corpseell

[terpsikeraunos]

the government should pay me to stay alive

[willowreader]

Statistics don't lie It just blows my mind that people can't see or understand that COVID is a dangerous virus that can damage your body. Getting infected multiple times will have serious consequences for many.

[katbug666]

everytime i smoke a cig i think about how disappointed in me my surgeon would be. idk man. ill do it for content occasionally but don't get me twisted, im trying to avoid them! 😥

[your-witch-trial-has-expired]

Is it bad to feel angry at your dead mom cause she didn't listen to me when I told her to get something checked out. It was a blood clot. And it did kill her

Damn it if your family is worried about a medical thing like a blood clot listen for fucks sake. Your kid may be 19 but they still NEED you

And if you have a swollen area, especially if it's HARD, see a damn doctor IMMEDIATELY! Not six months later!

[queenboimler]

fully believe buck will lose his apartment and have to move in with eddie, not because of a fire but because after all the medical emergencies this man has had the past few year he has to be broke

[ineffectualdemon]

I sometimes feel like I'm weak because I'm disabled and can't do a lot because of the pain I'm in daily

Then I remember my pulmonary embolism

TW: lots of medical talk

The normal timeline from "hey my chest hurts" to "in emergency room or dead" is hours

I walked around in agony and struggling to breathe for a WEEK

I did the SCHOOL RUN!

FOR. A. WEEK.

When it finally got bad enough A WEEK LATER and I made my husband take me to the doctor I had to walk upstairs to his offixe which left me doubled over, struggling to breathe, and in agony

Now what should have happened with a pulmonary embolism is that I should not have been able to recover from that and continue the appointment and would have been rushed to the A&E

But I DID recover!

I recovered my breathe and the agony subsided a little and so the doctor thought I had pleurisy and sent me off with oral morphine and to get a chest x-ray (but his instructions told me if the pain meds didn't help to call 999 which is what saved my life)

Anyway my point is I did all this shit which is supposed to be impossible when you have MULTIPLE BLOOD CLOTS IN YOUR LUNGS

So in summary:

I'm actually hard as fuck

[jcsmicasereports]

Coinfections and pulmonary embolism in a patient with onset of Leukemia concomitantly with COVID19- Case report by Evgenia Papakonstantinou in Journal of Clinical Case Reports Medical Images and Health Sciences

Abstract

The pandemic of COVID19 is ongoing, with the treatment of neoplastic diseases to be challenging. Patients with acute leukemia are vulnerable to many pathogens due to impaired immunity coming from their disease and simultaneous chemotherapy. Although the COVID19 disease evolves milder in children, concomitant treatment for leukemia may be fatal. We present a girl with COVID19 and Escherichia Hermannii infection at diagnosis for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). This child suffered bilateral pulmonary embolism after initiation of treatment. We discuss the therapeutic challenges about the initiation of chemotherapy in the context of coinfections as well as the role of COVID19 and other predisposing factors to pulmonary embolism. We found that the slight delay in the antineoplastic treatment contributed to the remission of the acute infection and did not negatively impact the initial response to the leukemia treatment. Nevertheless, the resumption of the oncological treatment should remain among our priorities.

Keywords

Acute leukemia, COVID19, Escherichia Hermannii, pulmonary embolism

Introduction

Given the immunodeficiency due to their disease and chemotherapy, patients with cancer are vulnerable to infections and COVID19 infection is really threatening. We describe a successful management of a girl diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and COVID19 infection concomitantly with Escherichia Hermannii sepsis. The initiation of chemotherapy was slightly postponed, due to the danger of these severe infections until blood cultures were negative for E. Hermanii. Pulmonary thrombosis was added, as COVID-19 infection predisposes for developing cardiovascular complications, while our patient was under existing predisposing factors for thrombophilia, but with appropriate management had successful outcome.

