Set before the end of S7E7, as Barbara's health fails a new and experimental treatment has been found that may save her. It is not medicine alone that may save the young woman's life, though not everyone wants to admit their part in the effort. Family bonds and faith are tested as the members of Nonnatus House pull together for one of their own, and others try to protect someone's secret.
A Risk Worth Taking
The news that Barbara Hereward had rallied cheered all of them, it was the news that they had longed and prayed for. Meningococcal Septicemia was a serious disease, it could have lasting consequences, but they were all hoping for the best now. That meant they were still short handed and running on fumes as everyone strived to finish their work as well as the extra work with time to spare to slip by the hospital.
It seemed like her work never ended, especially since she had rejoined the roster to ease the burden on her colleagues; but her own administrative work must still be done. And so, she found ways to squeeze a few more hours into the day, enough time for her work and for a few moments to go to the hospital. Seeing Tom and Barbara together reassured her sense of hope, in the midst of all of this they clung to each other and the love they shared.
Still young, barely more than newlyweds in all this hardship they had a harbour in the storm; they had their faith and their love. And the prayers of their community. Sister Julienne paused in her work, life had shown her great joy and great hardship, she had learned to lift it all up in prayer, and to do it as often as needed.
A knock at the door had her looking up, calling out a welcome before rising as Dr. Turner entered. "What can I do for you today?"
"You may not want to ask me that, I intend to ask a lot of you. Will you sit?" Dr. Turner crossed quickly to her desk and sat across from her. "I must confess that I have betrayed your privacy in a manner and I intend to intrude even farther."
"You had better explain." She frowned and did sit.
"It is in relation to Mrs. Hereward. She has rebounded but I have spoken to her attending; she is not out of the woods yet." Dr. Turner explained, and she felt her shoulder's sag; she had hoped things were turning around. "Septicemia is a nasty disease, she may have beaten the infection, but it has taken its toll on her organs. It is the kidneys that have been hit the hardest by the infection."
"Oh no." The hope of that sweet young couple was about to be dashed, it would be hard on everyone.
"She at risk of renal failure. There is a possible course of treatment, but it is very new." Dr Turner leaned forward. "A person can live with only one kidney so long as it is healthy."
"But if she is in renal failure she doesn't, and the infection has taken a toll on her."
"You do, as far as I know you have two." Dr. Turner countered and for a moment she just sat silently. "There is further testing to be done but you have the same blood type."
"How do you know that?"
"Sister Julienne, I've been reviewing Barbara's records and speaking to her attending; I remembered your blood group. I've been doing some research into it, the first successful procedure was done in 1954 in America between siblings, but there have been a few successful non-relative transplants, last year they began using immunosuppressants that Barbara will take to help her body adjust." Dr. Turner explained, she felt as though her head was spinning. "There is more testing to be done, this may be as far as we can go but if you would only agree to the testing while you think about it; time is of the essence."
She could only nod numbly, the doctor excused himself, likely to get the supplies and returned to draw her blood. He took her hand and placed it on the bit of cotton pressed into the crook of her elbow; instinct and habit took over. She held it there as the doctor promised to get her the results as quickly as possible.
"I know this is new Sister, there is a great risk, but the possible reward is incredible for the Herewards. Otherwise her body will struggle and the day we won't be able to help her will come, even if we get her onto the artificial kidney her body may be to weak. I'm going to leave you some literature." The doctor laid some papers on her desk and rested his hand on them. "When you are ready to discuss it please contact me."
...
A/N: So the first successful kidney transplant took place in 1954, the first non related transplant took place in 1962 (couldn't find out if it was in England or the States) with the assistance of early immunosuppression drugs. I am not a doctor so there are probably going to be errors, it is only fanfiction but I apologize ahead of time for what I will probably get wrong.