Infirmary (Main Sickbay)

[Samuel J. Grant]

Infirmary (Main Sickbay)

A place where simmers can Simm treating character flaws, accidental injuries, physicals, chance run ins, etc...

(Note: These posts are 'out of sync' with the timeline of the Main Story. Thus, if in the Main Story the Starship is being boarded or under attack, on these boards it's just a normal day. Remember - the Cold Harbor is a living ship, so many things can occur at once; please Simm freely!)

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[Samuel J. Grant]

By no means did he want to, nor had he looked forward to it, rather not sleeping well the night before either, Samuel had started his day with his two large cups of CAFF and a heavy heart, knowing he had to go see Doctor Jackson today. It was seeing her that got him all frizzled, he had no ill will towards the Doctor, and found her company rather enjoyable for someone from the medical field, but it was the reason for his visit that bothered him; his damned physical.

Having finished his last CAFF, and his sonic shower for the morning, he adorned his standard uniform, the tunic currently unfastened, and replaced his glass in replicator. He walked back to the bedroom, where Ann was still sleeping, and kissed her softly on the forehead, before leaving for the day. He smiled as she stirred ever so slightly, turned and headed out of his quarters; habitual PADD in his hand. He was well aware not to cross not just a medical officer, but a CMO, as they would literally storm the bridge and remove who they needed for whatever reason they felt necessary.

He greeted several of the crew as he passed by them, finished buttoning up his tunic, and tugging it taunt, and proceeded down to Sickbay; each foot step becoming more and more difficult. After a few minute hike, he rounded the corridor corner to the main doors to Sickbay, and nodded at the stationed Security Officers there. “Gentlemen.” He said shortly “Colonel.” Came their equally short reply. Samuel’s expert ability to read people showed they were trying not to snicker, as they new how uncomfortable doctors made him feel; not many things bothered The Colonel, Doctors and Ann seemed to be the top two. He shook his head at both guards, tried to make a note to have Zek give them extra duty somewhere doing something, and entered Sickbay.

Finding the area in general application, and no major emergencies going on, he sighed defeatidly realizing there was no way to avoid this, and took a few more steps in. He walked over to Doctor Jackson’s Office and knocked on the door, finding the office empty. He sighed, figured it was his chance to escape, and turned to leave, finding the good doctor had come up right behind him; he gasped quickly inwardly in surprise “Baahh! Don’t do that; you’re gonna give me a heart condition and I know you don’t want me around that much…” he tried to smile warmly but he was sure that it looked forced.

“Well, I told ya I’d come, and here I be… No need remove me kicking and screaming from The Bridge…” his normal air-of-calm and relaxation reasserting itself, his easy-going personality taking back over “Unless, you’d hoped to do that?”

[Dr. Sabina Jackson]

Sabina notices Colonel Grant enter and wander to her office like he hoped he could sneak back out if she wasn't there. She puts down the inventory PADD and goes up behind him so he can't sneak out.

“Baahh! Don’t do that; you’re gonna give me a heart condition and I know you don’t want me around that much…” he tried to smile warmly but he was sure that it looked forced.

"Sorry sir. I didn't mean to scare you." She smiles with genuine warmth.

"Well, I told ya I’d come, and here I be… No need remove me kicking and screaming from The Bridge…” his normal air-of-calm and relaxation reasserting itself, his easy-going personality taking back over “Unless, you’d hoped to do that?”

"Darn, I was hoping to find a reason to exercise my 'powers'." She grins. "But I'm glad you came in willingly. You're setting a good example. I promise to make this as painless as possible." She sincerely means it. She had no wish to make people uncomfortable. "Is there anything you are concerned about?"

[Samuel J. Grant]

"Darn, I was hoping to find a reason to exercise my 'powers'." She grins. Samuel tried to control himself, but he couldn’t, and just rolled his eyes and sighed humouredly "But I'm glad you came in willingly. You're setting a good example. I promise to make this as painless as possible." He was sure she sincerely meant it, but it still didn’t help him much.

"Is there anything you are concerned about?" he sighed, and turned towards one of the back exam rooms, raising his right hand “Please.” He walked into the room with Dr. Jackson, and eyed the bio-bed reproachfully. He knew the ‘jig was up’ the minute that he sat down on the thing and it began to take readings. He’d never liked doctors growing up, for no real reason he could lay a finger on, just never did. His injury from a few years back only made matters MUCH more difficult. There were generally only 3 people that knew of the injury he suffered from during his assignments, his CO, him and the CMO; now that made two, as he was Commanding Officer.

