Backpost: Ironing Out Deficiencies

Posted on Mon Sep 25th, 2023 @ 3:36pm by Lieutenant Rose Kersey & Lieutenant Ashev

Mission: Lower Decks
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: After the party, before docking

The party the previous day had gone well. Social interactions were had, and the pleasure of the company of other crewmembers was enjoyed.

Counselor Kersey had mentioned that she had had some dizzy spells, and so Doctor Ashev had scheduled her for an appointment the next morning, just in case. The triage nurse knew to expect her, so Ashev busied himself in his office and waited to be summoned.

Rose has enjoyed the party, though the evening had tired her out. Having had a good night’s sleep she’d still found herself a little light headed on getting out of bed. Having read about pregnancy and what to expect she knew that dizziness was a normal thing, but it was best to have it checked out nonetheless.

Walking into Sickbay Rose offered the triage nurse a smile, it wasn’t until the nurse had gone to get Ashev that Rose’s head had spun resulting in her passing out on the Sickbay floor.

“Nurse!” Ashev called urgently as he sensed the loss of consciousness. He rushed forward, the nurse immediately behind him. They couldn’t get to Rose in time, but they were at her side instantly. While the nurse went to get a medcart and began scanning the patient, the doctor rolled her into a recovery position and touched her forehead and her abdomen, trying to get a quick sense of them. Not ideal but not in danger.

Ashev’s touch was enough to bring Rose around, she frowned as she opened her eyes and looked at Ashev. “What happened? Did I faint?”

"Unfortunately, yes," Ashev answered. "But luckily you were already here when you did."

"No immediate danger, doctor," advised the Nurse.

"Thank you, Nurse Vidal. Help me help her up." He held onto Rose's hand with one hand and her arm with the other, while the nurse did the same on the other side, and slowly helped the counselor to her feet. "Let's get you to bio-bed one."

Rose nodded and offered a brief smile. It wasn’t herself she was worried about it was her baby.

Once she was lying down and comfortable, Ashev put in the earpiece that was wirelessly connected to the tricorder and continued the scans that Nurse Vidal had begun. He nodded to himself as the data was fed to him. "What's your diet been like these past couple of weeks?" he asked.

“I’ve been eating a healthy varied diet, fruit, vegetables, calcium rich drinks and food. Everything that I’m supposed to have during pregnancy. Three meals a day.” She paused. “Is my son alright? I didn’t harm him when I fell did I?”

"No harm done," Ashev assured her. "He's fine, but you're lacking some vitamins. Specifically, you have anemia from an iron deficiency. That's what's made you dizzy. Your iron levels got low enough that you passed out."

“Iron?” Rose nodded. “I have no idea why that would be, but at least I know why I’ve been so dizzy now. I guess I’ll have to have supplements?”

"You didn't list meat when you told me what you ate," Ashev observed. "We'll give you a supplement now," he said, nodding for his nurse to get a hypo ready, "200 units," he told her. "Then you'll want to take a daily oral supplement." He set the tricorder down and tapped the prescription onto a computer terminal next to the bio-bed. "There. Ask your replicator for Supplement Kersey-Three when you have breakfast. Meanwhile, also try to get a bit more iron rich food in your diet. Lean red meat, poultry, and fish. If you're a vegetarian, dried peas and beans will work too."

Nurse Vidal came back with the hypo. "200 units, as ordered," she said, placing the hypo in Ashev's hand.

"Any questions?" the doctor asked his patient, holding the hypo but waiting to administer it.

“No questions” Rose smiled as she shook her head. “I’m not vegetarian, I just missed that off my list. To be honest I find replicated meat less appealing than the real thing, it lacks texture for me not that I avoid it.”

"That's fair," Ashev agreed as he placed the hypospray against Rose's neck and activated it. "Tell you what. I have a shipment of Dreaak meat coming from Andoria next time we dock at Starbase 48. It's one of the few things I know how to cook really well." He smiled as he gave the empty hypospray back to Nurse Vidal. "Lightly seared Dreaak steaks and Vithi leaf salad is the meal that made Zythao fall for me. There's enough in the shipment for a few meals. Let me make you dinner, with real meat."

Rose gave Ashev a warm smile. “Are you sure? ... Of course you are or you wouldn’t have asked.” She grinned. “That sounds lovely, thank you! To be honest it would be nice to have the company.”

"I agree," Ashev said. "I've missed having a quiet dinner in with someone. Quarters can get lonely and the mess hall can get loud."

“That’s very true” Rose nodded. “Just let me know when and I’ll be there.”

“The instant I get the shipment, you’ll be the first to know.” He put the hypospray back on the tray, in exactly the right spot so he could find it again. “Now remember. Breakfast, supplement Kersey-three. If you have any more questions, whether about your health, the baby, or really anything else, bring them to me.”

Rose nodded. “I will, that’s a promise!” She smiled warmly. “Thank you Ashev.”

“It’s what I’m here for,” he replied. “Take care now.” Confident that she’d be okay, he went to his office in order to process paperwork for the incident.