“What does her having been a preemie have to do with anything?” Brian asked. In his hypersensitive state, it seemed like a statement out of the blue, like trying to change the subject.
“Nothing, really,” Dr. Arnsdorf said. “The doctor’s note from yesterday noted Juliette was a tiny baby when she was born. We’ve seen a handful of Dr. Bhatt’s patients over the last couple of days. He’s a fine pediatrician. Did you meet him when he was a resident at Columbia-Presbyterian Children’s Hospital?”
“Yes,” Brian said. He relaxed a twinge, realizing he shouldn’t fault doctors for being thorough even though Juliette’s current situation had nothing to do with her spending the first month of her life in a NICU at Columbia. She’d been transferred there from MMH Inwood right after delivery.
“My advice if these phantom symptoms continue is to consider having her talk to a pediatric social worker,” Dr. Arnsdorf said, picking up his tablet as if he was about to leave. “Also, perhaps you should make an appointment to see Dr. Bhatt when he comes back after his vacation.”
“Wait a second,” Brian began. “I’m not comfortable assuming her symptoms are psychosomatic. She hasn’t been acting herself even before my wife’s passing, and this morning she woke up with a real fever. She had perspiration covering her forehead. Especially with this pandemic still going on and a second wave expected, I at least want her to have a Covid test. I’d also like to see if her blood count is normal.”
“I disagree,” Dr. Arnsdorf countered. “I agree with Dr. Kramer. Your daughter also complained of a sore throat, but her throat looks perfectly normal. Likewise, her ears. And her temperature at the moment is actually low, not high.”
“I want her to have some blood work,” Brian demanded, losing patience. “And a Covid test at a minimum.”
“The hospital is backed way up on its Covid testing,” Dr. Arnsdorf said with exasperation. He’d been making an effort to placate Brian but was beginning to resent his insistence.
“There’s something not right with my daughter. This is the second time in two days we’ve been here.”
“Calm down, Mr. Murphy,” Dr. Arnsdorf said, forcing himself to be calm as well. “We’ve been asked by our lab on a temporary basis only to do testing on patients with a strong indication, who have sustained symptoms, or have been exposed to someone with Covid-19, or are being admitted to the hospital. Your daughter doesn’t fit in any of these categories. Covid-19 symptoms vary from patient to patient, but they don’t come and go over a few hours in the same patient, not in our experience. As for doing a blood count or any other blood work, I don’t see any rationale whatsoever. Subjecting a child to a phlebotomy, which can be a traumatic experience, shouldn’t be done unless there is a strong indication.”
“Does your reluctance to do the little I’m asking have anything to do with this hospital suing me for the bill to treat my late wife’s EEE? Are you people all so damn worried I won’t pay whatever outrageous price you’ve put on these tests?”
For a second Dr. Arnsdorf stared at Brian in shocked surprise. “Absolutely not!” he said, finding his voice. “That’s an insult. You are one paranoid individual, Mr. Murphy.”
“Of course I’m paranoid,” he retorted. “It’s hard not to be paranoid in this day and age dealing with healthcare. Don’t tell me you aren’t fully aware that your CEO is one hell-bent profit-motivated individual intent on keeping prices high and costs low to justify his multimillion-dollar salary.”
“I’m a doctor!” Dr. Arnsdorf retorted. “I take care of people, not business.”
“That’s a cop-out if I ever heard one,” Brian snapped. “Yes, you are a doctor, and MMH Inwood is a hospital, which is supposed to be your house and not Charles Kelley’s gravy train.”
“I’ve had enough of this conversation.” Dr. Arnsdorf turned back to the sink and rewashed his hands before swiftly leaving the exam room.
Equally fed up and sensing he was getting nowhere, Brian turned to Juliette and scooped her up in his arms. He ignored Jane as she said goodbye to Juliette. On their way to the waiting room, Brian struggled to get out his phone, and while walking and carrying Juliette, he used Siri to call Camila.
“My, you have been there a long time,” Camila said immediately as she came on the line.
“Don’t remind me,” Brian said. “Can you come and get us?”
“Of course! I’ll be there shortly. How is Juliette doing?”
“She’s doing fine,” he said. “I’m the one who’s struggling.”
Chapter 30
September 2
Once Brian and Juliette were in the car, Camila briefly tried to get both to talk to find out what had happened, but it quickly became clear to her that neither was so inclined. With Juliette it was because she was busy getting the laptop out of the backpack to return to the DVD she’d been watching earlier. With Brian it was apparent from the outset that he was seriously irritated. In Camila’s experience, he rarely got upset, but when he did, she’d learned it was best to let him mull over whatever was bothering him, which usually didn’t take long. And true to form, by the time they drove out of the hospital grounds, he let out a protracted sigh and said with a shake of his head: “Well, that was another exercise in futility.”
“I’m sorry to hear,” Camila said. “What happened? What did they find?”
“Nothing,” Brian answered with disgust. “But in their defense, by the time we were seen after another three-hour wait, once again her fever had vanished along with most of her symptoms. I think she still has a headache, but that’s it, and apparently even the headache is better. It clearly hasn’t hindered her from watching videos.” He glanced over his shoulder to see if Juliette was back to watching, and she was. “The doctors are convinced it’s all psychosomatic, fever included.”
“I suppose that’s possible,” Camila said. “Did they do any tests this time to make certain?”
“None,” Brian said. “That’s what irked me. I tried to get them to do even a routine blood test, but no go with the excuse they’re backed up with their Covid testing. It’s all very suspicious to me. I’m worried that they didn’t do any tests because they’re afraid they are not going to get paid since I already owe them so damn much money.”
“Do you really think that is a possibility?” Camila asked.
“I do,” Brian said. “Having to wait to be seen more than three hours two days in a row and then refusing to do anything I asked speaks volumes. And this morning when we first arrived, the triage nurse acted put out when I asked her to repeat Juliette’s temperature.”
“Next week Dr. Bhatt will be back.”
“Hallelujah,” he said. “I can’t wait.”
“By the way, a Grady Quillen stopped by and left you a large manila envelope. He said that you would know what it was about. It’s on your desk.”
“I do,” Brian said. “It’s a list of people like me and Jeanne who he’s served.”
When they pulled into the driveway and stopped, Juliette said she was hungry.
“How about you, Brian?” Camila asked as they all got out of the car. “Want to join us?”
“You guys go ahead. I’ve got to call my mom. I’m afraid Juliette and I have missed at least the funeral mass.”
“Oh, my goodness,” Camila said. “That’s right. I’ll hurry with Juliette.”
“Don’t rush!” he said. “Let Juliette enjoy her belated breakfast. I’m delighted she’s hungry, and to be truthful, I’m not sure what I want to do at this point.”