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Ms. Eldrich:
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Doctor Balis?
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Dr. Balis:
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This is he. Who's calling please?
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Ms. Eldrich:
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This is Mary Eldrich, Sam's mother again. Doctor, Sam won't be able to come in for his session again. He's gotten terribly sick.
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Dr. Balis:
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Oh dear. What's happened to him?
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Ms. Eldrich:
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He's gotten a horrible infection in his wisdom teeth. Doctor, the oral surgeon thinks that Sam might be causing it himself.
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Dr. Balis:
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Do you mean Sam is responsible for the infection?
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Ms. Eldrich:
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They say that it looks as if he's been picking at the wounds from the surgery. It's like he was trying to scar himself or something.
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Dr. Balis:
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Has he said anything about it?
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Ms. Eldrich:
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He can't even talk right now. His mouth is so swollen, and his gums seem to bleed so much. I haven't seen him picking at it or anything like that, but then again...I can't be home all that much to watch him. If only I hadn't gone back to work...
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Dr. Balis:
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Ms. Eldrich...
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Ms. Eldrich:
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I know, I know. I can't go blaming myself for trying to support my family and bringing home a paycheck that will put my kid through college. I just wish I could be in two places at once right now. But, Doctor, it really seems like Sam might be trying to do something serious to himself.
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Dr. Balis:
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Do you think that he poses a current threat to himself?
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Ms. Eldrich:
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I'm not sure; I don't think that he does. But he seems so depressed, and now with what the oral surgeon said...I just don't know.
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Dr. Balis:
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I see. Has Sam been taking his medication?
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Ms. Eldrich:
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I'm not sure.
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Dr. Balis:
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Would it be possible for you to take some time off work to be with Sam?
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Ms. Eldrich:
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I believe so. Is that your recommendation?
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Dr. Balis:
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It would be helpful if you could make sure that he wasn't doing something to harm himself. Make sure that he is taking his medication; that's very important. Remember, though, that there may be other explanations for Sam's behavior besides a desire to hurt himself.
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Ms. Eldrich:
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Like what?
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Dr. Balis:
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Perhaps his gums became infected following surgery and the itching has caused Sam to pick at the wound.
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Ms. Eldrich:
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I hadn't thought of anything like that. When Sam's father and I heard about how Sam had been picking at his teeth and causing such bleeding, we hadn't thought that there might have been an infection already. Hmm. Well, Doctor, I should be going to Sam now.
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Dr. Balis:
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All right. Take care. Thank you for keeping me informed about Sam's condition.
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Ms. Eldrich:
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Sure. I worry about him so. Thank you, Doctor.
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Dr. Balis:
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Goodbye, Ms. Eldrich.
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###
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Doctor Balis' Notes on this Telephone Call
Transcripts of Samuel Eldrich's Communications
