First Do No Harm (Benjamin Davis Book Series, Book 1) Read Online Free
Author: A. Turk
The county doesn’t pay me much to drive a school bus.”
“That’s not a problem, dear. Your insurance company will pay for everything except your deductible. Sheila checked, and since it’s still early in the year, you have $350 left of your $500 deductible. I’ll waive that portion of my fee as a courtesy to you.”
“Thank you, Doctor. That’s very generous. Bless you.”
“Here’s a renewal prescription for your Valium. Remember, I only want you taking them after work. The label specifically warns you not to take them andoperate heavy equipment. We don’t want you taking them and driving your school bus. You need to be alert, not relaxed, when you’re driving those kids around.”
She let out a deep breath and gave Dr. Herman a hug. She was glad he renewed her nerve medicine. It made her feel so much better.
“Will the surgery hurt? You know I don’t tolerate pain real good.”
“You won’t feel a thing. After the surgery, I’ll prescribe a powerful pain medicine that will keep you comfortable.”
He knew Mrs. O’Malley was sold. She would follow his advice unquestionably.
“I took the liberty of scheduling an appointment for you with Dr. Charles English. He’s the general surgeon upstairs and will confirm my diagnosis that surgery is your best option. Please take your ultrasound upstairs to him for review.”
“I don’t want another doctor. Why can’t you perform the surgery?”
“I’m not a general surgeon. But I’ll be there to oversee your recovery at the hospital. Don’t worry. Dr. English is an excellent surgeon. I send all my patients to him.”
“Can this wait until summer? I can’t afford to miss much work.”
“I wouldn’t recommend that. However, you won’t be off your feet very long. Dr. English is the only doctor in Plains County who can perform the surgery laparoscopically. Any other doctor would need to make an eight-inch incision across your belly to remove the gallbladder. Under those circumstances, you would be out of work for two, almost three, weeks. Dr. English will make only two small holes, each about the size of adime. In one hole, he will insert a small camera, which will let him see inside you. In the other hole, he’ll use a tiny laser to blast the stones and gallbladder into small pieces that your body will then absorb. With Dr. English’s method, you’ll be in the hospital one day, and you’ll be back to work within three.”
She was obviously relieved. Three weeks off work was more than she could financially handle. She thanked him and went upstairs to see Dr. English.
Herman owned the office building in which he practiced. He purchased the three-story building in 1990, when he first arrived in Plainview. Unlike most doctors, he was an exceptional businessman, capitalizing on all possible revenue sources. He knew it was smarter to own rather than to lease. His modest $20,000 down payment more than paid for itself. He borrowed the balance from the local bank, and the hospital guaranteed the loan. Herman was proud of the sharp deal he brokered.
His office occupied the first floor and operated virtually rent-free. His mortgage payment was covered by the rent generated from his tenants, Dr. Charles English, the general surgeon on the second floor, and an OB-GYN on the third floor. The hospital cosigned for those two doctors’ lease payments, minimizing Herman’s risk.
Putting a call in to Woody Douglas, Herman wanted to review the terms of the lease renewals for his tenants.
Woody himself answered the phone. “Lars, how are you doing? How’s business?”
“Couldn’t be better. This ultrasound machine is a cash cow. I’m thinking of getting another machine and hiring an operator, business is so good.” He only hadtwo hands, and he didn’t like leaving money on the table. “I just had a consult with a patient and diagnosed her with gallstones. I just sent her upstairs for a consult with Charlie. He’ll probably be scheduling her for
“That’s not a problem, dear. Your insurance company will pay for everything except your deductible. Sheila checked, and since it’s still early in the year, you have $350 left of your $500 deductible. I’ll waive that portion of my fee as a courtesy to you.”
“Thank you, Doctor. That’s very generous. Bless you.”
“Here’s a renewal prescription for your Valium. Remember, I only want you taking them after work. The label specifically warns you not to take them andoperate heavy equipment. We don’t want you taking them and driving your school bus. You need to be alert, not relaxed, when you’re driving those kids around.”
She let out a deep breath and gave Dr. Herman a hug. She was glad he renewed her nerve medicine. It made her feel so much better.
“Will the surgery hurt? You know I don’t tolerate pain real good.”
“You won’t feel a thing. After the surgery, I’ll prescribe a powerful pain medicine that will keep you comfortable.”
He knew Mrs. O’Malley was sold. She would follow his advice unquestionably.
“I took the liberty of scheduling an appointment for you with Dr. Charles English. He’s the general surgeon upstairs and will confirm my diagnosis that surgery is your best option. Please take your ultrasound upstairs to him for review.”
“I don’t want another doctor. Why can’t you perform the surgery?”
“I’m not a general surgeon. But I’ll be there to oversee your recovery at the hospital. Don’t worry. Dr. English is an excellent surgeon. I send all my patients to him.”
“Can this wait until summer? I can’t afford to miss much work.”
“I wouldn’t recommend that. However, you won’t be off your feet very long. Dr. English is the only doctor in Plains County who can perform the surgery laparoscopically. Any other doctor would need to make an eight-inch incision across your belly to remove the gallbladder. Under those circumstances, you would be out of work for two, almost three, weeks. Dr. English will make only two small holes, each about the size of adime. In one hole, he will insert a small camera, which will let him see inside you. In the other hole, he’ll use a tiny laser to blast the stones and gallbladder into small pieces that your body will then absorb. With Dr. English’s method, you’ll be in the hospital one day, and you’ll be back to work within three.”
She was obviously relieved. Three weeks off work was more than she could financially handle. She thanked him and went upstairs to see Dr. English.
Herman owned the office building in which he practiced. He purchased the three-story building in 1990, when he first arrived in Plainview. Unlike most doctors, he was an exceptional businessman, capitalizing on all possible revenue sources. He knew it was smarter to own rather than to lease. His modest $20,000 down payment more than paid for itself. He borrowed the balance from the local bank, and the hospital guaranteed the loan. Herman was proud of the sharp deal he brokered.
His office occupied the first floor and operated virtually rent-free. His mortgage payment was covered by the rent generated from his tenants, Dr. Charles English, the general surgeon on the second floor, and an OB-GYN on the third floor. The hospital cosigned for those two doctors’ lease payments, minimizing Herman’s risk.
Putting a call in to Woody Douglas, Herman wanted to review the terms of the lease renewals for his tenants.
Woody himself answered the phone. “Lars, how are you doing? How’s business?”
“Couldn’t be better. This ultrasound machine is a cash cow. I’m thinking of getting another machine and hiring an operator, business is so good.” He only hadtwo hands, and he didn’t like leaving money on the table. “I just had a consult with a patient and diagnosed her with gallstones. I just sent her upstairs for a consult with Charlie. He’ll probably be scheduling her for
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