Even doctors can get a cold

[Feo]

I have played around a bit with a character named Edward. I hope you will like him and his cold.

This is the first time I post a story on the forum and it makes me a little stressed, but I just have to go for it.

So.... here we go:

 

EVEN DOCTORS CAN GET A COLD

 

The lunch room at the Thoracic surgery department is highly lit, too much for Edward's liking today. The light is white, almost blue and he feels like it penetrates his skull and leaves him with a headache. The tension the doctor feels towards his colleague doesn't help his head either. He decides for a last effort of making his point in the ongoing discussion clear, and takes in a deep breath that expands his mediastinum before he speaks.

"I don't agree Colin. We need to make sure that all of our patients is well taken care of when we discharge them to local hospitals. It's our responsibility as the biggest and most specialist hospital in England. Two days after a heart surgery is just too early".

With that statement Edward takes a sip of his tea and sniffs. His third cup already that morning. English breakfast tea with milk this time. He looks at his watch and decides that enough is enough. He need some air; or more exactly get into the operating theatre to clear his mind. He was so sick and tired of the endless discussions about whether the patients are ready to leave the ward and the highly qualified professionals working at their hospital or not. 

Today he was exceptionally upset by his fellow surgeon, though with more than 10 yrs more experience than him, Colin Whitaker. In Edward's mind, Colin was thinking of nothing else than efficiency and money. Edward on the other hand; was always thinking of each patients best. If that meant that a patient stayed an extra day in their care, that be it.

After a short silence Edward clears his throat "I'm going back to the theatre *sniff*. The next patient will be in soon" he tells the others as he stands up, taking his cup of tea and placing it beside the sink after swallowing down the last bit of now; cold tea.

One of the nurses who Edward knows from a mutual friend looks at him with a concerned furrow on her forehead. "A clementine and a cup of tea isn't enough lunch for our favourite surgeon" she states in a voice that shows that she really care for the doctor. 

Edward smiles at the nurse whose hair is thick and dark red and put together in a low ponytail. She was one of these girls that looked so natural and still so beautiful. Edward had always felt a bit attracted to her genuine smile and freckled face that made her seem a bit tanned even though it was in the middle of January. 

"I'm just not hungry today, but it's okay. I'll eat later". It wasn't a blatant lie, he was a bit hungry, but for some reason he couldn't put the finger on, he didn't feel up for food. 

"You sure?" the nurse asked. "you can be stuck inside the theatre for a long time you know". 

Edward put one strong surgeon's hand on her shoulder. The veins on his hand was popping out and was what a nurse would say "perfect for a cannula", almost like a railway.  "Thanks for caring Lisa. I have a müslibar in my pocket". 

He was tall, so Lisa had to tilt her head back to look up at him and meet his extremely clear blue eyes that was such a beautiful rarety against such dark hair. Today though, his eyes seemed a bit dull, lacking the usual sparkel. His curls, on the other hand, was still perfect like always. Thick, soft and beautiful. His hair wasn't long, but long enough for his curls to look it's best. 

"Take care of yourself Edward and remember our scheduled workout tomorrow evening". Lisa said as the doctor let go of her shoulder and made his way out of the lunchroom. Leaving Colin and the rest of the doctors to discuss if the patient was ready to be discharged or not.

Edward was an assistent doctor, but had made himself noticed by not being afraid to share his thoughts to older and more experienced surgeons, and for the fact that he was an extremely talentet surgeon despite his young age. Edward was also highly appreciated by the nurses, using his authority in a wise and caring way. He always listened to what the nurses had to say about their patients and took their thoughts into consideration. They spend much more time with the patients than the doctors, so it was a natural thing for him to do. 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Being in the operating theatre is like meditation to Edward. It's a thing only surgeons can fully understand. So it's not a surprise for Edward that he feels his mood lift as soon as he enters. The patient in the theatre is an older lady with an insufficient aortic valve that needs replacement. A routine procedure, which Edward is quite happy with, seeing that his mind feels a little fumed today. 

