Chapter 19 Ryan's Secret part 1
1232 Words
I spent my afternoon at the hospital examining Jennifer Noble's baby but the test results were not all positive, i ran the test three time and the three times the test were the same, the baby had Ebstein Anomaly and as a pediatric cardiologist this was one of the things i hated the most; breaking bad news to a new born family especially if that family is a close friend.
"are you sure about the results" asked Dr. Charles asked
"I am afraid so" i answered
i sat at Dr. Charles desk with my head in my hands, i was really heart broken at this discovery, so much i was afraid of reaching out to Jennifer and her husband.
"we could operate on him but we will have to wait until he is at least two months old before doing so" i added "i don't understand how was his condition not be detected earlier"
"i ask myself the same question" said Dr. Charles "they both were living in New York during her entire pregnancy how could the city that has some of the best doctors money can pay for not detect a major heart condition like this one".
"either way i will have to break the news to the parents" i said "the baby will not be leaving the hospital until he is fully recovered and they need to be prepared"
I left Dr. Charles office with him at my side, i had to go in and meet with Jennifer and her husband, the quicker we started with the treatments the better the results.
i reached the room assigned to Jennifer, her and her husband Paul were talking and laughing while she breast fed her new born.
I knocked on the door making them aware of our presence just in case she need to tidy up.
"come in" said Paul
"good evening Jen, Paul" i greeted
"Ryan" said Jen cheerfully "how are you"
"I am good" i replied "congratulations on the birth of your little man" i said pointing to the baby in her arms
"thank you" she replied
"isn't he beautiful" she asked
"he sure is" i responded "the truth is I am here also on a doctors visit"
"who are you visiting" she asked concerned
"your baby" i said "Jen, Paul what i am about to say will not be pleasing to you both but is my duty as a doctor to inform you"
"inform us what" said Paul "come on man spit it out, what is going on"
"its not easy for me to say this but your baby has Ebstein Anomaly" i told the couple
"i have already have a room set up for him and we will begging treatment as soon as possible, but we wont operate until he is two months old allowing his heart to develop a little more" i said to them
"wait what did you say" interrupted Jennifer "did you just say that my baby has a heart condition"
her hands begun to tremble and i signal to the nurse to take the baby from her before she dropped him.
"No, Don't" she yelled "don't you dare take my child away from me"
"Ryan" said Paul "what are you talking about, the baby is fine, my son is fine"
"no he is not" i said "i ran some test on him today, test Dr. Charles asked me to run after he had complications during birth, he wasn't sure of the baby's condition but he noticed the bluish discoloration on his skin and wanted to make sure before giving you any diagnosis"
"I has the only doctor available at the time of your labor and because i am not a Cardiologist i didn't want to miss guide you, i needed the opinion of a real pediatric cardiologist so i brought Ryan in" explained Dr. Charles.
Jennifer gave the baby to the nurse and begun to cry as she cling to her husband's arms.
"i am sorry Jennifer, i am sorry with you both, i am sorry that i was the one to break this news to you, but there is still hope, we will start treatment immediately and then we will operate, your baby will be save, trust me he will" i said
i know it was not what they wanted to hear but it was all i could do in this situation, and i meant every word said, i was going to save their baby not matter what.
Jennifer raised her head looking straight at me.
"you promise" she asked
"i promise" i said and walked out the room leaving them to comfort each other.
i took a glance at my watch realizing it was already six o'clock.
i turned to Dr. Charles " the baby is to be moved to a the ICU, i have already have a private room set up for him there with the equipment's and indication on how to care for him, i have an appointment i need to attend and will be back later tonight to check and make sure all was done as indicated" i said
i didn't want to leave the hospital, but i figured i will keep my date with Alexis and then head back to check on the baby.
i got in my car and headed to pick Alexis and Ben, luckily i had everything i needed at home to make a decent meal for them as promised, i called Alexis when i was near so she and Ben would be ready and there they were standing outside waiting patiently for my arrival.
it seems that even in times of sadness, just seen her face cheered me up.
"Ryan, Ryan" yelled Ben as he got in the back of my jeep
"hey buddy" i said ruffling his hair
"Alexis got me these cool shoes to start school with tomorrow" he cheered
"really, you will need to show me these cool shoes, maybe i can get myself a pair" i said eyeing Alexis
she got in the passenger seat and gave me a kiss.
"how was work" she asked
i looked at her and memories from hours earlier came flooding back, she took my hands in hers and gently cradled my face with her palms.
"talk to me" she coaxed
"it was rough" i said "a close friend of mine had her baby today and i was called in because the baby had complications and Dr. Charles discovered something which he wasn't really sure of and needed a second opinion, the thing is his conclusions were straight on and i had to confirm his fears" i continued "the baby has a congenital heart condition and will need surgery in two months to correct it or he might not survive"
I could see her heart breaking at the news.
"can you help him" she asked
"i am able to help him, i have to help him" i said "for his parents sake i have to do everything i can to save his life"
she squeezed my hands.
"i know you will" she said "i know you will save him"
"thank you for believing in me" i told her "i need you to believe in me right now"
she leaned into me and kissed me softly on the lips.
"i do" she said "i believe in you"
we drove the rest of the way in silent.
- Writer
