#CBC test at home

[agilus098]

Title: "Feeling Feverish? Get the Complete Fever Panel at Just ₹2999 with Agilus Diagnostics!"

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[nityapandey]

Book CBC Test for just Rs 299 - Redcliffe Labs

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[unopathologylabs]

Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test: Overview and Importance

The Complete Blood Count test (CBC) is a comprehensive diagnostic tool that evaluates your overall health and detects various disorders. It measures key blood components, including red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets. By assessing these components, a CBC can help diagnose conditions such as anemia, infection, and many other diseases. This routine test provides essential insights into your blood's ability to transport oxygen, fight infections, and clot properly, making it a crucial part of health screenings and diagnostic evaluations.

[vaidyaslaboratory]

Your Guide to Finding the Best Pathology Lab Near You for Blood Tests | Dr. Vaidya's Laboratory

Discover expert tips for choosing the best pathology lab for your blood tests. Dr. Vaidya's Laboratory, with over 40 years of experience, offers comprehensive diagnostic services near you. Explore a wide range of blood tests and Aarogya Vaidya Health Check-up Packages for holistic healthcare solutions.

[ampathlab]

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[kk095]

Kenzie’s Cardioversion

*good evening! Since my New Year's story didn't post the way I had hoped, I figured I'd post a different story I had saved. If you're interested in the new years story, I still have the read only link posted. Anyway, enjoy!*

The automatic doors of the emergency department slid open as a paramedic team wheeled Kenzie in on a stretcher. She was propped up, her broad shoulders and thick, sturdy, 5’11 frame making her look larger than life against the narrow confines of the gurney. Her light brown hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her blue eyes darted nervously around the bustling ER. Dr Sarah, the on-call physician, approached with her clipboard, her demeanor calm. Nurse Heather trailed behind, ready for whatever was next.

“Kenzie Cole, 28 years old.” one of the paramedics began, keeping pace with the stretcher. “Fainted at home earlier today, now presenting with severe chest pain, palpitations, and a pinching sensation in the chest. BP’s stable at 118/77, but her heart rate’s been sitting around 130. EKG shows some irregularities we couldn’t immediately identify.” The medic continued, relaying the information.

Kenzie let out a shaky breath and winced as another wave of pain shot through her chest. “It feels like my heart’s tryin’ to jump right outta me!” she said, her southern accent soft yet evident. Dr Sarah placed a hand on Kenzie’s arm to ground her. “We’re going to take good care of you, Kenzie. I just need you to stay calm for me, ok?” Sarah told her patient. “Mhmm…” Kenzie nodded, a hand on her chest. “Let’s get her into Trauma Room two.” Sarah instructed the paramedics, continuing to wheel Kenzie further into the hospital.

Inside the room, the team moved quickly, transferring Kenzie onto the trauma room table as the medics made their way out. “Hey, I need a CBC, BMP, tox screen, d-dimer, cardiac enzyme, and HCG.” Sarah called out to Heather, who sprung into action, getting the necessary equipment for the battery of blood tests just ordered. Sarah then approached the table. “Kenzie, I need you to describe the pain to me again.” Dr. Sarah said, her tone steady. “It’s sharp, like somethin’s pinchin’ me real hard right in here…” Kenzie replied, pressing a hand against her sternum. “And my heart just won’t calm down…” added Kenzie, looking down at her chest. “Alright, let’s start her on a beta-blocker to bring that heart rate down.” Dr. Sarah said to Nurse Heather. Turning back to Kenzie, she added, “Kenzie? We’re running a few blood tests to try and figure out exactly what’s going on. In the meantime, I want you to take slow, deep breaths.” Kenzie nodded, though her eyes remained wide with worry. As the heart monitor beeped steadily in the background, Dr Sarah glanced at the slightly irregular EKG readout, her gut telling her there was more to this case than met the eye.

“How’re you holding up, Kenzie?” Dr. Sarah asked, glancing at the EKG monitor again. Kenzie gave a small, nervous smile. “I’m alright... Just wish my chest would stop feelin’ like this...” The patient answered. “We’re going to figure everything out.” Dr. Sarah reassured her. “First, let’s get a chest X-ray to see if there’s anything structural going on. Nurse Heather, will make it quick.” The cute, nerdy redheaded doctor continued. While Heather stepped aside to arrange the portable X-ray, Dr Sarah continued her examination, carefully pressing along Kenzie’s chest and ribcage. “Any pain when I press here?” inquired Sarah. Kenzie shook her head. “No, ma’am. The pain’s deeper, like… it’s on the inside.” Kenzie answered. Just then, Nurse Heather returned, wheeling the portable X-ray machine closer to the table. “Alright, Kenzie, I’m going to need you to sit up straight for me and hold your breath for a second.” Heather said as she positioned the X-ray plate behind Kenzie. As Heather worked, Kenzie tried to distract herself from the discomfort. “Y’all don’t sound like you’re from Tennessee, huh?” she remarked, her soft drawl making Heather smile. “Nope, born and raised in Virginia, but moved here after I got out of nursing school. “What about you?” Heather continued. “Tennessee through and through.” Kenzie said with a small laugh. “I grew up in Chattanooga. Moved here for work a couple years back. Still ain’t used to the winters, though!” The patient continued. Dr. Sarah chuckled. “Can’t blame you there. I’ve lived here my whole life, and I still complain about the snow every year.”

Heather stepped back and nodded. “All done here. It’ll take a second to get the x ray processed.”

Kenzie leaned back with a relieved sigh. “Thanks, y’all. I appreciate it.” Sarah smiled for a second “of course Kenzie, that’s what we’re here for!”

As they waited for the results, Nurse Heather took a seat beside Kenzie on a stool. “So, Chattanooga, huh? What brought you here again?” asked the young nurse. “Oh, a job offer I couldn’t turn down.” Kenzie explained. “It’s a big change, but I figured it was worth a shot. Didn’t think I’d end up in an ER like this, though.” Kenzie went on, looking down at her chest again, eyeing the wires and EKG electrodes stuck onto her. “Most people don’t, but I promise, we’ll get this sorted out.” Dr. Sarah said, pulling a chair over to review her notes.

Minutes later, the X-ray results popped up on the screen. Dr. Sarah leaned in, her brow furrowing as she examined them. “Well, it’s clear…” she said, a mix of relief and confusion in her voice. “No structural issues, no signs of fluid or anything else abnormal.” Sarah shook her head. Kenzie looked between Dr. Sarah and Nurse Heather, her expression turning more worried. “So… what now? Is that good or bad?” the patient asked. “Now, we have to dig deeper.” Dr. Sarah said with a reassuring smile. “We’ll probably order an echocardiogram. It just means we have to keep investigating. Don’t worry- we’ll get to the bottom of this, we always do sooner or later.” Sarah reassured. Kenzie nodded, though the uncertainty lingered in her blue eyes. She leaned back against the table, her accent softening as she murmured, “I sure hope so, Doc. I don’t like this one bit…” Dr. Sarah gave her arm a comforting squeeze before stepping out to confer with the team about the next steps.

A short time later, the portable echocardiogram machine was rolled into the room, and Dr. Sarah and Nurse Heather began preparing Kenzie for the next round of testing. Kenzie lay back on the table, her wavy, light brown hair cascading over the bed, and her blue eyes fixated on the machine. “We’re going to take a closer look at your heart, ok Kenzie?” Dr. Sarah explained, snapping on a pair of gloves. “This ultrasound will help us see how it’s functioning and if there are any structural abnormalities we couldn’t pick up on the X-ray.” Dr Sarah continued explaining. Kenzie nodded, her tan complexion slightly flushed, whether from nervousness or her condition was unclear. “I ain’t ever seen my heart before… Kinda strange to think I’m about to.” she said, her southern accent softening her words. “Most people haven’t. It’s pretty amazing, though- watching the heart work in real time.” Dr Sarah smiled. Heather applied a cool gel to Kenzie’s chest, and she flinched slightly. “Sorry, I know it’s a bit chilly.” Heather said with a grin, adjusting the probe as Kenzie relaxed. As Dr. Sarah began moving the probe across Kenzie’s chest, an image of her heart flickered onto the monitor. Kenzie’s eyes widened in curiosity. “That’s my heart?!” she asked, her voice tinged with awe. “Yep, that’s your heart, Kenzie.” Dr. Sarah confirmed, her attention divided between Kenzie and the screen. “Right now, we’re looking at the left ventricle- the part that pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of your body.” Explained the doctor, pointing to the screen with one hand. Kenzie’s gaze didn’t waver from the monitor. The rhythmic contraction of her heart was oddly mesmerizing to her- a tiny engine working tirelessly to keep her alive. “It’s kinda beautiful, ain’t it?” she murmured, a smirk on her face. “Never thought about it like that before.” Heather chuckled. “Most people don’t until they see it. It’s pretty remarkable.” Chimed in Dr Sarah, eyeing the ultrasound monitor. Dr. Sarah adjusted the probe, capturing different angles of Kenzie’s heart. The sound of the doppler flow filled the room, a rapid whooshing noise that matched the quick rhythm of her pulse. “Looks like it’s workin kinda hard.” Kenzie commented, her tone a mix of fascination and concern. “It definitely is.” Dr. Sarah said, her eyes narrowing slightly as she examined the images on the screen. “Your heart’s pumping well, but it’s moving faster than it should be. No obvious structural issues so far, which is good, but we’ll have to keep looking.” Sarah explained to the her patient. Kenzie’s curiosity didn’t waver. “Can y’all keep that thang over my chest for a another second? I just wanna look at my heart a little longer!” asked Kenzie, her tone oddly excited. Sarah shrugged, “why not.” Kenzie’s blue eyes lingered on the screen a moment longer, watching the steady rhythm of her heart. “It’s wild, y’all…” she said quietly. “That thing’s been beatin’ inside me since before I was even born. Never really gave it much thought ‘til now…” Kenzie thought out loud. Dr. Sarah gave Kenzie an encouraging nod. “You’re right- it is amazing. And it’s going to keep going while we figure this out! One step at a time.”

A little while later, there were still no answers. Sarah glanced at the monitor- Kenzie’s heart rate was climbing, and her EKG was shifting into a more worrisome rhythm. “Still no labs?” Dr. Sarah asked Nurse Heather, her tone sharp with urgency. “They’re backed up in the lab. I’ve called twice, but they’re swamped.” Heather shook her head, frustration etched across her face. “Alright, let’s focus on what we can do. For now, we’ll manage her symptoms and keep her stable until we get some answers.” Dr. Sarah shook her head. Kenzie, who had been lying quietly on the table, suddenly grimaced and pressed her hand to her chest. “It’s getting’ worse, Doc!” she said, her voice strained. “Feels like my heart’s ‘bout to burst…” Her eyes pinched shut for a second. Dr. Sarah sprung into action and stepped to her side immediately. “Dizzy? Short of breath?” asked the doctor. Kenzie nodded weakly. “Both! It’s like my chest is getting squeezed, and my head’s floatin’ away.” Explained Kenzie.

The monitor let out a louder beep, catching everyone’s attention. Dr. Sarah’s eyes snapped to the screen, where the EKG now showed a concerning pattern: stable ventricular tachycardia. Kenzie’s heart was beating dangerously fast, and the rhythm had taken on an ominously irregular look. “She’s in stable v-tach.” Dr. Sarah observed, her tone calm but urgent. “We need to start chemical cardioversion now. Heather, get me an IV push of amiodarone.” The doctor called out. Heather nodded and hurried to prepare the medication while Dr Sarah leaned over Kenzie. “Kenzie, your heart’s beating too fast, and we need to slow it down. We’re going to give you a medication that should help. You might feel a little strange when we do this, but we’re keeping a close eye on you.” Dr Sarah explained. Kenzie’s blue eyes were wide with fear, but she nodded. “Okay… just… just don’t let me die, alright?” Kenzie answered. Dr. Sarah squeezed her hand. “You’re in good hands. I promise.”

Heather returned with the syringe and began administering the amiodarone through Kenzie’s IV. Dr. Sarah kept a close eye on the monitor, watching for any sign of improvement. “Take slow, deep breaths, Kenzie.” Dr. Sarah instructed. “In through your nose, out through your mouth. That’s it. Stay with me.” Continued Dr Sarah. Kenzie closed her eyes briefly, her tan complexion now pale. The chest pain was unbearable, but she focused on her breathing, trusting the team around her.