Case History

A three-year-old girl who presented with a four-day fever, rhinitis, and cough, found positive for COVID19 infection without mutation, as all her family members. She had anemia (Hb: 2.9 g/dL), neutropenia (N: 371/μL), thrombopenia (PLT: 24 K/μL) while tachypnea (RR=31/min), tachycardia (HR=146/min), fever 38.6°C, air oxygen saturation 97%, were found on examination. Empirical antimicrobial treatment with Tazobactam-Piperacillin, Amikacin, Teicoplanin, and Micafungin were given for febrile neutropenia, transfusions (blood, platelets) for myelosuppression, Remdesivir (5 mg/kg) for COVID19. Blood culture yielded Escherichia Hermannii sensitive to receiving antibiotics, but therapy was upscaled to Meropenem due to elevated CRP (109mg/l) and persistent fever 40.6°C. The antibiotic treatment lasting 14-days ceased after two negative cultures. Baseline chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed small cloudy glass spots, areas of pulmonary thickening, atelectasis. Bone marrow aspiration, with 61% blasts, set the diagnosis of pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) hyperdiploid, Central Nervous System (CNS) negative. Abdominal ultrasound showed hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. Examinations for thrombophilia revealed heterozygosity for factor V Leiden. Chemotherapy started while positive for COVID according to ALLIC 2009 protocol, standard risk arm, 15 days post diagnosis. Remained in COVID clinic until two negative PCR tests. The ALL re-examination showed good prednisolone response on Day 8, complete remission on Days 15, 33. On Day 40 from the initiation of chemotherapy, she had tachypnea with a value of D-dimer elevated at 2.145 ng/mL. Chest CT revealed subsegmental pulmonary embolism on both lower lobes of the lungs. She had not high oxygen requirements, hemodynamic instability requiring intubation, and was treated with low molecular weight heparin for 3 months. She continued chemotherapy without delays, with regular weekly tests for COVID19 and without reactivations, despite the use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy.

Discussion

The management of children with haematological malignancies and Sars-Cov 2 infection remains challenging since limited data about the impact of COVID 19 in these children are available. Main goal is to optimize the oncological treatment and avoid severe Sars-Cov2 infection due to immunosuppressive therapy. The Escherichia Hermanni bacteremia1 at diagnosis increased the risk of severe complications and led to slight delay of the chemotherapy initiation. The risk of virus transmission to the immunocompromised children in our department required a structured protocol regarding nursing care and isolation techniques. According to American Society of Hematology guidelines2, (January 2021), treatment for ALL patients is individualized, especially during the induction period. Reducing chemotherapy doses is not recommended since it may alter the expected therapeutic effect on ALL, while the severity of COVID19 does not seem to be affected. According to SFCE3 (French Society Committee for fight children and adolescents' Cancers), the main threat to children with ALL remains the ALL itself, even if life-threatening infections are emerging. We slightly delayed the chemotherapy initiation and prioritized treating the viral and bacterial infection since the type of leukemia of our patient was neither potentially life-threatening nor high risk (WBC<20.000, no HR cytogenetic findings, no CNS involvement). Our concern was that the co infections could be deteriorated if we had started induction chemotherapy and corticosteroids. The limited data available suggest a significant heterogeneity regarding the time till the first negative COVID19 PCR test in oncology patients (from four to 94 days). Bisogno et al. reported 19 patients with a mean time to negative PCR of 22 days and eight patients with 19 days4. Our patient demonstrated negative PCR testing for Sars-Cov2 on the 40th day of chemotherapy. As there is no standard therapy established for paediatric oncology patients with COVID19 yet, many centers follow the treatment strategy as in adults. Bisogno et al. treated nine out of 29 oncological patients suffering from COVID19 with Ritonavir, Hydroxychloroquine, and immune plasma. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) reported their experience with the plasma administration to critically ill children5. Remdesivir is RNA polymerase inhibitor recommended in children with severe Sars-Cov2 infection and underlying medical conditions, especially in the early course of illness. According to a recent meta-analysis remdesivir has the most promising evidence that improves the time to recovery6. In our patient the seven-day lasting antiviral therapy was well tolerated, without any pathological findings. The reported cases of venous thromboembolism may be related to the systemic inflammatory response or a state of hypercoagulability8. Our patient had multiple coexisting risk factors predisposing for thrombophilia, such as administration of Asparaginase, use of a central venous catheter (Hickman), and heterozygous status for the factor V Leiden. In patients with ALL and COVID19, prophylactic administration of anticoagulants may have an impact, but there are not yet standardize recommendations. We need to maintain a high index of suspicion for pulmonary embolism in patients with COVID19 and leukemia and to measure D-dimers regularly. There is need for guidelines for prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin for pulmonary embolism in patients with COVID-19 and existing risk factors for thromboembolism. The patient was treated successfully with three- month administration of low molecular weight heparin. She continued chemotherapy without delays, with regular weekly tests for COVID19 as some authors have reported reactivations, without reactivations, despite the use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy.