The operation goes by quickly with the team working efficiently and no complications coming up. Edward is left to do the stitches when the 1. surgeon leaves. That's always the assistents job. When left to himself to close the wound, he feels his nose run a bit and sniffs deeply to avoid the thin liquid to run down to his upper lip. 

"Your nose is really bothersome today Edward. It must be annoying with the facemask on"  the scrub nurse states.

Edward felt himself blush a little and was happy for his facemask's help with hiding it. He let out a nervous little laugh "I think I need to blow my nose, but I have to keep sniffling until finished *sniff* in here. I'm sorry". 

"I don't mind. Hopefully you're not catching a cold" the scrub nurse said as she passed him the scissor to cut off the sewing thread. 

"I hope not. Hopefully I'm just sniffly for some other reason *sniffff*"

"Maybe you are getting allergic to the face mask"

The surgeon couldn't help but laugh  "That would be an absolute tragedy". 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The door to meeting room 5 at the Thoracic department creeked open. It was just past 7.15 in the morning, the day after the older lady's surgery, and the surgeons had their daily morning meeting together with the cardiologists, the coordinators and some nurses in charge. This was a highly important meeting and totally necessary for making plans for today's "patient flow". Edward tried to be as quiet as possible while entering the room. He knew he was a couple of minutes late and that everyone was eager to start off their day. He sat down at the only chair available. Unfortunately that was in the front of the room, so he had to go passed everyone on his way over. 

"There you are Edward. We were just talking about the lady with the aortic valve replacement from yesterday. She's doing good. Anything special you think we need to know about her?" Colin asked Edward.

Edward took in a deep breath and coughed a quick cough to clear his throat. "Not really *sniff*. We didn't meet any problems operating her. She'll be good". 

His voice came out weak and raspy so the room went silent to be able to hear him. When he finished talking he brought the grey scarf he was wearing up over his mouth and coughed into it. Even if his voice was weak today, his cough was nothing like it. He tried to muffle it in his scarf, but it was harsh and wet *cough cough* "sorry" he croaked out when finished. 

Someone passed him a plastic cup of water. Edward took hold of it and thanked the one passing it to him. It was Lisa which made him feel even more flushed than he had felt the whole morning. He sipped carefully and felt the cold water soothe his sore throat. Lisa, who was sitting beside him, looked at him with the same furrow on her forehead as yesterday in the lunch room. Apart from the scarf she noticed that he was red around the edges of his nose and his lips was chapped. He looked vulnerable, but still, if not more, appealing than before. It was something with this man with broad shoulders and muscle toned arms sitting there with a reddened nose and a scarf tight around his neck that made Lisa want to give him a long and comforting hug. She hoped she would be able to do exactly that later today or maybe tomorrow.

"You're taking the doctors visit together with Sarah today, Edward. Don't want you in the operating theatre with that cough" Colin stated. "Actually, if possible, try to avoid any patient contact at all. Let Sarah do the talking". 

Edward nodded not to trigger another cough. He was happy with the decision. If his head felt like cotton yesterday, that was nothing compared with today. His head felt so stuffed he thought it could explode any minute. 

He guessed Colin had other intentions than his well being though. He probably wanted to make sure Edward didn't infect the patients so they had to stay longer in the hospital, meaning money lost for them. Edward sighed. 

Ehhh eh IHHSSHOOO ETCHOOOOO

The curly headed doctor managed to cover his face in his scarf again, tucking both his nose and mouth into the fabric.

"Bless you" was heard from a few people in there, mostly nurses. Most surgeons wasn't big blessers, probably because many of them, like Colin, lacked some social skills. 

"Tha'ks" Edward muttered stuffily. His scarf, now warm and damp against his skin, was left around his  neck once more.

He felt his nose start to run again. "Just perfect" he thought; now my nose is both stuffed and runny at the same time. He sniffed to no avail. His nose as blocked as can be. He pressed the knuckles of his left hand underneath his nose as he got up hastily so no one would notice that his nose acted like a faucet. Why didn't he think of bringing tissues? He felt everyone's gazes on his back as he walked towards the sink to get hold on some paper towels. The rough, greyish ones that would make his nose totally raw and extremely sore in a short time. 

