Page 64 of Family Bonds- Garrett & Justine

“We did the next day. The tumor shrunk within a month and then they were able to remove it and everyone was thrilled. He had a week after that to start chemo, which he did. But a few weeks in he was having abdominal pains. We ran more scans and there were tumors in his colon again and stomach at that point.”

“I’m sorry,” she said. “It seems like this was one of those things you almost couldn’t get ahead of.”

“We couldn’t,” he said. “They were talking to me and other doctors and we all were on the same page.”

“But he didn’t make it,” she said.

“No. Not even a month later. There was no way to put him through chemo at that point. His parents blamed me and the other two doctors on the case. We were all sued.”

Her shoulders dropped. “That’s not your fault.”

“No, but they claimed that by waiting for the tests, then convincing them to do radiation first allowed the other tumors to grow. They were given recommendations though patients still have the final say. But I wasn’t signing off on their son to get chemo and radiation at the same time. The other two doctors weren’t either.”

“I hope the lawsuit was thrown out or did they settle? It doesn’t make it any better for you or your insurance or the liability.”

“They didn’t want to settle and thought they could go to trial, but the case was dismissed. Then they wanted to accept the hospital settlement, but it was no longer on the table.”

“Insult to injury at that point,” she said.

“In people’s grief, they do crazy things.”

“Like moving states away where they don’t know a person,” she said, forcing a smile.

“Everyone handles things their way,” he said. “But I struggled. It was a lot in a short period of time. My parents were worried about me. I was worried. I wanted to be my best for my patients and was burning out. A change of pace and environment seemed the best thing and quickest fix.”

“But it’s not a quick fix,” she argued.

“It’s not,” he said. “But I’ve been here three months and it sure the hell feels it right now.”

It was the way that he was looking at her that told her there was more to his statement than he was willing to share.

And maybe she didn’t want to know right now either.

19

WILLING TO GIVE MORE

“I’m glad you could come to dinner,” Garrett’s mother said on Tuesday.

“How come you’re here during the week alone?” he asked. She’d texted him this morning and asked if he wanted to come over and have dinner with her. That she’d be here a few days and was alone.

Since Justine was working nights for two weeks, he wasn’t going to see her much.

“I wanted to do a few things around the house,” his mother said. “I’m thinking of changing some paint colors and you know how much Dad hates that stuff. So I told him I’d come over and do it without him.”

He laughed. His mother was always independent that way and his father had no problem letting her do it.

It’s not like his mother was doing anything labor intensive.

“What rooms are you painting, and since I’m here, can I move anything out of the way for you?”

“I’m going to change yours and Gabriela’s rooms. Your sister was complaining the pink drives her insane.”

“I doubt she meant for you to change it.”

“But it’s been like that since she was a kid.”

“Then I’ll go and move the beds and dressers to the middle of the rooms while you’re cooking.”

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