The Solar Wind

by Laura E. Collins

  Once Dr. Tom exited Ava’s room and removed all of the isolation garments, Wesley, Naomi, and Andre approached him for an update.

  “How do you think she’s doing doctor?” Wesley inquired.

  “Ava certainly looks a lot better than she did yesterday. Her labs are showing an improvement in her kidney function and there are signs that she may be recovering from the virus.”

  He breathed a sigh of relief.

  “It almost seems like nothing short of a miracle.”

  “What do you mean?” Wesley said coolly.

  “We’ve tried and failed to cure all of the patient’s we’ve seen afflicted with this virus up until now, although it is too soon to say that Ava is cured. It makes me wonder what exactly was in Mr. Gaines blood that did the trick because I seriously doubt she is better so quickly because of any of the treatments we have given her.”

  “You don’t know if that’s true,” Wesley replied casually. “Ava’s young and strong, like you said. Perhaps it was her own body that has developed the means to conquer this virus.” He knew this was probably unlikely given the situation, but he said it anyway.

  “Is Mr. Gaines around? I would like to ask him if he would be willing to let us draw a sample from him to study. Perhaps we could isolate some of the antibodies in his blood that have worked for Ava. It might even help us develop a vaccine.”

  “He’s not here at the moment, but I’ll pass the request along.”

  “I’d appreciate that.”

  “No problem.”

  Another nurse approached Dr. Tom to update him on a different patient and the two walked away from Wesley, Andre, and Naomi.

  “I think he suspects something,” Wesley said softly.

  “Obviously. I’ll let Justin know to stay away from the hospital. We don’t need any doctors poking around and ordering blood tests on us,” Andre replied.

  “Ava certainly does seem a lot better. She practically devoured her breakfast this morning. I’ve never seen her so ravenous before, even when she was starving when we first met her,” Naomi recalled.

  “It makes sense,” Andre observed. “We’re always hungry. Anyone of us could eat anytime, anywhere. Now that she has Justin’s blood running through her veins, she very well could be more hungry than usual.”

  “This is going to be interesting,” Naomi remarked. “We are going to need to watch her closely for the next few months. Who knows what could happen to her.”

  “I agree,” Wesley replied.

  Wesley left the others and once again put on the appropriate protective gear, which he didn’t really need, and entered Ava’s room. He sat in the chair next to her bed and monitored her while she slept. She seemed to rest more peacefully now than she had throughout the night. He closed his eyes and sighed. He wondered if Ava would feel different now that her blood was mixed with Justin’s, and for how long. The only thing that mattered to him was her continued recovery, they could manage anything else. He knew none of them regretted what they had done, they had saved Ava’s life.

  Chapter 16: Unexplained Energy

  By Sunday morning Ava appeared to be nearly back to normal. She had been up sitting in the chair several times and was now pacing around the small hospital room, pulling her IV pole around with her. There was no question that she felt ready to be up and about. She had not coughed once since the transfusion and no-longer had a fever.

  “Where is Dr. Tom?” She asked. “He usually does his rounds by now. I want to be rid of this IV and transferred out of Critical Care.”

  “Be patient sweetheart. He’ll be here soon. You don’t want to rush your recovery, you almost died, remember?” Wesley replied to her gently.

  After what seemed like a few hundred years to her, Dr. Tom finally arrived with Dr. Grant, and Ava’s nurse to see her.

  “Good morning Ava.” Dr. Tom greeted her.

  “Good morning Dr. Tom, morning Dr. Grant.”

  “I’ll take this as my cue to get some coffee. I’ll be back.” Wesley was used to the routine by now.

  The doctors examined Ava as she sat in the chair.

  “Ava we can’t get over how well you are doing. It’s remarkable.”

  “Dr. Tom, are the respiratory precautions still necessary? I don’t feel sick anymore. Can I be transferred to the medical unit?”

