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Dr. Radar nodded. “The infection should clear up relatively quickly, but I’d like to wait to commit until the morning. Let’s see how she does tonight.”
“How long will it take to know if it works?”
“The process of Remi’s body accepting your cells to seed her marrow and grow new is called engrafting. It can take a month or more before the process is complete, but if it’s successful, she’ll get stronger and stronger, though she is at risk for infection until she’s fully grafted. You’re a good match so I’m hoping she won’t have too many side effects. She may need some anti-rejection drugs for the rest of her life.”
“What kind of side effects are possible?” Chase was firing off the same questions that I’d already discussed with Dr. Radar.
“Some pain, headaches, shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain or fatigue. There’s quite a list and she may get only some that aren’t pleasant, but we’ll monitor her very closely. Some patients don’t have to stay in the hospital the entire month of engrafting, but each case is different. We’ll have to play it by ear. She’s just had a rough go, but I’m optimistic.”
I sucked in a ragged breath; relief flooding through me at Dr. Radar’s words. Chase automatically reached for my hand. “Thank you, doctor.”
“I’ll want to do the transplant very soon after we radiate her. That will be the scary part for you and for her. Remi will have to be in clean room isolation so you won’t be able to be with her for a few days. I feel if we do the radiation about the same time you’re in surgery, she can receive it soon after.”
Leaving Remi alone would be the hard part. My heart broke for her, but we had no choice.
“Will Chase have any side effects from donating?” I asked.
“We’ll put him under general anesthesia, so he will be able to leave about eight hours after the procedure. Only about one percent of donors have serious complications, so don’t worry. Usually, it’s just being sore as hell for a few days, and some bruising. You won’t be able to play soccer for at least a week.”
“Do I have to be out cold?”
“We could do a local or an epidural, but we’ll be sticking huge needles into your pelvic bone in about four places and to say it’s extremely painful is a bit of an understatement. General anesthetic works better for the patient and the team drawing it. There are risks with GA, but it’s rare. You’ll be asked to refrain from food or water after midnight the night before and also, stay away from anyone with colds or flu. We’ll test you before we take the donation. Remi can’t afford any second-hand infections.”
“Sounds logical,” Chase answered, nodding. He still held my hand and I couldn’t help wrapping the other around his arm.
He turned back to the little girl. “Remi, it’s Dr. Radar. Can you open your eyes for me, sweetheart?”
She stirred in her bed and she tried to open her eyes. “Mommy?” she asked. She always called me the second she woke up and I stepped forward to let her see me behind the doctor.
“Mommy and Daddy are both here, baby. Jensey said to tell you he loves you and he’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”
Remi tried to look at me, but her heavy lids dropped sleepily. She reopened them halfway once more, but couldn’t wake up, and they fell closed again.
“Is it okay to let her sleep?” Chase wanted to know. “She seems like she needs it.”
The doctor nodded. “If she wakes up and wants to eat, the nursing station has snacks. Anesthesia has lingering effects.”
Remi’s numerous stays in the hospital made me acutely aware of the little room with refreshments set up on every floor. I’d be able to find something she liked if she was hungry.
“I’ll go out and get her a cheeseburger,” Chase stated. “She’ll eat that for sure.”
Dr. Radar nodded with a smile on his gentle face. “This is one lucky little lady to have so many people who love her. She’s a good little patient.”
“We can’t thank you and the staff enough for everything you’ve done for Remi, Dr. Radar.”
“We all adore her.” He took the three steps necessary to reach me and patted the side of my upper arm. “We’ll get her through this.”
Chase offered his right hand to shake the doctor’s hand. “Thank you. Is there a cot or something that can be brought in here so Teagan can get some sleep? If not, would it be possible to rent out one of the empty rooms? I’m happy to pay whatever is necessary.”
“I’ll get an orderly to bring up a cot,” the nurse said. “Don’t worry about that.”
“Thank you.”
When Dr. Radar left and it was just Chase and me in the room again, his stomach rumbled loudly.
The sound surprised us both, and he put a hand on his stomach. “Wow.”
I chuckled. “Speaking of eating, it sounds like you need food. When was the last time you ate something?”
