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Ms. Green:
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Hello? Doctor Balis?
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Dr. Balis:
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This is he...Anna?
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Ms. Green:
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Wow, you're still there. I wasn't expecting to get you.
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Dr. Balis:
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I had some catching up to do. Why are you calling me at this hour? Is something wrong?
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Ms. Green:
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Well, Trevor is here.
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Dr. Balis:
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And?
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Ms. Green:
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He's holding the telephone for me--I've burned both of my hands.
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Dr. Balis:
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What?
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Ms. Green:
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I was making dinner for him, and we were talking, and I totally blew it--I forgot to put on gloves and lifted the chicken out of the oven...
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Dr. Balis:
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Oh God, how bad is it?
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Ms. Green:
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I've been running cold water on my hands for the last half hour.
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Dr. Balis:
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Do you have any blisters?
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Ms. Green:
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Yeah, but not over the whole area. The palm of my right hand is really bad. The left one seems just red. I have three fingers on the right hand that have blisters and two on the left.
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Dr. Balis:
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That sounds like a second degree burn. You should go the emergency room.
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Ms. Green:
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At night? All the weirdoes are there now. I think I'll be okay. I'll just stand here by the sink for the next couple of days.
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Dr. Balis:
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Hmm.
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Ms. Green:
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And Trevor says that he's seen worse.
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Dr. Balis:
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I'm thrilled for him.
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Ms. Green:
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Actually, I'm just calling to tell you that I can't make it tomorrow.
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Dr. Balis:
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Is it because of your hands?
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Ms. Green:
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No, something came up at work.
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Dr. Balis:
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I see.
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Ms. Green:
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Although this hands situation doesn't help either--I don't think I'll be able to use the mouse tomorrow--computer mouse.
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Dr. Balis:
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I understood. What do you need to do at work?
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Ms. Green:
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Oh, it's the same old thing: "Can't you possibly stay late and do overtime? We need you." It's stuff like that. And I have such a hard time saying no...
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Dr. Balis:
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Hmm. Well, take care of your hands. If it gets real bad...
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Ms. Green:
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I know--I'll go to the doctor, but not until tomorrow morning.
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Dr. Balis:
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All right. Keep running cold water over your hands, and don't put any butter or cream on the burns. Just hold a bag of ice or use cold water when the pain gets bad. At night, you should try some antibiotic cream, if you've got any. Okay?
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Ms. Green:
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Okay, I can do that. Trevor can take care of me, right? See? Trevor said, "No, problem." He's trained in all the latest life-saving techniques. So don't worry, Doctor.
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Dr. Balis:
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All right. Will I see you the following week?
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Ms. Green:
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Absolutely. I'll show you my burn scars.
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Dr. Balis:
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I can hardly wait.
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Ms. Green:
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Have a nice night, Doctor. Don't work so hard.
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Dr. Balis:
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Good night, Anna.
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###
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Doctor Balis' Notes on this Telephone Call
Transcripts of Anna Green's Communications