Acknowledgements

Dr Pappa A., Medical Biopathologist-Microbiologist, Professor of Microbiology, Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Dr. Polychronopoulou Sofia, Coordinating Director Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Agia Sofia Children’s Hospital Athens.

[trippedandfell]

chim just because you say it’s like slicing a sausage doesn’t mean it’s true!!!

[serahlink]

//TW for medical talk and pics including IVS

Making a new post about this because we're in desperate need of help and I'm not sure what else to do. My father went into a heart center a state away (it was the closest they could transfer him) about a week ago because he was having breathing issues in his rib, and it turns out he has a pulmonary embolism; an infection in the artery in his lung. We aren't sure what caused it, but they were able to say it hasn't done damage yet thankfully. While he's been away, I've been trying to get commissions or any help to pay for another week but we still need 160$ to be good for another week, and we only have another full day to get it all together. We don't have anywhere to go if we can't stay here and I want my father to have somewhere to come home to.

We also need help with getting the meds he needs so the infection doesn't take over, and we will need help getting an Uber to get him back since we don't have any family or friends that could bring him back. I know it's alot to ask for, I didn't expect them to transfer him so far or for the infection to be anything serious at first. But work has been very slow and we can't do this on our own. I want to at least get a week paid for first.

My commissions are in my pinned post, or if you'd like to donate, I have a tipping function on my twitter which you can find here. Anything at all would mean alot to us in this situation. Reblogs included. Thank you.

[tspelizabeth]

A friend of mine’s friend’s sister (i know its convoluted but i know its a real person and a real gofund me is the point) needs help with medical bills

[kirkathechub]

He’s really just a perfect lump,,,

[f4kef4ngs]

last time I went to my primary care doctor it was because I had some sort of heart event going on and had to go to the hospital then my primary care for a followup and my doctors office sucks bc I never see the same doctor more than once because they're a "care team" so I can't build a relationship at all and have to repeat myself every fucking time I go. so anyways I was there to report severe chest and limb pain and an incredibly irregular heartbeat and as fucking always they said it was just anxiety and prescribed me anxiety meds because they don't listen to me at all. but jokes on them because the medication they gave me hasn't done shit for my anxiety but it is most typically prescribed for chest pain and irregular heart rates so by being wrong and dismissive they accidentally helped. the doctor was so fucking condescending too. I was there to ask about my potential heart problem and she told me to see a psychiatrist. fuckin asshole

[katbug666]

Miss Kat Anon Ask Game! 😊

1. what's a random alters favorite color?

2. how many tattoos do u have?

3. how many tattoos do u want?

4. how long have u vaped?

5. what's your favorite pokémon?

6. what's your favorite pokémon you have caught in pokémon dnd?

7. what's your favorite pokémon you have encountered in pokémon dnd?

8. how many piercings do u want?

9. how long have u had a tic disorder?

10. what's a pulmonary embolism?

11. what's your favorite strain of weed?

12. what's your favorite way to smoke?

13. what's your best pokémon in pokemon go?