It was his ‘Achilles heel’, his ‘Trojan horse’, one of his deepest and darkest secrets. But it was both an blessing and a curse at the same time, if it weren’t for the curse, he’d be dead and wouldn’t have to worry about it. That not withstanding, things weren’t always as they seemed, and he worked hard to keep knowledge of it to a minimum; to carry what you hate… it ate a person. Which also contributed to his migraines and an ulcer he’d had a year or so prior.

“Look,” he met the Doctor’s eyes, and saw that level of innocence and pure wish to help others sparkle, and sighed heavily “aside from my several ‘concerns’, you and I have to talk about something a little more serious.” He reached over, turned the bio-bed officially off, and then sat down on the bed, sighing heavily; both because of his confession and because his knee’s been a bit stiff lately.

“A few years back, I got pretty screwed up in a fight… well, that’s putting it lightly, actually I shouldn’t be here even talking to you, I should have been buried somewhere and have gotten a 21 phaser salute…” he winced as he reset himself on the bed, trying to get comfortable; currently a loosing battle. “Long story short, I have an issue with my left leg, from my toes up to knee, that has yet to finish healing.” Before he could say anymore, he noticed that Doctor Jackson seemed undeterred and was obtaining a medical tri-corder to scan his knee, like any doctor would do when being told of an injury. He placed his hands on hers and the tri-corder, keeping in closed an extra moment.

“First off, whatever happens in this room, stays between you and I…” he could see she was thinking of ‘doctor patient privilege’, and he nodded slowly “It goes beyond medical information Doctor Jackson, there’s security clearance and concerns regarding it as well.” He sighed, and leaned back, placed his leg up onto the bio-bed, allowing the other one to dangle off the side, and looked back upon Sabina “Secondly, whatever, you do, don’t scream…” he pulled back his pant leg, and it showed signs of heavy trauma. There were multiple bumps and scars from his knee down to his ankle, the scars were of obvious surgical make and the bumps were firm to the touch, as they covered augmetics just below the skin. He wasn’t surprised that Sabina didn’t seem too horrified by it initially, as he was sure she’d seen her share of ‘battle scars’ over the years. But it wasn’t until she activated her tri-corder that she’d notice the horror; they were Borg augmetics.

Medical Tri-Corder Readings:

The readings would show that Sam still had the original and natural ‘bone’ in his entire leg, but that it was wrapped over half its length in Borg augmetics, which were pinned and bolted into the bone.

The Borg ‘implants’ ran in a circular conduit that looped around his knee, down through his leg and ankle, then connected again making the full circle. This implant connected through the muscle allowing only ‘fluid’ (blood, cells, the virus, etc.) to be taken into the implant, but did not have an obvious exit of any kind; basically the clean blood vessels were absorbed back into the blood stream, and the process continued itself again.

Sam’s knee, which often bothered him, was due to the connected of the augmetics, and the natural bone, muscle and joint; all three never really got along. The best way he could describe it, was ‘severe arthritis, and them some’ when it acted up.

It was obvious to why it was a secret, as it was an experimental surgery, and the possibility of it going wrong was always on peoples mind, but Samuel had a distinguished career, part of the reason that his ship survived that day, and had an influential Captain supporting him; so, the act was secured away as a secrete known only to Starfleet Security, now the CRV, Samuel’s Ship/Base CO and the CMO of his assigned area; they were the only ones that were to know and had access to his files.

Short history on his injury (majority of the story told as his prequel; still being written, but posted as his ‘personal story’ on this board):

In short, Sam was infected with a degenerative disease that ate cells and organs in a matter of minutes; such a weapon was created and deployed by the Romulan Star Empire’s Tal’shiar, to be used to closely and painfully kill someone over a short timeframe (around 10-15 minutes). There was also no cure, as the virus was an aggressive nano-probe like genetically engineer virus.

The solution wasn’t a simple amputation, because the disease infects the entire body within a few minutes, and at the same time that it begins killing the body, the body can’t live without the infection. With the help of Samuel’s fiancé at the time (an expert engineer), and his ships Chief Medical Officer and Surgeon, they were able to place this Borg implant (which engineers and science officers were study aboard his ship) directly on the leg that suffered the stab wound, and use it as a filter.

As Samuel’s heart pumps blood through his body, it transports the infection too, as it ends up in his leg, it is filtered through the implant and the Borg Nanites destroy the infection and absorb the blood as well, thus allowing only a ‘little’ of the virus to remain, just enough to allow Sam to live, but not enough to kill him. It was by no means the perfect solution, but it was the only one they had at the time to save his life; which they did do, albeit with a bit of horror to it.