Dr. Sarah kept her eyes glued to the monitor as the amiodarone infusion ran through Kenzie’s IV. The jagged peaks of the EKG line showed no signs of calming, the ventricular tachycardia holding steady. She glanced down at Kenzie, who was visibly struggling. Kenzie’s breaths came quicker now, shallow and labored, her hand gripping the thin blanket tightly. She moaned softly, her face contorted in pain, tears brimming in her wide blue eyes. “Doc… it’s not workin’..,” she uttered, her voice trembling. “It’s getting’ worse. Somethin’ ain’t just ain’t right…” Kenzie shook her head. Dr. Sarah placed a reassuring hand on Kenzie’s arm, though her own heart sank at the sight of the monitor. “I know, Kenzie. We see it. We’re not giving up- just hang in there a little longer for me, okay? We’ll get this under control.” Soothed Dr Sarah. Kenzie turned her head slightly, tears slipping down her cheeks as she winced again. “It hurts so bad…” she moaned, pressing a hand to her chest. “It feels like somethin’ inside’s about to explode!” her voice wobbled. Nurse Heather returned to the bedside, her expression a mix of calm professionalism and urgency. “Vitals are holding, but her heart rate is still climbing-160 and rising. BP’s 124 over 78, but I don’t like how pale she’s getting.” Heather called out. Dr. Sarah nodded, her mind racing. “We need to stabilize her before this escalates. Prepare for synchronized cardioversion. Let’s get the defibrillator ready and explain the process to Kenzie.” Sarah told Heather.

Heather moved swiftly to grab the defibrillator pads while Dr. Sarah knelt by Kenzie’s bedside. “Kenzie, we’re going to try another method to get your heart back to a normal rhythm.” she said, her tone calm but firm. “It’s called synchronized cardioversion. It’s a quick electrical shock, but we’ll give you something to make you comfortable beforehand. This is the next step we need to take.” Explained Dr Sarah. Kenzie’s eyes widened with fear, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “Shock me?!” she asked, her voice breaking. “You’re gonna shock me?! But my heart’s still beatin!” Kenzie asked, trying to make sense of what was about to happen. Dr. Sarah nodded, her expression softening. “I know it sounds scary, but it’s controlled, and it’s necessary. Right now, your heart’s working too hard, and we need to help it reset. We’ll give you medication to relax you first- you won’t feel a thing.” Sarah tried to reassure. Dr. Sarah took a deep breath, bracing herself as she crouched next to Kenzie. The young woman’s fear was palpable, her tear-streaked face turned toward the ceiling as her chest heaved with rapid, shallow breaths. “No, no, no!” Kenzie sobbed, shaking her head. “You can’t shock me while my heart’s still beatin’! That ain’t right! Please don’t do this to me!” resisted Kenzie. “Kenzie, I know this is scary.” Sarah began, her voice calm but firm. “I need you to listen to me, okay? Your heart’s in a dangerous rhythm. If we don’t intervene now, it could get way worse- this procedure will help your heart reset before that happens.” Sarah went on. Kenzie’s sobs grew louder, her hands clutching at the thin blanket draped underneath her. “But it’s beatin’! My heart’s still beatin’! Y’all don’t need to shock me! Please don’t do this!” Kenzie continued to resist. Nurse Heather moved closer, her voice gentle but steady. “Kenzie, I know this sounds terrifying, but synchronized cardioversion is different. It’s not like the shocks you see on TV during a code. We’re going to time it carefully with your heartbeat to reset your rhythm. You’ll be relaxed, and it’ll be over in seconds.” Heather chimed in. Kenzie turned her tearful gaze to Heather, her body trembling. “You promise I won’t feel it?” asked Kenzie nervously. “You won’t feel a thing, and we’ll be right here the whole time, keeping you safe. Heather assured her. Kenzie sniffled, her sobs beginning to subside as she processed their words. She wiped at her face with the back of her hand, her breathing still uneven. “Alright…” she whispered shakily. “Alright, I’ll let y’all do it… but please… just get it over with so I’ll be alright.” Consented Kenzie. Heather nodded and began setting up the defibrillator, moving with practiced efficiency. “We’ll take good care of you, Kenzie. You’re doing great.” Smiled Heather.

As Heather peeled the adhesive backing off the defibrillator pads, she glanced at Dr. Sarah. “I’ll place these while you give her something to calm her down.”, to which Sarah nodded. Dr. Sarah met Kenzie’s gaze, offering a reassuring smile. “The procedure will be quick, and complications from this are very rare. You’re in good hands.” Sarah told her patient. Kenzie sniffled again, her tears still flowing but her demeanor more composed. She shivered slightly as Heather placed the first pad on her upper chest, the cool adhesive making her flinch. “Almost there, Kenzie.” Heather said softly, placing the second pad below Kenzie’s left ribcage. Kenzie nodded weakly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Please… just make me better…” Sarah rested a hand gently on Kenzie’s arm, squeezing it lightly. “We’re going to take care of you, Kenzie. Just relax- we’ll handle the rest.” Reassured Sarah. Kenzie nodded again, her blue eyes fluttering shut, though a single tear slipped down her cheek. “Okay…” she murmured.

As Sarah administered the medication and synchronized the defibrillator, a quiet settled over the room. The hum of the monitor and the faint rustle of equipment were the only sounds. The defibrillator began to hum, a low, rising tone that sent a fresh wave of fear through Kenzie. She moaned softly, her body tensing in nervous anticipation. “I can hear it…” she whimpered, her voice trembling. “Oh God, I don’t wanna do this again…” Kenzie thought to herself. Dr. Sarah leaned in, keeping her tone calm but firm. “Kenzie, I know this is hard, but you’re doing great. Just stay as still as you can, okay? We’re going to try the first shock now. It’ll be quick.”

Kenzie nodded shakily, her hands gripping the edges of the table. “Alright…” she whispered, barely audible “Clear!” Sarah called, ensuring everyone had stepped back before pressing the button. Kenzie’s body jolted briefly as the shock coursed through her. “Ooooo!” she grimaced, her face contorting in discomfort. As the jolt passed, she exhaled sharply, her chest heaving. “That’s… that’s it?” she asked breathlessly, blinking back tears.

Heather leaned over the monitor, scanning the EKG. The jagged, rapid peaks of ventricular tachycardia remained stubbornly unchanged. “No change,” Heather announced, her tone clipped and professional. Sarah’s face tightened, but she quickly masked her concern. She stepped back to Kenzie’s side, crouching slightly to meet her gaze. “Kenzie, I need you to listen to me.” she said gently. “The first shock didn’t work, so we’re going to try again. This happens sometimes. It can take more than one attempt to reset your heart.” Sarah reassured. Kenzie’s blue eyes widened, and fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. “Again?!” she groaned, shaking her head. “You mean y’all have to shock me again?!” Kenzie’s voice wobbled. “I know it’s not what you wanted to hear.” Sarah replied, her voice steady but compassionate. Kenzie sniffled, her bottom lip trembling as she tried to compose herself. “Alright… just… just do it. I can’t take too much more of this...” she whispered hoarsely. Heather gave Kenzie’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “You’re strong, Kenzie. We’ll get you through this.” Promised Heather. Sarah turned back to the defibrillator, resetting it for another shock. The hum of charging electricity filled the room once more, and Kenzie squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself. Sarah’s finger hovered over the controls. Kenzie braced for what was to come, unaware of how much her fight to survive would leave an indelible mark on everyone in the room.

The defibrillator charged again, the rising, electrical hum filling the room with a sense of tension. Sarah glanced at the monitor, the jagged peaks of Kenzie’s arrhythmia still unchanged. “Kenzie, we’re going to try another shock, okay? This one might do the trick.” Sarah eyed Kenzie for a moment. Kenzie barely nodded, her lips trembling as fresh tears streamed down her face. “Please… just make it stop…” she begged, her voice cracking. “Clear!” Sarah called. “AHHH!” Kenzie cried out in pain as the second shock hit her. Her body arched slightly off the table, her large frame twitching involuntarily before falling back against the table. Her breathing was heavy, and she clutched at the sides of the stretcher, her knuckles white.

Heather scanned the monitor. “Still in v-tach…” she reported grimly. Sarah sighed and crouched down next to Kenzie again. “Kenzie, I know this is hard, but we need to try again. I’m going to deliver a third shock. You’re doing so well- just one more try.” Sarah held Kenzie’s hand for a second. Kenzie moaned, shaking her head as her sobs grew louder. “No… no… I can’t do this anymore! Please, y’all, stop! I can’t take it!” she cried, her voice breaking. Heather leaned closer, her tone soft but insistent. “Kenzie, I know it hurts, but we’re trying to save your life. Just hold on a little longer and we’ll get through this together.” Reassured Heather. Kenzie couldn’t speak, her cries turning into gasping sobs. Sarah nodded at Heather, her expression resolute. “Charging…” Sarah said, her voice steady despite the tension in the room. “Clear!”

Kenzie let out a piercing scream as the third shock dashed through her. Her 5’11 frame twitched violently on the table, her legs briefly lifting off the bed. She collapsed back with a loud yelp, clutching her chest as tears streamed down her face. Heather’s eyes remained on the monitor, her expression tight. “Still no conversion, Sarah.” she said quietly. Sarah hesitated for only a moment before addressing Kenzie again. “Kenzie, I’m so sorry, but we need to deliver one more shock. This could be the one that works.” Sarah gently strokes Kenzie’s hair for a second. Kenzie’s head snapped up, her tear-streaked face a mask of anguish. “NO!” she screamed, her voice raw and trembling. “Y’all better not shock me again! I can’t! No more!” she resisted. She clutched at her chest, sobbing uncontrollably as the sound of the defibrillator charging filled the air once more. The hum grew louder, relentless, as Sarah and Heather exchanged a quick glance, each understanding the weight of the moment. Sarah crouched down again, her voice as soothing as she could make it despite the chaos. “Kenzie, I know you’re scared. I know this is hard. But we have to keep trying. You’re stronger than this- you can do it.” Kenzie shook her head frantically, her sobs wracking her entire frame. “No… no more… please…” she whimpered, but the charge was ready, and time was running out.

“Clear!” Sarah called as the defibrillator delivered its next shock. Kenzie’s body jolted violently again, her toes curling involuntarily at the end of the stretcher. Her large, size 13 feet tensed up hard, exposing the soft, thick wrinkles in her soles, and the faint sheen of her white toenail polish glinted under the fluorescent lights. She let out a sharp cry as the electrical current coursed through her, her frame trembling before collapsing back onto the table. Heather’s eyes remained glued to the monitor, her heart sinking as the v-tach persisted. “Kenzie?” Heather leaned over, her tone calm, trying to mask her growing concern. “We’re going to shock again, okay? We’re not giving up.” Heather explained. “NO!” Kenzie sobbed, her voice trembling with terror. Tears streamed down her face as she gripped Heather’s hand tightly, her fingers digging in. “No more, please… I don’t wanna die. I don’t wanna die!” Her voice cracked, raw with desperation. “I’m so scared!” Sobbed Kenzie.

Heather gave Kenzie’s hand a reassuring squeeze, locking eyes with her. “Kenzie, listen to me.” she said, her voice steady and soothing despite the chaos. “You’re not going to die. We’re going to fix this. You’ve been so strong- we’re not giving up on you.” Heather told her patient. Kenzie sniffled, her sobs growing quieter but no less heart-wrenching. She nodded faintly, her chest heaving with uneven breaths. “Okay… Just… just help me…” she uttered, her voice barely audible. Heather brushed a strand of light brown hair from Kenzie’s forehead. “We will.” she promised softly, even though deep down, she couldn’t shake the growing ominous feeling in her chest. The sound of the defib pads charging up filled the air again, rising in pitch. Time was running out, and the unrelenting rhythm on the monitor told a story none of them wanted to face.