14. what's your favorite song right now?

15. what's your favorite band?

16. who would you love to see in concert?

17. what's a random tic you've had?

18. how long have u had a tic disorder?

19. what's your favorite ps5 game?

20. what's your favorite desktop game?

[anon911andbuddie]

Hi I was wondering if you where still taking prompts if so I had an idea for a Eddie and Buck one where it’s after the lawsuit and Bucky is back working but everyone is avoiding him and when they get a call they leave him behind to clean. All the stress gets to him and one day while everyone is out on a call Bucky had another embolism. He calls 9-1-1 and another house saves him and the 118 comes back to blood on the floor and two fire fighters waiting to tell them what happened.

This one is long overdue. It has been started in my drafts for a long time. And I finally got to finish it. Hope you guys enjoy it.

-Scarlet 📕

Content warnings: Blood, coughing, struggling to breathe, panic, fear, passing out, intubation, pulmonary embolism, ambulances, hospitals, pain, guilt, anger.

Away Team

Buck looked around the empty station and felt the pain in his chest get worse. The call had the full crew out. As the pain persisted Buck realized it wasn't the usual ache that came with working these days. No, this was a different but familiar pain. It hurt, and he felt a cough in his throat, even deep in his chest. He reached up to where his radio should be and remembered he didn't have his radio on him. Why would he? It was just another way for them to yell at him. So he grabbed his phone, and as stupid as it made him feel, he dialed 911. Coughing as he did. He did his best to explain between choking coughs and gasping breaths. He somehow managed to get his location out as he dropped to his knees in the vacant truck bay. He looked down and frowned. He'd just cleaned that floor, and now it had blood on it. Bobby was going to be so pissed. Buck could hear the dispatcher's voice through his speaker, but he was no longer able to understand her. He blacked out.

His consciousness returned with a sudden jolt. The coughing made his chest burn, and something was in his throat. It all hurt. A firm hand stopped him from pulling at the tube in his throat. 

"Easy, Buckley," an unfamiliar voice told him. "You're having a hard enough time already. No need to make it worse." How did they know his name? Where was he? Buck looked around and realized he was in an ambulance. He looked up to see a paramedic he didn't really know. The confusion must have been clear on his face because the paramedic sighed but smiled. 

"You called 911, do you remember?" He thought about it, and he remembered what had happened. He nodded as much as he could. 

"Okay, that's good," the paramedic smiled. "I'm Mel. I work with the 122."

Buck nodded again in acknowledgment.

"I have to ask, Buckley," Mel said. "Dispatch said you told her it was an embolism. You have one before?" 

Buck nodded. 

"You on blood thinners?"

He nodded again. 

"You take your meds today?"

Buck tried to remember if he did. He half shrugged, an action that didn't help his sore and exhausted body. 

"Okay," Mel nodded as she began to check his vitals again. "That is honestly more than I figured I'd get with the tube in. Just relax now, Buckley. We'll be at the hospital soon."

"You seeing this, Bobby?" Chim asked as they neared the station and saw a fire engine that didn't belong to their house in front of the bay's open doors. 

"Yeah," Bobby said as he eyes the truck as they got closer. 

"What the hell is the 122 doing here?" Eddie asked as they pulled in beside the engine. 

"Let's find out," Bobby said as he got out and approached the pair of firefighters that were blocking them from pulling into the station.

"Captain Nash?" One of the men asked.

"That's me," Bobby looked between the men. 

"Is that blood?" Eddie asked as he joined them. He looked around the empty bay. "Wait, where's-"

"Buckley will hopefully be at Good Samaritan by now," the second firefighter said.

"What happened?" Bobby asked, his heart rate picking up as he took it all in. There were discarded gloves and blood on the floor. 

"We were going to ask you the same thing," the first said.

"Who are you?" Chim asked.

"Morris and Jameson from the 122." The one named Jameson said.

"What happened to Buck?" Bobby asked.