[Dr. Sabina Jackson]

She goes with him to the exam room. He has a serious look on his face. She suspects that this might be about the classified part of his medical file, so she makes sure the door is secure.

“Look, aside from my several ‘concerns’, you and I have to talk about something a little more serious.”

Her suspicions are confirmed as he then turns off the biobed. She doesn't move to assist him- she was wise enough to know that men, especially commanding officer type men, tended to resent being helped unless they asked for it. She wasn't sure about Colonel Grant personally, but she didn't want to take the chance and alienate him.

“A few years back, I got pretty screwed up in a fight… well, that’s putting it lightly, actually I shouldn’t be here even talking to you, I should have been buried somewhere and have gotten a 21 phaser salute…” “Long story short, I have an issue with my left leg, from my toes up to knee, that has yet to finish healing.”

She listens while taking out her tricorder from the pocket of her blue coat. He stops her before she can open it, though. She furrows her brows, listening.

“First off, whatever happens in this room, stays between you and I…” "It goes beyond medical information Doctor Jackson, there’s security clearance and concerns regarding it as well. Secondly, whatever, you do, don’t scream…”

She nods in understanding. She had seen enough things that would make him scream- she had no intention of screaming herself. She bites her lower lip suppressing her emotional response as he rolls up his pants leg. He probably didn't want or need her pity. She begins to scan his leg and is surprised at the extent of the Borg implants. She had heard of Borg implants or nanoprobes being used as medical treatments to unusual conditions. She also caught the note of him being bugged about the whole ordeal. "I must say- this is original, and impressive. I suspect you'd rather be alive with the side effects than the recipient of that 21 phaser salute? As I understand it, it is keeping a virus at bay?" The wheels begin turning in her head, but she waits for him to reply.

[Samuel J. Grant]

"I must say- this is original, and impressive.” Samuel suddenly began to feel like a lab rat, again, and just sighed. It wasn’t just at the fact that he was being scrutinized by a Doctor, but it was the memories that the thought of his leg brought back… the fighting, the death, the panic and carnage, his lost love who’d actually come up with the idea and helped with the surgery… he sighed again. “I suspect you'd rather be alive with the side effects than the recipient of that 21 phaser salute?” “That generally depends on the day…” he said, his customary light heartedness trying hard to keep his poker face in check. “As I understand it, it is keeping a virus at bay?" He shrugged slightly.

“That’s the idea. I ain’t no doctor, but from the way it was explained to me, the virus is ‘self sustaining’, and that as it passes through the augmetic contraption in my leg, it’s reduced in potency incrementally, slowing allowing it to be purged and purified over time; they originally guessed somewhere around 3-5 years…” He thought a moment, “It’s year 3 ½, and last check up said it was still doing what it was supposed to, but the virus is damn stubborn.”

[Dr. Sabina Jackson]

She listens to him, considering options. "Well sir, if you are unsatisfied with the current state of affairs, I can do my best to help. I can think of a few options. I'm no engineer, but I have dabbled in medical nanotechnology during med school. I could try to make a more efficient filter. It's not an emergency situation, so I have more time on my hands to come up with something smaller and more comfortable. The second option would involve taking a sample of the virus and engineering a non-lethal version that can be introduced to replace the bad strain. In either case, the bulky implants could be removed. I suppose the third option would be to leave things as they are and I could perscribe something to make it more comfortable to bear until the implants do their job."

She leans against the medical cart that was pushed up against the wall, putting him more at ease by being at ease herself. She loved problem solving- and as strange as it may sound to him, she was eager to get her hands-on. "Patient's choice, sir."

[Samuel J. Grant]

“Well sir,” she began, “if you are unsatisfied with the current state of affairs,” he tried not to scoff and role his eyes “Nah doc; I like being half something I hate and walking around with a huge secret that only like 10 people in the entire Federation know about… It’s a hell of a conversation piece you know…” he found himself smiling as he gushed his sarcasm “I can do my best to help. I can think of a few options. I'm no engineer,” he made a ‘thank goodness’ look “but I have dabbled in medical nanotechnology during med school. I could try to make a more efficient filter. It's not an emergency situation, so I have more time on my hands to come up with something smaller and more comfortable.” He thought it may just be something that simple, before she continued “The second option would involve taking a sample of the virus and engineering a non-lethal version that can be introduced to replace the bad strain.” Another option that didn’t seem so bad, but things generally never as easy as they sounded. “In either case, the bulky implants could be removed. I suppose the third option would be to leave things as they are and I could prescribe something to make it more comfortable to bear until the implants do their job." Which was always an option as well; except during those odd times that he swore he could take a phaser on maximum and blow his knee off, and it still wouldn’t quit aching.

