Chapter 7
After three days, Dr. Scott's office had called. Further testing was required and that they could be scheduled within the next two weeks. It was a long process, but it was over with. Erica was near the phone at all times waiting for the call that would hopefully give her answers and or solution she'd been waiting for, for months. It had been nearly another two weeks since those last tests, but the phone was ringing and Erica was picking it up after just one ring. "Hello"
"Is this Erica Kane? This is Dr. Scott calling."
"Yes, this is Erica, Dr. Scott."
"Hi Erica. I'm calling to let you know that I have the results of your's and Dr. Haywards tests."
"Okay."
"I don't want to discuss this over the phone. If you and your husband have some time this afternoon to come in, we can discuss them."
"Yes we have time. When would you like us to come in?"
"Whenever you get here is fine. Just tell the nurse and she'll send you back."
"Okay. thank you Dr. Scott."
"Dr. Scott just called, he said that if we had some time this afternoon that he could fit us in."
"Did he say what he wants to discuss?"
"Well he said that he has the results of all the testing we went in for the other week."
"Okay, are you ready?"
"Ready to hear the bad news? No."
"How do you know it's bad news? Did he say something?"
"No he didn't say anything to hint it was good or bad. I just have this feeling."
"Hey, don't think like that." He said, taking her hand and pulling her closer. "It could be good news."
"But what if it isn't?" She said looking away.
"Then we'll get through whatever it is, together."
"Dr. and Mrs. Hayward, thank you for comiing." The doctor said, shaking both of their hands before they all took their seats. "I've read over the results of all of the tests and I've come to a conclusion."
"What did you find?" Erica asked, unable to wait much longer.
"All of the tests results seemed to be in the normal range. I found no abnormalities."
"Then why can't we conceive?" Erica asked.
"While I haven't found any abnormalities, you are still suffering infertility. Whether it is a male or female infertility problem is still undetermined, and I don't know that it ever will be."
"So the tests reveal no problems, but there are still unknown infertility problems and the cause may not ever be determined?" David asking this time.
"Yes, that is correct. This undetermined infertility affects nearly 15 percent of couples that experience infertility. I can't say for sure that you'll never be able to conceive, but after 8 months it is highly unlikely."
"So I'll probably never be able to have another child? And you don't know why?"
"Yes I'm sorry I don't have better news. Maybe with a sperm donor or surrogate it could be possible. But other than that."
"Well, what about any other treatments? IVF and AI? I've read up on some of the medications used."
"Erica, we've already talked about this. These medications, they're hormones, and they probably won't be risk free for you. They could further damage your heart." David reminded her.
"But if they'll give us a child I don't care."
"Ms. Kane, he's right. I don't know if any physician would okay those treatments with a medical history such as yours. Not to mention that the cause of your infertility is unknown. We can't just try everything and see what works. It's too big of a risk for you."
She wanted to give a response. This doctor, this man was telling her she couldn't have a child with David or maybe anyone for that matter, and he had no idea why. This wasn't what she had planned to hear. She was sure there would be a quick fix or that they just needed to give it more time.
"Thank you, Dr. Scott." David said shaking the doctors hand. He knew Erica wasn't going to handle this all that well. She already seemed overwhelmed.
"I'll leave you two to talk. Let me know if there is anything else i can do." The man said before exiting.
"Erica?"
"Can we go home?"
"If you want to, yeah. Come on." He said walking out of the room with her walking ahead of him, not looking back.
It was a long and silent ride home. She didn't want to talk and he didn't ask her to. She walked in and sat on the couch, picking up a throw pillow and clutching it. He followed her in closing the door and taking a seat next to her.
"Maybe we should talk."
"Why? You heard what Dr. Scott said. There isn't anything to talk about."
"There are other ways to have children. There are plenty of children without homes, families."
"You're talking about adoption?" She half asked, half said.
"It won't mean we'll love our children any less if they're not biologically ours. They'll still be our child, in our hearts."
"I know that. but If I'm going to have a child at all, I want it to be our biological child. Does that seem selfish?"
"Kind of, but it's what you want and how you feel, so that doesn't matter."
"What about surrogacy, David?"
"Is that something that you'd want?"
"I don't know. Pregnancy is an experience like no other. Without that it's like I'd be handed this child, our child, and I wouldn't know who they are."
"Of course you would, because you'd be that child's mother no matter how they came into the world."
"Nevermind. These are all stupid ideas."
"Erica you were just handed something that you weren't prepared for, and it hurt. Just give it some time. You'll figure out where to go from here."
"It doesn't feel like it."
"You will, and I'm right here with you."
"I hope so." She said resting her head on his chest, him putting his arm around her and the other hand on her head, gently playing with her hair.
