Doctor's Orders
Posted on Wednesday 29 August 2018 @ 05:35 by Lieutenant Michael Ki MD
Mission:
The New Collective
Location: Sickbay/USS Merlin
Timeline: Following "Welcome to the Jungle"
1581 words - 3.2 OF Standard Post Measure
Stephanie arrived in Sickbay. She had never been a fan of Doctors, and she had to be in what she refrred to as 'kill me now levels of pain' before she would go see one... Or she had to be under orders from her new XO. The latter being the case, she decided that it was best to get it over with as soon as she could.
Michael was going over the final crew transfers and scheduling their physicals when he heard the doors to Sick Bay open for the second time that day. He cocked an eyebrow and sighed deeply and the interruption. He came from his office and saw a red headed human woman who wore the yellow of Starfleet Operations. He however, did not recognize her face. What Dr Ki did not realize is that right before he left his office the file on one Stephanie O'hara had come up on the screen. He smiled as he welcomed the newcomer. "Good day Lieutenant. Is there something that I can help you with?"
"Lieutenant Stephanie O'Hara," She said by way of introduction. "I'm here for my intake physical." She extended her hand. She wasn't too overly happy about being here, but her dismay wasn't the doctor's fault. No need to upset the apple cart...
“I am Doctor Michael Ki, the Chief Medical Officer. If a physical is what you need, then you have come to the right place. Lieutenant please have a seat on the biobed and we can get this over with as quickly as humanly possible.” Michael motioned to a bed and went over to the tool cart to fetch a medical tricorder as he spoke. When he returned to the bio bed he smiled at the young woman. “Forgive me Lieutenant I am still becoming familiar with the crew. What is your position on the Merlin.”
"It says 'Sickbay' on th' door outside. If I'm na in th' right place, someone switched yer signs." She hopped up on the Biobed. "I'm th' new Chief Engineer," She said with a little pride.
“Computer begin recording, medical intake physical for O’Hara Stephanie, Rank Lieutenant, Station Chief Engineering Officer USS Merlin. Doctor Michael Ki Chief Medical Officer USS Merlin conducting.” The computer chimed it’s acknowledgement. Michael began to scan the woman “Lieutenant O’Hara is a 28 year old, human female. She presents in good physical health. Tell me Lieutenant do you have any medical issues that we should be aware of?”
"Nope," Stephanie responded. "I'm fit as a fiddle." She pantomimed playing a fiddle for a couple of seconds. She looked as if she wanted to say something else, but held her tongue
Michael looked at the readout as it appeared on the wall behind the biobed. The Lieutenant was correct she was fit but there was something that bothered him. "Lieutenant, I hope you understand that as your doctor you can tell me everything. I must ask you how often do you consume alcohol? While these readings confirm that you are as you say fit as a fiddle. They also show that there is some minor damage to your liver. This damage can only be caused by the consumption of alcohol. If you would like I can repair the damage." Michael crossed his arms. It was one thing to be sick or have a disease, but it was an entire different thing to cause damage to your own body. Ms O'Hara would have to understand that unless she get sick.
Stephanie looked truly shocked. "Minor damage? MINOR? I've been puttin' th' poor girl through her paces f'r years now and the best I could do was 'minor'?" Her mock indignation was obviously meant as a joke. It was in short order she realized the doctor wasn't laughing with her.
Michael deadpanned and looked at her. "You really need to stop with alcohol. I am not saying don't drink. Lord knows that Starfleet drives everyone to hit the bottle. I am saying stick to synthohol not alcohol. Your liver will thank you for it. Now with your consent I can repair the damage. It is a minor procedure. Do you consent?"
Stephanie shook her head at the doctor. This is not the first time she's been told she needs to stop drinking. Not even the first time she had been told by a medical professional. She took a deep breath and spoke with practiced ease... Like she'd dome this before. "I'm from a culture that coined th' name whiskey from th' words tha' meant water 'o life." She said flatly. "M' people have been usin' it medicinally f'r thousands o' years. Who'm I t' fly in th' face o' tradition?"
“And I am from a culture that at one point forced women to wear wooden shoes and would ritualistically beat them if they did not call men sir and remain subservient. I appreciate culture and heritage as much as you if not more so. You ask who are you well you are woman of the 24th century and in this time we know certain things that your ancestors did not. That said if you want to honor them by all means do so. But do it with synthahol and remain healthy to continue to honor them.” Michael sighed and set his instruments down. “Listen, at this moment I do not speak to you as your doctor or CMO. I speak to you as a fellow human and perhaps friend. You should stop hurting yourself and poisoning your body. That said I will be happy to repair the damage right now. However, I caution you I can only perform this procedure a limited number of times. Furthermore, I will keep this from the Captain as doctor/patient confidentiality applies here. However, if I ever catch you on duty and inebriated I will relieve you of duty and report you. I hope you can understand that. While I cannot physically stop you from hurting yourself I can stop you from endangering this ship and it’s crew.” The look on the doctor’s face was not stern nor was it a look of anger. It was simply put sympathetic, he truly felt for this woman. Her connection to her heritage resembled his own and in that he found a kinship.
In spite of the fact that it sounded kindly, a righteous indignation began to arise in the Engineer at the implication that she would be drunk on duty. She did her best to stamp it down, as she had already had this conversation with the XO. She thought for a couple moments. "If I don' concent, what're th' risks t' my health?"
"Cancer, Chlorosis of the Liver, jaundice, brain malfunction, the list goes on. All of those things should they happen 100% curable. But here is the kick in the arse. To cure it we simply remove your liver and replace it with a mechanical one. Once that is done no more drinking period. No alcohol and no synthahol, as they will cause the liver to malfunction." Michael paused for a second and glanced at his office. "Lieutenant you see that kettle and cups sitting on my desk. That is a traditional Sake set that has been in my family for generations. My ancestors used to make Sake by hand it was basically rice moonshine. I drink a synthetic version of that. If my ancestors knew that they would curse me and spin in their graves. However, from time to time I indulge to honor their sacrifices. I am not saying give it up entirely, I'm saying use the real stuff for special occasions. The alternative is lose it all eventually. All I can ask is for you to consider it."
Stephanie pursed her lips. "Izzat all?" She asked in reference to the laundry list of maladies. Her tone was more than a bit sarcastic. "I'll give it a good think. I take it there's na an immediate risk to my health?" She cocked her head to one side, and her hair moved away from her data port, glinting briefly against the lights of sick bay before it fell back to cover it. She eyed the sake jug and smiled warmly, her eyes lighting up just a bit. "Perhaps ya can invite me along on th' trip th' next time ya decided to indulge. We can toast our ancestors and what magnificent bastards they all were. I'll treat ya t' a nip o' genuine Irish Whiskey."
"At the moment you are I believe the saying is fit as a fiddle. Dr Michael Ki Chief Medical Offier USS Merlin do hereby certify that Lieutenant Stephanie O'Hara is clear and fit for duty as of the current stardate. Computer end recording" Michael turned toward Stephanie and smirked. "You know I think I would like that, you bring the whiskey and I will bring the sake."
"Deal," O'Hara Nodded, smiling broadly. "I assume I'm free t' go?"
"You are indeed..." Michael replied. "Lieutenant just think about what I said, that is all I ask." He called over he shoulder as she left.
Dr Michael Ki
CMO USS Merlin
LTjg Stephanie O'Hara
Chief Engineer
USS Merlin