Of course his nose had to start tickling at the exact moment that he was standing at the very front of the room so everyone could have a good view of him. He pushed his knuckles harder against the tip of his nose and focused hard on keeping the tickle at bay. As a result of the deep concentration, he squeezed his eyes shut for a breef moment, his face scrunched up tight. When releasing the breath he held in, the tickle intensified. His eyes glazed over and his nostrils hollowed in. His mouth was drawn a little downwards and his lips slightly parted. He stopped pressing against his nose and turned his hand hastily around to cover both his nose and mouth with the back of his hand. His head popped forward and his shoulders tensed with the force. 

 

HE HEEETCHOOO ETCHOOOOO ICTCHHHOOOH huhhuuuh ETCHSHHIIIII

 

He heard some bless you's and some laughing but he couldn't say anything because now his nose had really startet to run. The embarrassed doctor hurried towards his goal; the life saving paper towels. He pulled out a few and wiped off his nose before he gave it a gentle blow as quiet as he could. He wasn't comfortable with blowing his nose in front of people, but he couldn't avoid it this time. 

"Excuse be" he muttered when finished, his nose still stuffed, but under control. "I'b a bit ubder the weather today". 

"I hope you're not as contagious as you sound like" Sarah, the doctor he would be taking the doctors visit  with, said with a little laugh showing that she was joking. 

Edward threw away the paper towels and proceeded to wash his hands, before he tucked a couple more paper towels into his cloak and went back to his seat, bracing himself for the next 15 minutes that was left of the meeting.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

"So, we have the patient in room 13" Lisa, who is in charge of the logistics today, tell the doctors as the next nurse enters the room. 

She sits together with Edward and Sarah in the doctors room and the nurses comes in one at a time to talk through their patients. 

"How is he doing? Is he still dizzy and weak after we lowered his antihypertensive meds yesterday?" Sarah asks.

"He feels better, but the blood pressure is still low, though a little higher than yesterday morning" the nurse responsible for the patient in room 13, informs the others.

"Maybe *cough cough* we can give him some fluids *COUGH*. He could *coughcough* be dehydrated as well" Edward croak out in between the coughs that escapes his lips as a result of a strong tickle in his throat that he is unable to suppress. 

After finishing his sentence, Edward turns away from the others and the computer where he plots in the information. He buries his face into the crook of his left arm to let loose the coughs in shield of the others. 

*cough cough coooughcough cough cough cough coughcough coughcough coughcough cough*

The mucus is loose in his throat and makes the coughs wet with a crackling sound coming from on top of his airways. Edward sniffs deeply before emerging back up. "Sor-ry". His voice is cracking and he clears his throat before he turns his head back to the computer. 

"You don't sound too good" the nurse states with an empathetic look at the doctor. Do you have a cold?" She asks him 

"I'm afraid so" he answers, his voice a bit clearer now after the phlegm has been moved around by the cough. "I'll be okay though" he says before they continue their work.

After going through the fifth patient Edwards voice is not more than a whisper and Sarah tells him to stop all his chit chatting and focus only on what he needs to say. "We want to be able to hear what you have to say about all 19 patients, not just 5 of them" she tells him with a little laugh and a gentle little squeeze of his right shoulder. 

"I'll go get you a tea for your throat" Lisa says when they are waiting for the next nurse to enter. "Maybe it will help you".

"Thanks Lisa, that's really sweet of you *sniiiffff*" Edward rasps as she leaves the room.

It doesn't take long before Lisa is back with a steaming mug saying 'LISA - meaning giftet' written in yellow print. She puts it down in front of the sick doctor. Edward looks at the mug and smiles "you sure are. Thank you" he whispers with the last of sound he can push out of his aching throat.

