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"These will be different," Doctor Thornton replied."We'll need urine and blood tests to start with.Then you'll be sent for an ultrasound and other imaging studies to get a good look at the structure of the kidneys."
"I'm sure mine look pretty much like yours," Henry said grumpily.
Ignoring him, the doctor continued, "Yes, well, additional tests will make sure both your kidneys are working properly."
"That's a lot of testing.After that am I ready to go?"Henry’s tone was hopeful.
"Not yet.You want to hear the rest, or wait until we know more?"
Henry raised a brow."Let me have it."
"Yes, of course."Dr.Thornton turned his back and poured some water in a cup."Here, drink this and I'll sit down for a minute.Been on my feet all day."
Henry swallowed the water, put the cup down, and waited for the doctor to speak.
"You'll have a GFR, which means a substance will be injected into a vein.It takes a while because they need various samples to review the capacity of the kidney to clear the substance of blood that was injected before."
"Okay.Stop right there.That's enough for today."Henry leaned back on the bed and the doctor stood up.
Jason laughed softly, appreciating the doctor's modified version.
"You'll be fine,” the doctor said.“Sounds worse than it is."
Dr.Thornton had his large hand on the door when he turned around, reading his phone."I just had a ping.Your bed is ready.The nurses will be here to take you upstairs."
"What if I'm not ready to go?"
The doctor chuckled."You've got a fighting spirit, I can see.Like Nicole.Now get some rest, you're going to need it."
After he left, nurse Gabrielle slipped in to assist her patient for his removal to another floor.Jason left Henry in her care.
Heulyn and Stephanie were waiting for him at the door, eyes full of concern and burning with questions.They flanked his sides and steered him away from the leftover spectators to a quiet place with chairs at the end of the hall.
After hugs and kisses and plenty of tears, he answered all their questions and gave them something to cheer.Nicole's chances were improving, as long as everything continued smoothly.
Heulyn stood, looking like he was ready to collapse.He touched their shoulders as he passed."I'm going home.I need to see Nicole and my son."
"Give them our love, and get some rest," Stephanie said with a hug.
Jason sat with his arm around Stephanie, words not necessary as they let the last few hours sink in.Slowly they got up too and braced for the cold as they stepped outdoors.He handed the ticket to the Valet who had kept Stephanie’s car nearby.
As they were about to leave they spotted Heulyn with his head down, trudging through the unplowed snow.
"We should offer him a ride," Stephanie said, driving in his direction."He’s completely done in and shouldn't be behind a wheel."
Before they reached him, Heulyn used his fob and opened the car door."I don’t know, Steph.I expect he'll have a good cry first before he attempts the drive."
Nodding in agreement they drove past his SUV then Stephanie pulled over a half-block later and turned off the engine.
Jason took one look at her face and pulled her into his arms."It's been an emotionally exhausting day for all of us.I know you want to help everybody, but you can't.Heu will be home with his family soon and they will have much to talk about, and perhaps celebrate as well.But they aren't out of the woods yet."
"I know."She sobbed and clung to him."I'm not sure if this is a happy cry, or just relief that we've got this far."
"It's that and more."He pulled back to look at her."We can cancel our plans for the day if it's too much.Instead, we could just do dinner."
Eyes full of tears, she threw her arms around his neck."I don't want you to leave me right now.Do you mind coming home with me?We could rest for a while and then check out Albany's Central Park."
"Does that rest mean a little foreplay?"he teased with a smile.
