Next Patient(Story Post)“Aaand, in here I should have a…Théodore Bernard?&rd

Next Patient

(Story Post)

“Aaand, in here I should have a…Théodore Bernard?”
“Yes. But you can just call me Theo.”
With Dr. Aias on leave for an indefinite period of time, Reid was doing his best to keep up with all their patients. This morning he had already had a few appointments with some patients before Theo. In fact, he had just left an appointment with Jeffrey to discuss his new openness to his birth options. They set a date for a c-section, and then Reid was off to see Mr Bernard.
“Ah. Alright, Theo,” Reid said, placing his hands on his hips. “I am Dr Reid Gardi. I will be stepping into Dr Aias’s position today.”

“Yeah, I got an email about it,” Theo said. “Is Dr Aias okay? Why’d they leave so suddenly?”
“While I can’t share the personal details, I can say that Dr Aias will be alright and you needn’t worry about them,” Dr Gardi assured. “I have studied your case files with Dr Ix and I feel well caught up to assist from here.”
“So, this will be ongoing?” Theo asked. “It’s not just for today?”
“Yes, it is uncertain when Dr Aias will be ready to rejoin us, so I will be assuming their duties,” Reid reiterated. “But I assure you, you are still in very capable hands.”
“Okay…” Theo sighed, rubbing the top of his stomach. Like Ix had predicted, with the five-month mark coming up, Theo’s stomach had started to swell again to accommodate his quadruplets now that they had outgrown his original growth spurt. “Dr Gardi, you said?”
“Yes!” Reid said. “If it’d make you feel more comfortable, you can even call me Reid. I don’t mind at all!”
“Alright… Well, Dr Gardi, I’m sorry, but, I know I probably don’t have a choice, but I’m not sure how comfortable I am with a sudden change of doctor in all of this…”
Reid nodded and sat down on the edge of his desk. “I completely understand, Theo. It was rather sudden for all of us, and we are doing our very best here at APID to make sure everything goes smoothly until their return. This is not my first time filling in for them and you can rest assured that APID will always provide the best care that we can provide.”
“Right, but so far what I’ve learned about my condition is that we barely know anything about it, and Dr Aias was learning on the go, so for them to suddenly be gone, and now someone new has to pick up and learn it all over again—”
“I understand, Theo. Please relax,” Reid said. “But trust me, Dr Aias has always been very studious and thorough, and they left me an extensively detailed recount of what they’ve researched and learned for your case, and Dr Ix and I spent all of yesterday afternoon going through it together to catch me up. I feel confident enough to say I am simply picking up where they left off.”
Theo nodded slowly a bit but still looked uneasy.
“And you do still have Ix, eh,” Reid reminded. “Frankly, they are the one who has more knowledge on the subject.”
“Yeah… I’m sorry if any of this has been insulting at all,” Theo apologised.
“No, not at all,” Reid assured. “You don’t know me. I fully understand your concerns. But I’m going to do my best, you understand?”
Theo nodded and smiled a little, rubbing his neck. “Thanks… Um, just a quick question…”
“Yes?”
“What is your experience with transgender patients?”
Reid’s face lit up rather manically, giving Theo a fright. “I’m glad you asked.”
“Oh?” Theo furrowed his brow.
“Theo, I’m transgender,” Reid said.
“What, really?” Theo asked surprised.
Reid nodded excessively, placing his hands on his hips. “And I know a thing or two about supernatural pregnancies. I’ve had them myself!”
Theo’s entire disposition changed to an air of relief. “Why didn’t you say so before?”
“Well, do you tell everyone you meet you’re trans?” Reid asked.
“Well, no… But I meant more about the supernatural stuff,” Theo said. He rubbed the back of the neck. “Honestly, I’m glad we have something in common… Dr Aias is cool, but I always felt a bit disconnected from them…”
“Dr Aias is an amazing doctor but perhaps not the most approachable,” Reid agreed. “But don’t you worry your head. I am the warmest you’re gonna get here. And to cover it, yes I also have experience with transgender patients, not just myself.”
“Appreciate it,” Theo said. “So, is today just a check up?”
“Yes. Right, let’s get to it, shall we?” Reid sat down at the computer and checked Theo’s notes. “So, what are you more comfortable with first? Blood pressure and other vitals? Measurements? Would you like an ultrasound today?”
“No ultrasound, please… Unless necessary. I just don’t want to look,” Theo said.
Reid nodded. “Alright, no ultrasound. Let’s take your blood pressure then.”
“Sounds good.”