The nurse closes the door as Charlotte lifts her head while attempting to take deep breaths.
“You’ve looked pale all morning. Maybe it’s not nerves. It could be a stomach bug. The daycare always has something new spreading.”
Charlotte closes her eyes, then winces. Her hands move to her stomach as she clutches it, obviously in pain.
“Okay, look at me,” I beg of her, now worried. “Show me where it hurts?”
She drops her hand toward her stomach, and then she inches lower.
“Why don’t we have a doctor check you out? We are in a hospital,” I remind her.
“But you’re a doctor,” Charlotte croaks. “You check me out.”
I grab onto her arm, concerned she may faint. “Baby, I’m not equipped, and I’m worried. This vasectomy can wait. I won’t go in with you feeling this unwell.”
Beside the sink inside the room is a sick bag. I pass it to Charlotte as we exit the room toward the reception area. The nurse, which previously checked on us, notices us walking toward her.
“You don’t look so well, Mrs. Edwards,” she cross-examines from across the desk.
“I want my wife checked out immediately. If my surgery needs to be postponed, then so be it.”
“You can leave Mrs. Edwards with me, and I’ll have her checked out while you still have the surgery?”
I shake my head in disapproval. “No, sorry. I will not leave her in this state. I don’t care who I need to speak to, send them my way. My priority is my wife.”
The nurse nods with timid eyes. Great, now I’ve scared her. Thankfully, she scurries away and returns with a doctor a few minutes later.
“Mr. Edwards, I’m Dr. Rooney. If you follow me, I’ll examine your wife.”
We walk across the corridor to a small examination room. Dr. Rooney is a young doctor, much to my annoyance. Not that I’m one to ever observe someone’s looks, but the guy is attractive.He better not look at Charlotte in a compromising way.
“Mrs. Edwards, if you can, please lie down on the table and just point out where it hurts.”
Charlotte manages to lie on the table as I stand beside her. Dr. Rooney presses his hands softly where Charlotte indicates the pain was felt. With his stethoscope, he listens to her heartbeat. Moments later, he removes it from his ears.
“How long have you been presenting symptoms?”
“Just today,” Charlotte answers.
“Have you been exposed to anyone with similar symptoms?” he continues to question. “There are a number of viral infections circulating.”
“Uh… no. Our girls have all been well.”
He nods, then glances at me. “How many children do you have?”
“Three girls,” I answer for Charlotte.
“And you were here for a vasectomy, correct?”
My brows draw in. “Yes, what are you getting at?”
“Have you been using contraceptives?”
Charlotte clears her throat. “Yes, I was on the pill.”
“Was?” I blurt out.
“I stopped a week ago because I knew you were getting the snip.”