"He called 911," Morris said bluntly. "Never had a call to another station before. Our captain said it never really happens.

"Why? Is he alright?" Eddie asked.

"He was coughing up blood," Jameson answered, gesturing to the spots on the floor. “Heard something about an embolism.”

"That can't be right," Eddie said. "He is on blood thinners." 

Morris eyed Eddie skeptically. "Diaz, is it? That's why we're here to talk to Captain Nash. Our captain has a few concerns."

"Where is your captain?" Chim asked. 

"He decided it best to go with Buckley," Jameson told him. “Said the guy sued the department once already and that he wanted to make sure he didn't have any reason to do it again. Best care and all that." 

"He dropped the suit," Hen said. 

Jameson shrugged. "They said that, but we're still confused on how an embolism risk is not only on duty but alone. That seems a bit-"

"He isn't working calls. That is why he was here," Bobby said. "A sort of light duty."

"So you're a man down on calls?"

"For now," Bobby said. 

"Riiight," Morris said. "Might be for a lot longer now."

"So he had another embolism?" Bobby tried to get the conversation back to how Buck is now. 

"It was what dispatch said he managed to say," Jameson answered. "She wasn't sure because sounded like the guy was coughing up a lung, and from how we found him, I believe it. The guy was collapsed on the ground struggling to breathe and coughing up blood. So seemed right to the medics. They got a tube in, we loaded him up and got him out of here."

"Oh, Buckaroo," Hen said as she shook her head. She reached over and gave Eddie's shoulder a squeeze. He'd gone quiet and a bit pale as they listened to them talk. 

"But honestly, we're a bit confused because Deluca used to talk about how close you guys are, but your own guy had to call for us? How does that even happen?"

"It is a long story," Bobby sighed. 

"We got until the boss calls us out, and I'm sure the chief will want to hear." With that, Bobby took the two firefighters to his office.

"You okay?" Hen asked Eddie.

"He is on the blood thinners. How could this happen?" Eddie asked, his eyes glued to the blood splatters on the ground. 

"Well, meds can fail," Hen said.

"But they usually don't-"

"He couldn't remember if he took them," they all looked up to see another member of the 122 come through the doors.

"What?" Eddie asked. 

"Or at least that was what I could figure out with just yes and no questions in the rig," she said. "He might be on them, but he had to have missed more than just one dose for this to happen." She gestured to the mess on the ground.

"He was awake? Is he okay?" Eddie asked. 

"He was conscious and as okay as someone can be with a tube shoved down his throat, though I guess his sister said he'd had a trach before, so I guess he has had worse."

"Maddie is there?" Chim said as he pulled out his phone. 

"If that is his sister, then she was on her way last I heard from my captain."

"But is he-" 

"As fun as this game of 20 questions is, where are Morris and Jameson?"

"In talking to our captain," Hen said.

"Can you take me to them?" The medic asked. 

"Sure, he'll be glad to hear Buck was awake." Hen said as she leads her toward Bobby's office. 

Chim pulled his phone from his ear. "Maddie's not answering."

Eddie rubbed at his face and looked down at the blood again. "Why wouldn't he call us?" 

"You're seriously asking that?" Chim said, causing Eddie to look up at him.

"What the hell does that mean?" Eddie said. 

"I mean, if you haven't noticed, this whole situation is a disaster. I thought that scene at the store was bad, but been more than a bit frosty around here since he came back."

"Don't you put this all on me. That’s-" Eddie said, a sharp edge to his tone.

"I'm not. I just-" Chimney started. 

"This is on all of us," Bobby said as he approached them. "But mostly me. I should have been keeping a closer eye on him." They all watched as the 122 went back to their vehicles and left. 

"Can we go see him?" Eddie asked. 

"After we get this place cleaned up."

Buck woke up to the sound of harsh whispers.

"No, this is all your fault. You had one job, to keep your team safe, including my brother. You don't get to pick and choose who on your team you care about. You are their captain, his captain-"

"Mads," Buck managed to call out. His voice sounded off to his own ears, and his throat felt like someone sandpapered it. But at least the tube was out. 

