Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in Why are There Never any GOOD Side-effects?

Posted by Lieutenant Kreed (Chief Medical Officer) in Why are There Never any GOOD Side-effects?

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in Why are There Never any GOOD Side-effects?
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
“It’s really quite fascinating.” Kreed said, his voice even… flat… and wholly boring. He droned on for several long moments, not caring if Rand listened or not. Monotonous noise had an interesting effect on many species; especially ones whose auditory senses were tied closely to their body’s autonomous systems… like humans. Low frequency, monotone sound worked almost like a auditory stress blocker. Indeed, in some human cultures it had been and continued to be a long-standing practice for a ‘possessed’ person to be surrounded by their elders who chanted low, deep, repetitive sounds in the forms of chants until the ‘spirits were expelled’… or, in Rand’s case, her internal neurological functions compensated for the lack of stimulus around her and began concentrating on the only sound she had close… Kreed’s voice.

Kreed, CMO

Rand was actually quite fascinated by learning anything she didn’t know. She’d done an advanced first aid course with one of the previous doctors about a year previously. She tried to listen. What if he quizzed her after to see if she had really been trying to pay attention? It was difficult at first. She just knew Roman had over stepped, out of concern, but it was something they had worked stigently to avoid. They were going to get transferred, and it was all her fault because of her stupid anxiety she couldn’t control. She’d been doing so much better. She loved serving. This was going to be another failure.

She’d lost the thread of what Kreed was saying and sighed a little - or attempted to do so. She forced herself to listen. He had a knack for monotone. She wondered if it was natural or training? She’d had lots of voice training, she could probably do the same thing. She’d never tried for a monotone though. Maybe she could tape audio books. She could do lots of accents and voices. No one would know it was her and she could use a pseudonym. No one would ever have to know it was her.

Yeoman Rand

Whether it was the monotonous neurology lecture or the thoughts of doing something that didn’t require her to be seen by others, her vitals began to stabilize. Slowly her blood pressure and respirations returned to normal, her perspiration subsided. Another five minutes of talking and she was well within her normal ranges.

Kreed looked down at her and, in a normal but softer tone, said “Now then… how are you feeling?”

Kreed, CMO

Embarrassed and silly and like a child was how she felt. Rand had learned though, that doctors didn’t mean her emotions. When she did tell them, they always replied with ‘everyone gets nervous’ or ‘lots of people have anxiety’. That never helped and made her feel not seen or heard. They wanted to know how she was feeling physically. So she kept her answers to that. Counselors were for feelings. “Better, thank you. A little shaky. That happens every time though. I usually have juice or something and it helps.”

Yeoman Rand

Kreed nodded and said “And how do you feel emotionally? And do not worry… I won’t say anything to anyone.”

Kreed, CMO

She looked surprised at the question, but then the look was gone. “Frustrated, embarrassed, a little worthless because you’re going to take me off duty.” It was only through the rest of the week. She knew that, but she thought she was past the need to hide from people. Yes she preferred to not be overly social, but at least in a work capacity, her duties as a Yeoman, she hadn’t felt the need to be invisible any more.

Yeoman Rand

Kreed nodded. “All valid and perfectly normal responses. And I am not taking you off duty, Yeoman. I know work is important to you. I am simply mandating you work from the privacy of your quarters until such time as your new medication has taken effect fully.” He looked at her readings again. “Yeoman, your natural state of being is one of a neurological - chemical imbalance. That doesn’t make you wrong. It doesn’t make you broken. And it doesn’t make you less. It makes up part of who you are. All it means is that you don’t engage with others like most of your species. Now… unfortunately… the systems in place require a certain amount of input and engagement from you. Your body and brain balks at that. It’s just how you operate. It’s not wrong. It’s just… different. And we can help your body and brain accept that level of engagement that is needed from you through your medication. It’s nothing to fear or to be ashamed or embarrassed about. It’s just you. We can help you work and interact without anxiety… and we can learn how to deal with you as you deal with us. That is what it means to be part of crew… yes?”

Kreed, CMO

“It is.” That was the correct response. Rand sighed. She’d heard all this before when she was a kid. It helped to hear it again. “I thought I was doing better.” She spoke very quietly but clearly. “I hadn’t needed my medicine in a long time. I mean I did after my concussion and amnesia. Once that got better I was fine.”

Yeoman Rand

Kreed nodded. “Of course. Your medicine was working. And it will work again, except better. As I said when I changed your prescription… you will feel more anxious for a bit. What happened here today isn’t a step backwards. It’s just a symptom of the change caused by you taking a step foreward.”

Kreed, CMO

“Yes, Sir.” It didn’t feel like it, but what could she do? Argue over the change? She knew nothing about medicine and a refusal of a medical order would mean a discharge. “I … I remember you told me that when you gave it to me.”

Yeoman Rand

Kreed nodded. “Good. I promise you, Yeoman… you will feel better. In just a few days, alright? Until then, we will work around your needs and make sure you can work without overly stressing your social interactions. By this time next week, I would be very surprised to see you having another episode. Again, it just takes a bit of time. Now then.” and he stood up straight and looked at her. “You will work remotely for the next four days. You are not confined to your quarters, but I expect you to be there more than you are not. You are on limited duty. Anything that can be done from your quarters will be. Anything that cannot will be postponed until your medication levels are where you need them to be. In three days, I would like to see you in here so I can do a blood test and see how you are retaining the new medicine. If it looks good and you feel alright, we can return you to full duty. Is that acceptable to you, Lieutenant?”

Kreed, CMO

“Yes, Sir.” It wasn’t, but what else could she say? That was her orders. “I’ll make the appointment before I leave,” she smiled her agreement. It looked totally genuine. It was like when she had the amnesia. She got turned around and lost. She’d scared herself, had a panic attack, and had been told to stay in her quarters and not wander alone until she was better. How was she going to explain and justify light duty to the captain? For something so… childish? Well that was a problem for after he released her. She resisted the urge to ask if she could leave.

Yeoman Rand

Kreed looked at her. “I would be poor doctor if I wasn’t adept at seeing things that others don’t, Lieutenant. Know that yiu are welcome to come talk to me about anything. Anything at all. I may be cold-blooded, but I do have a heart. Three, actually.” and he shrugged. Standing up, he said “Please go rest, Yeoman. I will inform the Captain that you are on limited duty. I do not want having to speak with her to cause you to feel anxious. Come back if you need anything… even if it just to speak to someone.”

Kreed, CMO