Medical update

Posted on Sun Aug 28th, 2022 @ 8:15am by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Commander Jonathan Grayson & Lieutenant Commander Shoniara T’ghann-Travis Dr & Lieutenant Commander Callie Raven-Grayson

Mission: A Trip to Middle Earth
Location: Ready Room

{ON}

Having finished her session with Sam, Callie had called together a meeting with Shran, Jon, and Shon, though knowing Shon was still recovering she decided to have her join in via a comms call.

“My apologies for calling you all together yet again.” Callie smiled warmly. “I’ve not long spoken with Sam, and I thought it best to inform you all that I’m removing her from away party duty for the foreseeable future.”

Jon spoke first. "I believe i know why Callie but please give us your decision on why you removed Sam from being on any future away teams."

“It’s my professional opinion that Sam is suffering from PTSD.” Callie paused to let that sink in. “I don’t want to remove her from duty, so I’m reducing the likelihood of her being put in extremely stressful situations. As such I’d like her to continue on light duties, nothing too stressful for the time being.”

Shon nodded, “I agree with your diagnosis, I thought as much when I went to see her. She needs to concentrate on what she does most excellently, looking after the lives on the ship. Dr Perrim tells me in another two weeks I should be back to normal so will be available for anything I am called to do.”

"How long do you see Sam being on light duties Callie? I mean being a doctor isn't exactly stress free especially saving someone's life and she can't pick and choose her patients. How is this going to work out?" Jon asked his wife.

Shon butted in, “I can tell you that Jon. Saving lives is what Sam knows best, in her own environment with a staff of doctors and nurses she will be fine. When I talked to her it was the fear of the situation she had been placed in, not being able to fight and also that she had to be ‘looked after’ which, in Sam’s mind put others in danger. The worst thing for Sam would be to be taken off duty to hang around in her quarters thinking!…….sorry to interrupt but I feel very strongly about this and think Callie is right.”

"Thank you Shon and for the record I am not questioning Callie's decision to limit Sam to light duty. I am concerned about Callie's diagnosis that Sam is suffering from PTSD. I don't want anything to happen to Sam or have her removed from duty. I just know this takes time." Jon explained.

Shran had sat quietly letting the others speak, because if nothing else, this was primarily a medical discussion and he wasn't a doctor. That said, he did have an opinion on the matter that he felt it important to put forward, if for no other reason than he was the captain, though he had several other reasons as well. "I can understand the diagnosis, but I don't believe restricting her duty will solve the problem. We are StarFleet officers, stress and being put into chaotic and impossible situations comes with the job. If you wanted safety and security in your your chosen profession you should have stayed on your homeworld. I don't intend to ever put any of my crew in danger, but I am fully aware that every time I send an away team anywhere, something dangerous and deadly could happen. If Sam chooses not to go on away missions, I can understand that, but if she is the best person for the job," he stopped for a moment, "no offense intended Shon, but if she is the best person for the job, I have an obligation and duty to send her." He slowly sat back, allowing himself a moment to decompress in hopes that his passionate outcry might be seen in the right light.

Shon was trying not to become annoyed at what her Captain was saying. “Sir, I am sure Sam understands that, and that is why she will choose to go on away missions. In her present state she might make a mistake, freeze or get herself or someone else killed and that will be the end of her. If Lieutenant Commander Raven-Grayson diagnoses Sam with PTSD, something that she is eminently qualified to do, then she is within her right to restrict duty. Please, at least talk to Sam yourself, see how bad she is. Sam needs time to recover. To be honest sir, if I may be so, I am eminently qualified to lead medical away teams. I have three different emergent medicine and surgery qualifications and hold two Fellowships in ‘off world’ medicine. I also hold the Starfleet Medical Medal for my work in the field of viral pathogenesis.” after all that she sat quietly. Off screen she was handed a hypo which she injected into herself, her pain was still a problem.

"Not to sound cold or callous, but how many of my officers either don't currently have PTSD or were recently treated for it? I again put forward, it is simply something we have to deal with. I'm not arguing with the diagnosis, I'm sure it is correct. Counselor Jortho checked me for it after the holodeck incident. I am quite certain that most of my senior officers are suffering from it to varying states, especially considering the string of events that we have all had to endure over the last few months. And I am not challenging your credentials Shon. I'm fully aware of your abilities. I simply don't care for having my hands tied regarding away team personnel when it comes to medical staff, or any other department for that matter." It was obvious that Shran wasn't thrilled with this entire discussion at this point, though he was doing his best to remain calm and civil.

“If I might jump in here...” Callie looked towards Shran. “If you need to send Sam off ship for an away team, then I suggest you send either myself, or Eislyn with her. That way if any problems occur one of us will be there to help her.”

“But Callie that will not help the medical side of things if it goes south.” Shon put her hands up. “That is all I have to say but I want to ask Jon what he thinks?”

Jon nodded his appreciation to Shon, "Thank you Shon. As I said earlier, I don't question Callie's decision to limit Sam to light duty or her diagnosis that Sam is suffering PTSD and wanting to limit the stress Sam faces." He paused, "I think we're walking a tightrope here. I don't see how you can limit the stress Sam faces or more importantly she manufactures in her own mind. Also to the Captain's point. I think a lot of us have suffered PTSD at some point. I know I did with the situation involving Callie's abduction. Also if Sam is the best person to handle a medical situation, then she should be assigned it."

Callie nodded. “Very well” she looked at Shran. “but I suggest you only send Sam if it’s absolutely necessary.”

Shon moved uncomfortably the situation with Sam upsetting her, “I think there is a danger of plunging down a very deep dark rabbit hole here. That is all I have to say but as soon as I can get these damn things off I can handle as much as can be thrown at me.”

Callie offered a warm smile to Shon. “Don’t rush your recovery Shon, take the time you need.”

"I want all my officers to recover without issue. And I certainly won't be putting them in situations they can't handle. I believe we have covered everything, unless anyone has anything else to add?" he said as he looked around.

Shon shook her head. “Thank you Captain, everyone. I am glad we all feel we can be honest with each other. I just want to say how happy and proud I am to be here on this beautiful ship and working with you all my friends and colleagues.”

“Likewise Shon” Callie smiled warmly before the comms closed. She waited for Jon to leave before pausing to look back at Shran. “Captain, it wasn’t my intention to make things awkward for you Sir. I apologize if it sounded like I was.”

"Nothing to be concerned about Callie" Shran replied.