"Hey, take it easy. Your vocal cords took a bit of a beating," Maddie said as she rushed back to his side and held up a styrofoam cup with a straw. He took a drink, and it helped soothe his throat a bit, but not much. He looked up at the door and saw Bobby standing in it. Buck forced himself not to flinch but must have failed when he felt his sister squeeze his hand. 

"This is what I didn't want to happen," Maddie glared at Bobby. "You-"

"I know this is my fault," Bobby said. "I know I failed Buck. I figured he'd be fine at the station, that he-"

"He is sitting right here," Buck grumbled.

"I know, and I am so sorry Buck," Bobby said. "This should never have happened I-"

"If the 122 hadn't read you the riot act, would you even be here?" Maddie asked.

"Of course, he is still a part of the team, still one of us." Bobby nodded.

"Got a funny way of showing it," Maddie huffed.

"Maddie," Buck cautioned. 

"No, Evan," Maddie held his hand between hers. "They treated you terribly. You dropped the suit and did everything they asked, and they still let this happen."

"They didn't make me miss my meds," Buck admitted.

"About that, Buck, when did you stop taking them?" Bobby asked.

"I didn't intentionally do it. I just ran out and couldn't get to the pharmacy because I had to work."

"You should have told me. I would have-" Bobby started to say.

"Don't," Maddie cut him off. "Do not make him feel bad about this. You assigned his shifts. You assigned him every chore in the book. He could have died, and you guys would have come back and found him dead in the station. The one you are supposed to be in command of."

"I know, and that is something I have to live with,” the captain admitted, “Knowing how close we were to losing Buck, and it was absolutely preventable. If we had just paid more attention."

"Damn right you should have," Maddie said, glaring at him. 

"I know, and you can't possibly know how sorry I am." Bobby turned to look at Buck and took a few steps closer. "If you want to transfer out, I would understand, we all would, and I know nothing can change what we did, but I promise if you come back things will be better."

"Why would I transfer? What house would want the guy that sued his boss and the department?" Buck said, his face reflecting his depressive state. 

"Well, the 122 was quick to call us out. One of the old 118 crew had told them about us, and what they saw didn't mesh with that idea, and they had a lot of questions. You made quite an impression on them. I'm sure you could-"

"You promise if I come back that everyone won't hate me, and I will get to do more than grunt work, right?" Buck asked. 

"I assure you most of the team has already changed their tune," Bobby said.

"I don't know,” Buck said, his doubts clear in his tone. “Eddie was so pissed before-"

"I'm sure if Eddie was still angry he wouldn't be out in the waiting room,” Bobby informed him, “the others too."

"Unless he came to yell at him some more," Maddie grumbled.

"If his reaction when we got back to the station was anything to go by,” Bobby said to try and assure them, “I doubt he'll do much yelling, but only Eddie can really answer that."

"So you are really sure they don't hate me?" Buck asked.

"We don't hate you, Buckaroo," Hen replied. They all looked up to see Hen, Chim, and Eddie at the door. 

"Right," Buck said, not really believing her. 

"Buck," Hen started but was stopped by Eddie.

"You might not believe us now, and that's on us," Eddie said as he moved closer to Buck's bed. "And if we have to earn that back, we will.”

Buck looked up at his sister. “Is this really happening? I’m not dead, right?”

“They’re lucky you aren’t dead, or your lawsuit would look trivial compared to the hell I would have raised,” Maddie admitted without hesitation. “And as tempting as doing it anyway seems and as much as I’d love to see these 3 sweat it, I won’t do that to you.” She squeezed her brother’s hand. “You’ve been through enough.”

“I just want to go back to normal,” Buck said. 

“Evan…” Maddie started.

“We can’t go back, can’t change what is done,” Bobby admitted. “Believe me. I wish I could. But we can do better going forward.”

“And we will,” Eddie stated.

