Chapter Nineteen: The Best Course of Action
I was on my own. For about five minutes. I guess that’s how long AJ figured it would take for panic to sink in. He missed it by two minutes. Three minutes was panic. Four minutes was rolling, clutching stomach pains. Five minutes was puking on the covers because I didn’t move fast enough.
“So, Nick ...” AJ flung the door open, no doubt with another glorious speech that would put me in my place. I was sorry to disappoint him but I had no time for a sermon. “Nick! Man.... MIKE! HOWIE!” Great AJ, just great. What a time to show me that you can call on others for help. Rub it in, will you? “Here. Nick here.” AJ pushed the trash can under my head.
“What’s going on?” Use those eyes of yours Howie. “Oh GOD.” Or your nose. Whichever you prefer.
“Easy.” Michael consoled Howie on his way to me. He was compassionate ambidextrous. “Nick? You think your done?” I nodded. “Howie...”
“I know, a cool washcloth.” I guess this was getting to be a habit and one I didn’t need. I was already a nail-biter.
“I’m sorry.”
“Man you don’t have to be sorry. It’s all right Nick.”
“No, no.” It wasn’t. Only babies vomit in bed.
“Chill Nick.” Between AJ, Howie and Michael I didn’t have much choice. Howie found fresh linens for the bed, AJ helped me get clean, and Michael called my doctor. After some discussion, which didn’t include me, an appointment was arranged for late afternoon with my doctor. Michael, AJ and Howie were to accompany me. The girls would stay with the yacht until Howie’s friend came to claim it that evening. I was to get dressed (Michael and I had packed a change of clothing just in case. Just in case what we had not considered, but Michael liked to be prepared. I’ll bet this wasn’t what he was prepared for.), get in the car and not make any trouble.
We reached Dr. Evant’s office just before five. It seems that he had arranged this after hours visit at the insistence of Michael and AJ. Together they were formidable. We should sick them on ‘NSync. Well better them than me. Especially when AJ finds out exactly what it is I was trying to handle all by myself.
“CANCER!!! Nick was being tested for cancer?” I think AJ may have skin cancer, that is if suddenly turning extremely red is a symptom. “WHY didn’t you tell us!” I think we have covered that. And the guys always accuse me of not listening.
“Esophageal cancer. Yes we were testing Nick for that as well as a variety of other conditions that could be influencing his medical situation.”
“Such as?” AJ had a hold on my left arm that was bound to leave a permanent impression. No matter, I could outline it with black ink and pass it off as a tattoo.
“Acid reflux, a hernia, and of course ...” And Dr. Evant when into the long list of “of course.” With each condition on the list AJ’s grip tightened. Forget the stomach doc. What can you do for gangrene of the hand?
“The good news is it’s not cancer.” Howie and Michael did the deflate thing this time. AJ was still puffed up and angry. “The test also show that it is not reflux or a hernia.” Great! I’m outta here! “There is, however, a problem.”
“A problem. I see.” AJ really needed to do some stress relief exercises. He was very tense.
“As you can see ...” I looked away at this point. I hate to see pictures of myself under any conditions. It just happens that pictures of my insides are at the top of my list. “ .... this ulcer is acting up again. You might remember that it was a bleeder last time?”
“Yes. We remember.” AJ would.
“It has progressed in grade ...” Yea! My ulcer had been promoted. “And is being aggravated by the amount of acid Nick’s stomach produces. Even though he does not have acid reflux he does have a high amount of acid. The medication has kept it under control until recently, but Nick is on the maximum dosage. Therefore we recommend surgery ...”
“SURGERY!” I guess my opinion was of no concern as AJ, Howie and Michael hushed me.
“Don’t worry Mr. Carter. It’s not as major as it sounds. There is a new procedure where we go through the esophagus ...” Wait, didn’t I have this done? “...insert a laser ...” A laser? Like the ones in our light show? “ ... and cut a nerve in the stomach. This nerve seems to be connected with acid production ...” Seems to be? Seems to be? Well, what if it’s not? What if it’s connected to, say, reproduction or something? “ ... and by cutting the nerve we should be able to reduce your acid levels to normal. Then your ulcer will be able to heal, and you will be able to take smaller doses of the medication, and eventually stop all together!” I’m so glad you are excited. “Mr. Carter?”
“Yes?”
“I would like to arrange for the procedure as soon as possible. Your ulcer will only continue to get worse.”
“I ...”
“Fine.” AJ sent me a look that left no room for arguments. “As soon as possible. We have the next two weeks off, can it be done during that time?”
“Yes. I had hoped Mr. Carter would cooperate ...”
“He will.” AJ was doing quite a Kevin impersonation.
“ Well. I can arrange for the procedure as early as day-after-tomorrow. Does that fit in your schedule, Mr. Carter?”
“Well, actually ...”
“Yes, it does.” I know understood the seriousness of the situation. When Howie starts making your decisions for you, you are in deep shit.
“Fine! I’ll have my nurse call you first thing in the morning with the arrangements.”
AJ, Michael, and Howie talked to Dr. Evant for a few more minutes. They got pamphlets on the procedure, they asked the doctor questions concerning the length of my hospital stay, and physical activities before and after the procedure. I sat quietly knowing that anything out of my mouth would only serve to dig my hole a little deeper.
I was escorted home by my three jolly companions and put to bed, pronto. The doctor had provided a nice “nighty-night” pill for my evening entertainment. As before, I had no choice in the matter. Apparently the guys felt, at least until the surgery, keeping me drugged senseless was the best course of action.
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