A Complicated Case

Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 26th March 2019

Characters: Urlene, Y'gel
Description: Urlene brings a complicated case to Y'gel for consultation.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 10, day 20 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Cyradis

Urlene

Y'gel

Braving the dragon area of the infirmary, Urlene walked with purpose,
a thick bundle of carefully rolled hides and parchments carried in
her arms. At the office door, she knocked lightly. "Y'gel? May I have
a moment?"

"By all means," he smiled as he stood and dismissed the Journeyman
he'd been talking with. He waved toward the meeting table. "Need to
spread those out?"

She nodded. "Master Luvin sent all of this in from the Hall. I need a
consult if you have time. " She moved to the table and began to spread
out the notes, sketches and reports. "High risk abdominal surgery,
unknown mass near the intestines and possibly connected to major
organs. Luvin suspects the worst, but thinks the mass should be
removed for a definitive diagnosis." She found the most recent sketch
and handed it to Y'gel with a frown. "Luvin thinks the chances of
survival are ten percent. I think it's more like thirty to forty. What
do you think?"

Y'gel looked at the documents in turn. His eyes squinted in several
places then he shook his head. "It is very hard to tell from these
notes," he mused. "But I'd lean in the direction of what you're saying
rather what Master Luvin has indicated. He's usually a bit pessimistic
in his diagnoses." He tapped one of the documents. "Has there been
recent dolphin diagnosis? Is it more solid or fatty?"

"You're holding the last one." Urlene frowned. "It doesn't say." She
picked up another hide and showed it to him."There's no name, but
Luvin's notes say the patient is a bronze rider from here. The mass is
getting bigger and there's quite a bit of pain reported." She gestured
to the hide Y'gel held. "Its really close to some major vessels. The
problem is, it's not clear what it may be attached to. That's risky,
Y'gel."

"Yes," he nodded. "Especially if it's constricting the bowel. If that
were the case, he'd likely be in pain."

"Yes, he would." She scanned the notes. "I think I could do it. It
would be one of the hardest surgeries I've ever done, to be honest."
She looked up at him. "I'd need help. And I don't know how a dragon
would react to potential shock. If the heart faltered...would that be
enough to send it between?"

"Not with a queen locking him down," Y'gel shook his head. "Either
Riyanth or Panitath could control him. Santhiath is likely not strong
enough yet."

"Good. That's good to know." She exhaled. "That was my main worry. I'd
have to have the incision open for a good deal longer than I'd like.
It's not like a birthing or the appendix. It's deeper. But with two of
us, perhaps not as long as it has to be." She frowned. "But Luvin
didn't send a name, just that he didn't feel that he was able to do it
and Faranth knows I'm better with a scalpel than he is. Even he knows
it. "

"Has anyone told the Weyrwoman about this? It has to be someone in
leadership. This can't be a young man. So he's likely a leader of some
kind." Y'gel was concerned and now his mind was grinding away at the
problem. But he nodded. "Of course I'll help," he said. "My eyes
aren't as good as they once were but my hands are rock steady."

"I don't know. I haven't spoken to her. This just came in and whoever
this is has been going to Dolphin Hall to get examined. Whoever it is
has been very quiet." She picked up a notation. "Master Luvin writes
down that the rider wants to be discrete and has refused any treatment
except willowsalic tea." She glanced up. "That won't be enough for the
pain he'll be in. It'll just take the edge off." She rubbed her chin.
"Thank you, I may need it. But if he's been refusing, I can't do
anything, Y'gel. A surgery this risky...he'd have to agree to it. I
won't do it otherwise."

"Dragons aren't that complicated," he shook his head. "They hurt,
they just want it fixed."

"Well, humans are." Urlene sighed. "I don't know how to bring this to
the Weyrwoman, Y'gel. I've not spoken to her more than a few times,
and I don't have a name. Besides, if the rider is wanting discretion,
shouldn't I respect that?"

"She should know someone is in danger that could likely be repaired. I
meet with her every week about injured dragons. Trust me, she'd want
to know. Even if there were no hope at all."

Urlene exhaled through her nose as she considered the ethics of the
situation. Discretion and self-determination had been a large portion
of her initial training, but this had facets that potentially went
beyond that, including the safety of others. It was a fine line that
she would have to walk. "Can you inform her?" Urlene studied the
notes. "Luvin may be right, you know. The risk may not be worth it,
but I think that with your help, we can pull whoever it is through a
surgery like this and if he's strong enough, can fight whatever
infection might happen." She looked up. "But it has to be soon, Y'gel.
If that mass gets any more entangled, or it perforates the bowel..."
She didn't have to continue; he'd know.

"Exactly," he said. "I'll talk to her. Well," he half smiled and put a
thumb in his chest. "At least I know one bronzerider it isn't."

"I'd hope not. It would be hard for you to assist in your own surgery.
" Urlene's voice was dry, but there was a glint of humor playing
around her lips. "Let me know if you find out anything, if you would.
"
He chuckled but nodded, "Agreed, it would be awkward. I'll let you know."

Last updated on the April 4th 2019

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A Complicated Case