MY HUSBAND’S BROTHER

JOHN 14:14

John chapter 14, verse 14 in the Bible says: 'You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Just like that, Maizah's little prayer was answered. Her aunt got a call from an unknown number. It could have been either an angel or the devil himself, but as Aunt Masara, they were willing to help Maizah in being able to walk again. They were optimistic that she was going to work. After the call ended, they scheduled a meeting, which was a little earlier than anticipated, but the unknown person said the sooner they could meet, the sooner they were going to bring Maizah out of her misery.

Three days later, Maizah was being taken for different scans, and they took a whole pint of her blood for various tests.

Aunt Masara was waiting in the office that looked like a whole penthouse simultaneously. She was way out of her league, and she didn't even know who offered to help them or why they wanted to help them, but Boy! She was GLAD.

The man who introduced himself as Hakim. He started explaining what he heard from the doctors he hired to treat Maizah. " The doctors suspect 'stiff-man syndrome,' But it is uncommon and much less common in kids. It could also be hypokalemic periodic paralysis. This is where people suddenly become paralyzed for hours or even days at a time, and we don't know the longest time it has ever taken, so for now, we wait. We have an MRI brain scan, EKG, EMG, TSH, electrolytes, and muscle biopsy scans sent. So, for now, I'm waiting for them to call us and schedule. I also have a referral for a pediatric neurologist. Waiting for them to call so we can schedule."

Aunt Masara "....."

The woman had nothing to say, yet at the same time, her mind was consumed with questions and gratitude, but she was not sure which one to say and which to not speak so that she wouldn't upset Mr. Hakim.

Sometime later, after what felt like an eternity, Aunt Masara was called by Mr Hakim for an appointment again. But at least that time, Maizah didn't go over those horrible, unending tests. Maizah waited in a different room while her aunt met with Mr Hakim.

"Good morning, Ms. Igwe. Please come in and take a seat. I have good news." Mr Hakim greeted Masara as he opened the door for Masara to get in.

"Good morning to you too, Mr Hakim." Masara greeted, for the first time, she finally had a smile on her face.

"I have good news and a proposal for you, but first, let's get to good news." Mr Hakim glanced at Masara. She quickly nodded, scared that if she opened her mouth, the good news would somehow turn into bad news.

"Okay, Dr. Brown got her results, and as expected, her illness is very uncommon, but fortunately, She can operate on Maizah whenever you two are ready." Mr Hakim answered with a slight smile on his face. Helping a total stranger can sometimes make you happy.

Masara nodded as she sighed and asked, "What seemed to be the problem with her? What caused it?." Aunt Masara stopped herself from asking too many questions.

She wanted to know why he was helping them, where he had heard about Maizah's health, and where the doctor came from because, as far as she knew, they went to almost every doctor in the country looking for help, that's one of the reasons they were nearly poor, she also wanted to know the complications, she also wanted what he needed in return.

The woman also wanted water; she was dried, and she had been wrecking her brain ever since she woke up, and somehow, she forgot to eat or even drink water.

"The cause of her paralysis is all located in her spinal cord." Mr. Hakim answered, but Masara had an appalled expression on her face, and no, she was not surprised about the spinal cord thing. She just had no idea what the man in front of her was talking about.

Sensing that Ms Igwe was confused, Mr Hakim started speaking again. " The bone surrounding her spinal cord is the infrastructure or PVC tubing that protects her spine. So the doctors saw that it wasn't the right place, so that's why she went limp and could not get around and move. So now the damage will repaired correctly since it isn't too bad. As for the cause, the doctors are not sure, but they think it was caused by how she used to sleep, so in the days, months, or even years, the bone was slowly moving. If she had taken it a little earlier when she noticed symptoms like back pains, she wouldn't have ended up paralyzed, but don't worry, she will be fine." Said Mr. Hakim, and Masara, on the other, had her mouth wide open; she didn't even know how or which side she slept with, but she was scared to death just at the thought of dying in her sleep because of her sleeping position.

Mr. Hakim didn't mention anything about death, though, but then again, who knows what might happen? But then again, he said it's uncommon, so at least, what are the chances?

Masara got rid of her thoughts and focused on what matters. "Mr Hakim. Sir. I don't want to sound like I'm not grateful, but trust me, I am. I don't know what I would be doing or what Maizah's condition would have gotten if you hadn't called me that day, but sir, I'm curious." Says Aunt Masara, glancing at Mr Hakim; he looked at her intensely as if he was already thinking about what Masara wanted to say.

"I understand if you're a saint who somehow stumbled upon my niece's condition and decided to help, but I want to hear from you. What are your intentions in supporting us? I mean, I'm sure the tests alone and even hiring different doctors are already expensive, let alone the surgery process." Masara asked with her heart beating so loud as she waited for Mr. Hakim to answer, but instead of feeling a little upset about the question.

Hakim took two files from his desk drawer and put them on the table with a loud thud. Masara was startled by the sound, but she focused her eyes on the big brown envelopes.