  “Ava you know we can’t risk exposing compromised patients to this virus, even though you are feeling better. I will discontinue the respiratory isolation since you aren’t coughing and sneezing anymore. We will continue with droplet precautions until you are discharged. And, if your labs continue to stabilize, as they are practically normal already, we may release you to recover directly at home tomorrow. I understand that Captain Robinson is going to stay on Orionis this week to care for you.”

  “Really, I could go home tomorrow?”

  “I am almost certain. If you have someone with you.”

  “That’s wonderful! Wesley will be with me, I’ll be fine. I’m sure.”

  “You should know that we have two more suspected cases of the virus on this floor. Would you be willing to let us draw an additional vial of blood from you today for research testing? Captain Robinson says that Mr. Gaines is flying out later today with the rest of his crew and that he won’t be available for us to sample his blood. However, we still would like to try and identify the antibodies in his blood that most likely cured you.”

  “Of course.”

  “I can’t tell you how pleased we are, Ava, that you have survived this virus. We both were very concerned for you.”

  “Thank you, I really appreciate your efforts to help me. It has meant a lot.”

  “You’ll need to take this week off from work, I had the secretary re-schedule your patients,” Dr. Grant informed her.

  “When do you think I can come back to work?”

  “We’ll see how you are at the end of the week. If your labs show no evidence of a viral infection, then you may come back as soon as the following Monday.”

  “Okay.”

  The doctors walked out together and returned to the nurse’s station to write their orders for Ava’s care for the day. The nephrologist had already signed off of Ava’s case as her labs were normal. Dr. Tom recommended Ava’s IV to be capped until discharge, leaving access open in case it was needed in an emergency. He saw no reason to continue the IV medications and switched everything over to oral dosing. He did not feel comfortable discontinuing the antiviral medications just yet and made the decision to keep them in the care plan for another week. The severity of Ava’s condition and the overnight recovery baffled him. What was it that had turned things around? He eagerly awaited the opportunity for Ava’s blood to be analyzed.

  Wesley quickly returned to Ava after the doctors exited the room, keen on hearing the latest with Ava’s prognosis.

  “What did the doctors think this morning Ava?” He kissed her forehead through his mask as he sat down in the chair next to the bed.

  “It’s good news! They think that if everything is fine today that I might be able to go home with you tomorrow!”

  “That’s wonderful sweetheart!” He hugged her, taking a deep breath. Words could not express his relief.

  The phlebotomist arrived with his tray and began to prepare to draw another sample of Ava’s blood. Wesley spoke as the phlebotomist began his work.

  “I thought they already took your blood this morning Ava.”

  “They did, but Dr. Tom wanted an additional sample to analyze for the antibodies that cured me.”

  “Ava, you’re not going have any blood left the way that they keep taking it,” Wesley said with concern.

  “It’s okay Wesley. Tomorrow will be the last one for a week, if everything goes well.”

  The nurse came back in to disconnect Ava from the IV that she no-longer needed. As she left, the crew, minus Justin and Rowan, arrived to wish Ava and Wesley farewell for a week.

  “Ava, you look great!” Naomi said happily.


  “I’m feeling much better, just getting a little stir crazy in here.”

  “I understand. I don’t think that hospitals seem like much fun,” she replied with a smile.

  “Are you sure you don’t need us this week? We can all stay behind and take the week off if you like,” Andre offered, a smile starting on his face.

  “Everything will be just fine,” Wesley answered. “Just because I’m taking a week off doesn’t mean the rest of you can,” he joked back.

  “Wesley, we stocked your place with lots of food this morning so you two should be good for a while. Ava, are you sure you don’t want me to get your clothes and things from your quarters and move them to Wesley’s so that you don’t have to do it?”

  “No, thank you, Naomi. It’s sweet of you to offer, but Wesley and I can do it when I’m released in the morning.”

  “They are releasing you tomorrow?”

  “It looks that way.”

  “That’s wonderful news. I knew you would be fine.”

