Page 82 of Doctor Neighbor

The weight of what's to come settles heavily on my shoulders—not just as a doctor, but as a potential father and donor.

I knock on Kim's door, and she waves me in warmly. "Buster, come in. How'd the surgery go?"

"Smooth as silk," I reply, settling into the chair across from her desk. "But I'm here to talk about a different procedure."

Kim nods, her expression turning serious. "Of course. The stem cell extraction for Madeline."

I lean forward, clasping my hands together. "Walk me through it, Kim. What's the timeline? What do I need to do to prepare?"

She pulls out a file and opens it on her desk. "We'll start you on a five-day course of injections to stimulate your bone marrow to produce more stem cells. These shots will boost the number of stem cells in your bloodstream."

I nod, absorbing the information. "Any side effects I should be aware of?"

"You might experience some bone pain, fatigue, or flu-like symptoms," Kim explains. "Nothing too severe, but it's important to be prepared."

"Got it. And after the five days?"

Kim continues, "On the fifth day, we'll do a blood test to make sure you have enough stem cells circulating. If all looks good, we'll proceed with the collection on day six."

I take a deep breath, the reality of the situation sinking in. "And the collection process itself?"

"It's called apheresis," Kim says. "We'll insert an IV line into each of your arms. Blood will be drawn from one arm, passed through a machine that separates out the stem cells, and then returned to your body through the other arm."

"How long does that take?" I ask, mentally preparing myself for what's to come.

"The process usually takes about four to six hours," Kim replies. "You'll be awake the whole time, so bring a book or something to keep you occupied."

I nod, processing all the information. "And after that?"

Kim smiles reassuringly. "After that, you've done your part. We'll process the stem cells and prepare them for transplant into Madeline."

I lean back in my chair, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. “Alright, Kim. When do we start?”

There has never been a moment of hesitation for me to do this. There was never a question once I found out I was a match. I’ve always wanted to help others, so being a one-in-a-million match to save this precious baby girl was a go before I even knew it. Now, I get to help the most important patient of my life.

Thursday, September 12

12:28 pm

I look up from my book as Cole enters the infusion room, her presence instantly brightening the sterile space. I can't help but grin as Cole steps into the room, her presence immediately lifting my spirits.

She's wearing a soft green sweater that highlights the blue in her eyes, making them sparkle like the crystal water of the Gulf. The sweater’s stark contrast to the clinical white of the infusion room makes me appreciate the warmth she brings to this cold space.

The sweater looks cozy, and I have a fleeting urge to reach out, touch it, and feel its softness beneath my fingers. But I keep my hands to myself and am content to bask in her comforting presence.

"Hey there, handsome," she says, pulling up a chair next to me. "How're you holding up?"

I set my book aside and stretch my free arm. “It’s been somewhat pleasant, actually. Just counting down the hours."

Cole reaches out and takes my hand, her touch warm and comforting. "You've been here since 8:30? That's a long time to be stuck in a chair."

"Honestly, it hasn't been bad. I've got at least another hour to go, and I'm about to finish my book. Good thing I've got some real entertainment now," I say with a wink.

She laughs, a sound that never fails to lift my spirits. "Oh, I'm just here for your amusement, am I?"

"Among other things," I tease, squeezing her hand.

We fall into easy conversation, discussing everything from the latest hospital gossip to our favorite movies.

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