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He shrugged. “Cops take care of their own.”
“Yes, I guess they do.”
“Same thing the club would do for a member.”
“Really?”
“Yep.” He studied her. “So, what kind of help have they been giving you?”
She looked away and shrugged. “Some of them tested to be donors. They’ve collected some money for the hospital bills. Stuff like that. Why?”
Things his club should be doing for her, he thought. “Just wondered.” He stood up. “Let’s go see our daughter.”
When they got to Melissa’s room, they were required to wear masks and gowns and wash their hands with antibiotic soap. They suited up and walked into her room.
Her pediatric oncologist was there checking on her. He turned and looked over at them. “Hi, folks. She’s doing well.”
Cole walked over to him, held his hand out and shook the doctor’s. “We haven’t met. I’m Cole Austin. Her father.”
“Right. The donor. Nice to meet you. And how are you feeling?” the doctor asked.
“I’m doing fine. How is she?” he nodded toward a sleeping Melissa.
“Like I said, she’s doing well. How much do you know about the transplant process, Mr. Austin?”
“Not as much as Angel, I’m sure.”
“Well this is the most critical stage, called engraftment. It normally takes two to four weeks. During that time the immune system is crippled and very susceptible to infection and excessive bleeding. We’ll be checking her frequently for signs of fever, chills, hives, chest pain, etc. She’ll be on multiple antibiotics and blood transfusions of platelets to help stop any bleeding. Blood samples will be taken daily to determine whether engraftment has occurred and how her organs are functioning.”
“Engraftment?” Cole asked. “What’s that?”
“Sorry. It’s when the marrow you donated to her starts to grow and make new blood cells. When engraftment finally occurs and her body begins producing normal blood cells, she’ll be taken off the antibiotics and blood and platelet transfusions.”
“And when does she get to go home?”
“It depends on how she does. She’ll be discharged when she has a sufficient number of healthy red blood cells and white cells and platelets. It can take up to four to eight weeks in the hospital.”
“Wow. I hadn’t realized she’d be in here that much longer. When is she going to start feeling better?”
“Well, normally patients experience symptoms much like a severe case of flu during that eight weeks. She’ll probably have nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, extreme weakness.”
“My God.”
“After that it’ll take another two to four more months to recuperate at home. And I have to tell you, the first weeks at home she’ll just want to sleep, maybe sit up, and maybe walk a bit. You’ll have to be bringing her in for doctor visits several times a week during that time. She’ll need to avoid crowds. The risk of infections will still be very high.” He paused, studying Cole. “I have to tell you, it’s a long road. It’ll be six months, maybe a year before she is healed completely, if everything goes well.”
“A year? Wow.”
“Like I said, it’s a long road,” the doctor admitted.
“Yeah. I guess so. Thanks, doctor,” Cole said, nodding to him.
“Well, so far everything is looking good. I’ll let you two visit for a few minutes.” He spoke with the nurse, and then walked out.
Cole looked over at Angel. He’d had no idea what this process was going to entail, for both of them. She’d need him here. He’d have to make that happen. At least for as long as he could manage. He needed to at least stay until Melissa came home. He looked down at his daughter. He was afraid to get too close. He didn’t want to be responsible for giving her some infection; no matter how many precautions they took.
Angel spoke with the nurse about Melissa’s medications and knew she’d be asleep for a while yet. She turned to Cole. “Let’s get you home. She won’t be awake for a few hours.”
“You sure? We can stay. I’m fine.”
“I’d rather go while she’s asleep and be back when she wakes up,” she explained, looking down at Melissa.
“Of course,” Cole agreed.
They drove back to the house where Natalie was waiting with TJ. “How is she?” she asked as soon as they were through the door.
“The doctor said she’s doing well. She was asleep, so I thought it was a good time to bring Cole home,” Angel told her.
“Yes, of course. And how are you feeling, Cole?” Natalie turned to him, resting her hand on his shoulder.
“I’m fine, just a little stiff and sore. Compared to what Melissa has to go through, what I did was a piece of cake.”
“Nevertheless, your body has been through a strain, too. You need to take it easy for a while. A week or two at least.”
He nodded to her and bent down to where TJ was on the floor playing with some blocks. “How ya doin’, buddy?”
TJ looked up at him, smiled, and held out a block.
Cole took it and carefully set it on the top of the tower TJ had built.
TJ swung his arm and sent the tower crashing down, letting out a howl of laughter.
Cole ruffled his hair. “Demo man, huh?”
“Demo?” Angel questioned.
“Demolition. It appears to be his thing.”
