>>5976861After around seven minutes, an older gentleman walks in the room. You stand, as he turns to face you.
"Hi, Walter, how are you?"
"I'm good." He gives you a half smile.
"Not too good, if you're dropping in for a check-up, I imagine." You give an awkward smile back.
"True." Dr. Belknap motions to your chair.
"Please, sit. Did Monica do any tests with you at all?" You shake your head. He grimaces. "I apologize for that, we're short staffed today." You nod your head, understanding. While you're a little upset that this hospital visit is taking much longer than usual, you get where the doctor is coming from.
"No, that's alright." Dr. Belknap grabs a clipboard from the desk behind him and a pen from the drawer.
"So, what brings you here today, Walter?"
"Well, uh, I've been having this persistent cough for a while now. It just won't seem to go away. I'm not really affected by it other than having to stop what I'm doing for a few seconds, but it's not the greatest."
"I see. How long has this been going on?"
"It started about a month ago, and I feel like it's been getting better, but it's just not going away. I've been trying echinacea in some tea, but I don't think that it's working."
"Alright. Any other symptoms? Fever, shortness of breath?"
"No fever, but I do feel a bit short of breath at times, especially when the coughing fits come on."
"Alright, let's take a look. If you don't mind, I'm going to listen to your breathing." With gentle hands, Dr. Belknap begins his examination, his stethoscope pressed against your chest. "Take a deep breath and hold it for me." You do so. "And release." You do so. His somewhat mundane expression turns into a frown as he asks you to do it again. Silence stretches between you both as Dr. Belknap listens intently, his brow furrowing slightly at each labored breath. He asks you to lean forward as he presses the stethoscope against your back.
"Mr. White, do you have a history of smoking?"
"Cigarettes?
"Any nicotine product."
"No, never." You try not to show it, but you're shocked he would ask this. "Why do you ask?" He doesn't respond.
Finally, Dr. Belknap straightens, his expression grave. "Walter, I'd like to run some tests," he says softly, his tone tinged with concern. "I have a feeling this may be something more serious than just a cold. Would you be alright with undergoing a CT scan?" You can feel your face drop.
"Is that necessary? I mean, it's not like I've got cancer or anything, right?" You lift the corners of your mouth to signify you're joking, but Dr. Belknap does not return the smile. Oh God.
---
As you lay inside the scanner, you can feel your life flashing before your eyes. The muted yellow plastic of the machine digs into your body, and you can feel yourself merging with the frame. This is probably the disorentation hitting.
After a while, you put your clothes back on and talk to Dr. Belknap.