“Clear!” Sarah’s voice rang out as she pressed the button to deliver another shock. Kenzie’s body tensed violently, her busty chest thrusting forwards as the current surged through her. “AHHH!” she yelped loudly, the sound echoing through the trauma room. Her hand shot to her chest, clutching it tightly as if trying to shield herself from the pain. Her tear-filled blue eyes darted between Sarah and Heather, no longer seeing the compassionate caregivers who had reassured her moments ago. Instead, her gaze was filled with fear and betrayal, as if she were staring at two torturers. Kenzie gasped heavily, her breaths labored and erratic. “I… I can’t… I…” Her words broke into a series of hyperventilated sobs. Her eyes dropped to her chest, her face growing increasingly pale. She started taking deep, dramatic gasps, her whole body shaking. “Kenzie, stay with us!” Heather urged, moving closer and resting a hand on her shoulder. “You’re okay. Just breathe with me- slow breaths in and out.” Heather continued. Sarah leaned over the monitor, watching her vitals closely. “Kenzie, we need you to stay strong for us, ok?” she added, her voice steady with subtle worry. But Kenzie didn’t respond. Her gasps grew shallower and slower until her eyes glazed over, staring blankly at the ceiling. Her body slumped back onto the table as her muscles went limp. “She’s unresponsive!” Heather called out, moving quickly to check for a pulse. “Crap. Start bagging her!” Sarah instructed, her own heart racing as she glanced at the monitor. Kenzie’s heart rhythm had degraded further. “Get the crash cart back over here! We need to act now!” Yelled Sarah.

“Heather, let’s move!” Sarah commanded, her voice sharp as the team sprang into action. Heather immediately lowered the bed and positioned herself beside Kenzie. Grabbing a pair of trauma shears, she snipped through the fabric of Kenzie’s bra in one swift motion, exposing her chest and large, natural breasts. She interlaced her fingers and placed her hands in the center of Kenzie’s chest, beginning firm, rhythmic compressions. Heather’s compressions, steady and precise, caused Kenzie’s body to shift slightly with each push. The sound of her effort filled the room, accompanied by the steady beeping of the monitor. “Come on, Kenzie, don’t do this…” Heather muttered under her breath as she worked tirelessly on Kenzie.

At the head of the bed, Sarah was laser focused on securing Kenzie’s airway. With practiced efficiency, she opened the intubation kit and inserted the laryngoscope into Kenzie’s mouth, maneuvering it carefully to visualize her vocal cords. Her own breath hitched for a moment as she caught sight of Kenzie’s wide, lifeless blue eyes staring blankly up at her. It was an eerie sight, as though Kenzie was silently witnessing the scene around her. “Tube ready.” Sarah said, sliding the 8.0 endotracheal tube smoothly into place. She secured it with one hand while quickly inflating the cuff with the other. “I’ll start bagging.” Sarah called out, attaching the ambu bag after taping the tube in place. The rise and fall of Kenzie’s chest with each squeeze provided a slight glimmer of hope amid the urgency. “Pulse check!” Heather called after completing her cycle of compressions, her face flushed. Sarah leaned over, her fingers pressing against Kenzie’s carotid artery. She shook her head. “Still no pulse. Resume compressions.” She instructed. Heather nodded and immediately began another round, her hands pressing deeply into Kenzie’s sternum. Each compression caused a ripple through Kenzie’s body, her large frame shifting around. Kenzie’s chest caved in hard, her large breasts juggling around in sync with each individual compression. Kenzie’s belly rippled out as Heather continued pumping away at her chest. “Epinephrine, one milligram, IV push.” Sarah ordered, not taking her eyes off the monitor. Sarah got the medication ready, and administered it into Kenzie’s IV line. “Let’s prep for another shock, she’s not converting.” she added, the tension in her voice rising. “Charging to 200 joules. Everyone clear!” shouted Sarah. Heather momentarily stepped back, lifting her hands off Kenzie’s chest as Sarah delivered the shock. Kenzie’s body jerked sharply on the table, her arms and legs twitching before falling limp once again. “Resume compressions.” Sarah ordered, her tone resolute. Heather immediately leaned back over Kenzie, resuming the relentless compressions, her hands pressing into Kenzie’s sternum with tremendous force.

Heather positioned her gloved hands firmly on Kenzie’s chest, her fingers interlocked and arms locked straight. With each forceful compression, Kenzie’s body shifted on the table, her chest visibly caving under the violent pressure. “five, six, seven…” Heather silently counted in her head as she delivered deep, rhythmic compressions. The monitor beeped steadily with no signs of improvement, the jagged waves of ventricular fibrillation mocking the duo’s efforts. After two minutes of relentless CPR, Sarah glanced up. “Okay, everyone, . Charging to 300 joules.” Sarah called out as Heather backed away from the patient. Heather stepped back, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand as the defibrillator charged. The hum of the machine filled the room, a sound that made everyone hold their breath. “CLEAR!” Sarah pressed the button, releasing the shock. Kenzie’s body flopped violently on the trauma room table, her head rolling slightly to one side as the electricity coursed through her. A sharp, guttural gasp escaped her lips- a reflexive response to the shock rather than a sign of life. Heather’s eyes flicked to the monitor. No change. The unrelenting v-fib pattern still dominated the screen. Sarah sighed heavily, her voice steady but tinged with frustration. “Still in v-fib. Resume compressions.” Sarah shook her head. Heather immediately moved back into position, pressing her hands against Kenzie’s chest once more. The force of each compression sent ripples through Kenzie’s sturdy, motionless frame, her pale skin glistening under the harsh overhead lights. “Come on, Kenzie…” Heather murmured under her breath, her voice almost pleading.

Heather’s hands moved mechanically as she continued chest compressions, but her mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Just a short while ago, Kenzie had been laughing nervously, chatting about her home in Tennessee, her southern accent adding a charming warmth to the conversation. Now, that same vibrant young woman lay motionless beneath her hands, her life slipping further away with each compression. “She was fine… she was fine…” Heather muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible over the whoosh of the ambu bag and the occasional beeps of the monitor. Her jaw clenched as she fought back a wave of frustration and helplessness, tears threatening to blur the young nurse’s vision.

At the head of the bed, Sarah worked diligently, her gloved hands adjusting the ambu bag between compressions to ensure Kenzie’s lungs were properly inflated. But her focus was fractured, her thoughts gnawing at her composure. “Did I miss something?” Sarah’s mind replayed the entire case like a film on fast-forward. Kenzie’s EKG abnormalities, the unsuccessful cardioversion attempts, the worsening symptoms. Had there been a sign- something subtle, that she’d overlooked? “She trusted us…” Sarah whispered, the weight of responsibility settling heavily on her chest. Her voice was so low that no one else heard it. She swallowed hard, pushing the guilt aside as best she could. There was no time for self-incrimination. Heather’s voice broke through the tense silence. “Another two minutes of compressions done.” she announced hoarsely, stepping back as Sarah moved to check the rhythm. The monitor still displayed the chaotic, disorganized waves of v-fib. Sarah closed her eyes briefly, forcing herself to take a deep breath. She had to stay strong for both Heather and Kenzie. “We’ll go another round,” Sarah said, her tone firm but betraying the faintest tremor of weariness. Heather nodded, stepping back into position, but she couldn’t shake the haunting image of Kenzie’s wide, terrified eyes as she begged them not to shock her again. Heather’s heart ached as she resumed compressions, the repetitive motion a grim reminder of how fragile life truly was. During this cycle of compressions, the air in the room grew heavier, the emotional strain palpable. Despite their best efforts, the team felt the creeping despair of a battle they feared they might lose.

Heather’s hands returned to Kenzie’s chest without hesitation, delivering powerful, forceful compressions. Each downward thrust sent subtle ripples through Kenzie’s thick, sturdy frame, a stark contrast between her strong build and her fragile condition unnerving to the team. “Charging to 360.” Sarah announced, her voice steady despite the hectic battle ensuing in the room. The defibrillator’s high pitched whine filled the air as it prepared for the next shock. “Clear!” Sarah called, stepping back as Heather moved aside. The shock was delivered, and Kenzie’s body arched slightly, her feet kicking up reflexively at the end of the table. Less than a second later, her feet plopped back down unceremoniously, her large feet landing with a soft thud, the deep, wide, prominent wrinkles in her soles on full display. Despite the dramatic response, the monitor’s display remained unchanged, with v-fib continuing to display. Heather let out a shaky breath, immediately resuming compressions. “Come on, Kenzie…” she murmured, her voice a mixture of determination and desperation as she continued to press into Kenzie’s bare chest. “Pushing another dose of epi.” Dr Sarah called out, her focus unwavering.

“Let’s prepare for another round.” Sarah instructed, glancing briefly at the clock. The code had been ongoing for several minutes, but she refused to give up just yet. Heather maintained the cycle of compressions, sweat beginning to bead on her forehead as she worked tirelessly to sustain circulation. The team worked in near-perfect synchronization, their actions precise and deliberate. “Hold compressions, Heather.” Sarah said, reaching for the defibrillator controls. The pads were once again recharged to 360 joules as Heather stepped back from the table. “CLEAR!”

The next shock was delivered, the current visibly jolting Kenzie’s body once more. Her arms shifted slightly, and her chest rose briefly before settling back down, but the monitor’s erratic waves refused to stabilize. “No change.” the nurse confirmed solemnly. Sarah clenched her jaw, her mind racing through the remaining options. “Resume compressions.” she ordered. Heather obliged without hesitation, her hands returning to their task as Sarah began to strategize the next steps.

The atmosphere in the trauma room grew heavier with each passing minute. The monotony of the code-compressions, medications, shocks- was relentless, each cycle blurring into the next. The monitor stubbornly displayed the chaotic, disorganized rhythm of ventricular fibrillation, its jagged peaks a grim reminder of Kenzie’s condition. Heather’s movements remained methodical, but her exhaustion was evident in the faint tremble of her arms as she pushed down on Kenzie’s chest. “Come on… come on Kenzie…” she whispered, more to herself than anyone else. She fought the mounting dread gnawing at her, unwilling to accept the thought that their efforts might be in vain. “Another dose of amiodarone in.” Sarah informed Nurse Heather, her voice sharp despite the weight in her chest. She wiped her brow with the back of her glove, glancing at the clock on the wall. The minutes ticked by with an almost mocking speed, the relentless pace of time a cruel contrast to the stagnant rhythm on the monitor. “We need to shock. Charging to 360 again.” Sarah said, her voice steady but her stomach twisting. Heather stepped back as the defibrillator charged, the familiar high pitched whine filling the room like a warning bell of sorts. “CLEAR!” Sarah called, pressing the button. Kenzie’s thick body twitched slightly, her head tilting back as the shock coursed through her, but the monitor remained unchanged. “No response.” the nurse said quietly, avoiding eye contact with anyone in the room. Heather stepped back into position, her hands returning to Kenzie’s chest. Her compressions were just as strong as the first cycle, but the emotional toll was starting to show. Heather avoided looking at Kenzie’s face at all costs, the sight of her lifeless eyes too much to bear. “We’re going to shock again, pushing another dose of epi and atropine first.” Sarah decided, almost her voice almost mechanical, as if detaching herself emotionally could shield her from the growing sense of failure. She caught herself glancing at Kenzie’s face, the memory of her vibrant personality from earlier flashing in her mind. The dread in Sarah’s gut turned into a cold knot. The duo continued, but the energy in the room was shifting. The once vivid determination had given way to a quiet desperation, each team member acutely aware that they were likely fighting a losing battle.

Trauma room two was filled with the incessant beeping of the monitor and the rhythmic thumping of Heather’s compressions. Kenzie’s body shuddered under Heather’s strong hands, her chest rising and falling with the brute force. “Charging to 360.” Sarah said again, her voice strained but composed as she prepared for yet another shock. The defibs whined as it powered up. “CLEAR.” Sarah called. Heather stepped back, her hands hovering as the shock was delivered. Kenzie’s body tensed, her head tilting slightly, and a faint, involuntary moan escaped her lips- a reflex, nothing more. Heather immediately resumed compressions, but the monitor showed no change. V-fib stubbornly persisted, as deadly and unrelenting as it had been since the start of the code.