  “Please thank Justin for me,” Ava requested. “If it weren’t for him, I don’t think I would have made it.”

  “You don’t know that for sure,” Naomi reassured her. “But I will tell him what you said. I know that he and Rowan are very happy that you have recovered so swiftly.”

  “Thank you Naomi.”

  The group continued to chat with one another until it was once again time for them to leave. Ava did not want to be an inconvenience to Wesley, however under the circumstances, she felt relieved that he was staying behind with her this week. The recent realization that she might die and leave him behind affected her. She missed him terribly when he was gone and felt even worse when she thought she might not have been able to say good-bye and tell him she loved him. She was again struck by just how fragile life is. She would cherish this time with him.

  The following morning, Ava’s doctors reviewed her labs and saw no reason to keep her admitted to the hospital unit. They released her into Wesley’s care for the week. Ava did not want to be wheeled out to the main lobby of the hospital in a wheelchair but had no choice, as it was hospital policy. As soon as she was dressed, her nurse gave her the electronic tablet to sign for her own release and Ava donned a mask. Wesley, also in a mask, walked beside her, carrying her small backpack with her medicine inside. Ava happily sprang out of the wheelchair in the main lobby and the two walked peacefully out the front entrance.

  “Ava, are you sure you want to go by your place right away? Wouldn’t you like to come to my quarters and rest for a little while before we get your things?”

  “Wesley, I feel great. I’d like to grab my things now. I’m itching to move around, that critical care room was so small I was almost going nuts in there laying down and sitting all of the time.”

  “Very well. Slow down, let’s take it easy, okay? You don’t want to have a relapse.” He gently took her hand and slowed them down to a casual stroll.

  “You are right, as always,” she said with a smile. “I just feel so good right now, I can’t explain it.”

  “You mean you are less tired?”

  “I’m not tired at all. I feel like I could run fifty laps at the gym.”

  “Not today sweetheart.” He laughed gently. He began to realize what effect Justin’s blood was having on her. It was the energy within that had saved her, giving her own body the strength to heal itself and to fend off the virus. He wondered how she would cope with this and for how long she would feel the effects. Dr. Tom can analyze her blood all he wants to, Wesley thought. He knew that the only antibodies he might find would be the one’s made by Ava, and nothing else.

  At Ava’s quarters she buzzed around effortlessly gathering her personal items and many of the clothes she would need for the next week while staying with Wesley. He carried the large tote bag as they made their way back to his place. As soon as the door was shut behind them, they removed their masks.

  “Sweetheart, why don’t you take a shower while I fix us some lunch?” Wesley offered.

  “That sounds great. I haven’t had a decent shower in days!” She took a few things out of her bag and headed straight for the bathroom in Wesley’s bedroom. Ava didn’t normally take long showers, for conservation measures, however this time she wanted to. She felt so invigorated as she lathered up and rinsed. She stepped out onto the bathroom rug and used a towel to wipe away the steam from the mirror. She gazed at herself intently and was amazed at what she saw. Ava had expected to see a pale, worn out woman, with dark circles under her eyes looking back at her but this was not the case. Instead she beheld a beautiful young woman with luminous skin and bright eyes looking back at her. Her appearance startled her. Three days ago she had nearly died, and now she felt better than ever. How can this be? She pondered this briefly before her stomach reminded her that she was hungry. Her thoughts seemed to be fleeting, as if she was easily distracted. She dried and combed out her hair, dressed, and met Wesley in the kitchen, ready to eat.

  “How do you feel?” Wesley inquired as he set a large sandwich in front of Ava at the table. He studied her appearance carefully, pleased that she seemed healthy.

  “Hungry,” she replied. “I can’t remember when I’ve been so hungry.”

  “You’ve been through a lot. Your body fought off a terrible virus that almost killed you. Your fevers burned up a lot of energy and your body is probably telling you that it’s time to replace it, that’s all,” he said reassuringly.

