trust a man again?”

“One day, but not now. I still need some time. Antony struck a very sour note when he tried to come on to me yesterday. I probably shouldn’t have reacted that way, but no one touches me unless I want to be touched and he made me feel very uncomfortable.”

“No problems here. You did what a few other girls have wanted to do.”

“Next topic, ACLS. Have you read any of this yet? It’s all new. Everything from CPR to drugs. It is all new stuff and so much simpler.”

“I have. This next class should be very easy to get through. I had the instructor update last week and we had a blast.”

The tones interrupted them before Leslie could continue.

“Station 1 Medic 11 A-2, Chest Pain. Residence. Contact via landline for address.”

It was an unusual request and Kevin contacted dispatch personally for the address. It was one of the more exclusive homes in the area and had a security gate. They would need the code in order to enter the grounds.

Kevin led the ambulance to the scene and entered the code at the gate. It began to slowly swing open as they impatiently waited to gain access to their patient. Kevin made a note of the address for a follow up with the alarm service. These gates were very slow and he was tempted to use the wide bumper of the SUV to push the gates open faster. Precious seconds were turning into minutes as the gates finally opened wide enough for the ambulance to enter. 

Kevin was first to access the patient. She was in her late fifties and showing classic heart attack signs and symptoms. She was pale, sweaty in a cool environment, anxious and weak.  Kevin’s calm voice started the treatment as she began to calm down with his steady encouragement to breathe slowly and fully. Kevin had determined medical history from the patient and the duration of the pain by the time his crew arrived. 

Joyce and Reggie joined the treatment of this very familiar face, but at this point her fame and fortune were of no concern. 

“Can you describe the pain for me?”

“It’s like an elephant sitting on my chest, very heavy and dull pain. The pain comes and goes but the pressure is constant.”

“From one to ten, ten is the worst pain you can remember, how does this pain rate?”

“Seven, a definite seven. I’ve never hurt this badly.”

“Joyce, let’s get a twelve lead. Reggie’s got the line for you.”

                        “He’s good with that needle. I never felt a thing.” Their patient managed to work up to a slight smile as she approved of their skills.

“It might sting a bit with that fluid going in. Are you allergic to any medications? I know Kevin asked before, but this is for my ears now.”

“No allergies, no medications. I took an aspirin when the pain first started. I really thought the pressure would go away when the pain went away, but it didn’t. That was about ten minutes ago. God this hurts!”

“Can you take morphine?” Reggie asked the question even though she denied any medical allergies. Patients have a tendency to forget specific allergies unless asked directly.

“I think so. I’ve never had anything stronger than over the counter stuff. I’m not allergic to morphine that I know of. If it helps the pain, let’s go for it.”

“We’ve got positive ST elevation. Let’s get this show on the road. Nitro and check the BP. Go with the MS if the nitro doesn’t ease her pain.”

Kevin gave her a quick spray of Nitro under her tongue as they prepped her for transport. “You may get a bit of a headache with this, but that’s okay. It lets us know the nitro is working.”
            “Oh, it’s working alright. I’ve got a banger of a headache. Takes my mind off the pressure.”

“Good, the less we have to give you for pain, the better off we are. Do you have a preference in hospitals?”

“St. Luke’s Hospital, Methodist, Hermann, any of those are fine. Just don’t take me here local. Too many prying eyes.”

“St. Luke’s it is. Any family or staff coming along with you or will they come later?”

“I gave my staff the day off, wouldn’t you just know it? Not quite my luck today. I’ll need my day planner. It’s on the table in the front hallway. I simply must call my agent. She’ll stroke if she hears of this through the media grapevine.”

They quickly located the day planner and making sure their patient had her keys, locked the front door as they exited the house. 

“You guys have a safe trip. M’am, you’re in good hands with these two.”

Joyce sat across from her patient in the smaller jump seat as she continued to monitor her patient. The monitor showed the patient’s heart was still in some distress, but the nitro had done its job and opened the blood vessels allowing blood to return to the damaged heart muscle. Oxygen was flowing at a steady rate and the patient’s color was very good compared to her original color.

The siren began its request for right of way as they left town to cover the fifty miles to Houston. If they could maintain a good rate of speed, this trip was possible in less than forty minutes and today traffic was very light. Joyce checked her watch and quickly calculated the time from onset to hospital arrival would be about ninety minutes. Much better than most heart attack victims who would wait for hours to call. Window of treatment for optimal outcome of a heart attack was between one and two hours. This patient was going to reach the hospital at the outer edge of the two hour mark, but it was far better than twelve to twenty four hours.

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