Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
There’s a soft knock on his door and I lift my head to see Dr. Yoffe walk in along with a female doctor I don’t recognize.
I scramble to my feet, glancing over to see that Aiden is softly snoring and not roused at all by the visitors. Dr. Yoffe’s kind brown eyes glance at my brother and then he nods toward the door, indicating for me to follow them back out.
When I step into the hallway, Dr. Yoffe introduces me to Dr. Simbiglia. “She’s a pulmonologist I’ve asked to consult on Aiden’s case.”
“Because of the cough?” I ask.
Dr. Simbiglia nods. “His X-rays show some nodular opacities in the upper lobes that could suggest a fungal infection. I want to do a bronchoscopy to take a sample so we can confirm that, and also to get a better look at his lungs.”
I cross my arms over my belly. “Is that a surgery or something?”
“He’ll have a mild sedative and be awake during the procedure, although he probably won’t remember much of it. He might have a sore throat after but otherwise, it’s not too terrible.”
My gaze moves to Dr. Yoffe. “And what does this all mean?”
“It means with the fever, cough and X-ray, we suspect an infection. We did blood cultures that aren’t showing any known bacteria, so we think it’s fungal. This will confirm it and then we’ll know exactly what to treat him with.”
“But it can be treated,” I press, not even caring that there’s a slight hysterical rise in my tone.
Dr. Simbiglia answers, “There are some very good drugs out there but the problem is that Aiden’s already immunocompromised since his white blood cell counts are still quite low following the transplant.”
“Let’s not let ourselves worry just yet,” Dr. Yoffe says, patting my shoulder gently. “Let’s confirm what it is first and get him started on the right medications, okay?”
I nod, because really… what else can I do?
“We want to examine Aiden, so we’re going to need to wake him up.” Dr. Yoffe moves past me into the room with Dr. Simbiglia motioning for me to precede her. Stepping to the side of the bed, he pats Aiden on the shoulder. “Hey buddy… your favorite doctor is here.”
Aiden’s forehead wrinkles but then his eyes open slowly. “Hey.”
“Mind if I listen to your chest?”
I watch as Aiden sits up straighter in the bed and Dr. Yoffe listens with his stethoscope. He then introduces Dr. Simbiglia who also listens, but her face doesn’t reveal a thing.
“We need to do a test on you, Aiden,” Dr. Yoffe says. Even though he isn’t the one who will be performing it and it’s not his specialty, he’s Aiden’s primary doctor and the one he trusts the most.
With calm, reassuring words, Dr. Yoffe explains the procedure and Aiden asks questions. I can see on his face he’s scared. You’d think a boy who’s had his bones drilled into to extract marrow could handle anything, but he’s still just a kid.
I move to the side of the bed, take his hand and give him a reassuring smile. “Piece of cake. Dr. Simbiglia said you probably won’t even remember the procedure.”
Aiden swallows hard and nods, followed by a slight coughing fit. I pull my hand free of his so he can’t feel my tremble of worry and move to get him a cup of water.
“When will we do this?” Aiden asks.
“I’ll put the order in now,” Dr. Simbiglia says with a wink. “We want to get some good medicine in you, so no sense in waiting, right?”
Another nod. This time he smiles bravely.
The doctors make their goodbyes after promises to deliver the results as soon as they get them. When we’re alone, Aiden asks, “On a scale of one to ten, how worried are you?”
“Pfft,” I say with a wave of my hand. “Maybe a two. Okay, if I’m honest… two point five at the most.”
Aiden laughs and that starts him coughing more. I reach over and hand him the water, insisting he take a drink.
“How do you feel?” I ask after he swallows a few sips.
“Really tired,” he says. “But Dad and I stayed up late last night talking, so I think that’s all it is.”
I don’t buy that for a second. I watched the way he was sleeping this morning and it wasn’t just a nap to catch up on a few missed hours. He was under hard and heavy.
“Well, go back to sleep. I’ve got some work to do but I’ll probably go down for a coffee first. Want anything?”
Aiden shakes his head, burrowing back under the covers. I start to turn away but he says, “I don’t think we should tell Dad about this test.”
I spin back toward him. “Why not?”
“It might cause him to drink again.” He flushes with what I think might be a bit of guilt for his lack of confidence in our father.