Vicki and Patti woke up at the same time on different sides of Roseville. Too early and too dark, both tried to go back to sleep.
Vicki reached for her leg, it was itching something fierce. As she pulled it closer and turned on the bedside lamp, she noticed a paint brush size swath of bright red made redder with each scratch of her nails.
Patti made it to the bathroom where she stared into the mirror mystified by a red necklace carved around her collarbone. She grabbed her phone and typed: "R u itchy?"
Vicki's phone buzzed. She picked up the phone to see Patti's avatar looking at her and a bubble with a three-word question. "How does she know?" Vicki wondered. She punched out her reply.
"Red and blotchy and it hurts," was Vicki's response.
While the two worked at WRSE, they weren't close friends, but in what is still a male-dominated world they considered themselves sisters-in-arms with Kathy among the on-air staff.
Patti logged on to the clinic's website and made an appointment for later this Saturday morning. She didn't want to look like this and hoped the doctor could give her something for relief.
Vicki found a bottle of calamine lotion in the back of the medicine cabinet and slathered some on her leg. She might try to get into Urgent Care later, but first she had to get into the station to run the board for Ken Record's return to the air with the special doctor from Madison. She hoped all the phone lines were working, with a special guest, there were bound to be more calls than usual.
Downtown, Ken stood on the corner outside Karen's Kandie Kitchen and Bakery waiting for his guest. Behind him, Karen appeared to be busy wiping down tables, but was actually peering over Ken's shoulder hoping to see why or for whom Ken was waiting.
A bright red Smart car pulled into half-a-parking space near the corner and a man stepped out. Ken recognized him and called his name with a friendly wave, "Dr. Straw! Welcome to Roseville."
Dr. Maxwell Straw made the short walk around the car and climbed the curb. "Records, Ken Records," came the introduction, "Nice to meet you, please call me Max.
"I've been looking forward to this Ken, thanks for the invitation. How are you feeling?"
Ken told the doctor about his recovery and said as long as he stayed away from red meat; everything seemed normal. He admitted to the doctor he never expected to give up red meat, so it was a hard transition.
The two men walked the ramp and in the door into Karen's shop. She pointed Ken to the booth in the rear while hurrying after a pot of coffee and cold glass of Mt. Dew.
"Well, Ken, I'm glad you're doing well. Red Meat Allergy is pretty rare in these parts, but the Lone Star tick is known to spread; it has been found in Iowa. I suspect some of them found a ride into Wisconsin. I checked and you are the first diagnosed allergy of this type in the state. If you don't mind, I'd like to write a paper about it and set up some research with med students here in Roseville."
"That's fine with me, doc." Ken replied, "And if you don't mind, I want to give our news director a heads-up on this. He may want to do a story and get a short interview with you." Ken pulled out his phone and sent a quick email to Pete Moss.
Across town, Moss felt his phone vibrate. He checked the screen and headed back to the bedroom to change into something more presentable before heading to work.
"Ken, this is kind of exciting for us. If we're on time, we might be able to get in front of the allergy and devise a treatment and effective prevention plan. That's as good as it gets in the world of allergies."
Ken smiled, "Well, Doctor Straw, glad to be of service." Ken talked about the show planned for the morning. It's two hours with most of the calls expected in hour two.
He wanted to learn more about Dr. Straw. He learned the doctor grew up in Hayes, South Dakota. Actually, near Hayes since home was a ranch about 30 miles north.
Dr. Straw leaned in, he was impressed the radio host did his research. Not all of them do, he knew and wanted to be spoon-fed information. When Records referred to South Dakota's capital with the proper pronunciation of Pierre (like the dock, not the city in France) Max knew he was in good hands for his first live broadcast.
Karen showed up with two warm Blueberry muffins and refills of Mt. Dew and the coffee. After a little more conversation and polishing off the delicious muffins, the two drove to the station.
Vicki was in the control room when the pair arrived. There were extra people around this morning, here to welcome Ken and celebrate his healthy return to the air. There was a stack of get-well cards sent in by listeners and a new promo for today's show.
Jeff and Steve worked on it yesterday afternoon. It's a parody musical open. The two guys played it for Ken as he walked in the door. He laughed and said thanks. Vicki had her version ready to roll after the network news at the top of the hour.
Ken introduced Max to the other folks in the station saving Pete for last. He guessed Pete might want to arrange an interview after the show and record the broadcast for possible sound bites that could promote the show and station if the story was picked up on the statewide network.
Ken and Max headed into the studio and took their seats opposite the control room window. Through a small speaker on the table they heard, "coming up in 30." Ken reached for his headphones and put them on with one ear uncovered so he could hear the doctor's answers. He'd be able to hear Vicki's instructions through the speaker in his right ear.
Out of the network news, Vicki played a commercial for the Rose County Hospital's Urgent Care Center and realized she better get there herself after work. Then she pointed at Ken as the parody intro faded to music.
"Greetings, everyone, it’s time for Ken on the Records. If you'd allow me a moment I'd like to thank all of you for your care, concern, and support over the last week. I'm still recovering, but doing well enough to get back to work.
"I'm happy to introduce you to one person on the medical team that diagnosed me while I was in the Rose County Hospital, Dr. Maxwell Straw, an allergist from the University Hospital down in Madison. While he was part of the team, today is the first time, I've met him in person.
"Welcome to Roseville and WRSE, Doctor."
"Thanks, Ken. It's good to meet you and thanks for having me."
"Before we get into the allergy - I'm curious about the frequency and challenges of working long distance, like you did on my case."
"Good question. It happens more than you might think and the frequency is growing every year. I'd say on average 2 to 3 times a day. Sometimes, it might be a quick consult with a doctor to confirm a diagnosis or review a prescription. In cases like yours, the medical records, test results, and photos were sent electronically and Dr. Noel and I talked about them via computer.
"If you don't mind, Ken, I'd like to add up front here that I mention these details because you gave me permission to speak publicly about your case."
"Very good, Dr. Thanks." The conversation continued about the allergy and how it started, treatment, and prevention.
When they went to break, Vicki stuck her head in the studio door and asked if she could ask a question and showed him her leg. Dr. Straw's glance led to a quick show of concern, but he just nodded, thinking he better talk with her after the show.
At the clinic, Patti was having blood drawn and a scrape of her skin. The radio was on and the nurse helping her indicated she better see that doctor on the radio while he was in town.
Max thought the producer's leg looked familiar. Maybe it's another case? Just in case he made a phone call to the medical society and another to Dr. Noel. Later that day, he sent an alert to medical facilities around the state to be on the look-out.
During a break, Ken sent a text to Pete - there was developing news about to happen, and he knew his news man wouldn't want to miss it.
Calls came in from near and far, including the hospital describing what sounds like another case of Red Meat Allergy. Plus a bunch for common and rare allergies.
It was a brisk two hours when they concluded the program. Shaking hands before leaving, Max promised he'd be glad to talk again on the phone or in person, and promised to help with updates in the future.
Got an itch for more? Come back at 3 today for chapter 18.
Got an itch for more? Come back at 3 today for chapter 18.
Comments
Post a Comment