Page 18 of Scooter's Endgame
“Basically, what that means is that he has a hole in his heart between the upper chambers, which increases the amount of blood that flows through the lungs. This condition is present at birth and can often go undetected in adulthood. Sometimes something sets it off, causing it to be picked up before then. Did anything out of the ordinary happen today?”
“Well, no not really.” My mind races to remember everything that happened today, but nothing stands out. “The only thing out of our ordinary typical daily routine is we went to dinner, and Luke played in the children’s area.
“To be honest, it’s the most active I’ve seen him. He tends to be a quiet kid who loves to watch TV and game. A side effect of regular asthma attacks and chest infections.”
“That’ll do it. The more-than-usual physical exertion would have upped his heartrate, increasing blood flow. Which in turn would have pushed a higher volume to the lungs than it already was. The fact that the lungs would have had to work harder would have, in turn, taxed the heart, resulting in a perfect storm, so to speak.”
“So how do we fix this? Can we even fix it?”
“Yes, it can be. We’d have to go in and close the hole in his heart – not something I advise lightly, since it’s pretty major surgery for one so young. However, in Luke’s case, it’s necessary.”
9
KATHLEEN
The doctor’s words have me reeling in shock. The entire situation feels so unreal, like I’ve stepped into some weird alternate universe. Closing my eyes, I rub them. I’m tired after a long, stressful day and feel quite literally ill at the idea of my poor boy having to go under the knife.
In fact, knowing a little about heart surgery, I shudder to think of what he’ll go through. But, once again, what option do I have if I want to save him? I’m unaware that I’m beginning to hyperventilate until Beckett takes my hand in his and squeezes ever so gently. Almost as if to say, you’re not alone in this. I’m here.
I’m so grateful for his presence, but on the flip side feel bad that he’s been dragged into drama that isn’t his own. Yet, through all of this, he’s not once made me feel like a burden. He’s been nothing but kind and sweet, taking care of me and trying to keep my spirits up.
While I’m still scrambling to make sense of this fresh new hell, Dr. Ackhurst joins us. “I see by the look on your face that Dr. Murray has given you Luke’s diagnosis. I’m sorry we don’t have better news for you. Since I’m an ER doctor, I’ll be handing his care directly over to her — I just wanted to come out and let you know they have him settled in the pediatric ward, and you can go on up when you’re ready.”
“Thank you for all you’ve done for him this evening, Doctor. I appreciate it,” I reply.
“You’ve most welcome, my dear. I wish you all well.” With that, he leaves us.
“I think you’ve had quite the shock to your system, so I’m going to leave you to go see your boy and reassure yourself he’s doing better. I’ll be by a little later to check in on him. Hopefully, I’ll have the rest of the test results, and we can talk more then.”
“Thank you, Dr. Murray.”
She dips her head in acknowledgement. She turns to leave, and Beckett, who’d been quiet to this point, pulls me from my seat. “Come on, let’s go find Luke so you can see for yourself he’s okay, just like the doc said.”
Checking the information board, we find where we need to go and find the nearest bank of elevators to take us up to the pediatric ward. Our ascent is interrupted when we stop two floors before ours, and a nurse wheels a patient into the elevator. She’s talking to the lady in the bed but looks up to guide the bed in, and I see it’s one of the guy’s significant others, Indigo.
A smile tilts her lips up as she spots the two of us. “Hey you two. What brings you by?”
Beckett steps forward and gives her a quick peck on the cheek while I simply return her friendly smile.
“Hey, Indie. Visiting Kay’s son, Luke.”
I see her eyes bounce between the two of us, a million questions crowding the gorgeous orbs. God, she has such pretty eyes. A light green the color of a tender new shoot, doe-shaped that’s accentuated by the subtle makeup she’s wearing.
“I’m sorry to hear that. Nothing too serious, I hope?” she asks, looking directly at me.
“To be honest, I don’t know how serious it is, just that he has Atrial Septal Defect and has to have surgery to close the hole,” I reply.
“He’s still pretty young – four or five?”
“He’s six now.”
“Already? Gosh, how time flies. But since he’s still so young, having picked it up now, they’ll fix him up, good as new. Who’s his attending?”
“Attending?”
“Sorry, his attending physician.”
“Oh. Dr. Carolyn Murray.”