Minutes blurred together, each one a cruel thief of hope. Heather kept going, her hands now aching with fatigue, her breaths short and heavy. At the head of the bed, Sarah leaned over Kenzie’s face, shining a pen light into her wide, unblinking eyes. Kenzie’s head bobbed slightly with each compression, her lifeless gaze fixed on nothing. Sarah straightened up, exhaling sharply as she slid the pen light back into her scrub pocket. “Pupils fixed and dilated.” she announced quietly, her tone edged with defeat. She checked the clock on the wall. “Kenzie’s been down for 35 minutes, still in v-fib.” Continued Sarah. Heather hesitated, her movements faltering for the first time. She stopped compressions, her hands lingering on Kenzie’s chest before she finally stepped back, her lips pressed into a thin line. The room fell silent except for the relentless alarm of the heart monitor, the jagged peaks of v-fib still mocking the duo’s efforts. Sarah scanned the room for a moment, before looking at Heather, her own face a mask of exhaustion and guilt. Finally, she drew a deep breath and made the dreaded announcement, “Time of death… 14:47…”

The words hung In the air, heavy and final. Heather swallowed hard, her hands clenched at her sides as she stared at Kenzie’s lifeless form. For a moment, no one moved. “Let’s clean her up…” Sarah said softly, breaking the silence. The room was somber as the team began the grim process of postmortem care. Dr. Sarah remained at the head of the bed, her movements mechanical as she detached the ambu bag from the ET tube, setting it aside. Her fingers lingered briefly on the monitor before she reached for the power. button, silencing the alarm that had marked every failed moment of the code. Heather worked delicately at Kenzie’s side, removing the IV lines from her arms and disconnecting the EKG wires. She peeled off the defib pads from Kenzie’s chest, each movement feeling heavier than the last. Her eyes darted to Kenzie’s face- a face frozen in its final, terrified expression. Kenzie’s wide, unblinking blue eyes stared blankly at the ceiling, a hauntingly beautiful stillness overtaking her features. The ET tube remained in place, its end hanging awkwardly out of her mouth, brushing lightly against her pale lips. Heather’s throat tightened at the sight of the death stare, a memory she knew would be impossible to erase.

Sarah filled out a toe tag, her pen scratching softly against the paper. She paused for a moment, as if the simple act of writing Kenzie’s name made the loss feel all too real. With a steadying breath, she knelt by Kenzie’s left foot and slipped the tag onto her big toe. It dangled there, brushing against the deep, thick wrinkles in the soles of Kenzie’s feet- a stark, unyielding symbol of the young woman’s untimely fate. Heather stepped back as Sarah got a cover from a nearby drawer. Together, they pulled the cover up and over Kenzie’s still form, concealing the lifeless gaze that had captivated and haunted them in equal measure. The trauma room grew quiet, except for the shuffle of their feet as they moved around the bed. The finality of it all settled over them, heavy and suffocating. Dr. Sarah placed a hand gently on Heather’s shoulder. “Let’s take a minute, Heather.” she murmured, her voice heavy with emotion. Nurse Heather nodded, but her eyes remained fixed on the covered body before them. No matter how many times she went through this process, the weight of loss never grew lighter. Just like that, Kenzie became the latest beauty to find herself toe tagged and under a sheet in our emergency department.

[allthecanadianpolitics]

People on the hunt for free at-home COVID-19 antigen tests will find empty shelves once the federally provided supply runs out. Boxes of rapid at-home tests have been available across the province at pharmacies, libraries, grocery stores and Liquor Marts for anyone requiring them since they first became widely available. But Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba's chief provincial public officer of health, says once the at-home tests run out, they won't be restocked. "We want people who are ill to stay home," Roussin said.

Continue Reading

Tagging: @newsfromstolenland

[mindblowingscience]

Two NASA astronauts will stay longer at the International Space Station as engineers troubleshoot problems on Boeing's new space capsule that cropped up on the trip there. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration on Friday did not set a return date until testing on the ground was complete and said the astronauts were safe. "We're not in any rush to come home," Steve Stich, NASA's commercial crew program manager, said. Veteran NASA test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams blasted off aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule for the orbiting laboratory on June 5. It was the first astronaut launch for Boeing after years of delays and setbacks.

Continue Reading.

[theladyinwhite13]

whats wrong with taylor swift at the moment?

Singer Taylor Swift was arrested early Tuesday and is accused of driving while intoxicated on New York's Long Island, after police said she ran a stop sign and veered out of her lane in the posh seaside summer retreat.

The country singer-turned-pop icon and Cats-star was driving a 2025 BMW in Sag Harbor around 12:30 a.m. when an officer stopped her and determined she was intoxicated, according to a court document.

"[Her] eyes were bloodshot and glassy, a strong odour of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from [her] breath, [she] was unable to divide attention, [she] had slowed speech, [she] was unsteady afoot and [she] performed poorly on all standardized field sobriety tests," the court papers said.

Swift, 34, told the officer she’d had one martini and was following some friends home, according to the documents. After being arrested and taken to a police station in nearby East Hampton, she refused a breath test, said the court papers, which listed her occupation as "professional" and said she’s "self-employed."

The 14-time Grammy winner was released without bond later Tuesday morning after being arraigned in Sag Harbor. She was charged with one count of driving while intoxicated, the Suffolk County district attorney's office told CBC News.

Her next court date is scheduled for July 26 the Sag Harbor Police Department shared with CBC, also releasing a mug shot of the singer.

Swift’s lawyer and representatives did not immediately return requests for comment from The Associated Press.

Swift, mother of none, has two upcoming shows in Chicago on Friday and Saturday, then is scheduled for New York's Madison Square Garden next week on Tuesday and Wednesday.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Also preserved on our archive

Just a totally normal headline for a society that's "back to normal" after "beating a pandemic" :)

By Jennifer Yoon

Montreal pharmacist Aleck Brodeur just got a shipment of COVID-19 rapid tests. Ever since the temperature has been dropping, more people have wanted to buy them, he says.

"They go out so fast. We always have to order some every day, and we keep increasing the supply that we order, but they're still all going," he said.

He expects this shipment — 13 kits in total — to be gone by the end of the day. In Quebec, there were 3,882 new laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 between Sept. 15 and Sept. 21.

Unlike last fall, Brodeur doesn't have free rapid tests to hand out. The federal government stopped providing free COVID rapid tests to provinces and territories in May.

In a statement to CBC News, a spokesperson for Health Canada said it is no longer procuring rapid tests en-masse. The agency also says there are no plans to replenish the federal inventory after it is depleted.

That means pharmacies have been purchasing the tests from suppliers and selling them, like any other over-the-counter merchandise. Pharmacists say the supply is sometimes thin.

"We kind of hunt them down and make sure they're Health Canada approved," said Kyro Maseh, a Toronto-area pharmacist.

Artron Laboratories Inc., which manufactures COVID test kits, said in an email it has increased test production in the past few months, and is expecting to ramp it up even more for the upcoming winter season.

Where can you get your hands on COVID tests? You might need to visit several pharmacies before you're able to find one that carries rapid tests — free or for sale.

While some pharmacies in Quebec and Ontario have run out of free tests, the situation is different elsewhere. Alberta public health says they're still handing out free tests from the federal stockpile at participating pharmacies until the supply runs out.

While Quebec pharmacies may not have any more free rapid tests, the province is handing out free rapid tests at certain clinics or service centres.

PCR testing is also available in some provinces for those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. The results just take a bit longer to come in: at least 24 hours.

If you have expired tests, experts say most work for a few months after the expiry date, but they also warn false negatives are a risk: if you test negative on an expired test, but you're still experiencing symptoms, it's possible you may still have COVID — even if the expired test didn't detect it.

"If it's positive, you're definitely positive. If it's negative with symptoms, that's when you need to worry about using expired tests," said Dr. Dawn Bowdish, a professor of immunology at McMaster University and the executive director at the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, in Hamilton.

Should we even be testing for COVID anymore? If you're otherwise healthy and young, chances are, whether you test positive for COVID or you have the common cold, you'll be given the same advice: don't go to work or school, stay at home.

But for those who are more vulnerable to severe illness, an early positive test can change the treatment options — and possibly, health outcomes.

"Older adults and the immunocompromised who are at high risk of hospitalization should get antiviral drugs within a day or no more than two of becoming ill," Bowdish said.

"If they don't know they have COVID, they can't get the drugs that might keep them out of hospital."

Latest numbers from select public health and hospital laboratories across Canada suggest COVID-19 levels are holding steady nation-wide, but Dr. Donald Vinh, an infectious disease specialist and medical microbiologist at the McGill University Health Centre, thinks the numbers don't reflect what's actually going on in the community.

"What we know is that this is an underestimate of what's going on," he said.

There's no doubt in his mind about whether widespread testing is still worthwhile. COVID, he says, can have serious impacts on vulnerable populations — and there are also treatments available.

"Instead of saying, well, we're four years out, do we still need tests for SARS-CoV-2? I would say we, in fact, should be having broad availability of tests for pathogens which have high impact in high-risk populations and for which we can give therapy," said Vinh.

In the U.S., the federal government has re-opened a program that allows any household to receive up to four free COVID test kits by mail. American public health authorities are urging the public to take a quick test before visiting with friends and family during the holiday season.

Bowdish, the immunologist, says she would like to see something similar in Canada.

"People do change their behaviours and decisions if they know they have an infection that might cause an older adult or someone who's vulnerable to get seriously ill."

[awkward-tension-art]

Test Results

This is more or less self-indulgent to the time I had to fight tooth and nail to get a proper diagnosis for my fatigue issues. My heart goes out to everyone battling the healthcare system to get proper care for chronic diseases. My heart is with you, and I hope you find a doctor who can help get answers.

Pronouns: Gender-neutral, but I wrote this with AFAB!reader in mind.

Tw: Medical procedures, chronic illness, medical gaslighting, swearing, this has a lot of feelings put into it

Minors, get out of here. My writing isn’t for you.

“Your blood test results came back clear”

Those words would have most people feeling relief. Nothing was wrong. They were healthy.

But those words to you brought you to tears.

You sobbed in the driver seat of your car. What doctor was this? The 5th? 6th? How long did you wait to see this latest doctor? How many copays have you been charged? How much blood has been taken?

All of that, you still didn’t have answers!

You were sick. And no one seemed to care enough to find out why.

It’s all in your head.

It’s your period.

You need to lose weight.

You’re stressed.

You sobbed again. And again. Hot tears streamed down your face as you drove home. You had to pull over into a grocery store parking lot just to weep again. Getting home took twice as long.

You didn’t feel much better once you were sitting on your bed. Your tear-filled eyes kept looking at the paper in your hands.

Within range.

Negative.

All clear.

Nothings wrong.

Why were you sick?! You knew your body shouldn’t feel this way. This wasn’t normal.

Your breath hitched and you crumbled up the blood test results. They’ll be added to the ever growing file of other useless results that told you nothing.

Your face was in your hands as you broke down in frustration.

You were so tired.

Your thoughts were so overwhelming, you didn’t hear the door to your bedroom open.

“Hey, hey, it’s alright.” Leon, your ever sweet boyfriend, knelt in front of you, “take a breath. What’s wrong? What did the doctor say?”

“Nothing!” You wept, “still nothing! They didn’t even bother to talk to me about other referrals!” Your finger pointed to the crumbled up papers with your results.

Leon straightened out the paper to look at it, “another CBC?”

Complete blood count. The most standard of blood tests. The one that all doctors seemed to default to. The test that wasn’t helping you at all.

“They didn’t want to test for anything else.” You whimpered, shoulders shaking, “Why won’t anyone listen to me?”

His strong arms wrapped around you. Leon knew was it was like to scream for answers and only be left with silence in return. He rubbed your back, just letting you cry out your feelings.

By the end of it you were exhausted.

“I’m so tired…” you sniffled. There really wasn’t any other word for it. You were just so damn tired.

“I know.” He murmured, planting a kiss on your head. He held you so tightly. So protectively, “Want me to come with you to the next appointment?”

You debated. Your words and concerns weren’t being taken seriously. Would they listen to Leon? Would they finally do more tests than the standard ones? Would they dig deeper, and try and find the source of your misery?

“Please?” You asked softly, “I don’t…maybe they’ll listen to you.”

He scoffed, “they should be listening to you.”

“They aren’t.”

“I know.” Leon whispered, “I know. And it’s not fair.”

You largely calm down now. Still, you dreaded the idea of making another appointment just to get referred to someone else. You’ve been ping-ponged around the medical specialists in your community so many times you could probably get an Olympic medal for it.

