Doctor's Appointment

Gabriela's doctor's appointment finally arrived. She was a bit nervous, never having been to the doctor's office before, well not that she could remember. Her Grandmother got them a Cab to take them to the Hospital. The Cab ride was silent after Amy had explained that there was nothing to be nervous about since it was only a physical as well as some tests, like urine and blood for example. She also explained that she will always be beside her to hold her hand. With that Gabriela felt a little bit at ease although her face seemed indifferent.

Once inside it was nosy and everyone seemed to be busy doing something. Gabriela just stayed emotionless by her Grandmother's side as her Grandmother was filling out the paperwork. When they were in the Doctors office, Gabriela sat up straight and looked straight at the doctor as she was asked questions. Most questions were answered with a no, apart from "How are you?" and "What's your name?" and of course her age. The only question and the last question, so the doctor thought, was if Gabriela has had intercourse (sex). Gabriela froze, even though she was already sitting upright, not moving like a statue, you could tell that something was wrong with her. When no answer came out of her mouth, her Grandmother gasped, covering her mouth as she tried to hold back her tears, but the more she thought about her Grandbaby going through not only physical abuse but also sexual abuse. Her Granddaughter's actions became more clear and with that Amy couldn't stop her tears. With what she was seeing (Amy made sure to get a female doctor.) the Doctor understood more of why Amy had practically begged for a female Doctor as soon as possible. Gabriela was startled by her Grandmothers' tears and when she finally broke her posture to turn and look at her Grandmother beside her, she was pulled into an embrace, not allowing her to push away, well she actually didn't feel like pushing away. It actually felt tight, but comforting, especially when her Grandmother told her in a distraught voice, that she is no longer alone, her Grandmother will take care of her, she is not alone. When she heard her Grandmothers words, she began to cry as well. She wrapped her arms around her Grandmother and began to cry letting everything that she held in out. All of her sadness and her worries dissipated. She felt lighter and sleepier. After a few minutes of them hugging and crying they stopped. Amy looking lovingly at her poor little Grandbaby smiled at her little Grandbaby's sleeping face. Amy looked up at the Doctor asking in a soft voice if they could reschedule. The Doctor only nodded her head, about to leave, she turned to ask Amy if she should call a Cab and she said yes.

When the Cab arrived, a man helped Amy put her Granddaughter inside as she was sound asleep and too heavy for her Grandmother to carry. On the way home, she called Alex's house and asked if he was available and if he could help her bring Gabriela inside. Alex quickly asked if they were both ok. Once Amy explained that Gabriela had just fallen into a deep sleep, he quickly said ok and waited outside Amy's house. After he helped tuck Gabriela in her bed, Amy asked to speak with him. She explained how her Granddaughter has been living with abusive parents, although she didn't go into detail. Also that she will not sign her Granddaughter up for school, until the beginning of the next school year. Amy asked Alex if he wouldn't mind spending time with her Gabriela. He could help her out with school work so she will be ready for sixth grade. Alex agreed instantly, trying to understand if but a little of the pain Gabriela must have gone through, realizing that she wasn't bullied at school but abused at home. (Although Gabriela has been both abused at home and bullied at school, is something both Amy and Alex have yet to find out.) Also seeing and hearing all Amy had to say, he could only understand that Gabriela needed time to heal from everything and he was more than ready to do whatever he could to get Gabriela to smile again.

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Amy and Gabriela went back to the doctor's office a couple of days later per the Doctor's request. As the Doctor knew she had to put Gabriela as a top priority. She needed to find out what Gabriela actually has been through in order to run the appropriate tests.

Gabriela never let go of her Grandmothers hand. After the greetings, the female doctor began.

DOCTOR: "I will like you to take your time in answering the questions, ok?

Gabriela: Squeezed her Grandmothers hand and looked up at her as if asking for permission to speak.

Amy: Looked down lovingly at her Grandbaby, gently rubbing the back of her hands nodding slowly yes.

Gabriela: Turned back to the doctor and nodded an ok.

DOCTOR: "Were you hit by your parents or anyone else?"

Gabriela: "Yes."

DOCTOR: "Who hit you and when did the person or people start?"

Gabriela: "My Dad, when I was around 6 yrs old and kids at school during third grade."

DOCTOR: "How old were you when you first had sexual intercourse? Was it against your will?

Amy: Trying her best to continue to not get angry at the doctor and make things worse, she silently continued supporting her Grandbaby. Not stopping from holding her hands with one hand and holding her in a tight embrace with another as they sat side by side.

Gabriela: Looking down, with a barely audible voice, "My Dad first did it, when I was 8 yrs old. I told him I didn't want to every time he did it."

DOCTOR: "Was he the only one had sexual intercourse with?"

Gabriela: Still looking down, "Yes."

DOCTOR: "Did he use protection? Were you on birth control?"

Gabriela: "I don't know." (tears rolling down her face as vivid images popped into her mind)

Gabriela: "He would just come in my room (sobs) pulling off my clothes, hitting me, (sobs) it hurt soo much every time (sobs)." she turned turns her Grandmother as she began to cry.

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Amy kept her Grandbaby in her embrace as the Doctor told Gabriela that she did a good job of answering the questions despite the pain she must have had in doing so. After Gabriela calmed down, the Doctor asked if she could bear with going through some tests today, explaining that it is very important. They both agreed. Gabriela had to change into the gown before any tests could be done. They ended up spending the whole day at the hospital. Finished will all of the testing, Gabriela was not only fatigued but super hungry and sore.

Thankfully, by the end of it all, Gabriela tested negative for any STDs (Sexually transmitted disease) but she was no longer able to have any children since she had intercourse at such a young age and had it done to her roughly.** Being a child herself, she was actually happy about not being able to have children. Also because of the pain she always went through when he took advantage of her, made her not want to ever do it again.