Page 4 of Andrew’s Outback Love

Allison’s face was now flushed and sweat trickled off her in small rivulets. My concern for her ratcheted up. I was well aware she was having a difficult pregnancy but she’d refused to give in to the discomfort and leave her job before now. At six months’ pregnant, she’d finally accepted she couldn’t continue and her doctor had warned she was likely to miscarry if she didn’t start taking it easy. Familial high blood pressure and diabetes were proving difficult to stabilise as her pregnancy progressed and we were all worried about both Allison and her baby.

“I’m fine, just a little under the weather.”

Ruby huffed. “Shit, girl. When are you going to admit you’re not fucking superwoman?”

I stifled a laugh. Ruby certainly didn’t mince her words and she had been lecturing Allison about resigning for over a month. She took her mothering instincts seriously and they were telling her, Allison shouldn’t be working.

Ruby bounced to her feet, she was certainly agile for a large lady and grabbed a thermometer and the blood pressure machine. While I set about taking the pressure, Ruby shoved the thermometer under Allison’s tongue and monitored her pulse. A few moments later, we locked eyes, we were both frowning.

“Temp. 40.2. Pulse 110.”

“BP is 180/95. She’s in trouble, get on the radio.”

Ruby hurried from the room. She would get James back now. As a fully qualified doctor and Paramedic, he’d be able to stabilise Allison and with Ruby to help monitor her closely, fly her out to Bourke hospital. I immediately scooped Allison into my arms and hurried across the hall where I laid her down on the operating couch.

“I don’t feel very well.” Allison’s eyes narrowed and I watched as her fluttering eyelids closed.

“I know, we’re going to get you to Bourke. Stay with me.”

“Do you need help?” Viv asked as she entered the room and moved to Allison’s side. “Ruby told me about her temp and blood pressure.”

Before I could answer, Allison leaned over the side of the chair and vomited the contents of her stomach onto the floor. Her breathing became rapid and she shook uncontrollably. I needed to take control of the situation.

“Allison, sweetheart. Look at me.”

She gazed at me with her large brown eyes and her fear was tangible.

“I’m scared.”

“I know, but James will be here soon and he’ll get you to the hospital. They’ll take good care of you there. I need you to slow your breathing down.”

Cameron burst through the door with a tray and immediately set up an IV. Within minutes saline was being pumped into Allison’s system and she appeared to calm slightly.

“Viv, can you grab the BP machine from the office?” I asked.

She was back within seconds, Ruby by her side, and handed me the machine. I wrapped the cuff in place and pressed a button which caused the cuff to inflate and tighten. When it beeped, I was relieved to see her blood pressure had dropped to 175/90. Still way too high but at least it was headed in the right direction.

“James will be here in five. I’ve contacted Bourke and they’re prepared for incoming.” Ruby gathered Allison’s hand.

We watched over our mother-to-be and it felt like an eternity before the noise of a helicopter was heard. James was in the room moments later.

I gave him a rundown of what had happened and he checked the blood pressure again. It hadn’t moved further.

“Sounds like she’s had a mild seizure. Did you check her blood sugar?”

Fuck, I hadn’t even thought of it. It was obvious, I wasn’t an emergency doctor. “No, and I did notice she didn’t eat much at lunch.”

Ruby grabbed the blood sugar monitor and took a reading. “2.9.”

“Fuck.” James dragged his fingers through his hair. “Ruby, I have Glucagon in the RFDS kit in the office,” he snapped. “Help me get her onto her side, Drew.”

Together we rolled the now unconscious girl onto her side to prevent choking and as soon as Ruby returned, James drew up the injection and plunged it into Allison’s bared butt.

James continued to take control and bark out orders. “Cam, come with me and grab the gurney. I’ll get the plane started and radio Bourke to advise take-off and ETA. Drew, keep an eye on Allison. Ruby, help Cam. Viv, can you radio RFDS and let them know what’s happened?”

People scattered, anxious to ensure their colleague and friend would reach safety as soon as possible.

I pulled the phone from the pocket of my scrubs and dialed Rick, Allison’s husband, to let him know his wife had fallen ill. He would not be happy. Like us, he’d been trying to get Allison to rest for the past couple of months.