Chapter 66

 

One month later

 

“Excuse me, Mr. McLean, could I speak with you a minute?”

 

AJ was on his way to Elyssa’s room, when he turned to find Dr. Sanford standing there.  “Sure,” he replied. 

 

“Why don’t you come with me,” Dr. Sanford said, putting his hand on AJ’s shoulder and leading him down the hall to a small, empty conference room.  “I would like to discharge Elyssa,” he said, once he and AJ were seated in the room.

 

“Discharge her?  You mean, she’s better?” AJ asked hopefully, although that didn’t seem quite right.  Elyssa had been in the hospital, on chemo, for a month, and she didn’t seem to be improving much. 

 

“No, not exactly,” Dr. Sanford said.  He took a deep breath and said, “Unfortunately, we’re not seeing any improvement in Elyssa’s condition.  The chemo isn’t doing much for her, and she’s been in this hospital a month.  I don’t like to keep patients here that long, especially if there are other options.”

 

“Other options?  Such as?” AJ asked.

 

“We can surgically implant a catheter into Elyssa’s chest, just below her collarbone.   Using this, her chemo can be distributed at home, and she won’t have to stay in the hospital,” Dr. Sanford explained.

 

“Really?” AJ asked, wondering why he had not been told of this option from the start. 

 

“Yes, really.  We can do the operation to insert the catheter as early as tomorrow, if you and Elyssa decide to do this, and she can go home in a few days.”

 

“Wow, that’s great,” AJ said.  “I’m all for it.  Have you talked to Elyssa about this yet?”


”Yes, we discussed it earlier today.  She wants to do it too, but she wanted me to talk to you about it first and see what you thought.   After all, the two of you live together, so you should have a say in her decision,” Dr. Sanford said.

 

AJ nodded.  “Well, I agree with her.  I want to have her home with me.”

 

“Okay then,” Dr. Sanford replied.  “You can go tell Elyssa your decision, and I’ll be back to talk with her later today and make plans for the surgery tomorrow.”

 

“Wait, surgery?  How risky is it?” AJ asked suddenly.

 

“Not risky at all.  It will take less than an hour and is a very simple procedure,” Dr. Sanford replied confidently. 

 

“Okay.  That sounds good then,” AJ said.  “Thank you, doctor.”

 

As he headed out of the conference room towards Elyssa’s room, AJ felt elated.  Elyssa was finally coming home.

 

***

 

One week later

 

Once Elyssa was home, things weren’t as wonderful as AJ had expected.   Elyssa was very weak from the chemo she was still on and from the surgery she had just undergone to insert the catheter.   She wore a small black pouch around her waist that regulated the flow of the chemo drugs through a tube and into the catheter in her chest.   She spent most of her time in bed, sleeping, for she was too fatigued to get up most days. 

 

During this time, AJ would sit by her bed and hold her hand.  He would make every meal for her and bring his food and hers up to their bedroom so they could eat together.   Although Elyssa still had problems keeping her food down most times after chemo, she had promised both her doctor and AJ to keep eating, not just for herself, but for her growing baby as well.  AJ had been given strict instructions by Dr. Sanford to take Elyssa to the hospital if she would not eat so that she could be given nutrients through an IV.  

 

The only thing that had really improved since Elyssa had gone home was her morale.   She was more comfortable and happier at home in her own bed, rather than staying in the hospital, and AJ was glad he could give her at least that.   But what he really wanted was for her to just get better so that they could put this hell behind them.

 

***

 

Two months later

 

AJ rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he staggered out of the guest bedroom.   His back was rather stiff from sleeping on the double bed in the guest room, which was smaller and harder than the king size bed he was used to.   He had been letting Elyssa have their bed all to herself for the past few weeks so that she could be more comfortable, while he slept across the hall in the guest room. 

 

AJ started to head downstairs to make breakfast, but decided to check on Elyssa first.  He knocked lightly on her closed bedroom door, and when there was no reply, he quietly opened the door and peeked in.  Elyssa was lying on her back in the middle of the bed, still sound asleep.   She was getting nearer and nearer to her due date, and her stomach had gotten so big she could barely roll over to sleep on her side, so she had to sleep on her back instead. 

 

AJ came over and tenderly kissed her sallow cheek, then silently left the room and went down to the kitchen. 

 

A short while later, he came back upstairs, balancing a tray with a piece of buttered toast and a small bowl of cereal on it.   It was a small breakfast, but Elyssa never seemed to have much of an appetite anymore, so he was lucky if she would even eat that much. 

 

“Lyssa?” he asked softly, setting the tray down on her night table.  Elyssa was still sleeping.   AJ stroked her cheek gently.   “Wake up, baby,” he whispered into her ear.  Elyssa did not stir.   “Come on, Lyssa, it’s time for breakfast,” AJ said, a little louder.  He nudged Elyssa’s shoulder.  Still, she did not awaken.  “Elyssa?” AJ asked, his voice rising.  “Come on, baby, wake up.”

 

AJ was starting to get worried.  Elyssa had not moved a bit.  Besides her slow, shallow breathing, she was motionless.   Usually, Elyssa was a pretty light sleeper.  It was never hard to wake her up. 

 

“Shit,” AJ whispered, studying Elyssa with wide eyes.  “Baby, come on,” he begged, patting her cheek.  Still nothing.  “Hold on, Lyss, I’m gonna call for some help,” AJ said hurriedly, grabbing the phone from the night table.  With shaking hands, he dialed 911.

 

***

 

 

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