"I hope you are okay with it. I used my own mug instead of the small cups you get here at the hospital" Lisa blush a little before she continues "I hope you like chamomile tea. I used some of my own and added some honey to soothe your throat and help your cough". 

The doctor lifts the mug towards his mouth and gives it a gentle blow before he takes a little sip from it. "It's delicious. Thank you" he says as he smiles at Lisa. 

After a few more sips Edward feels the warm tea start to warm up and numb his aching throat. He holds the cup with both hands while he listens to the others discuss the next patient on the list. Edward is pretty sure the tea smells of honey and chamomile, but he can't smell a trace of it, even though the steam goes straight up his nose.

Not aware of the fact that his nose is starting to run, he unconsciously starts to sniffle every few seconds. 

Lisa pass him the box of tissues that is always placed in the doctors room just in case someone starts to cry in there. It's a doctors office after all and not every conversations in here are nice conversations. Sometimes they even have to give patients or dependents bad news. So, tissues is necessary to have close. 

The sick doctor sniffs back the thin liquid again, before he gets aware of his running nose "Oh sorry, I didn't notice my nose was running like this" he excuses himself before he puts down the tea and reaches over towards the tissues. 

"No worries. It's probably the steam from the tea that loosen up some of your congestion" 

Just before Edwards hand reaches the box of tissues he ducks his head fast into his left elbow. He squeezes his mouth as deep into it as possible. The doctor sucks in a lungfull of air and holds his breath as he closes his eyes tightly shut so hard that a deep furrow creeps up on his forehead.

*HERXTSSHhuuh*

His face stays tucked into his elbow for some seconds before he lifts his head to a greeting of "Bless you" from the others. 

"Tganks *sniiiffff*" The green uniform is left wet from the spray around his armpit. Edward hopes no one noticed and looks up the patients CT scan on the computer without a word. 

"I don't want to see you at any workout tonight doc" Lisa tells Edward in a stern, but teasing manner". 

Edward looks at Lisa and laughs "I agree. Who wants to see this snotty, sweaty mess contaminating every exercising equipment there is?"

Edited January 23, 2019 by Feo

[Privatedancer]

This is great

[Feo]

On 1/23/2019 at 7:01 PM, Privatedancer said:

This is great

Thank you @Privatedancer

I'm so happy you liked it!  I will try to continue the story and hope you are interested! 

[Melody]

omg yes i love stories where doctors get sick!!!! continue!

[Feo]

1 hour ago, Melody said:

omg yes i love stories where doctors get sick!!!! continue!

Thanks Melody! That comment made me happy and makes me really wanna continue this story! I have some ideas 😊

[macrotwentytwo]

I'd love to see him contaminate all the exercise equipment...

[Feo]

4 minutes ago, macrotwentytwo said:

I'd love to see him contaminate all the exercise equipment...

I'm sorry, but I must say that that won't happen... Even in fiction I need doctors to be hygienic... But I hope it means that you liked some of what you read anyway! Thanks for the comment 😊

[Feo]

Part 2

Sleep is heavy upon Edward where he lays in his bed, tucked deep underneath the covers. Some black curls sticking out is the only thing visible on his pillow. Slight snores are filling the lightly lit bedroom. Sometimes the snores stops to be replaced with gentle unconscious sniffles before it starts up again in the same even pattern. 

The doctor has been laying like that since he got home from work feeling more like a zombie than a human being.

Something disturbs Edward’s sleep and he gives a weak cough as he turns around in bed. He tucks his face into his pillow and groans. It takes a few seconds more before he realizes it’s his phone ringing. He creeks open his eyes and reaches for his phone laying just besides his pillow. He looks at the screen where the name ‘Paul’ flashes towards him. The doctor clears his throat before swiping the screen to answer the call.

“Hello, it’s Edward”. His raspy voice is heavy with sleep and sickness. 

”Hi Edward, it’s Paul here. I was just wondering about what time we would meet up for workout today. Sorry if I woke you up. You sound a bit groggy”

Edward clears his throat again “it's okay. It’s probably not wice to sleep now anyway“

His friend Paul chuckles “I’m happy you are able to look at it like that. ”Actually I’m just 5 minutes away from your house. Try to wake up and I’ll drive by“.

