Chapter
29
Brian had a oxygen mask strapped on his face, but he could still talk,
even though it sounded muffled. He was very weak, but he talked a lot to them
before he was taken into the operating room. Nick could see that Brian was
terrified, but was trying hard not to show it. He was right. Brian was
terrified, but he knew that this was only hope, so he tried to be brave and
just go with it.
The nurses got Brian prepped for surgery and let the guys have a few more
minutes alone with him before he was taken back, knowing this could be the last
time they ever got to talk to their friend.
Brian looked at his four best friends and brothers with tears shining
in his eyes. He told them all how much he loved them, and they told him the
same.
After about ten minutes, the nurses came back to wheel Brian to the OR.
Nick gripped his hand tightly as he was wheeled out of his room, too choked up
to even speak. As his grip on Brian was loosened, and Brian was wheeled away,
he burst into tears and collapsed on the floor, sobbing.
Howie bent down and offered Nick his hand. Nick shakily took it, and
Howie pulled him to his feet and led him back to the waiting room with the
other two guys.
About three hours later, Dr. Seber came into the waiting room. Nick
jumped to his feet when he saw him and raced over to him. The other guys were
right behind him.
"How is he?" they all asked at once.
"Calm down," Dr. Seber said, smiling. "The surgery was a
success. We got most of the tumor, and the rest can be taken care of using
standard treatments. Brian is going to be okay." Nick let out a loud
whoop. Immediately, he covered his mouth and glanced at Kevin, expecting to see
a look of disapproval on his face. But instead, Kevin pulled him into a hug.
They hugged each other happily.
"When can we see him?" AJ asked.
"He's in recovery right not and is still unconscious. We'll put
him in a regular room later this evening. You can see him then." The guys
all nodded and thanked Dr. Seber graciously.
That evening, Brian was taken back to a private room. The guys went to
see him right away. He had a breathing tube down his throat, so he couldn't
talk, but they could tell he was thrilled to be alive. He was in pain, but was
still all smiles. They knew he was a fighter. This wasn't the first time he had
survived when the odds were against him. Brian had been a fighter all of his
life, and his friends knew he would never give up.
***