Samuel watched her lean up against medical cart in the room, and covered his smirk well; being in Security and an excellent body language reader, he knew what se was doing. She was trying to portray someone very much relaxed, in essence trying to let her aura of calm spread to him; she was good at it too. But, he also noticed something that he found odd and slightly concerning, she almost seemed ‘happy’ at his plight… he found himself feeling that ‘lab rat’ sensation again, and suppressed a shutter. "Patient's choice, sir.”

He sighed, and shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not really sure. I can tell you I’m sick of dodging medical scanners and worrying that if I get hurt on some away mission that the secret is gonna get, or that I could spread the infection or a multitude of worries.” He sighed, and then rolled his eyes as an idea popped in his head “Not to mention, if that damned 8472 breaks our treaty and reads my mind and finds out? She’ll probably rip it off of me and beat me to death with it… How’s that for emergency surgery?” he shuttered again.

[Dr. Sabina Jackson]

He sighed, and shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not really sure. I can tell you I’m sick of dodging medical scanners and worrying that if I get hurt on some away mission that the secret is gonna get, or that I could spread the infection or a multitude of worries.” He sighed, and then rolled his eyes as an idea popped in his head “Not to mention, if that damned 8472 breaks our treaty and reads my mind and finds out? She’ll probably rip it off of me and beat me to death with it… How’s that for emergency surgery?” he shuttered again.

Sabina furrows her brows at him, confused as to why anyone would attack him just because he had implants. He obviously was not a Borg, after all. "Sir, I'll personally stop her if she tries that. I think you're overreacting. What's so wrong with using the enemy's technology against them? Keeping you alive is definitely a bad thing for the enemies of the Federation."

She studies her scans for a moment. "The Federation has it's own implant techology and artifical blood filtration systems. It sounds like that's what you're asking for, but correct me if I'm wrong. It would take a few days longer without an Engineer's help. I'll make sure to ask someone to check it if I told them it was for a personal experiment." She smiles, eager to get started and glad he was able to trust her. Solving problems and helping people were two of her favorite things.

(OOC- We even have those kinds of things available now, so how hard could it be? lol)

[Samuel J. Grant]

"Sir, I'll personally stop her if she tries that. I think you're overreacting. What's so wrong with using the enemy's technology against them? Keeping you alive is definitely a bad thing for the enemies of the Federation." Samuel smirked “and frowned about by some at Starfleet Command I’m sure.” He shrugged innocently enough.

“The Federation has it's own implant technology and artificial blood filtration systems. It sounds like that's what you're asking for, but correct me if I'm wrong. It would take a few days longer without an Engineer's help. I'll make sure to ask someone to check it if I told them it was for a personal experiment." Colonel Grant shrugged again. “I’d just like it healed, but I ain’t know doctor.” His homegrown slang came to the fore, but he just smiled in lieu of it. “I have had three different filtration systems tried, and a transfusion; it’s almost like some parts of me have become reliant on it.” He shuttered at an memory from a few years back.

“I had a transfusion done once, where they basically cut the circulation from my leg so that the virus couldn’t pass up and through the rest of my body, and transfused the blood though the rest of me. Took the doctor 4 ½ minutes to revive me and make my heart beat again, and I spent three days in ICU at Starfleet Medical recovering from the shock my system went through; it’s a little aggravating.” He scratched unknowingly at it; he’d had it for so many years, he did it without even thinking now, much like someone rubs their nose or scratches their ear without really aware their doing it.

Originally, he’d done it as he swore there were bugs crawling along, and inside, his skin; worst part was, that was pretty accurate. What he was feeling was the constant and aggressive flow, of the nanites flowing through his augmentation into his body. He sighed, and scratched again; it often got very cramped up and ached, usually from sitting for long periods of time, about the uncomfortably level of advanced arthritis.

[Dr. Sabina Jackson]

She frowns slightly. Judging by his responses and body language during their conversation, she was concerned. Either he truly was joking with her, or he actually did think- at least some of the time- he would have been better off dead. She wanted to do something to make him feel better, but she didn't know how to go about it except to do what she had been doing. She smiles as warmly as she can at him, "I'll do everything I can, but you'll have to trust me. It will help to have a sample of the virus- if I may- and some time to come up with a working solution. Then we can make an appointment for the procedure."

She gets out a hypo and puts in an empty cartridge to take the blood sample.