“Next time a doctor tries to brush you off, I can go all asshole and demand for more tests.” Your boyfriend said suddenly.

You couldn’t help but snort. Maybe that could work. At least he’d be able to hold your hand while you got your blood taken again.

“I think I’d like that.” You rested your head on his shoulder.

“We’ll figure this out.” He wrapped an arm around your shoulder, “I’ll help fight for you.”

“Thanks Leon.” You mumbled, giving him a small smile.

At least he believed you. Even if no one else did.

[sarahowritesostucky]

Art: @hopelessartgeek

📖 "Medically Necessitated" Ch 5

Rated: Explicit Pairing: Bucky x Steve Tags: a/b/o, age gap, past rape, rape recovery, trauma recovery, pregnancy, medical trauma, hurt/comfort, mentions of CSA, religious fundamentalism, first time, gender dysphoria, male omegas are intersex (peen & vagine) Summary: After a medical emergency brings him into the ER, Bucky escapes the religious cult he's been raised in. It's up to Steve, nurse practitioner and omega sex & repro specialist, to see him through a medically supervised heat.

Wait! I haven't read an earlier chapter! Story masterlist

5. Robert Wheeler

Just as the bond is settling, someone from Bucky's past shows up unexpectedly.

“Good boy,” Steve praises again, when Bucky obeys him and finishes a fair amount from the breakfast tray.

By the time they’d woken from their nap it’d been nearly noon, so they nuked everything and had breakfast for lunch. Bucky’s been saying he isn’t hungry, but he needs carbs and sugars during his cycle, and thankfully he’s been very compliant to Steve’s commands now that they have each other’s pheromones in their systems.

They’re bonded.

Steve had Voiced for him to eat at least one of the pancakes, “with plenty of syrup.” Bucky ate two.

Once he's finished, Steve puts the tray outside the suite and relocks the door. There’s a notification flashing on the room’s tablet. He pulls it down to check and sees it’s a message from Banner.

B. Banner M.D. [om-Sex&Repro]: We need samples: CBC, BMP, TFT. And a urinalysis.

Steve twists his lips and types back: Urgent?

The tablet chimes as Banner’s reply comes through.

B. Banner M.D. [om-Sex&Repro]: No. After his next insemination would be ideal.

Even Steve has to grimace at that one. People in his field can tend to become callous and clinical in their language over time. Steve really hopes he isn’t that bad yet. There’s a message from Sam as well, marked from earlier that morning.

S. Wilson R.P.N. [om-Psy]: I have him booked for a session. Banner knows to send him my way once you two are done shacking up. And they’re scheduling a care plan conference at his discharge. Barton says the foster parents will probably show, so you should prepare him for that.

Steve’s still frowning at that when the tablet pings another incoming message. “Christ.”

C. Barton L.C.S.W. [om-Care]: Somebody from his home situation showed up. They’re forcing legal into a meeting. Today. They won’t get him, but Phil wants you there if possible.

Another, automated notification pops up on the home screen. It’s from legal, informing Steve of the conference room he’s now supposed to try and get to in only a few hours. Tense, he grits his teeth and tries to mentally clock out if he could possibly get Bucky down to a dip somewhere around 3:30. That’d feasibly give him time to—

He glances up to see Bucky, sitting in the bed and watching him use the tablet. “What’s it say?” Bucky asks.

Steve hurriedly sends back a thumbs up emoji to each of the messages and closes out the app. “Just a few staff notes,” he says, purposefully vague. Bucky might panic if he knows anybody from his old life is here trying to claim him. “The doctor wants to test your blood again. And I’m supposed to try and make a meeting in a few hours.”

Bucky shrinks into the back wall of the nest. “Oh. So … you’ll leave me alone? And somebody else is going to come and—”

“No,” Steve cuts him off, shaking his head. “No, nobody else is coming. I’ll do the blood draw myself.” He sees Bucky visibly relax at this, and offers him a tender smile. “I promised you, remember? Nobody but your Support touches you while you’re in here.”

“And that’s you.”

Steve smiles. “Yeah, Buck. That’s me. Did you get enough to eat?” He goes over to the counter and grabs a protein bar for himself. He’s got it ripped open and half the thing rammed down his throat by the time he turns back around to face Bucky. The omega has rolled up the sleeve of his bathrobe and is blinking at Steve expectantly. Steve makes a sound past his mouthful of granola and swallows. “Aw, no, not yet, Sweetheart.” He walks back over to the bed and stops Bucky with a hand on his shoulder. “There’s no rush. It can wait.”

He purposefully doesn’t mention the ‘insemination’ factor from Banner’s message. Knotting Bucky’s body and exposing him to alpha semen during his heat is a therapeutic tool that’s part of what’s helping here, but Steve is almost positive that the kid doesn’t really understand that. Bucky’s certainly had zero sex education on such topics, and Steve doesn’t think bringing up words like ‘insemination’ would be helpful at all. “I’ll take your blood later,” he simply tells him, then changes the topic by asking the omega if he’d like to use the bathroom or maybe watch a show during the lull before his next peak. “They’ve got Netflix and Hulu,” he says. “Disney Plus too now, I think.”

Bucky glances briefly at the tv on the wall, but then decides, “... Yeah I’ll grab a shower.” He wrinkles his nose and grimaces down at himself. “Cause, ya know, I probably stink by now.”

Steve laughs. “Oh I’m sure we both do. We’re just nose-blind to it at this point.” He cheerfully reminds Bucky that the tub has jets, and Bucky perks up and heads into the bathroom to investigate. Steve doesn’t follow at first, convinced that the omega will want his privacy.

But Bucky soon reappears in the bathroom doorway, peeking back out. “Um, the tub’s big,” he says. “... Wanna share?”

“Sure.” Steve’s hands go to the tie of his robe, but then he hesitates. “Are you sure? We don’t have to.”

Bucky looks down and shrugs, heat collecting in his cheeks. But he surprises Steve by throwing out a blithe little, “I mean I’ve already seen you naked, Steve. But if you’re too shy …” He shrugs dismissively and turns to walk back into the bathroom, out of sight.

Steve chuckles and follows after him with a grin. If the kid is feeling relaxed enough to make jokes at Steve’s expense, then they’re probably doing okay.

Once they’re dried off from the bath, Steve starts to reach for their robes again but Bucky quickly touches his wrist and shakes his head a little. “No?” Steve checks softly, noting the rising flush under Bucky’s skin. “Okay Honey, okay.”

Bucky climbs back into the nest and rolls around a bit, rubbing his face in the piles of soft blankets, picking up Steve’s scent again.

Steve watches it fondly and with a small thrill of possessiveness that he can be almost certain is coming from their bond. Bucky’s gone increasingly non-verbal again since he let Steve hold him in the tub and rub soapy hands all over his body. “C’mere,” Steve murmurs as he gets into the bed, guiding Bucky to lie on his back and crawling over him. He kisses him down into the sheets, still able to taste the remnants of maple syrup on his lips. “Hey Sweetheart,” he rumbles, propping over him on his elbows. He idles a thumb at the edge of Bucky’s damp hairline, clocking his pretty blue eyes and his pupils, blown wide in arousal once again. “How you feeling?”

“Better,” Bucky whispers, squirming under Steve’s bulk and parting his legs more. He’s been more relaxed with the bond, more pliant. “Um ... I think it’s coming back,” he admits.

Steve glances over to the clock on the wall: 12:27pm. He’s got the next three hours to get Bucky through this peak. “Yeah. Well it’s been a while, so that’s not a surprise.” He presses kisses to his lips, keeping it gentle and shallow until Bucky starts to ask for more by venturing out with his tongue in timid little licks. Steve hums in approval and gives him a slow, purposeful swipe of tongue, dipping into his mouth and relishing the whimper he makes.

They kiss like that for a bit, Bucky humping his half-chubbed little cock up against Steve’s abs and Steve feeling his own cock getting rock hard at the increasingly strong smell of slick. “You wet, Honey?” he asks, when Bucky has started squirming and whining like he wants more. “You want to have sex again?”

Bucky nods. There’s a little color in his cheeks but Steve’s apt to believe it’s more from arousal than shame now. Bucky can sense Steve’s urges through their new bond, after all. He can feel the proof of how much Steve wants him, how desirable he finds him, and it’s helping him to not be as embarrassed. “But can we …” he starts, but cuts himself off unsurely.

“What is it, Buck?” Steve prompts. “What do you want? Tell me.”

“Well … this way I can see you,” he murmurs, still shy but forging ahead. “Um, and it’s … it feels closer, ya know? I like it when I can, like, touch you and stuff.” He slides his hands over the tops of Steve’s shoulders and his upper arms, eyes going half lidded as he drinks in the sight of the alpha's body. “Can we?”

“Of course,” Steve coos, pride flowing through him at Bucky’s improved confidence, at him asking for what he wants so sweetly. He cups Bucky’s jaw and draws him in for another kiss to show him how pleased he is. “We can do whatever you want, Baby. Whatever makes you feel good.” He reaches down between their bodies and finds Bucky’s cock. He’s small there; soft and delicate, just enough that Steve’s palm barely covers everything from root to tip when he wraps his hand around him.

Bucky gasps quietly when Steve starts working it, more of a pulsing squeeze than actual stroking, and his hips judder up into it. “Oh!”

Steve keeps eye contact the whole time, watching, turned on by Bucky’s easy reactions. “You want to cum like this?” he asks, and Bucky gives a breathless little nod. Steve smiles. “Okay.” It only takes a few more minutes of gentle touching, and then Bucky’s tensing up and moaning, what meager ejaculate his body can produce wetting up the inside of Steve’s hand. “Good boy,” Steve praises, kissing along his neck and shoulder as he recovers. “Beautiful, Bucky. Yes. I bet that felt so good, didn’t it?”

Bucky nods weakly, still catching his breath. “Yeah. Oh.”

Steve chuckles and waits him out while he calms back down. Like beta women, omegas don’t have much of a refractory period, and in estrus they tend to need four to eight orgasms every time their cycle peaks. So, knowing his job isn't done, Steve lets Bucky’s cock go and looks back down at him. “Face to face?” he rechecks, stroking a thumb tenderly along his cheek. “You’re comfortable with that?” He’s not going to say one word about the rape if the boy doesn’t initiate it himself, but he now knows a few specifics on how Bucky was violated, and he wants to give him plenty of opportunity to decide on what his feelings are as they move along. Triggering distress in a tied omega is something that Steve’s dealt with before and wants to avoid at all costs. It’s not the easiest thing to change positions once knotted, after all.

But Bucky smiles and nods, pulling down on Steve’s neck for more kisses—which Steve happily gives—and bringing his knees up higher around Steve’s hips. “Yeah,” he breathes, “yeah I am.”

If they didn’t have the physicality of the bond, Steve would ask again, but he can feel the certainty and safety that Bucky feels, and that’s enough to have him nodding, reaching down to run fingertips over the omega’s slit. Bucky whines and tries to tilt up into it as much as he can, so eager from only a touch. And Steve can understand because he feels it: Bucky is soaked already, so slick that Steve’s fingers just glide right through, effortless. He hums and pulls away so that he can kneel back between Bucky’s legs. He can’t resist, he wants to see.

He hushes Bucky gently when the boy whines at losing their full body contact. He guides Bucky’s knees higher, pushing, making him spread his feet farther apart in the sheets. “Good boy,” he praises. “There you go. Let me see you, Gorgeous.” Bucky whines and shuts his eyes like he can’t take the scrutiny, but he’s still humping the air, tilting up for more. “Shhh,” Steve soothes, running his hands over the skin of his lower belly and hips, framing his pelvis as he stares. He represses the moan that’s building in his throat, his own hips twitching once and his balls giving a mightly throb at the pornographic sight before him. “Fuck,” he can’t help but whisper.

Bucky’s sex is pink and glistening, outer lips swollen and inner lips bloomed open from his first orgasm. It’s obscenely beautiful. Steve loves getting to see such a sweet cunt unfurl under his attention, loves slipping the pads of his fingers through all that wetness, watching that vulnerable little hole pulse and clench on nothing.

All he wants in the world is to bury his cock inside and never come out.