Edward don’t get to answer before Paul has hung up. Still in the same clothes he wore when he left work, he swung his heavy limps out of bed and trudged for the bathroom. He looks at himself in the mirror and looks straight into swollen, blood shot eyes, before he pulls off a fair amount of toilet paper. He tries in vain to blow his nose which is blocked to the point where no air is allowed through it. The tired doctor proceeds to splash some cold water onto his face, hoping that would improve the way he looked. After gulping down a glass of water to help his dry mouth and throat, caused by breathing only through a wide open mouth while sleeping, Edward takes a second glance in the mirror, deciding that this is the best he can do with the time he has available. 

Just when he is finished in the bathroom the doorbell is ringing. The curly headed man makes his way to the front door and opens it to gesture Paul inside. 

”come in“ he rasps

“I’m sorry I woke you. It sounds like you have been in a deep sleep considering how raspy your voice is“

“Yeah, I guess I was *sniifff*. You want a cuppa tea?“ he asks his friend. 

”Yeah, thanks“ Paul frowned a little, not sure if his friend was his normal self today or not.

Paul was blonde with shaved hair, only a few milimiters long. Even though he was in his early thirties he didn’t have much hair left. He, as well as Edward, had a body that showed a healthy lifestyle. They had been working out together since college, managed to keep it up between different studies, travel, girlfriends and whatever else life comes up with. 

Both males made their way into the modern kitchen. Edward put on the kettel before he sat down opposite of Paul. 

“How’s life *cough cough* been treating you the last week?” Edward finish his sentence before he lifts a closed fist up to his mouth to cough.

*Cough cough coughcougghhcough COUGHCOUGH cough cough*

Paul furrows his eyebrows

“You sick?“

“I’m afraid so“

Paul looks at Edward in sympathie “ouch, that’s not good. How are you feeling?“

Edward sighes “not so good to be honest. My throat is killing me, I’m so stuffed up and I just feel sick“

“You sound sick as well. You must have gotten yourself that terrible cold going around“. 

Edward’s head snapps into his elbow * ITCHOOO EHTSHOOOuhh* 

“Bless you Edward“

“Excuse me *sniiifff* Those came abdruptly on me» 

Paul laughs “sneezes has a tendency to do just that. If they not choose to tease your poor nose to death by an endless amount of falls starts and leave you with an extremelt itchy nose»

“Oh yeah, those are the worst” Edward groaned as he got up to poor the now boiling water into two cups before he added the teabags. 

The doctor sits back down “you didn’t answer my question though. How have you been the last week?“

Paul leans back in his chair and breathes in and out heavily through his nose a couple of times. “I don’t know what to say. I just feel confused I guess. I had another date with Lisa’s sister. I like her and it was a good date, but it also feels strange to date your friend’s sister. Lisa has acted a bit strange around me since me and Emmy started dating as well. I don’t know. I just don’t want to destroy the friendship I have with Lisa“. 

Edward looked at his friend with glassy eyes “oh that was *sniff* a lot on your mind. What about you and Lisa do the workout as planned today. Maybe you are able to talk about it when I’m not there? I have to stay home anyway“. 

His voice got weak at the end and Edward turns his head away from the table and coughs an uncovered cough away from the table. The cough was quick and was just to clear away the mucus in his throat. 

Paul furrowed his eyebrows “Maybe you’re right. We can come over here after the gym though. Lisa is a nurse, she would know how to treat your symptoms and I can do some cooking“

The doctor chuckled “I know she will. She has already cared for me at work today»

[Feo]

Here I am with part 3 featuring a sneezy and sick doctor. 

 

Part 3

It wasn’t until 8 that evening that Paul and Lisa was on their way to Edward’s place. They had decided on a take away pizza, assuming that would be just right for a sicky. Luckily there wasn’t many people at the gym today so Paul had been able to express his worries with dating Lisa’s sister. Lisa had assured him that she didn’t have a problem with it. As she said «that would hopefully give them all more time together»

«Awwww, you look even worse than at work today» Lisa said as she gave Edward, who met them at his door, a heartwarmingly hug, wrapping both arms around his waist. 

