Chapter
12
Over the next few days, the doctors continued to pump Brian full of
antibiotics for the bronchitis and immune-suppressants for the rejection, but
he didn't seem to get any better. Actually, it seemed to Alexa that he was
getting worse. He coughed a lot and had a hard time breathing. Also, he slept
all the time and looked even paler than before.
Alexa skipped her classes on Monday, but when her parents found out,
they insisted she go to them on Tuesday. Brian urged her to go too. So, Alexa
went on Tuesday. She didn't go back to her dorm at all. She had called Kylie
Saturday and explained what was happening. Kylie had been very sympathetic and
understanding. However, Alexa knew her professors would not be, so she went to
class and tried her best to concentrate.
On Wednesday afternoon, when she went to the hospital, everyone seemed
in better spirits. Kevin told her that Dr. Simms had done another heart biopsy
that morning, and found that the drugs were doing their work. The rejection was
going away.
***
Alexa went to her classes on Thursday feeling much better. But when she
arrived at the hospital, her hopes were dashed.
"Brian has pneumonia," AJ told her when she arrived.
"Pneumonia!" Alexa cried. AJ nodded solemnly. "Where is
he? Is he alright?" Alexa's voice was shrill with panic.
"They moved him into isolation," AJ said. "They don't
want him to be around any germs."
"Can I see him?" Alexa asked tearfully.
"Jackie and Harold are in there now," AJ said. "Maybe
you can go in when they're done. I'll take you up there if you want," AJ
offered.
"Ok," Alexa said, blinking back tears. AJ took her arm and
led her up to the next floor and down a long hallway to Brian's room. Alexa
peered through the small widow on the door. Brian lay in the bed asleep. He was
hooked up to a ventilator now, as well as a heart monitor. He was surrounded by
tubes and wires and different pieces of equipment. His parents sat in chairs on
either side of his bed. Jackie held his hand. As she watched them, Alexa began
to cry silent tears.
***
The next day, Brian fell into a coma. Dr. Simms continued to give him
antibiotics, but they didn't seem to be helping. Alexa absolutely refused to go
to school. She sat around the hospital all day. When Brian's family wasn't in
the room with him, she was. She would sit beside his bed and hold his hand for
hours, just praying for him to wake up.
Memories of Elisa came flooding back to her. Elisa had been in a coma
too, but she hadn't woken up. "He has to wake up," Alexa thought.
"He just has to." But days passed, and he didn't.
***
