Page 76 of Doctor Neighbor

As I stand here, letting the water wash over me, I make a decision. The question of whether Maddie is my daughter or not has to take a backseat right now.

That isn't my main concern at this moment. What matters most is finding her a donor and getting her healthy again. That's where I need to focus my energy.

I think about Cole, about the pain and fear in her eyes. The initial anger I felt when she told me about her suspicions has already faded. When she says she didn’t know sooner, I believe she was processing her hunch. There is no way I can blame her for that.

If I’m honest with myself, I might have done the same in her position.

She's been carrying this weight alone, and now we're in this together. Whatever the outcome of the paternity test, what matters is that we're both here for Maddie now and that I support Cole in any way I can.

I step out of the shower, feeling clearer and more focused. There's a long road ahead, but I'm committed to seeing it through. For Maddie, for Cole, and for whatever future we might have together.

7:37 am

I walk into the hospital with Cole, my hand on the small of her back, offering silent support. As we approach Maddie's room, I notice three of my colleagues already inside, deep in discussion. As we enter, Dr. Bellinger, Dr. Leek Patel, and Dr. Kim Nguyen turn to greet us.

"Buster, glad you're here," Bellinger says, his face serious.

I nod, stepping forward. "What's the latest?"

Leek speaks up. "We've been reviewing Maddie's case. The genetic markers are concerning, but we're developing a comprehensive treatment plan."

I listen intently as they catch me up on their thoughts. They've been considering various approaches, weighing the risks and benefits of each option.

"Let's step out and discuss this further," I suggest, glancing at Cole. "Cole, would you like to join us?"

She nods her face a mixture of fear and determination. We file out of the room, leaving Maddie sleeping peacefully for the moment.

In the hallway, Dr. Nguyen pulls up some charts on her tablet. "We're looking at a few different protocols," she explains. "Given the aggressive nature of Maddie's AML, we need to act quickly."

I lean in, studying the data. "What about the latest immunotherapy trials? I've seen promising results in similar cases."

Bellinger nods. "We've considered that. It's definitely on the table, but we must weigh it against more traditional approaches."

I can see Cole trying to follow along as we discuss the options. I occasionally pause to explain things in simpler terms, ensuring she's included in the conversation.

"The bone marrow transplant is still our best shot," Dr. Patel adds. "Have we heard back about potential donors yet?"

I shake my head. "Not yet. We're still waiting on the results for Cole and me. And Cole's reaching out to Maddie's...to her possible father, Steele, today. The hope is he will come in to give a sample for comparison.”

While I walk with the doctors, Cole returns to the room to be with Maddie and talk to Liesle. I want to press a little more and go through the comprehensive plan one more time.

I stand in the small conference room, a sense of urgency tightening my chest as I face Jonah Bellinger, Leek, and Kim. Maddie’s diagnosis hangs heavy in the air.

Jonah speaks first, his tone measured. “We’ve confirmed Maddie has AML with high-risk genetic markers. Given her aggressive form of leukemia, our best option is a stem cell transplant. But finding a donor match is critical and time-sensitive.”

Leek, always methodical, nods. “The initial HLA typing results should be back within a week. If we find a potential match among immediate family members, we can proceed with high-resolution typing, which will take another one to two weeks.”

Kim, the calm voice of reason, adds, “During this time, we must keep Maddie stable and as healthy as possible. Supportive care will be crucial.”

I interject, needing to comprehend fully. “What exactly does her supportive care entail? How do we ensure she stays strong enough for the transplant?”

Jonah replies, “We will manage her symptoms and prevent complications while we buy some time. We’ll need to give her regular blood and platelet transfusions to manage anemia and prevent bleeding. We’ll also use prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infections, as her immune system is compromised.”

Kim steps forward, her eyes meeting mine with a determined gaze. “Buster, we must stress that while supportive care is essential, the transplant remains our best course of action. We have other treatment options, such as targeted therapies or clinical trials, but these are secondary. The stem cell transplant offers the best chance for a cure.”

Jonah nods in agreement. “Exactly. We’ll prepare for the transplant and proceed with high-resolution typing as soon as we get potential matches. We’ll move to the national bone marrow registry if we don’t find a match within the family. That could take a few more weeks, but we’ll be thorough.”

Leek adds, “While we wait, we’ll monitor her closely. If her condition worsens, we can start a low dose of chemotherapy to keep the leukemia at bay without compromising her eligibility for the transplant.”

---