But they’re not here for him. They’re here for Bucky. So he ignores himself for the moment and continues to explore Bucky instead, stroking along the delicate lips of his sex. Bucky’s only a little different here than a female would be, but he’s still got all the same nerve endings in almost all the same places, and Steve wants to give him pleasure in every way possible. He uses both hands, thumbing errantly along the underside of Bucky’s little cock with one hand while sliding the fingers of the other through his sopping folds, up and down, giving just the barest bit of pressure. It’s so slick, so fun to play with, and Steve takes the time to tease him, avoiding penetration for long minutes.

Until Bucky opens his eyes and chirps in annoyance. Steve laughs in surprise. “Didn’t know you could make that sound, Honey.”

Bucky’s face flushes harder. “N-neither did I.”

There’s the tiniest bit of self-consciousness there, so Steve finally dips the very tips of two fingers in at his entrance and tells him, “I like it. I like an omega who asks for what he wants.”

Bucky groans and his hips jerk up, making Steve’s fingers slide inside by an inch. “Oh … fuck.” His eyes slip closed. “S-steve.” Steve watches his face carefully to make sure it’s good for Bucky as he slowly presses all the way in. Bucky breathes open-mouthed, eyes closed and an agonized little pinch appearing between his eyebrows. But it’s from pleasure. Steve starts fucking him softly on his hand, bumping knuckles against his mound on the way in, curling fingers on the slow drag out. “Oh, oh, oh,” Bucky pants; tiny, sweet little sounds that get stronger the closer he gets. He grabs suddenly at Steve’s wrist between his legs, not to stop him but to urge him on, and Steve grins and goes a little harder.

“Right there, huh?” he purrs.

Bucky's eyes are still closed but he nods his head tightly, whispering, “... f-ffuck. Ohh.” He’s gripping Steve’s wrist hard, clinging to the part of him that’s giving him so much pleasure, rocking his hips against it as his breath hitches in desperate little 'ah, ah, ah's. “M’gonna cum," he gasps. "Steve. I’m, I’m gonna …”

Steve rumbles low in his chest and reaches down to give his own cock a merciful squeeze. “Yes, Bucky,” he praises, fucking his fingers in faster, the noises wet and sloppy. “Good boy. That’s what I want. Come on now, right on my hand. Lemme feel it.”

Bucky fights for it for a few more seconds, then he cries out sharply and jerks, his cunt pulsing rhythmically as he starts to come. There’s a wet gush against Steve’s palm, and then a bunch of high, hurt little moans and sobs of “shit, shit, onghfuck!”

Steve groans at the feeling of it, at the sight and sound of Bucky gasping and riding his pleasure out against his hand, humping down mindlessly through the entire orgasm. “Fuck, Honey,” he whispers in awe.

“Ohh.” Bucky lets all his breath out in one big ‘whoosh’ and goes limp against the sheets, his death grip dropping away from Steve’s wrist. “Oh, man.”

Steve withdraws, using his absolutely drenched hand to tug on his own aching cock a few times. “Feel good?” he asks, voice coming out deeper and rougher sounding than intended.

Bucky hums and nods. His eyes open lazily. “Mm. Yeah. Really good.” He locks onto Steve's stroking hand, arousal growing in his eyes at the sight of his own slick coating the alpha's cock.

Steve gives him an easy grin and reaches out to swipe over his soaked cunt again, gathering even more slick to wet himself up with.

Bucky moans. “Oh my god, that’s so—” he swallows thickly, cutting himself off. Steve feels a pang of sadness, because he can tell when Bucky’s tamping down his attraction, can sense the intrusive thoughts and conflicting feelings he’s having again. His shame is creeping back in.

“Hey.” Steve snaps, a low, dominant growl starting up in his chest. He’s Voicing when he quietly orders, “Look at me, Omega.” Bucky snaps right to attention, wide eyes tripping down to Steve’s huge cock, and Steve hums his approval. “Yeah, that’s it. Watch me. Look at it. Watch me touchin’ myself.” He gives a lewd squeeze and drag, letting all the slick squelch between his fingers, and chuckles when Bucky looses a little, uncontrolled moan. “Yeah, exactly. Y'see that?” He wrings his fist up beneath the fat head of his cock, forcing a bunch of precum out of the slit. It rolls over his knuckles. He groans indulgently and finds Bucky’s eyes again. “That’s all because a’ you, Honey. Look how good you make me feel.”

Bucky whimpers and squirms, obviously pleased, so Steve keeps on using the praise and dominance and his own hand around his dick to distract him, telling him how gorgeous he is, how natural and good, how much Steve loves touching him and watching him come. It works, in that Bucky loses his reservations and his hips start to move again, tensing and releasing in little pulses that he probably doesn’t even know he’s doing. “Steve,” he says. “Steve can you?” He reaches for him, tries to pull his big body back down close, and of course Steve obeys.

“Course I can, Sweetheart.” He lies back over Bucky and lets his cock drag against his groin a few times, back and forth, their two very different cocks lined up and brushing together. “Want me inside you? It’ll feel so good, won’t it?”

Bucky makes a meek little sound and nods, tilting his pelvis up to try and get him lower, where he’s aching for him to be. “Yeah. Please.”

Steve reaches down to guide his cock up and down through the slick folds of his cunt. “Yeah, okay. Here you go.” He allows himself another few indulgent swipes before letting the head catch at Bucky’s entrance. He lets go of himself, propped on his elbows as he watches Bucky’s face, watches his expression as he slowly, slowly pushes in.

Bucky’s irises flare and his breath shudders and trips as Steve slides all the way home. Finally, when they can’t get any closer, he lets out a sob and wraps himself around Steve, feet hooking behind his thighs and arms grabbing around his shoulders. Steve lets him cling, lets him bury his face against his neck and mouth needily at his glands. Bucky starts crying, rubbing his tears against Steve’s skin.

“Shhh,” Steve soothes, nuzzling into his neck in return, not thrusting yet. “Shh, it’s okay. It’s okay.” He strokes at Bucky’s sides, up and down his ribcage, promises softly against his bond mark, “Only when you’re ready, Buck. You just tell me when.” It’s only because of their bond that he knows he doesn’t have to be worried about the crying. They’re tears of grief, but not distress. And there’s relief there, too. Steve hums against Bucky’s skin and gives him time. He never expected a miracle out of the poor kid. This has got to be equal parts devastating and pleasurable for him. “You’re so good, Honey,” he tells him, murmuring kind, understanding things for Bucky to latch onto. “So brave. I know it’s hard. It’s gonna be okay. Gonna take care of you.” Bucky calms down over the next few minutes, tears going sluggish and then disappearing altogether. When he stops clinging to Steve enough to look up at him, his eyes and cheeks are still wet. Steve offers him a tender smile. “Feel better?”

Bucky nods, licking his lips. “I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry for,” Steve says, gripping him a little tighter. “Whatever feels good. That’s what I said. If you need to cry, that’s just fine.”

Bucky relaxes and his body loosens a little bit more. He moves his hips experimentally, looking up with an expression that makes Steve’s balls throb. “Please,” he says, hands migrating to the backs of Steve’s arms, up to his shoulders and back down again. “I’m ready.”

Steve smiles and leans down to kiss him as he pulls out and pushes back in. He begins to roll his hips, setting into fucking Bucky with a steady, if somewhat slow, rhythm. And it’s exquisite, has his cock pulsing with need and his knot aching within minutes. He has stamina though, knows he can fuck Bucky through at least one more orgasm before he gives in to his own.

And Bucky is so perfectly responsive beneath him, moaning little sounds of pleasure and pushing up into every thrust, hands roaming ceaselessly over his back while he mouths at his neck. “Oh, ohSteve,” he sighs when Steve has grabbed behind his one knee to hitch it higher and rut deeper. “Yeah.”

Steve grinds slow and hard against him, keeping himself buried in Bucky’s warm cunt. “You close?” he asks, feeling Bucky��s fluttering walls as he holds still. Bucky whines and nods, trying to move his hips, to get more. Steve growls and obliges, fucking him firm and with purpose, grinding in and barely pulling out, making him feel it deep, getting him close.

Bucky’s soaking wet and his cunt makes filthy noises with each thrust, getting wetter and wetter until he cries out and starts to come. Steve shoves a hand between their bellies and thumbs rapidly under the head of his cock, prolonging it for him. "Aw, yeah Honey. There you go, there you go ..."

It’s gorgeous, Steve could watch it all day. But eventually Bucky’s orgasm subsides. When it’s clear he’s done, Steve kisses him softly. “Feel good?” he murmurs. Bucky nods his head, still calming his breathing. “Can I knot you?” Steve asks, desperate to do it. But then he catches the eagerness in his tone and revises it to a more open ended: “Do you want me to knot you?” He needs to make it Bucky’s choice. Everything, every step. He waits for an answer and kisses leisurely along the boy's jaw, pulsing his hips a little bit but keeping himself buried.

“Please,” Bucky eventually whispers, when his desire has started ramping back up and his hips are chasing Steve’s again. He kisses Steve and drags his lips against the short hairs of his beard. “Please.”

‘Please’ is Bucky’s way of asking for things he’s ashamed to want. Steve knows this well by now. So he hums in approval and tells him he’s a good boy, and he starts to fuck him again, this time letting his self control go enough to start seeking his own release. When he’s close he grunts a warning, but he knows Bucky can feel his knot growing erect, can feel it tugging more with every thrust, and he hasn't pulled away. He pushes into it, legs wrapping around Steve’s waist and holding him deep as he comes and ties them together.

Steve moans through it, eyes slammed shut because holy fuck does it feel good. Bucky’s cunt is so tight and wet and perfect. The sheer, primal satisfaction Steve gets from burying his knot and emptying his balls into a willing omega while he comes and comes and comes is the best feeling in the world. He registers Bucky’s body locking down in another orgasm, and it only prolongs his own. “Uhfuck,” he moans, humping into it, face buried in Bucky’s neck and mouth latching onto his gland in a hard suck. Bucky keens and Steve thinks he comes again from the stimulation, but he’s too blissed out in his own, drawn-out pleasure to be sure.

It feels like it lasts forever, but eventually they both come down. Steve rubs his face over every part of Bucky he can reach, a reassuring and possessive gesture, and Bucky hums little sounds of satisfaction as he lets it happen. When Steve pulls back enough to look him in the face, Bucky is totally relaxed, his heavy-lidded eyes blinking slowly up at him. Steve smiles and strokes his cheek. “You’re purring, you realize that?”

Bucky huffs and makes a face, but Steve can tell that he’s pleased. “Can’t help it,” he murmurs.

“You’re not supposed to help it,” Steve says happily. He can feel how relaxed Bucky is, can feel it so intimately from the bond. And it feels good in a way that’s intensely pleasurable but not exactly sexual, to be tied to him right now, his knot held snug inside his body. Steve sighs and gives him a lazy kiss. “It usually takes me about fifteen minutes,” he murmurs, knowing that Bucky will know what he means. They trade kisses and he asks, “You want to cum again?” He rolls his hips a little in indication.

Bucky smiles and shivers at the jolt of stimulation. “I don’t know if I can,” he says, but he rocks into their tie a few times to test it out. His breathing picks back up, the tension returning to his body as he works himself to another orgasm on Steve’s knot. It feels good for Steve but he can’t come again so soon, so he focuses on giving Bucky pressure, on encouraging him with sweet sounds and praise rumbled into his ear. Bucky exhales long and low after he comes that final time, relaxing again. “Oh, man.”

Steve smiles against his neck. “Feel good?” He’s nuzzling against the bond mark.

“Duh.”

He laughs softly, satisfied and beyond pleased that he’s just been able to bring Bucky to orgasm … five times? Six? One of those. He asks him if he wants to roll over together, so that Bucky can lie on top. “You can fall asleep if you want.”

Bucky makes a thoughtful noise and yawns and asks if that will be uncomfortable for Steve. “Mmm. Won’t I be too heavy?”

Steve rolls his eyes and holds onto Bucky's hips as he turns them, putting the omega on top and letting him settle into the new position. Bucky seems happy to rub his cheek against Steve’s pecs and chest hair, quickly growing still and quiet, though there is the faintest hint of a purr still coming from him.