  “I guess so.” His calm nature comforted her. Ava was almost half-way through her sandwich while Wesley had only taken a few bites. She looked around his quarters with interest, as if she were noticing things there that she had never seen before. She began to feel uneasy, sensing she had more energy than she knew what to do with.

  Wesley watched this behavior intently. “What’s the matter? Is something wrong?”

  “Nothing is wrong. I just feel like I’m having a hard time concentrating, like my thoughts are racing. Do you think I should page Dr. Tom? Maybe it’s a side effect of the antivirals?”

  “I think you’re just excited to be out of the hospital.” He placed an arm around her and rubbed her upper arm and shoulder soothingly. His touch felt so good to her, she closed her eyes for a few moments.

  Ava finished her lunch before Wesley and took her medicine. “I think I’m going to lay down for a while, maybe try and sleep.”

  “I’ll check on you in a little while. If you need anything, I’ll be right here.”

  “Thank you, . . .I love you.”

  “Love you too sweetheart.”

  Ava felt doubtful that she would be able to sleep easily, however quickly found a comfortable position and closed her eyes. To her relief, she felt herself drifting off effortlessly.

  The week passed quickly for Ava and Wesley. She appreciated how well Wesley was taking care of her and felt rather at home, living with him in his quarters. She regretted that life would return back to normal so soon. Wesley monitored Ava carefully. Each day she seemed to cope with her increased energy level a little better. Part of him felt guilty for what they had done to her without her knowledge. Soon . . . I will tell her soon, he thought. He felt certain she would have perished had it not been for the blood transfusion. He could not have let that happen. They had done the right thing.

  On Friday morning Ava met with Dr. Tom for her follow-up appointment. He almost could not believe his eyes when he saw Ava sitting on the exam table as the picture of health.

  “You’re looking so well, Ava. How do you feel?”

  “I feel fantastic. I’m not tired at all, I haven’t so much as coughed or sneezed or anything since last Saturday.”

  “Yes, certainly your physical assessment shows that you are pretty much back to normal.”

  “What about the labs that were drawn this morning.”

  Dr. Tom tapped the screen of the electronic tablet he was carrying for a few seconds, reviewing her results.

  “Everything is just fin
e. Ava, that reminds me. We analyzed the sample of blood you gave us on Sunday. We ran everything that we could on it and found nothing, not even antibodies.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means that either it was too soon to look for antibodies, or you recovered without them, which is highly unlikely unless there was something we missed in Mr. Gaines blood.”

  “What about the other two cases you had last weekend? How are they doing?”

  “One of the patients is deceased, the other is still fighting but it doesn’t look good.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that I couldn’t have been of any help.”

  “Not yet anyway, but perhaps I could re-test you in a few weeks to try again to isolate the antibodies.”

  “I guess so, if you think it’s necessary.”

  “It would be appreciated. Ava, I would also appreciate it if you could ask your friend, Mr. Gaines, to contact me. I would very much like to study a sample of his blood, since that is the only factor out of all of these cases that has been different, that has lead to a cure.” He lifted his hand and gestured at Ava.

  “I will ask him the next time I see him.” Ava began to feel a little irritated with Dr. Tom’s persistence with wanting a sample of Justin’s blood. She knew Justin stayed away from the hospital because he didn’t want to be harassed about it. They studied her blood, mixed with Justin’s, if there were antibodies then they would have been able to identify them.

  “Thank you.”

  “So, I can go back to work on Monday?”

  “I don’t see why not, as long as you feel up to it.”

  “Great, I’m so bored just sitting around.”

  “I’ll let my father know then.”

  “Thank you Dr. Tom.”

  “You’re welcome Ava, we’ll see you next week.”

  Wesley stood as Ava walked out into the waiting room of the OMC infectious disease clinic. Both wore masks as the Level 3 droplet precautions were still in effect. She walked over to him and the two headed out of the clinic. Wesley noticed that the receptionists stared at Ava as they walked out.

  “How did it go?”