Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 100750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Reid opened her mouth to protest but quickly shut it.
“She’s family,” Sydney said. “Everyone here is.”
The doctor nodded and motioned for them to follow him. They went down the hall to the bank of elevators, stepped in, and rode to the intensive care unit. When they stepped off, the mood was vastly different from what they’d experienced downstairs. It was quiet, subdued. Reid had the need to whisper and tiptoe along the white linoleum floor. The doctor showed them to the waiting room, which held a bit more appeal than the one in the emergency room. The wood floor had a tiled pattern, and the couches looked big enough for someone to lie down on. Still, it was the quiet that unnerved Reid. She wanted noise and action. She wanted to see that nurses and doctors were working. On this floor, it was anyone’s guess.
They went into a small room that had an equally small round table with three chairs around it. Sydney and Gilbert sat, as expected. Reid leaned against the wall, while her father stayed in the doorway.
“Let me start by saying Grayson’s alive and in intensive care. When he came in earlier this afternoon, we evaluated him and determined he had unstable angina. We began treatment and conducted an echocardiogram. It was then we saw a tiny hole in the wall that separates the two upper chambers of his heart. Immediately, we took him in for surgery. It was at that time I made the diagnosis that Grayson suffers from a sinus venosus defect, which is a rare type of atrial septal defect. This was likely present at birth and can often go undiagnosed unless the patient presents with some symptoms. This abnormality is considered a congenital heart defect, which, left untreated, brings us to right now. Unfortunately, when I went to repair the hole, I discovered his heart is very weak. I’ve done what I can at the moment. Grayson is on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation—ECMO is the term we use. It’s a bridge until Grayson can receive a heart transplant.”
The collective gasp echoed in the room. Followed by a gut-wrenching sob from Sydney. Tears that Reid thought had dried up were back in a rush. Her father was by her side as the first sob took over. They embraced until Reid went to Sydney and hugged her tightly. The two stayed like that until Gilbert asked, “Can we see him?”
“You can. We have a two-person limit in his room. You’ll need to wear a protective gown while you’re there. He’s heavily sedated and may slip in and out of consciousness, but it’s unlikely he’ll be coherent. This is for his safety and well-being. The charge nurse will come in and give you more information on how the ICU works here and where other family members can wait.”
“What’s next?” Gilbert asked as he held on to Sydney, who wept quietly.
“From this point, it’s a waiting game. My staff is working now to move him up the list. That’s the best we can do at the moment. I am consulting with my peers on possible treatments, but short of a miracle, Grayson needs a new heart.” Dr. Wynn closed his folder. “I wish I had better news for you.” He stood, put his hand on Sydney’s shoulder for a brief moment, and left without another word.
No one knew what to say. Should Reid comfort Sydney? Tell her how sorry she was? Was there protocol for something like this? Knowing she might never speak to Grayson again felt like she had a wheelbarrow full of bricks on her chest. Reid was afraid to breathe out of fear the weight would become even more unbearable.
When the nurse came, Sydney and Gilbert followed her out of the room. Reid and her father sat in empty seats and said nothing until Reid said she needed to call Pearce. Texting him wouldn’t suffice. When he answered, she recounted what Dr. Wynn had told them as best she could. By the time she’d hung up, another wave of tears streamed down her face. She made another call to her best friend, Melanie.
“I’m on my way.”
“You don’t have to come,” Reid told her.
“I want to be there for you.”
Reid smiled. “I appreciate you. I’m okay for right now. Pretty numb, actually.”
After some more back-and-forth, Melanie said she’d wait for Reid to let her know when it would be a good time to visit.
The next call went to Grayson’s boss, who seemed a bit put off by the whole thing and had the audacity to ask if he’d be in on Monday. Reid hung up on him and figured she’d deal with him when she returned to the office.
“Reid.”
She turned at the sound of Gilbert’s voice. He wore a yellow gown and looked ready for surgery.
“Would you like to go in and see Grayson?”