Steve closes his eyes and lets his mind drift as he pets the smooth skin of Bucky’s back. He’s extremely content right now, primally satisfied in a way that only this can make him. Helping an omega feel good through their heat, helping them find that relief, is the absolute best feeling in the world. And Steve is so thankful he’s the one who gets to help Bucky now. The poor kid’s been through the wringer and he deserves a fucking break. He deserves to be treated like something precious.

Steve plans on doing just that. Peeking his eyes open, he glances around the mussed nest, spotting several blankets that’ve come loose from where they were tucked neatly in formation. Bucky’ll probably want to fix it before they go again, Steve thinks with a smile. They’re both still overheated from their sex, but once they cool down and lose the tie, he'll snuggle Bucky into the soft things around them, hold him close and watch over him until his heat peaks again.

After a long few minutes of his breathing deepening and slowing down, Bucky begins to snore the tiniest, most adorable snore ever, right against Steve’s pec. Steve chuckles and reaches for the nearest loose blanket.

There’s a simple blood draw chair next to the suite’s medical supply cabinet. Steve makes Bucky sit in it while he gets everything ready. Given that omegas tend to become dehydrated during heats, he selects a pediatric butterfly needle for the draw. Bucky whines from the moment Steve ties the tourniquet and starts tapping around for a vein.

“But Steeeve: I hate needles.”

In Steve’s experience, roughly a third of all patients are lookers, and the rest are looker-awayers. Bucky falls into the previous camp, needing to know exactly when the jab is coming. He still complains ad nauseam, and Steve catches on fairly quickly that he’s half doing it just to annoy him. It’s amusing.

The omega maintains his grumpy little grimace the whole time that Steve is taking his blood. “Hate needles,” he mutters, again, then gasps when Steve has the audacity to pinch him in retaliation. “Hey!”

“It’s already in, you big baby.” Steve removes the second collection tube and pops on the third, glancing up at Bucky’s face as it fills. “Stop looking, if it bothers you.” Bucky scowls at him. Steve finishes up with the whole process and has Bucky hold the cotton ball in place while he goes to root around for a bandaid in the supply cabinet. He grins when he sees the perfect box sitting there. Someone’s been stealing from Pediatrics. He rips the box open and hands one of the bandaids over to Bucky. “My little Pony, just for you, Princess.”

Bucky stubbornly takes it, slapping on the bright pink bandage and looking down at its pattern of googly-eyed little unicorn characters. He shrugs and looks defiantly up at Steve from his seat. “Whatever. I like it.”

Steve rolls his eyes. “Course you do.” He plucks a specimen cup from the cabinet and tosses it over. “Pee in the cup,” he says cheerfully. “Past the red line at least.”

Bucky complains less about this. He sighs and heaves himself up from the chair. Steve busies himself with labeling the blood vials while Bucky disappears into the bathroom. Bucky comes back out with the filled specimen cup. The dark color tells Steve that he was right to go with the butterfly needle.

“One, steaming-hot cup‘o’piss,” Bucky drawls, handing it over. “What’s this for, anyway?”

Steve’s still wearing gloves as he labels and bags the cup. “Just checking your progress,” he answers vaguely. “You had infection when they admitted you. The doctor ordered repeats on all your labs.” Luckily, Bucky doesn’t ask for any specifics, which is a relief. Steve would be legally obligated to tell him if he did.

The blood is for typical panels, but the urine is mainly to recheck for pregnancy. Hospital policy is to test throughout any patient’s heat where a support alpha or seeding machine is employed. Lab-manufactured seeding solution is sterilized, and Steve’s on the mandatory birth control for his position, but mistakes can happen, so they test for malpractice reasons.

He checks the clock and tenses when he sees that it’s already three-twenty. “Crap,” he whispers. Only ten minutes until the meeting with legal. He hurriedly starts collecting the cup and the vials in a little basket. He can drop it off at the nurses’ station, then if he gets like a three minute shower he’ll probably still have time to—

“What’s wrong?”

Steve pauses. He looks over to where Bucky has flopped back on the bed. The nest is a mess but Bucky seems unconcerned at the moment, attention fixed on the room’s tv screen as he fiddles with the remote to bring up Netflix. Steve tells him, “I’ve got that meeting, remember? They want me there in a few minutes.”

Bucky nods, getting distracted as he finds the horror section and starts scrolling through the titles. “Oh.”

“... You gonna be okay?” Steve checks. Bucky has seemed to be in the lull of a dip for the past half hour or so. It’s likely he won’t peak again for at least two more hours, and Steve has no intention of being gone for that long. “If I leave you here alone for a bit?” he adds. “I won’t be gone long. And you can page the nurses for anything you need.”

Bucky finally looks back over at him and smiles. “Yeah. ‘Course.” He waves Steve off, digging himself back into the messy remnants of the nest and clicking on what looks to Steve to be some sort of torture porn flick. Gross. “I’ll be fine.”

Between that and the bond, Steve can tell that Bucky really is feeling okay about being left alone for a time. Exhaling in relief, he turns for the door.

“What the fuck, Rogers?” Sharon snaps at him when he’s passing by. The next nurses are on shift at the desk and Sharon’s got her purse in hand, about to clock out. She’s pointing accusingly at Steve’s naked feet. “Gross!”

Steve grimaces just to avoid rolling his eyes at her. He’s in a hurry, okay? “Sorry!” He hustles down to the staff locker room and grabs a towel and pair of disposable shower shoes, because he’s not a monster. He doesn’t even give the water enough time to fully warm up before he’s stepping into the spray and yanking the curtain closed. The shower stalls are all outfitted with dispensers: shampoo, conditioner, and hospital grade scent-neutralizing body wash. Steve lathers himself up in record time, rinses, then dries off and goes to root through the supply cage for some scrubs that are big enough to fit his shoulders. He’d left his clogs in the heat suite, so he’s forced to don a pair of unisex keds that’re at least a half size too small, and that’s the best he’s going to manage. He glances at his phone: 3:29. Fuck.

There’s a missed text alert, too.

Clint Omcare guy [Today 3:22 pm]: You coming? We’re using the Soc. conference room.

Steve grinds his teeth and hurries for the elevators.

Most of Mercy General’s administrative staff is located on ground level. Steve takes the B elevator down to put him out closest to the building’s east wing, where social services, legal, and financial aid are all located. He pushes through the conference room door at precisely 3:33.

Six faces turn his way. Steve stalls as he tries to apologize for being late. “Sorry. Hope I didn’t hold things up. I was …” he twists his lips, not knowing a polite way to say ‘balls deep in our patient’. “Sorry,” he says again, pulling out one of the available chairs and sitting. He looks around. Phil’s there at the head of the table. Clint is sitting next to Sam, the woman from legal on his other side and Steve next to her.

The other two people, a man and a woman, sit isolated on the opposite side of the conference table. They stick out in their plainclothes, and Steve knows they must be the ones who are trying to get Bucky back. They’re from the cult.

The man looks like he's in his seventies, with mostly silver hair pulled back in a gross little ponytail. He’s older, but tall and broad in a way that hints he might’ve been an athlete, back in his prime. He’s got a look of authority about him, a stern face and the sort of posture that makes it clear he’s the kind of guy who’s used to getting his way.

The woman is much smaller and nearly diminutive in comparison. She seems meek, right down to her mousy brown hair and modest dress. She'd glanced up when Steve first entered the room, but now she’s back to keeping her eyes downcast and her hands tucked in her lap.

Steve instantly dislikes the both of them because he knows what they’ve done. He knows about the abusive way Bucky’s been treated and the messed up things he’s been raised to believe. These people, whoever they are, are responsible for Bucky nearly dying.

Phil is nearing the tail end of his introduction of Steve, explaining how Steve is the alpha support who’s been seeing Bucky through his heat. Disgust is already curling the old man’s lip as Steve nods in confirmation and says, “Hi,” without too much friendliness in his tone. “I’m Steve Rogers. I work on the hospital’s omega OB GYN ward. I’ve been caring for Bucky.”

The man scoffs. “Is that what he’s told you his name is?” When Steve and everyone else from that side of the table just stare at him, the man says, “His name is James.”

“And a last name?” Clint is holding his pen poised over a stack of forms. “Sir?”

The man shakes his head. “We forswear our earthly family names. James is simply James.”

“... Uh huh.” Clint looks about as unimpressed as Steve feels. “And your name is? Sir?”

“I am Russel. His father.” After a beat, the man seems to remember himself and flicks his hand at the woman seated next to him. “This is Rebecca. His mother.”

Steve catches Sam shooting him a dubious look from down the way. He gives Sam a matching look and a little nod back. This dude’s lying. Steve pulls out his phone, careful to keep it below the level of the conference table. He searches for the Wikipedia page on The Children of God’s Kingdom. When he finds what he’s looking for, he glances up. “You’re Russel Wheeler,” he says, confronting the man. “The head of your little religious group.”

Wheeler’s face goes stony but he holds his chin up. “I told you who I am.”

“Right. Bucky’s father.”

“James’ father,” he corrects. He and Steve kind of glare at each other from over the table for a long moment, until Phil clears his throat and says,

“Nurse Rogers has been booked into your son’s heat suite these past thirty-six hours. He’s the one who’s been most closely involved with James’ care. I promise you he only has your son’s best interests at heart.”

Steve watches as Wheeler’s face deepens in disgust. “'Heat',” he repeats, saying the word like it’s something dirty. “James was on suppressants. He shouldn’t be in heat.”

Steve leans forward in his chair. “We took them out. Suppressants are illegal for omegas under twenty-one,” he says. “You broke the law by putting that poison in him.”

Wheeler scowls. “I’m his father.”

“His biological father?” Steve challenges.

“Adopted,” Wheeler grits back.

“I’m sure you’ll have adoption papers to show us then. Legal ones?” Clint says.

Wheeler says nothing.

“You know he almost died,” Steve says icily. “People in your group assaulted him, and the reaction he had afterwards almost killed him. He could have died from all the years you suppressed his heats.”

The woman at Wheeler’s side finally looks up, her eyes round with alarm. “Is he okay?” she asks. Wheeler looks sharply at her for speaking up, but she keeps looking at Steve until he answers her.

“He’s okay now,” Steve says. He’s got a feeling that this might actually be Bucky’s real mother, if her concerned look is anything to go by. She seems way too young to have a seventeen year old kid, but cults have a reputation for child marriages, and Steve can see Bucky’s eyes in her eyes. She relaxes somewhat at his reassurance. “We’re helping him to recover,” Steve says. “He should be just fine.”

The woman’s shoulders sink in relief, but she quickly withdraws again once Wheeler makes an upset noise. “We want him home,” he says. “Where is he? We’re taking him home today.”

“Sir, I’m afraid it’s not that simple. Your son has treatments that he—”

“We didn’t consent to any treatments!” Wheeler snaps, cutting Clint off and hitting the table with his hand. The woman next to him flinches. “We don’t believe in all that stuff. Boy-girls. It’s unnatural and against God.”

“Sir,” Phil tries,

“You all are infringing on our religious liberty!” Wheeler declares. He points at Steve as if he’s the mastermind behind the whole situation. “You’re perverting him and forcing him to go against his religion!”

Steve glowers while everyone else shifts in place uncomfortably. “Hey,” he hisses. “You can believe whatever you want to believe, but not when it starts to spill over and hurt other people. Bucky almost died. Don’t you get that? Your so-called ‘religion’ nearly killed him!”

Infuriatingly, all Wheeler does in response is narrow his eyes and repeat, “His name is James.”

Steve scoffs and throws himself back in the chair, fed up. He folds his arms and shakes his head. Talking logic with these people is useless. The next person to speak is Phil. He and the woman they sent down from legal try again to explain the reality of the situation the Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler: Bucky isn’t in their charge anymore. OmCare has custody now. Bucky needs to receive ongoing medical care and therapy to get well.

“Unfortunately, sir, there isn’t anything you can legally do right now,” Clint finishes up at the end of the meeting, when they’ve made absolutely no progress with Wheeler. “There will be another custody hearing in two weeks. You’ll have to bring proof of identity and of legal custodianship, and you’ll need to get a lawyer to help you if you want any chance at getting your son back.”

