Hard Truths

Posted on Wed Jun 23rd, 2021 @ 6:58pm by Dixoho Saa (*) & Oliver Lucas
Edited on on Thu Jul 8th, 2021 @ 11:40am

Mission: Mission 13: Stowaway
Location: Infirmary
Timeline: MD 08 20:00
1084 words - 2.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Dixoho was fed up of sickbay. She had been in and out of consciousness for day since she had, had a fit in the tropical ice bar. It was hard to focus but she was determined that day was going to be the day she did not sleep it away.

"Heya Dix." Oliver smiled faintly as she entered the infirmary. He'd tried to make sure it would be quieter for their chat. Less people to overhear, more space for her to listen. "How are you feeling now? Has the dizziness passed?"

Dixoho turned to look at the man and forced herself to sit up slowly. “Tired. I’m trying to stay awake today. I’ve…” She took a deep breath to settle the dizziness for a moment. “… been awake for awhile now and not really it’s still there. It will be my oxygen level.” She knew the signs.

"Maybe." He pointed to the biobed and ran a quick scan over her. "Levels are a little low, but that's not really why I suggested you come down here." He folded the equipment away and leaned on the biobed opposite her. "They're getting more frequent, aren't they? Don't pretend that they're not." He held his hand up quickly to stop her from objecting. "I know they are. The indicators are there, and the normal meds aren't working quite as well as they were before."

Dixoho considered for a long moment of denying it all but the man knew better. Her body was betraying her in more than one way. “More frequent and stronger.” She conceded biting her lip.

"It's not going to be easy to hear it, but I'm afraid the course of medication has probably run its course. I've looked at every medical journal I can think of, touched base with a couple of old friends who might know more about this stuff than anyone, and...well, they're all telling me the same thing." He paused a fraction, making sure he was clear. "Your condition is getting worse and there isn't a cure."

Dixoho nodded. She already knew it deep down, she had been trying to hide it, try and deny it but it was just to late. “Story of my life.” She finally said paling more if it was possible.

Oliver gave up trying to be stoic and shuffled over to put an arm around her shoulder. "We'll keep looking, though. Maybe there's people outside the usual channels that we haven't thought of yet. We'll keep going. But..." He sighed. He hated this bit. "You should probably chat to the people that are important to you. Loved ones. And...well, the Captain should probably know too."

Dixoho appreciated his attempt to comfort her but it was lost on her as she thought about it. The Captain? He was fully aware already why he was doing what he could to try to keep her alive. “The Captain is aware. He took me on knowing my time was limited.” She admitted reminding him how long it had been going on. She had this cloud over her for many years. “But I will try and find some time to have that conversation. So how can I make things better on myself.”

"Well, it's different from culture to culture. Some species decide to go out in a blaze of glory, end it all quick to avoid suffering. Others want a celebration of life. Or try to set right any things they think might be wrong." Oliver shook his head. "I'm not really an expert. I guess talking to people who you care about - and who care about you - is important at this stage."

“I need to talk to people.” She agreed not sure about any of the other stuff at all but she had a little bit of time to get herself and affairs in order. “Um… can I state with you who I want to advocate for me medically?” She asked quietly something occurring to her that she had never done before.

Oliver coughed a little, trying to buy a moment of time to answer that. "Yes, you can." It was an awkward position to be in, and not one he was familiar with, but he had to remain professional and supportive. "Who should I note down?"

Dixoho lent out and put her hand over his and squeezed it tightly. "Thank you for doing this." She said sweetly. She knew as a friend he was struggling with it all but he was the only person she trusted to listen to her and to make the right choices for her when it came down to it. "Cami." She said quickly and without hesitation. It would be a surprise to everyone that she did not pick Michael but she needed someone who would do the right thing. The woman had walked a mile in her shoes and was the only one who knew how it felt.

"Cami," he nodded. It didn't take a genius to figure out they'd been closer lately. It made some sense, though he wondered if the young Bajoran woman would react well to being told. "The, uh..." he took a moment to formulate what he wanted to say. "I can get you some hypo doses for the pain. It'll keep you steady for longer; take the edge off things."

It was going to be a question that everyone was going to raise when it came up. “Appreciate it.” Dixoho said touching his hand squeezing it for a second before letting him go to get what he needed.

Oliver headed for the medical storage cabinet, grabbed the supplies and returned quickly to Dixoho's side. "Here. One in the hypo, two spares. I'd warn you about the dangers of overdosing on that, but...well..." He shrugged awkwardly. "Sorry."

“Do not be.” Oliver was a good man, one of the best that she knew. She hated that she was causing him embarrassment and awkwardness. She quickly pocketed the hypo spray and extra doses. “I will see you later.” She said using it as an excuse to leave the awkwardness.

"Yeah. I guess you will." He sighed as she went. He wasn't very good at this. Rosie had a small crew, and most of them were more than colleagues; this assorted bunch was a lot like family. Dysfunctional, but still family. Losing Dix would hurt everyone. He took a moment to gather himself again then headed back to file the notes with their new chief medic.