Transcript of conversation between Charles Balis, M.D., Ms. Rene Wolff, Dr. Brian Malleson, and Ms. Sylvia Bows, Tuesday, March 11, 1997 at 9:10 am at the California Pacific Medical Center.
Dr. Balis: Hello, Sylvia. How are you doing?
Ms. Bows: Hello, Doctor.
Ms. Wolff: She is feeling very bad, Doctor Balis. They are giving her that horrible medication through an IV again.
Dr. Balis: Magnesium Sulfate. Hello, Rene. Thank you for calling me and letting me know.
Ms. Wolff: No problem. Her water broke last night and we got her here in an ambulance at around 11:30. Doctor Malleson saw her then. But he said that he'll be back this morning. In fact we're expecting him.
Dr. Balis: Good. How's she been feeling?
Ms. Wolff: She was pretty bad last night. This thing with Tom really knocked her down. I didn't realized just how much getting back together with him meant to her. I can't believe that she could still love him so much after all that happened.
Dr. Balis: Does Tom know that she's here?
Ms. Wolff: I didn't know where to reach him. But I did leave a message with his secretary. I don't know if he got it yet.
Dr. Balis: I see. Sylvia?
Ms. Bows: Yes, Doctor Balis.
Dr. Balis: You are a very brave woman. You've done what everyone thought was impossible--you carried your boys as close to term as average twins ever get. Congratulations. This will soon be over and you'll have the product of your love and labor, so to speak, to meet in person.
Ms. Bows: Thank you, Doctor.
Dr. Balis: Rene, what did Doctor Malleson say last night? Does Sylvia have to stay on this medication for long?
Ms. Wolff: I think he just wanted to keep them in for a few days more. He said that it's not really an issue for the older boy--he is 33 weeks now. But the younger one could benefit from staying a bit longer. I think he was talking about lung maturity at 31 weeks. Actually, it was pretty hectic last night and I might not have everything exactly straight.
Dr. Balis: I understand. Did you stay here all night?
Ms. Wolff: Yes. It shows?
Dr. Balis: You do look like you need some rest.
Ms. Wolff: I called Sylvia's parents this morning.
Dr. Balis: Are they coming?
Ms. Wolff: You know about Margarite's heart problems?
Dr. Balis: Yes I do.
Ms. Wolff: I didn't think telling her about this was a good idea. So I just spoke with Sylvia's dad. He said that he'll be here as soon as he can. I'll try to go home and get some sleep when he gets here. I don't want Sylvia to be alone.
Dr. Balis: That's very good of you, Rene.
Ms. Wolff: Sylvia is like a sister to me. And she's my best friend too. I can't let her go through this by herself. It's hard enough when your husband is with you. To do this alone...
Dr. Balis: I spoke with Tom last Friday.
Ms. Bows: What did he say?
Dr. Balis: Sylvia, I thought you were sleeping?
Ms. Bows: What did he say, Doctor? What did he say?
Dr. Balis: Tom is feeling very hurt and angry right now...
Ms. Wolff: Well Sylvia was pretty hurt and angry after his vasectomy. But she managed to get over it somehow.
Ms. Bows: Rene, please. Did you make him understand, Doctor?
Dr. Balis: I tried. I think he needs some time to think things through--to figure out what's really important to him.
Ms. Wolff: He doesn't have time, Doctor. Sylvia is about to deliver. And in my opinion, it's all his fault!
Ms. Bows: Rene blames Tom for all my misfortunes. But, Doctor, do you think he will come?
Dr. Balis: I don't know. I hope so. Doctor Malleson! It's good to see you.
Dr. Malleson: Hello, hello. How are our little patients doing today? How are you feeling, Sylvia?
Ms. Bows: I'm fine, Doctor Malleson.
Dr. Malleson: Good. How are the boys? Kicking around in there?
Ms. Bows: I'm not sure. I think so.
Ms. Wolff: She had a very bad night, Doctor Malleson. She didn't sleep much and was very nauseated.
Dr. Malleson: Uh huh. Any fever during the night?
Ms. Wolff: No. Just feeling very bad, but no fever.
Dr. Malleson: Excellent. Sylvia, I would like to start corticosteroid therapy to prevent respiratory distress syndrome. We'll do two injections. One today and one tomorrow morning. I know you've been reading up on the procedures we use with prematurity, and I hope you've been able to make up your mind on this issue.
Ms. Bows: I trust you completely, Doctor Malleson.
Dr. Malleson: Then I would like to proceed with the therapy at this point. I'm also prescribing some antibiotics. There's a higher risk of infection with this therapy, and I'd like to use the antibiotics as a preventative measure.
Dr. Balis: When do you expect Sylvia will deliver?
Dr. Malleson: I think we'll see the boys in about four to five days. But it'll have to be sooner if she gets an infection--I'm most worried about fever right now. The corticosteroids will take a couple of days to work. So Sylvia, are we in agreement?
Ms. Bows: Yes.
Dr. Malleson: Cheer up. You just have to keep your legs crossed for a couple more days. Your boys look great on the monitor. I don't think there is much to worry about. And frankly, Sylvia, you've come much much further then I ever expected. Good job. Now, where is Tom?
Ms. Bows: I...
Ms. Wolff: He doesn't know yet. We left him a message at work.
Dr. Malleson: That man works too much. Well, I hope to catch him this afternoon. Okay? I'll come back to visit you in a couple of hours. Try to get her to eat something. And I see that that glass of juice is still full. I hope this is not from last night.
Ms. Wolff: It's not.
Dr. Malleson: Good. I'll see you soon, Sylvia. It was a pleasure to see you again, Doctor Balis.
Dr. Balis: It was good to see you too. Well, sounds like everything is going according to plan.
Ms. Wolff: Doctor Malleson has an uncanny ability to make you believe that.
Dr. Balis: Well, I'm going to go too. Looks like you're going to be very busy soon. Rene, please keep me informed.
Ms. Wolff: Sure.
Dr. Balis: Sylvia, I'll try to stop by in a few days. I'd like to see you at least one more time before birth, if you don't mind.
Ms. Bows: I'll look forward to it, Doctor. Thank you for stopping by.
Dr. Balis: No problem. Keep your spirits up. Goodbye, Rene.
Ms. Wolff: Goodbye, Doctor.
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