The Adventures of A Fat Girl

5. The surgery

"So, how was your first day? I really do hope the people were kind to you and if not, they are dead meat when I come there", this is the first sentence I hear after closing the door of Harriet's room. 

"Don't worry. They all were really sweet actually. They even helped to find the respective classes and the cafeteria", suddenly I stop talking. I realise what she just said. I whip my head towards her and she excitedly nods. 

"You are getting your transplant?!"

"Yeah, finally. They found my match the donor is brain dead even though that's really sad but his wife came to see me today and told me that I deserved the thyroid and her husband would have wanted this too. So, Dr. Greene has scheduled the surgery for tomorrow morning", she tells me and I hug her so tight that I hear her heart monitor speed up. She is just as excited and happy about this as I am. I have known this girl just for a few days and I cannot be more happy that she is getting what is deserves. 

"I will be here before and after the surgery, okay? I can't wait to see you free from all of these wires and machines".

"Me too", comes a voice from the door. Dr. Greene and Harriet's mom enter the room with a big smile on their faces. 

"She told you the good news, I assume?"

"Yes she did", I tell her and I can see the happiness in her eyes.

"That's great. So, Harriet the surgery will begin at 8 in the morning and will take at least three to four hours. The surgery is simple but the risks are always there. There could be blood loss more than the usual which is rare but still a risk, you could experience some hoarseness in your voice after the surgery but that is usually temporary and will get better after the incision site has had time to heal. We will start the medications for hypocalcemia as it is common after the thyroid surgery and usually resolves after the healing is complete and the chance of post-operative infections is really low but we need to keep you here for an overnight observation to ensure that it doesn't happen. If everything goes at it should, you would be out of here by the next day but only if you promise to come for your regular checkups and take the meds on time", Harriet nods her head, tears streaming down her face. Her mom hugs her and kisses her cheek. She even hugs Dr. Greene and expresses her gratitude. I stand there with a big smile on my face. I can't wait for Harriet to join my school and experience the true joy of learning and making friends.

 "See I told you, I will be joining you very soon. I will, right Dr. Greene?", Harriet looks expectantly at and she nods her head.

"Only if you promise to take it slow. Don't talk too loudly or scream and take really good care of your thyroid. I don't want you back in here, understand? Hazel, I know you will be there with her the whole time, so I will give you some instructions which will, God forbid, help her in the  time of crisis", Dr. Greene looks at both of us while saying this and the look on her face tells me she is damn serious about this. 

"I will tell you all about it after the surgery. You will be here before and after I assume?", Harriet looks at me and I just smile and nod my head.

"Okay then. You rest up, you will need it tomorrow. Hazel, your mom is waiting outside", saying so she leaves and I sit by Harriet's bed and hold her hand in mine.

"Tomorrow you will be free from these machines. You will finally get to experience the true joy of going to a real school and I promise to be to be there the whole time. I have to leave now so you take care of yourself and I will see you tomorrow morning right before you go into the surgery, okay?", Harriet simply stares at me. 

"I am going to be free to go out without the beeping monitors to annoy the crap out of me and most importantly, I get to go to highschool to finish my last year. I can assure you that I am going to kick your ass once I am out of here and in the high school where I really belong", she hugs me again and I just sit there hugging her as close as I can. She is one of my real friends that I ever had I plan on keeping her around for a long time.

"I love you, take care of yourself. I will see you both tomorrow morning", I hug Harriet's mom and she tightly hugs me to her as if sharing the happiness that I am sure is building up inside her like that of  a bomb that could explode anytime and shower us with the sparkly paper thingy that are used in birthday parties.

"You both should rest now", saying so I leave the room with a huge smile on my face. Mom and Ace were waiting outside just like Dr. Greene had told me.

"Dr. Greene told me the good news", Mom says and hugs me to her. I know she still wants me to get that operation but she is going to have to live with my decision.

"So, I take it you are going to come here early morning before Harriet goes in?"

"Yes mom I am. When she goes in, I will go to school and her mom will call me just after the surgery so I am here when she wakes up".

"She really means alot to you, doesn't she?"

"Yeah. She is the first person to understand what I go through, except for you guys".

"I know sweetheart. She is a great girl and I am glad that she will be joining your school. I won't have to worry about you then", before I could say something, Ace butts in.

"You don't trust me to take care of her?!"

"Stop being dramatic boy. Ofcourse I trust you but Harriet will be in her class so that's relieves me a little".

"Mom, stop it alright? I told you these people are nice and caring. I didn't even have to try hard to settle, they accepted me with open arms".

"I know and I am glad they did. Maybe you should invite them over sometime".

"Once, Harriet settles in the school, we will do that too, okay? Now, can we please go home? I am starving".

"Yeah please. I am tired too", Ace says and I shove him.

"Why are you tired? What did you do to be tired? Let me guess, nothing?", I laugh and he sticks out his tongue like a five year old.

"Okay kiddos, lets go", Mom finally starts the car and drive home with radio blasting and Ace singing all the songs in his hoarse voice which made me clutch my stomach from laughing too hard.

The next morning I wake up way too early than I usually would but today but today is an important day for Harriet and I have to be there before she goes in.

"Dad, lets go. We need to leave now if I want to be there before they take her inside the operation theater".

"Fine, lets go. Ace stop stuffing your face with sandwiches and get your bag and leave".

"Coming dad. Bye mom, I love you", Ace finally stops eating and kisses mom on her cheek and leaves the door.

"Hazel, tell Harriet that I will be there after she is awake. Give her my best and tell her mom that I will be there with lunch", I nod my head, kiss her cheek and leave the house and hop inside the car.

"Wow Hazel. You did everything today at a super fast speed, I am sure Flash is jealous", Ace says but I am too excited to comment. I kept thinking about Harriet coming to my school and all the fun we could have, together.

After like an hour or so, we arrive at the hospital with a few minutes to spare. I walk up to the elevator which takes forever to reach Harriet's floor. The nurses were coming out of her room when I finally arrived at the door. 

"Good morning Hazel. We were waiting for you", Dr. Greene says with her usual bright smile.

"Sorry I am late".

"Don't sweat it hun. Come on in".

Harriet is prepped up to go into the surgery. She is wearing that typical gown and her hair are covered with a hair bag or whatever it is called. She looks happy and is smiling when I go near her.

"Big day today".

"Indeed. I can't wait Hazel".

"Me neither. I will see you after the surgery okay?"

"Definitely. See you soon", with that they roll her bed out of the room and take her up to the operation theater.

"Mom said she will be here with lunch for you and don't worry, everything is going to go as planned".

"I hope so too sweetheart. Thank you for being here for her Hazel. It means alot to me and her as well".

"I am happy to have an amazing friend like her in my life and you are just like the aunt that I never had", she hugs me again and I can feel the love oozing out like waves. 

"Let me know right after the surgery. I will be here before she wakes up".

"Absolutely hun. Go to school now and don't worry about anything, alright?"

"Yep. See you", with that I leave the room and go to the basement where dad is waiting for me. 

"Everything went okay?"

"Yes dad. She is in surgery now and her mom will let me know when it is done".

"Alright then. Lets get you two to school now", with that dad drives out of the parking lot and I stare out of the window thinking about how my life is going smoothly like it never has before.