A Sea Turtle Story
Chapter 4: Pancake’s Progress
The story so far: Pancake, an injured sea turtle, is rescued, treated and sent to a special sea turtle hospital to get well. At the hospital is a girl named, Lolly. Lolly helps take care of Pancake. The girl and the sea turtle develop a special bond. Pancake’s treatment is progressing nicely, until one day; Lolly notices that Pancake isn’t using her flipper. Is something terribly wrong with Pancake?
Jan hurried over to take a look. She had a worried expression on her face. “Show me which one,” Jan said.
“See,” Lolly said, pointing at Pancake’s front left flipper. “She isn’t using that flipper.”
“I think you’re right,” Jan said, examining Pancake’s flipper. “It does seem as if she has quit using it. I’ll call the Vet School and discuss this with them.” Jan picked up the phone. Lolly anxiously waited for Jan to finish her call.
“I couldn’t get through to Dr. Beth,” Jan told Lolly. “I left a message for her to call me first thing in the morning. Don’t worry, Lolly. She’ll tell us how to help Pancake.”
All the next day at school, Lolly was worried. Her best friend, Zack, noticed her mood.
“Hey, Lolly what’s wrong?” Zack asked. “You look down in the dumps.”
“It’s Pancake, one of the turtles at the hospital,” Lolly replied. “She’s not doing so well.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Zack said. Then he asked, “What’s wrong with her?”
“She isn’t using one of her front flippers,” Lolly explained.
“That’s too bad!” Zack said. “I know you’re upset, Lolly. But I’m sure they can fix her up.”
“I hope so,” Lolly sighed. “She was doing so well, too!”
Lolly couldn’t wait for school to be over. She went home and dropped off her books; then she ran straight to the hospital.
Lolly burst through the door to the sea turtle hospital. Jan looked up and smiled at her.
“Calm down, kiddo,” Jan said. “I have good news for you. Dr. Beth thinks that with some physical rehabilitation, Pancake will be able to use her flipper again.”
“Yes!” Lolly squealed with relief. “That’s wonderful news! I was so worried.”
“I know you were, dear,” Jan replied. “Now, let’s get started! It will take lots of hard work and hours of physical therapy to help our new patient.”
The staff at the hospital worked hard with Pancake. It could take many long months of physical therapy for Pancake to regain full use of her flipper. But everyone was patient. Day after day, the volunteers worked with Pancake.
As Pancake’s therapy progressed, her injuries healed even more. The screws, pins and plates that the doctors used to hold Pancake’s shell together were taken out. New scutes had grown and filled the white spaces, once covered by artificial skin and Super Glue.
Over the months, Pancake became a familiar presence in the hospital. Lolly’s bond with the sea turtle grew stronger with each passing day. She loved all the turtles at the hospital, but it was clear that Pancake was Lolly’s favorite.
Pancake continued to improve. And after school and on weekends, Lolly continued her work at the hospital. Every day was an exciting opportunity to learn something new. And of course, there were new patients to meet. Lolly had seen many turtles come through the doors of the hospital. And each one had a story to tell!
Some, like Pancake, had been hit by boats. Some had been accidentally trapped in nets or hooked by fishermen. One turtle became tangled in fishing line and had a deep cut on his neck.
One patient arrived, ill with an infection, its shell covered with parasites and barnacles. A small male had been found floating in the water, unable to submerge. Another turtle had been “cold stunned,” a condition caused by being exposed to cold water that could have been fatal if the turtle hadn’t been rescued and treated.
But no matter what the problem, the sea turtles always had the best care the staff and volunteers could give them!
Between school, her family, the bookstore and the sea turtle hospital, Lolly was a very busy girl! But she was never too busy for her favorite sea turtle, Pancake.
Lolly stopped in to check on Pancake one Saturday morning. Lolly entered the sea turtle hospital, but she didn’t see anyone around. Lolly went over to check on Pancake.
“How’s my big girl today?” Lolly asked, looking into Pancake’s tank. To her surprise, Pancake moved her left front flipper as if answering the question.
Jan came out of the exam room where she had been stocking some new supplies on the shelves.
“Jan! Did you see that?” Lolly cried.
“I sure did!” Jan answered. “She’s been doing that since yesterday. Pancake has improved tremendously. I called Dr. Andy to come take a look at Pancake. It may be time to release her.”
“Release her…” Lolly said softly.
“Maybe,” Jan said. “If
Dr. Andy thinks she’s well enough.”
“That’s great,” Lolly said. She knew that one day Pancake would leave the hospital. That’s what she and all the others had worked so hard for.
Pancake might be ready to leave. But was Lolly ready to let her go? To be continued Tuesday, June 5 Next Time: The Big Day!