Lowered Expectations

Writers: Chelle, Heather K
Date Posted: 22nd July 2012

Characters: Chupsin, Ameala
Description: Ameala goes in for a special checkup that raises some questions
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 8, day 15 of Turn 6

Ameala fiddled with her fingers while she waited. She hated seeing the
healer. It was nothing personal of course it was just that even if she
wasn't feeling ill when she got there she always seemed to after
the fact. She supposed her visit was necessary though. Fitchan and
her had just started out, they didn't need any big surprises.

Chupsin appeared inside the small exam room when he was finished reading
the records. "Good afternoon Ameala." Arranging his robes, he sat down
on his stool. "What brings you here today?"

"Just a usual health checkup and," she softened her voice a little,"
to check if I'm pregnant or not." Ameala explained herself in a matter o
of fact way but still felt nervous about the prospect of a baby.

"Ah...and what gave you the idea you might be pregnant?" If she had been
experiencing symptoms, that would make the possibility a lot more likely.

Ameala shrugged. "Nothing in particular really. It's just I've been feeling a bit
nervous about getting pregnant lately. We're not trying or anything, I won't bore
you with details, but I just wanted reassurance I guess. Do you understand?" She
hoped she hadn't given too much detail. Chupsin had probably heard anything she
had to say before from other women but that wouldn't stop her from trying to
be polite.

"Well, I'm sure it'll come with time. You say you aren't trying but you're
anxious...do you have reason to think you may be barren?" He was unsure
about what exactly she was asking, though he didn't mind performing an exam.

Ameala shook her head. "No. I mean I'm an only child and there aren't a lot of children
on my mother's side." As her mind began to process the facts, she began to breathe faster.
What if she was barren? What if she could never give Fitchan a child? A panicked look
shown on her face, "Is it possible? Could I be barren?"

"Well, if you aren't trying, I wouldn't say that. If you are trying and nothing's happened,
there might be a possibility. Some women take longer than others, however. Without
giving the exam, I can't really give you any answers one way or another. Tell me the questions
you have so I can have them in mind while I take a look." He began to get
himself ready.

Now she was eager to get the exam over with so she'd know for sure. Ameala
hadn't really considered this turn of events. "I just want to know that
everything is what it should be. I want to know that a family is still in our
future." Her voice was almost pleading now.

Sitting down and helping her get her feet into the stirrups, Chupsin began
working. In some cases, he wished he had a second pair of eyes-a dolphin's
eyes to be precise-since they could see things he couldn't, but for the
most part he could usually manageto figure out the problem if there was
a problem. Trying to minimize her discomfort, he worked as fast as possible.

Ameala worked on keeping her breathing steady while the healer did his
work. **It's going to be fine. Everything's fine.**

When he was done, he washed his hands and set the sheet back down over her.
"I'm going to have a look at some of the samples, but overall, it looks
like everything's in order and normal so I don't think you should have
any problems. Has your husband had any sort of injury do you know?"
Chupsin always asked that question first. It was safer than pointing
the finger at the man in the relationship directly.

She shook her head, "No, not that I can think of." She would have to
ask him specifically though. Of course she would need to be delicate.
She didn't want him beating himself up over the possibility that he
may not be able to give her children. "When do you think you'll have
results?"

"We'll have you return in a few days. That should give me time to set
up the slides and look atit all." Chupsin had other work to do, of
course, but he could have one of the journeymen help to do some of the
setup.

Ameala sat up and redressed herself. She wasn't exactly sure what the
healer could learn from the samples he took but that's why he was the
crafter and not her. "Well, thank you, Healer Chupsin. You've
definitely given me things to think about."

"In the meantime, see what you can get of your husband's medical history
and we'll talk about it all when I see you next." He got up and grabbed
his charts and made to leave so she could do whatever she needed.

Last updated on the July 23rd 2012

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Lowered Expectations