(no subject)

[dancingmd]

Who: Beverly Crusher, Wrath, The Vision, Jennifer Keller… and maybe you?
Broadcast: No
Action: Iskaulit, Surgical Suite
When: Today!

There’s a new room on the Iskaulit, though it’s not obvious where it is, if you don’t know about it already, as it is inconspicuously tucked away in one of the unused corridors of the ship. More importantly, it’s equipped with biometric security systems, so only a select few can enter without being accompanied by one of the room’s designers. Under Dr. Crusher and Captain Vision’s guidance, various engineers and doctors in the fleet have come together to build a surgical suite with one specific goal in mind: fixing Wrath’s back and removing the ports put there by Compliance. For over a year, Wrath and Beverly have been pursuing this goal and now it’s finally happening.

In the operating room itself, there are only three people, besides Wrath: Dr. Crusher, Dr. Keller, and the Vision, in case they run into any issues with Wrath’s cybernetic implants. However, for those who wish to watch the surgery, there is a small observation lounge looking down into the OR, where you are welcome to stay and watch. The two doctors and Vision are all covered head to toe in scrubs, masks, and gloves, while Wrath lies prone on the operating table, with cushions supporting her neck and hips, and her limbs securely strapped in to keep her safely in position. An IV delivers her pain meds and anesthesia. Gently, Beverly kneels in front of an already fading Wrath and places a respirator over her face. “All right, Wrath, ready? I’m going to count backwards from ten. 10, 9, 8…”

Hours later, Beverly has successfully removed the shattered ports, working from her experience with Borg implants. It’s delicate, tedious work, but she never falters, her hands steady throughout. If there was any doubt as to her surgical skills before, there can be none now. Afterwards, Wrath is back in traction in the recovery room. She may still be a little drowsy, but no doubt she will welcome visitors.

((ooc: this is a catch-all post for anything relating to Wrath's surgery, especially post-op, for anyone who is involved either as a friend or as another healer))

Comments

a few days after surgery

[dancingmd]

[Beverly comes to see Wrath every day, just as she did before the surgery, but now there's less worry and more hope. Every day, with help from the mages and from the physical therapy, Wrath gets stronger. At first, her exercises were confined to the bed, but today, Beverly has obtained a set of parallel bars to see how Wrath does with walking.

After the usual tricorder scan and some chatting, Beverly offers her arm to Wrath.]

Ready to try walking today?

Re: a few days after surgery

[pain_train]

[This should be exciting. And it is! But it's also hard to forget that this moment, a year and a half ago, was when Whiskey had destroyed her entire life as she'd known it. Some positive things had come out of it, but some negative things as well -- and she'll never be able to forget, Lieutenant Wrath is no longer competent to make her own decisions.

There's a lot riding on this. What if it's just that all over again, the first step, the horrible grinding sensation from her back and pelvis, the pain that starts then and only gets worse and worse and never really goes away? Beverly is a good doctor and Wrath trusts her. But Whiskey had also been the best doctor they had, and she'd trusted him.

But she also knows that staying in bed forever isn't an option. She chose, in whatever way, to try this. She has to keep moving forward. And all she can do is hope for the best.

So Wrath smiles, and if it's a little pensive, hopefully that's understandable. She takes a firm hold of Beverly's arm.]

Okay. Let's do this.

[dancingmd]

[If Beverly senses Wrath's apprehension, she doesn't let it show. Instead, she exudes confidence and belief not only in her own skills, but in Wrath's relentless determination, strength, and good cheer. Wrath can do this, no question.]

All right. Move slowly and lean on me as much as you need - I've got you.

[pain_train]

Okay. Okay.

[She leans on Beverly a lot, unabashedly. She's been down this road too many times to be shy about it any more. And she takes one step, then another, very slowly, but without too much difficulty.]

...it doesn't hurt.

[It's a surprise.]

[dancingmd]

Good. That's good.

[Beverly smiles.]

You're doing wonderfully. We're going to try to walk over to those bars now.

[pain_train]

Understood. [And she's still going to take her time and lean on Beverly, but she goes at this with a sort of driven determination that doesn't leave any room for smiling, not because she's unhappy, but because she's focused entirely on the act of walking.

Slowly but surely, they get to the bars and she transfers her grip over.]

[dancingmd]

[Beverly, as always, is patient, walking slowly with Wrath and watching her movements for any sign of pain or discomfort. Once she's confident Wrath is steady on the bars, she takes a step back.]

How did that feel? Even if you aren't feeling any pain, I want to know where you feel the strongest and where you feel the most unstable, or if there's anything that feels like it's not moving quite how it should.

[pain_train]

[Wrath nods, completely focused. She slowly takes a few more steps.]

It's... hard to tell what feels wrong because it's been so long since it's felt right.

My left side feels a little stronger than my right though.

[dancingmd]

We'll work on that in your strengthening exercises a little later then. Don't want you to favor one side too much. For now, though, let's see if you can walk to the end of the bars here. I'll be right beside you the whole time, so don't worry about falling.

[pain_train]

Okay, good. Yeah, I need to be able to balance it out if I want to get back to full competency for work.

[She nods and focuses on walking, leaning on the bars all the while. She's slow, but she's determined. And she makes it to the end without a stumble.]

[dancingmd]

[Beverly watches the whole time, gauging Wrath's movements, seeing how she favors one side over the other. Despite that favoring, Beverly is pleased with her progress.]

We'll get you there - you are doing very well already.

But besides work, what's the number one thing you want to do that was difficult before?

[pain_train]

I think all the synthetics probably help. [Less healing, since they weren't really damaged. It's more just making sure they're all programmed at the right level for what she can handle. She hopes she'll be able to ramp up to full speed and strength quickly, but that's not for her to decide.]

Um. Probably have some awesome rough sex?

[dancingmd]

[That makes Beverly laugh out loud.]

I'd say that's a worthy goal.

[pain_train]

[She grins.]

I thought so. Maybe I should get a note from you to give Kurt so he doesn't get all... mother-y.

[dancingmd]

[Beverly laughs again.]

Not so sure how he'd feel about that.

[pain_train]

I'd take a picture of his expression for you.

[dancingmd]

I would expect nothing less.

[pain_train]

I basically owe you all the pictures ever. [Seriously, even if this is as good as it gets, she owes Beverly more than she can ever make good on.]

[dancingmd]

You know... it might be nice to start a fleet album of sorts.

[pain_train]

That would be a fun art project! And you could share it if you wanted, or keep it for yourself.

[dancingmd]

Oh, I'd want to share it. And different people could all contribute to it.

Here, let's turn and walk back the other way.

[pain_train]

Definitely an awesome art project. I bet you could get everyone to contribute pictures, too.

[She turns carefully and starts walking back the other way, one slow step at a time.]

[dancingmd]

[Beverly watches her, pleased with how well she's doing.]

I don't know how to print anything out from the communicators though. And I don't know anything about developing film, if I were to get an old-fashioned film camera. Maybe a digital album of sorts...

[pain_train]

...there are albums that aren't digital?

[Mind: blown.]

[dancingmd]

Mmm. Back hundreds of years ago they had to develop all their photos on paper. I just figured that would be the best way for us to try to keep it out of the control of Atroma, rather than saving it all on the computers.