AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Very. She will be quarantined to protect against infection.”
“What is it like for the donor? I mean, what would we have to do if we match?” There was an anxious energy in Nancy’s voice.
“It’s a minor operation. You go under general anesthesia, and they use a big needle to take marrow from your pelvis, and then it’s like a blood transfusion given to Rory through an IV within minutes. Then we wait to see if it takes. She’ll still be quarantined until they know, but I’m not sure how long that part takes. I’m afraid the donor gets the worst of it. You’ll be sore for a few days.”
“Well, I hope to God one of us matches,” she said.
“Me, too,” Bethy agreed.
“Did Remi know her donor?” Nance asked.
“Yes, it was her father.”
“Well, this poor kid may never know who her dad is! I bet Lori screwed some random guy for drugs.” The disgust in Bethy’s voice couldn’t be hidden.
Her mother shot her a dirty look. “Bethy!”
“Well? It’s the truth! I’m not gonna lie about it.”
“We’re just grateful she knew enough to bring Rory to the hospital. That’s a blessing.” I tried to bring the focus back where it belonged, on Rory. “She had the sense to know something was wrong.”
“Indeed. That’s what is important, right now,” Nancy said.
There were several stations inside the cafeteria and the young woman took off toward the stir fry station. “Who wants Chinese?” she asked as she walked away.
“I’m sorry,” Nancy said. “My daughter and my niece never got along. Lori was wild and my daughter more reserved.”
“I understand,” I answered. “Do you also want Chinese, or would you like something else? I’ll be happy to get it for you both.” I changed the subject and, once again, my thoughts turned to what was going on up on Rory’s floor.
Remi
We stopped at the main nurses’ station. Marcia was at lunch so I asked one of the other nurses if they could call Rory’s oncologist and let her know that four of the little girl’s family members were available be tested. Then I ushered Rory’s grandparents to her room.
“Oh, my. I’m so nervous.” The woman who had insisted I call her Josie was fidgeting next to me.
“Calm down, Jo,” Bill told his wife. “She’s not gonna bite ya.”
I understood why she was nervous. She’d told me on the way up to the floor that she’d never been around a child with cancer before and she didn’t know what to expect.
“What if she doesn’t like us?”
“She’ll love you. Rory has only love in her heart. You’ll see.” I hoped she would relax but we were only a few feet from the door now. I showed them the yellow paper clothing covers we needed to put on before we could enter the room. There were signs plastered to the wooden door that instructed all visitors must wear them, and gloves.
“Goodness! She can’t even see our faces. Won’t she be afraid? We must look like aliens in these get-ups!”
“You’ll have to excuse Josie, miss. This is our first grandchild,” Bill said, still tying the back of his wife’s gown.
My heart dropped to my stomach. These poor people. Addiction affected the entire family. “She is used to it. It’s okay. Really.” I reassured them. “Remember her little cheeks are swollen from the drugs, and she’s on an IV.”
“Okay,” said Bill. “Poor little shit.”
Josie nodded.
After we all had on our gowns, gloves with the masks we were already wearing, I pushed open the door gently and peered inside. Rory was watching cartoons. “Hey, baby.” I said softly. “Remember Dylan said you’d have a special visitor? Well, you have two!” Rory turned to look in my direction.
“Remi!” she exclaimed with as much strength as she could muster.
“Hello, sweetie. This is your grandpa and grandma Wagner. They’ve come to meet you! Aren’t you excited?”