«Jeez thanks» Edward chuckled before his head suddenly popped down against his own chest. 

 *nnxxtchh hunxt-chuh*

Edward managed to half stifle the sneezes. He never really stifled, but he didn’t want to risk hitting Lisa with any spray. The sneezes came to quickly upon him to be able to cover, so he ended up with steadying himself with both hands on Lisa’s sholders. 

«Hey, you nearly sneezed in my face!!» Lisa squeeked. 

«I’m sorry» Edward mumbled as he straightened himself up and looked Lisa in her eyes. «You won’t bless me?» He jokingly pouted his bottom lip. 

«Bless you, bless you. You happy now?» 

«Thanks» *snrrrfff*»

Lisa pulled him back into a firm hug. He felt warm against her bare arms. «Do you have a fever?» she asks, still with her arms tightlty wrapped around her friend. «I don’t know, maybe».

Lisa puts her hand on Edward’s forhead. «I think you do» she informs him after a couple of seconds. 

Edward feels a tickle form in his throat, like a butterfly is trying to expand its wings. He turns his face to the right side of Lisa’s head and brings his right hand, closed as a fist, up to his mouth. Lisa feels his body tense and tightens her grip around him to try and comfort the doctor while he starts to cough. 

*cough cough cough cough cough cough AHEMRRR*

The coughs is a little wet, but Edward is able to compose himself after the few coughs with a sharp throat clearing that moves away the mucus layering his throat. 

«Lets crash on the sofa» Paul shoots in. He’s been lost in his own thoughts, thinking about Emmy. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*he he hhhh ahhh ICSSSHOOO*

The sneeze was loud and Lisa jumped a little where she sat on the sofa. She and Edward was waiting for Paul who was in the kitchen preparing the pizza. 

*ahhhtshoo ext'chhoo esshhhiii*

The last three sneezes sounded almost muffled. She couldn't help but looking over at him where he sat, holding a cozy green blanket up over his mouth and nose. He pressed the fabric against his face for some seconds unsure if there was more to come. 

*uhhh uhh itcho eshoo ixtcho ehhh'tshhuuu*

The fit was explosive and Lisa could hear him gasping for air before his breath hitched again.

*EHSHHHHOOOOO*

The sneeze was even louder than every other sneeze she had heard from him. Edward sniffed harshly and took the blanket away from his face. It could seem like the last sneeze had helped the itch in his nose.

 "Bless you, bless you, bless you" Lisa said in sympathy "THAT was some harsh sneezes" 

"Danks Lisa *sniiiffff*. I'b sorry for using the blanket. It’s gross"

"That's certainly not a problem. It looks comfortable to sneeze and probably also cough into».

Paul returns to the living room with the pizza. «Oh man, that was a huge sneezing fit from what must have been a really itchy nose. You okay now? Do you need anything?»

«Nah, I’m fine. Just keep away from the blanket. I probably sprayed it full of germs» Edward answers as he moves the blanket closer to himself. 

«Yuck. Germs, germs, germs» Paul says in a playful way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for reading! If you guys have any ideas  for this story, please feel free to leave them here!

Edited March 27, 2019 by Feo

[KD02]

This is story is so good! Love it can’t wait to read more ☺️

[Feo]

On 3/29/2019 at 1:09 AM, KD02 said:

This is story is so good! Love it can’t wait to read more ☺️

Thank you @KD02

I’m so happy you like it!! It means a lot 😃

[macrotwentytwo]

Oooh good addition! 

[Hellbent for Feather]

I'm really enjoying this, Feo.  I don't have any ideas for the story, but you're doing just fine!  Thanks for writing it!

[Feo]

Thank you @macrotwentytwo and @Hellbent for Feather!!

Edited April 6, 2019 by Feo