Sunday May 12th Pt. 10
“Cassius has agreed to help you remain calm while I am placing the IV.”
“In the hospital I had one in my ankle. It hurt every time I moved.”
“It may have been the easiest place to put one. I did notice while I was holding your left after I attempted to set it that most of your larger veins have been damaged. That kind of damage usually comes from either IV drug use or a lot of trips to the hospital. Considering your fear of needles I would say the ladder is most likely.”
“How are you going to do it? I’m sorry. I really don’t like shots or needles. I want to run just talking about it but it just hurts too much for me to even stand. I’m sorry but I…. I….”
Cassius stands from his seat and gets behind Colton as he starts a slow spiral, one that I’m hopeful Cass can stop. He draws his arm across his chest again. Colton instinctively grabs him with his right arm. I slowly move the stool behind the chair so Cassius can sit while trying to calm Cole.
“It’s okay to seek me. This is actually how Deven wants to do the IV.”
“He’s doing it now?!”
Colton shrieks as he attempts to turn in the chair. I’m instantly grateful for Cassius’s position as he easily keeps Colton sitting.
“No Colton, he’s not doing it here. He wants you to be relaxed and able to cooperate with your own medical care.”
He whimpers subtly, telling us of the intensity of his fear.
“Cole, what I would like to do here is uncomfortable but it will help relieve some of the pain associated with the IV needle being placed.” I try to introduce the idea slowly.
“What are you going to do?” His voice is rushed telling me how panicked he is again.
“I need you to let go of Cassius. I need to touch your arm. I promise this part is comforting. All you will feel is one hand around your wrist and the second I will be using my fingertips to graze the inside of your arm.”
I keep everything slow as I gently message his hand from around Cassius’s arm. He fights hard against my efforts but after a short minute I have his arm laid across his leg, his inner forearm exposed to my touch. He buries his head into Cassius’s arm now that he no longer has the ability to grip it. Cassius supports him with gentle pets to the back of his head.
“The band is the hard part. I’m going to tie it around your arm as if I’m doing a blood draw. I’m going to use my touch and my empathic ability to get a sense of the best vein to use so I can make a mark before releasing the band.”
I explain as I tie the band around his arm. His whimpers are low but consistent as I find what I’m looking for and draw a long line along the vein I intend to use. I release the band from his arm, allowing him to pull away as I set up the next part of my plan.
“Cole, I would like to place a lidocaine patch on your arm where I plan to place the needle.”
He opens his eyes as I slip my hand into his.
“Normally, anesthetic is not used during such a quick and routine procedure but when I set your wrist in the field the amount of pain that I felt was well beyond what I expected. I know you are working with what feels and sounds familiar so when I ask a question that’s what I’m looking for until your memory starts coming back.” He nods his head.
“Does sensory processing disorder sound familiar?”
“Slightly.” He whispers.
“What’s that?” Cassius asks.
“Sensory processing disorder occurs when a shifter doesn’t shift often enough to fully merge with their animal, a wolf in the case of a werewolf.”
“There’s other animals?” I smile as I have caught his attention.
“Werewolves are the most common but just about any large animal can be a shifter.”
I nod as I finish wrapping his arm so the gel patch doesn’t move.
“What’s next?” His voice is nervous but very tired.
“Cassius is going to push you next door. Your room will be the first one down the hall and to the right. Let him help you with anything that you need. Bathroom, food, water and such. You won’t be allowed to have anything after midnight.”
For the first time he cocks his head to one side.
“What’s your question?”
I ask lightly. He shakes his head before answering.
“You said you wanted me to change my mind about receiving shots. I’m still scared. I don’t want this.”
I nod my head in recognition of his statement before he ducks his gaze back down on the floor.
“Colton, please look at me.” I invite him softly.
I hide a sigh of relief behind a deep breath when he manages to look at my face.
“The state your wrist is in requires traction before we can put it in a cast. Your hand and arm are going to be strapped into a device that is designed to pull your hand similar to what I did before driving us home. The big difference is the traction device is going to use steadily increasing tension to give your wrist the space it needs to correctly align. It is a very painful procedure even for those with a fully merged and awake wolf. This IV is necessary for you to receive the medication that will make you sleep through the process. I want to establish the IV now for two reasons. First it will allow me to take my time and do as much as I can to get you comfortable. Remember how you reacted to Cassius outside the clinic.”
“Yes sir.”
“I want to duplicate the comfort you received from his scent and aura. Even though your memory has faded your instincts certainly have not.”
“I’m going to stand while you do it?”
I hate the fear I hear in his voice, that I feel from being so close to him.
“It may seem awkward considering you’re a grown man approximately his same age but I think getting you chest to chest in his lap would be best. That way you can lay your head on his shoulder and he can provide a gentle hand on the back of your head. Your instinct towards submission is very strong which is why I think a hand on your head will have the desired effect. The second reason I want to do it now is because I will be able to give you both toradol and Vicodin through the IV.”
“No other shots?” His question is hopeful in nature.
“That is correct. With my belief that you have sensory processing disorder I have taken the extra step of using the lidocaine patch. The gel enhances the lidocaine’s ability to absorb into your skin and I’m hoping that a little will make it into the vein itself. Overall I think it will reduce the pain you feel down to a normal level.”
He’s nodding his head slowly and I’m hoping that I have convinced him to allow it.
“Now, I need the two of you to head next door. I need to gather some more things for the IV and blood draw. It’s easiest to do them at the same time.”
I respond to Cole’s widening eyes.
“I’m sorry to be a vampire so soon after meeting but we need to know the condition that you’re in. It’s still just one stick.”
He drops his gaze without speaking. I can tell that he doesn’t like the idea of a blood draw but I need to take advantage of the situation.
“Are you ready to get moving?”
Cassius asks as he runs his hand through his hair. He nods as we both stand from in front of him. I make my way to the cabinet to start collecting what I need as Cassius speaks into his ear from behind him. Soon enough the two start moving without protest allowing me to link with Sheila requesting the door from the clinic to the house be opened. It only takes me five minutes to get everything I need before I head to the house.
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