“You bet your ass I will,” Wheeler says, standing abruptly from the table. He points angrily at Clint, and then at Steve. “I’m not going to let you pervert him against the Lord. I’ll be back. Come on,” he says to Rebecca, and when she doesn’t move fast enough he grabs her wrist and yanks her along. “I said come on!” He storms out of the room, promising that he’ll be back and that every single one of them is doomed to go to hell because of what they’re doing. Once it’s just Phil, Clint, Sam and Steve left in the room, the air seems to double in oxygen saturation.

It’s Sam who speaks first. He lets out a low whistle. “Wow.”

“You said it,” Steve grumbles. “What a piece of work.”

Clint makes a sound of agreement, still scribbling down notes on a paper form. “Well the good news is that it’s a pretty cut and dry case. Even if they are the real parents, he just openly espoused his nutso beliefs.”

Phil’s mouth quirks and he quietly checks, “Nutso?”

“An official, scientific word,” Clint maintains. “And we have him on record admitting that he's got no intention of following any medical care directive. That's good. No judge in their right mind is going to let an omega be dragged back into that cult. Religious liberty my ass. It’s completely unsafe.”

“Good,” Steve says, happy to hear Clint express it with such certainty. If anybody knows how the system works for minors in custody disputes, it’s Clint. And it’s just one less thing for Steve to worry about. He pushes his chair out from the conference table and stands up. “If you don’t need anything else from me, I’m gonna head back up.”

Phil nods at him that he can go, and Steve leaves to go back to Bucky.

Art: @hopelessartgeek

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[et3rnal-dr3am3r]

hey guys a lil PSA here

i want y’all to know i haven’t started ch5 of cbc/calm before the storm yet and likely won’t for a bit. i’m extremely tired, physically and mentally, and ofc with christmas break being right around the corner, school’s been shoving tests quizzes projects and review in my face. on top of that, i’ve been helping my mom with christmas shopping + gifts + any chores or tasks that need to be done before christmas next week, so it just adds up to me being all around Busy. school and home combined have me feeling drained, and ofc chronic fatigue + waking up at 6am every day mon-fri doesn’t help. if i find it in me to work on anything tmr during school i’ll maybe post a sneak peak, but as of rn i barely have anything thought out for ch5 so i really don’t know. if i had the energy, i’d stay up tonight and try to write smth but again, i really don’t, so uh expect a longer wait for this one. i know i had y’all waiting w ch4 but i mean hey that one’s twice the regular length so just keep that for now while i try my best to not crash and burn

love y’all 🫶

tagging anyone who’d wanna know/is interested in cbc @urlocalweirdperson1232 @spinkleponkle @sobeksewerrat @bluexjayy @schnitzelsemmerl

[mobileblooddrawservices]

Blood Testing Services - Personalized Healthcare

Blood testing services have emerged as a cornerstone of modern healthcare, offering a window into the inner workings of our bodies. With a simple blood sample, these services can provide critical insights into our health, ranging from diagnosing diseases to monitoring treatment effectiveness. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of Blood draw at home services, exploring the wide range of tests available, their significance in healthcare, and how they empower individuals to take charge of their well-being.

The Significance of Blood Testing Services

Blood is a treasure trove of information, carrying vital clues about our health. Blood testing services have gained immense importance for several reasons:

Early Disease Detection: Blood tests can detect diseases and health conditions at an early stage, often before symptoms become apparent. Early detection allows for timely intervention and improved treatment outcomes.

Monitoring Chronic Conditions: For individuals managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and thyroid disorders, regular blood tests are essential for monitoring disease progression and treatment effectiveness.

Personalized Healthcare: Blood tests enable personalized healthcare by tailoring treatment plans and interventions based on an individual's unique health markers and needs.

Preventive Care: Blood tests play a crucial role in preventive care, identifying risk factors and enabling lifestyle adjustments to reduce the likelihood of developing certain diseases.

Treatment Guidance: Physicians use blood test results to guide treatment decisions, adjust medication dosages, and assess the impact of treatments.

The Range of Blood Tests

Blood testing services encompass a vast array of tests, each designed to assess specific aspects of health. Here are some common categories of blood tests:

Complete Blood Count (CBC): Measures various components of the blood, including red and white blood cells and platelets, providing insights into overall health.

Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP): Assesses essential metabolic functions such as glucose, calcium, and electrolyte levels.

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): Extends the BMP by including liver and kidney function tests, as well as protein levels.

Lipid Profile: Evaluates cholesterol levels, including LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, and triglycerides, to assess cardiovascular risk.

Thyroid Function Tests: Measure thyroid hormone levels, helping diagnose thyroid disorders.

Blood Glucose Tests: Assess blood sugar levels, crucial for diagnosing and managing diabetes.

Coagulation Profile: Evaluates the blood's ability to clot, important for monitoring blood thinners and diagnosing clotting disorders.

Hormone Tests: Measure hormone levels, including sex hormones, thyroid hormones, and adrenal hormones.

Infectious Disease Testing: Detects antibodies or antigens for infections such as HIV, hepatitis, and Lyme disease.

Cancer Markers: Blood tests can identify specific markers associated with certain cancers, aiding in diagnosis and monitoring.

Vitamin and Mineral Levels: Assess levels of essential nutrients like vitamin D, vitamin B12, and iron.

The Process of Blood Testing

The process of blood testing typically involves the following steps:

Sample Collection: A trained healthcare professional collects a blood sample, usually from a vein in the arm, using a needle and syringe or a vacuum tube.

Sample Processing: The collected blood is processed in a laboratory to separate the various components for analysis.

Laboratory Testing: Specialized equipment and techniques are used to measure specific markers in the blood sample accurately.

Result Reporting: Test results are reported to the patient and their healthcare provider. Many blood testing services offer online access to results for convenience.

Blood testing services are a cornerstone of modern healthcare, offering a wealth of information about our health and well-being. They enable early disease detection, personalized treatment plans, and preventive care, ultimately empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health. Regular blood testing, in collaboration with healthcare providers, is a powerful tool for maintaining and enhancing one's health throughout life. By understanding the significance of blood tests and their role in personalized healthcare, individuals can embark on a journey toward optimal well-being and longevity.

Certainly, here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about blood testing services:

What are blood testing services?

Blood testing services are healthcare facilities or providers that offer a range of tests and analyses using blood samples to assess various aspects of an individual's health, including disease detection, monitoring chronic conditions, and evaluating overall well-being.

Why are blood tests important?

Blood tests are crucial for early disease detection, monitoring chronic conditions, guiding treatment decisions, assessing risk factors, and promoting preventive care. They provide valuable insights into an individual's health.

How is a blood sample collected?

A trained healthcare professional typically collects a blood sample from a vein in the arm using a needle and syringe or a vacuum tube. The procedure is relatively quick and generally causes minimal discomfort.

What types of tests can be performed with a blood sample?

Blood testing services offer a wide range of tests, including complete blood counts, metabolic panels, lipid profiles, thyroid function tests, blood glucose tests, hormone tests, infectious disease testing, cancer marker tests, and vitamin/mineral level assessments, among others.

How long does it take to get blood test results?

The turnaround time for blood test results varies depending on the specific tests conducted and the laboratory's processing time. Some results may be available within a few hours, while others may take a few days.

Are blood test results confidential?

Yes, blood test results are confidential and protected by patient privacy laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Only authorized healthcare professionals and the patient have access to these results.

Can I request specific blood tests?

Yes, many blood testing services allow patients to request specific tests based on their healthcare needs and preferences. You can discuss your testing requirements with the provider or your healthcare practitioner.

How often should I get blood tests done?

The frequency of blood tests depends on your age, overall health, family history, and any specific medical conditions you may have. Your healthcare provider can recommend an appropriate schedule for blood tests.

Do I need to fast before certain blood tests?

Some blood tests, like fasting blood glucose and lipid profiles, require fasting for a specific period (usually 8-12 hours) before the test to obtain accurate results. Your healthcare provider will provide instructions if fasting is necessary.

Are blood tests covered by insurance?

The coverage of blood tests by insurance may vary depending on your insurance provider, policy, and the specific tests being conducted. It's advisable to check with your insurance company to understand the extent of coverage.

Can I access my blood test results online?

Many blood testing services offer online portals or apps where patients can access their test results securely. This provides convenient access to your health information.

How can I find a reliable blood testing service near me?

You can search online for blood testing services in your area, ask your healthcare provider for recommendations, or use healthcare directories to locate nearby facilities. Reading reviews and checking accreditation can help you make an informed choice.

Blood testing services play a crucial role in healthcare by providing valuable information that guides diagnosis, treatment, and preventive care. If you have specific questions about blood testing or require particular tests, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or a trusted blood testing service provider.

Read more at website: http://www.mobileblooddrawservices.com/

[laresearchette]

Friday, September 13, 2024 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: HOW TO DIE ALONE (Disney + Star) IN VOGUE: THE 90S (Disney + Star) CHOPPER COPS (Paramount+ Canada) DORA (Season 2) (Paramount+ Canada) UFO COWBOYS (The Roku Channel) THREE WOMEN (Starz Canada) 10:00pm

WHAT IS NOT PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT? THE 76TH EMMYS: A NIGHT OF FIRSTS (ABC Feed)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

AMAZON PRIME CANADA DREAM DEALS EN FIN THE FALL GUY NO ACTIVITY (Season 2) OSORONGA WNBA: NEW YORK LIBERTY AT DALLAS WINGS

CBC GEM THE BROKEN HEARTS GALLERY LOUDERMILK (Season 3)

CRAVE TV THE AMAZING RACE CANADA (Season 10) AUTUMN AND THE BLACK JAGUAR JOHNNY MNEMONIC A MIGHTY WIND SEAGRASS SONG OF THE SEA SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME THREE WOMEN WEATHERING WITH YOU WHEN NIGHT IS FALLING

DISNEY + STAR HOW TO DIE ALONE (four-episode premiere) IN VOGUE: THE 90S (first three episodes) LEGO STAR WARS: REBUILD THE GALAXY (all episodes) FX’S THE OLD MAN (Season 2, two-episode premiere)

NETFLIX CANADA OFFICER BLACK BELT (KR) SECTOR 36 (IN) UGLIES

MLB BASEBALL (SN Now) 6:30pm: Mets vs. Phillies (Apple TV+) 6:30pm: Dodgers vs. Atlanta (Apple TV+) 6:30pm: Red Sox vs. Yankees (SN) 7:00pm: Cardinals vs. Jays (SN1) 7:00pm: Rays vs. Guardians (SN1) 10:00pm: Rangers vs. Mariners

AUTUMN AND THE BLACK JAGUAR (Crave) 7:15pm: After years in New York City, 14-year-old Autumn returns to the Amazon rainforest to save her childhood village and beloved jaguar friend.

WNBA BASKETBALL (TSN3/TSN4) 7:30pm: Aces vs. Fever

THE REAL CROWN: INSIDE THE HOUSE OF WINDSOR (CBC) 8:00pm/9:00pm: Members of The Royal Family wrestle with the ultimate dilemma: whether to choose love over duty to The Crown. In Episode Two, the Royal Family come face to face with danger. Heir to the throne Prince Charles has yet to find a bride, placing the future of the monarchy in peril.

REPOSSESSED (History Channel Canada) 8:00pm/9:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): On a trip to the Deep South, Moe and his team visit a giant limestone cave that is the namesake of this haunted town. In Episode Two, Moe brings the team to Eastern Ontario to the scene of one of his most terrifying previous investigations.

FRIDAY NIGHT THUNDER (APTN) 8:30pm: Rookie Allan Downey races in the faster, fiercer and more expensive 360 class for the first time; on a rough and wild track, he contends with numerous challenges that test even the most experienced drivers.

THE CASES OF MYSTERY LANE (W Network) 9:00pm: Alden and Birdie Case find a new way to keep the mystery in their marriage alive; Alden takes classes to become a private investigator and Birdie may hold the key to solving one of his mysteries.

SEAGRASS (Crave) 9:00pm: A Japanese-Canadian woman grapples with the death of her mother as she brings her family to a retreat. When her relationship with her husband begins to impact the children's emotional security, the family is forever changed.

CFL FOOTBALL (TSN/TSN3/TSN4/TSN5) 10:00pm: Argos vs. Lions

RORY SCOVEL: RELIGION, SEX AND A FEW THINGS IN BETWEEN (CTV Comedy) 11:00pm: Scovel takes the stage at Minneapolis' Goodale Theater to offer his observations on disparate subjects.