“All of us,” Hen added.

“Yeah, what they said,” Chim nodded. 

Maddie shook her head but asked, “And you’ll make sure he gets back on his feet and stays that way?”

“Of course,” Bobby agreed.

“You swear you’ll actually have his back this time?” Maddie looked at Eddie.

“On my life,” Eddie answered. 

“I will hold you to that, Diaz,” Maddie told him.

“Maddie, please, I just-” Buck started.

“I’m not going to be sorry about holding them accountable, Evan. You wouldn’t be here if they did their jobs. I’m not going to stand here and listen to them make empty promises. They don’t get to try and save their own asses just because another crew called them out.”

“We won't make the same mistake again,” Bobby assured her. 

“I’ll make sure they don’t.” They turned to see Athena standing in the doorway.  

"Good," Maddie says. She did still trust Athena.

"I just want to go back to work," Buck says.

"And you will after you're cleared for duty," Bobby says.

"But they will not be standing in your way this time," Athena says. “Their superiors have assured me.”

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that even I got a call from the fire chief and the captain of the 122. And they will be keeping an eye on things. And so will I."

Buck groans and drops back against the pillows. 

"Evan," Maddie says. "It means they are taking this as seriously as it should be. This sort of thing should never have happened." She glares at her brother's team. "The chief probably just wants to make sure it doesn't happen again."

"And it won't,” Bobby insists. “We'll take whatever punishments the department sees fit. If that's having to put up with inspections and even an investigation, that's fine. We'll do it."

"Technically, I don't think we broke any written rules," Chim points out. Earning a glare from Maddie. "But it was still wrong," he adds. "Hen and I should have stepped in when you came back." 

"We should have been checking in with you on how you were feeling and how the meds were going," Hen adds. "We're the medics on the team. Everyone's well-being is supposed to be even more important to us. And we botched that."

"We never wanted this to happen," Chim says. "No one wants you to suffer."

Buck huffs, but it turns into a cough. 

Eddie is at his side before he can even get a breath in.

"Slow breaths, as deep as you can without it hurting," Eddie tells him. He goes to put a hand on Buck's back, but the younger man flinches. And Eddie pulls away like he was burned. Maddie rubs her brother's back instead. 

"Thank you for the update, but Evan needs his rest," Maddie says sternly. Shutting down any further conversation. "Athena, you are welcome to stay, but I must ask the rest of you to leave."

"Understandable," Bobby acquiesces. "Let us know when you're feeling better, Buck. Then we can discuss your schedule." Buck nods. Bobby turns to the team. "Let's go." He can tell Eddie wants to fight him in this. "We can discuss this later."

Once back at the station, Eddie stares at the now clean spot that was the only hint that Buck had ever been in trouble. 

"Eddie," Bobby starts. "You need to give him time. Maybe we both need to start by telling him why we've been so hard on him. I know you hate seeing him hurting as much as we all do, but Maddie is right. We owe him an explanation. We owe it to him to fix this. To be better. I'm going to go call the chief. We may be in for a tough few weeks, but it's…well, it's deserved. We made this mess. I made this mess. Now it's time to face the consequences." He gave Eddie a pat on the shoulder before heading to his office. 

Bobby was right. They needed to fix it. And Eddie had a good idea of where to start. If Buck was still in the hospital in the morning, Eddie was going to bring Christopher to see him. If he was back home, then he and Christopher would bring him breakfast. Either way, starting tomorrow morning, Buck would have Christopher back. It may take Buck longer to let Eddie back in, but this would be a start. A peace offering. Yeah, that was a good plan. But first, he needed to call Carla and endure whatever lecture he was about to get. She has been Buck's friend longer than Eddie was. She would not be happy about what happened, but he was sure she would help him. She would help for Christopher's and Buck’s sake. She cares for them both. Eddie might have to work to get back in her good graces now too, but maybe a few added paid days off might help. Maybe. Either way, he had a plan.

[sunkenlamb]