The GP's Valentine Proposal by Jessica Matthews

Author:Jessica Matthews
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-09-09T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

“AMBULANCE is on the way.” Miranda hung up the phone and began rummaging through a cupboard.

“Fine, but where’s my tube?” Dixie asked, trying to keep the older lady from literally jumping off the table. She was doing everything medically possible, given the circumstances, but knowing that didn’t lessen her impatience over the lack of equipment and variety of drugs she was accustomed to having at her fingertips.

“Sorry. I only have an oropharyngeal airway.” Miranda brandished it in the air.

“I’ll take it.” Actually, Dixie thought it might be more beneficial at the moment. Not only would the device allow them to mechanically ventilate Opal if necessary, it would also act as a bite block. Because she couldn’t force it into Opal’s mouth without potentially causing her to vomit or aspirate, Dixie waited for the right second to insert it.

“Come on, Opal,” she urged. “Open wide.”

When the right moment came, she slipped the airway between Opal’s teeth and positioned it past her tongue.

Miranda handed her a blanket, and while Dixie covered their patient the nurse pulled a small cylinder of oxygen out of the cabinet. “Do you want me to set this up?”

“Yes.”

Miranda spoke as she adjusted the valves on the oxygen tank. “Why is she having a seizure?”

“I think she has a subdural hematoma and it’s putting pressure on her brain. I don’t suppose we have any saline or lactated Ringer’s to set up an IV line.”

“Sorry. We did at one time, but it got outdated and the doctors decided not to replace it.”

Dixie made a mental note to discuss that issue with Mark. “Do we have any diazepam?” she asked, referring to the drug that was a combination of fast-acting sedative, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant.

“In the other room.”

Dixie debated her options. The medication was best administered via IV, but since they didn’t have IV access…No matter. If need be, she could get around it. “How long until the ambulance arrives?”

“A couple of minutes.”

Minutes, thank goodness. “What about Dr Cameron?”

“I dialed his cellphone, but he didn’t answer.”

“Doesn’t he carry a pager?”

“I tried that, too, but he doesn’t usually carry both and he said to use his phone if we needed him. I’d better alert Jane so, if he calls, she’ll know what to say.”

“Tell her that if he hasn’t answered in a couple of minutes, keep trying. Meanwhile, get the diazepam.”

Miranda obeyed instantly. Dixie stayed at Opal’s side to monitor her. She could do little else until the seizures stopped or the proper equipment arrived. As for Opal’s flailing limbs, restraining her wasn’t an option—Dixie could only make sure that the woman didn’t hit anything or fall onto the floor.

She adjusted the blanket to keep it tucked around the elderly woman’s petite form, although it was a somewhat futile effort. Maintaining Opal’s body temperature was a small thing to do, but very necessary.

For the next several minutes Dixie impatiently watched both her patient and the clock. Just when she wondered if everyone had deserted her, the door opened and Mark strode in.

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