Page 78 of Doctor Neighbor

"Are you sure?" I whisper, clinging to him.

He pulls back, wiping his eyes. "Pretty sure. The initial tests look good. We'll know more soon, but... Cole, this is incredible."

I look over at Madeline, still engrossed in her movie, blissfully unaware of this potential lifeline—my mind races. If Buster is such a close match, it must mean...

But he doesn't mention anything about paternity. Maybe he hasn't made the connection yet, or perhaps he's focusing solely on Madeline's health right now.

"Thank you," I choke out, squeezing his hand. "I don't know what to say."

He smiles, his eyes shining. "You don't have to say anything. But, Goddamn! This is a great, great thing! Many patients go months, even years before they can find a match. This is wonderful news, Cole!"

I nod, overwhelmed by his kindness, his presence, and this glimmer of hope in the darkness.

Thursday, September 5

11:01 am

I sit in the small, sterile room, my heart pounding in my chest. It’s been a few weeks of agonizing waiting and constant worry. Every time the phone rings, my stomach tightens, hoping it’s the news we’ve been waiting for. Buster is in between cases and sits beside me. His presence is a comforting anchor in the storm of uncertainty.

The door opens, and Dr. Bellinger and Dr. Nguyen walk in. Their expressions are calm, but their eyes are intense, and my pulse quickens. This isn't a normal check-in, I can tell.

“Ms. Johnson, Buster,” Dr. Bellinger begins, sitting across from us. “We have the results of the final compatibility tests.”

I hold my breath, gripping Buster’s hand tightly. Dr. Nguyen smiles gently, and I feel a flicker of hope.

“Buster is a full match,” she says, her voice filled with reassurance. “He’s a perfect candidate for Maddie’s stem cell transplant.”

Relief floods through me, and tears spring to my eyes. “Thank God,” I whisper, squeezing Buster’s hand even tighter. “Thank you.”

Buster looks at me, his eyes reflecting the same mix of relief and determination. “We’ll get her through this, Cole.”

Dr. Bellinger continues, “Now that we have a match, we must move quickly to prepare for the transplant. Here’s what will happen next.”

He pulls out a detailed chart, showing the timeline and steps involved. “First, we need to prepare Buster for the donation. This involves a series of injections of a medication called filgrastim, which will increase the number of stem cells in his blood. He’ll receive these injections daily for five days.”

Buster nods, his expression resolute. “I’m ready. Whatever it takes.”

“On the fifth day,” Dr. Nguyen explains, “we’ll collect the stem cells through a process called apheresis. Buster will be connected to a machine that draws blood from one arm, filters out the stem cells, and returns the rest of the blood to the other arm. This process usually takes about four to six hours.”

I glance at Buster, my heart swelling with gratitude and love for his willingness to endure this.

“While Buster is preparing for the donation,” Dr. Bellinger continues, “Madeline will undergo a conditioning regimen. This involves a combination of chemotherapy and possibly radiation to destroy her diseased bone marrow and make room for healthy stem cells. This phase will take about a week.”

The thought of Maddie going through more chemotherapy is daunting, but I know it’s necessary. “What happens after the transplant?” I ask, needing to understand every step.

“Once the stem cells are collected, we’ll infuse them into Maddie’s bloodstream,” Dr. Nguyen says. “The new stem cells will travel to her bone marrow and begin to grow and produce healthy blood cells. This process, known as engraftment, usually takes two to four weeks. During this time, Maddie will be closely monitored for any signs of complications or infections.”

Dr. Bellinger adds, “The first 100 days after the transplant are critical. Maddie will need to stay in the hospital for several weeks. And even after she’s discharged, she’ll require regular follow-ups and monitoring to ensure the transplant is successful and to manage any side effects.”

I take a deep breath, absorbing all the information. It’s a long road ahead, but I feel a spark of hope for the first time in weeks. “Thank you, Dr. Bellinger, Dr. Nguyen. We’re ready to do whatever it takes.”

Buster squeezes my hand, his eyes steady and confident. “We’ve got this, Cole. Maddie’s strong, and so are we.”

As they leave the room, a sense of determination settles over me. We have a plan, and we have a chance. And with Buster’s help, we’ll get Maddie through this. My baby has a chance to beat this.

4:27 pm

I watch as Liesle walks into Maddie's hospital room, her familiar presence bringing a small measure of comfort. It's become our daily routine over the past two and a half weeks—her visits are constant in the swirling uncertainty that has engulfed our lives.

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