“Meaning?”
“Let her do what she needs to do for her career but both of you be careful not to let it take over.”
“I guess. We have to try something.”
“Can I do anything?”
“Just chase after that little blond.”
Oliver laughed.
“How about this? You take my advice, I’ll take yours.”
“You’re on buddy.”
* * *
Anabelle hoped work would distract her today. No more obsessing. As she entered the cardiac catheterization lab, all thoughts of Oliver Ricardi fled. “Hello, Ms. Kramer. How are you feeling today?”
The forty-year-old woman fidgeted. “All right. A little nervous.”
Anabelle smiled. “That’s normal. I’d like to go over the process of what I’ll be doing today. I’m going to give you a test to check for clogged arteries and coronary artery disease. We’re doing this because you’re experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath and extreme fatigue. Also, I saw on the intake form that your mother had congenital heart disease.”
Already, her healthcare team had checked the patient’s blood pressure and pulse and attached sticky patches with sensors to the woman’s chest. Wires connected the patches to a computer.
“First, I’m going to inject you with some sedation to help with the nervousness.”
She waited a bit until the woman said, “I think I’m relaxed.”
“There might be some bleeding or bruising during the test. In rare cases, there could be some infection or irregular heart rhythms. Or allergic reactions to contrast dye, or medicines used during the test.”
“I understand.”
“I’ll explain what I’m doing for each of the steps of the test as I execute it. First, I’m going to insert a thin, flexible tube called a catheter in through your hand.” She felt for a blood vessel and when she found a plump one, she inserted the catheter into it.
“Next I’m injecting dye into the catheter so the blood vessels will show up more clearly on the X-ray images.”
Anabelle waited for the results. “As I told you, if I find a blocked artery, I’ll treat the blockage right away. Is that still okay with you?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Now, I’m guiding the wire through the blood vessel to your heart.” Carefully, slowly, she threaded it in.
After a bit, she said, “I’m finding a blocked artery, Mrs. Kramer. Now, I’m going to pull the catheter out and place a wire mesh tube in the artery…”
When Anabelle finished the treatment, she said, “Now that this part of the test is over, you’ll spend a few hours in a recovery room.”
“I’m sleepy.”
“You can rest as long as you need.”
Anabelle left the room happy about this appointment.
* * *
Oliver punched in Anabelle’s cell number. She answered on the third ring. “Hello.”
“Hello, Anabelle. It’s Oliver Ricardi.”