“Okay, Natalie, the EEG is complete,” said Tiffany, the nurse, with a smile. “You can sit up now, Honey,” she added, as she flipped on the overhead lights, before removing the electrode cap from the teenager’s head. It was the last test Dr. Baker had scheduled, designed to look for changes in brain activity, useful for diagnosing brain disorders such as epilepsy, tumors, head injury, brain dysfunction, stroke, or dementia.
After Tiffany finished, she took hold of the table with diagnostic equipment and started from the room. “I’ll let the doctor know we’re finished here. Have a great day!”
Natalie fiddled with her phone while Bill, seated in a chair close by, flipped through a Sports Illustrated magazine. She was nervously punching buttons, and he was mainly looking at pictures, unable to concentrate on the stories, which were mainly about football anyway. Natalie was irritated and started yawning.
“I don’t want you to go, Dad.”
Bill lowered the magazine and gave his daughter a brief smile. He had shared his plans about doing his rehabilitation in California.
“I know, but I don’t have any choice if I want to get back to the Major Leagues. The physical therapists that work with baseball players are in LA.”
“I know, and I kind of understand, but I don’t like it. I like being able to see you more.”
Bill rose to hug his daughter.
“Natalie, I love you so much. I plan to be back every couple of weeks. I miss you too and if there was a silver lining from this accident it is that I am getting to know you better.”
Both looked up when Dr. Baker entered the examining room, holding what looked like a small electronic tablet. He studied the screen for a few seconds while Bill sat down.
“The EEG results are normal, no worry there. And although we won’t have blood test results back for a few days, Natalie appears to be perfectly healthy,” he said, noticing that father and daughter visibly relaxed.
“The EKG, testing electric activity of the heart, is also normal.”
Bill and Natalie looked at each other.
“That’s good then, right? I’m okay, right?” asked Natalie.
“You did faint, Natalie, and your mom and dad want to make sure you do not have a medical problem.”
Natalie scowled at him.
Dr. Baker smiled. “Has it really been all that bad?”
“I didn’t like it when you drew my blood.”
Bill smiled.
“I don’t like having my blood drawn either, Natalie, but it’s necessary. The results will be back in two days. One of the tests I ordered was a CBC, short for “Complete Blood Count”. It will tell me if your white blood cell count is up, indicating an infection and your red blood cell count. Those are the cells that carry the oxygen to your lungs. The test also tells me the size and percentage of those red blood cells. Other tests will determine your blood sugar levels, kidney and liver function, potassium levels, and indicate if you have any kidney or liver damage, or the onset of diabetes.”
Natalie was frowning at him again.
Dr. Baker smiled back. “I emphasize again that everything seems fine but if you do have another fainting episode, I will have to schedule a tilt table test.
“What’s that?” asked Bill.
“The simple answer is that it activates the entire circulatory and cardiac nervous system in a way that will give a solid response if there is a problem. As of now I believe Natalie’s fainting is pretty standard teenage syncope. It is usually caused by a reduction of blood to the brain, triggering a fainting spell, and can be caused by several different things. When I drew your blood, I did a simple test and think I found the big reason you fainted.
Bill and Natalie looked at each other, not sure what the doctor was going to say next.
“You are dehydrated. You’re not drinking nearly enough water.”