Melinda's First Day

         Today, Melinda's dream became a reality. Her elation obvious, while trotting through the archway. PhD. in hand, within ten hours life would change, forever. Sleep eluded her. A thirty-six hour shift began with an eight-year old boy who suffered difficulty breathing, fever, and abdominal pain.
"Does this hurt?"
"Ow!"
"Get him in exam room one. Do an x-ray and an ultrasound."
The results were non-conclusive, which meant a CT scan. Once complete the determination, Appendicitis, immediate surgery was successful. She smiled. For the first time ever, feeling like a real doctor.