YOU'RE NOT ALONE - CHAPTER 8 - "The Need To Know" Meanwhile......at the Anderson residence................ Amy is on the phone with Mina.................. "I'm sorry to hear about the situation with Lita........well, I hope things work out..........Maybe that way they could get better results..............no, Mina, I didn't hear about Molly......that's terrible.........well, I wish the both of them well. I hope it's not as serious for Molly's sake......no, Raye hasn't heard anything about her biopsy yet.............she's going to see Dr. Jones in two weeks, maybe she'll know something for sure.....", Amy hears her mother walk in the house, "....well, Mina, my mother is back from work, and I have to help her with dinner. So keep in touch, alright?....let me know more about the conditions of Lita and Molly.....you have a nice night.....thanks, bye-bye". "Hello, Amy", greets Mrs. Anderson. "Oh, hello, mother", replies Amy, "how did work go today?" "The usual work", replies Mrs. Anderson, "who did you speak to on the phone just now?" "It was Mina", replies Amy, "she said that Lita has to go back to the hospital next week. They're performing another type of biopsy on her because they didn't get enough liver tissue the first time around. They're going to perform a trans-jugular method, in which they're going to get liver tissue through the jugular vein by ways of a catherer". "I'm sorry to hear that, dear", says Mrs. Anderson, "I hope things turn out well for her". "But that's not all, mother", adds Amy, "Molly is going to have the same procedure done. Her lab reports show reports that she may have Hepatitis C. The biopsy will know for sure". "I'm sure things will work out for Molly as well", assures Mrs. Anderson, "she and Lita are very strong willed". "Yes they are, mother", adds Amy, "umm, may I aks you something?" "What is it, dear?", inquires Mrs. Anderson. ""What's Dad's blood type?", asks Amy. "I believe it is AB Negative, as far as I remember", answers Mrs. Anderson, "why do you ask?" "Has he ever donated any blood in his life?", wonders Amy. "Mrs. Anderson paused for a moment, and then replied. "Seven years ago, there was a shortage of AB Negative blood, and your father wanted to do the right thing by donating his own blood for a helpful cause. What is your point, Amy?" "Mother, I think at around that time, Greg and Molly have had some kind of major surgery done, and I believe they were both AB Negative", wonders Amy. "Yes, I did remember about Greg and Molly being AB Negative", says Mrs. Anderson, "because I performed both of their surgeries. There was a shortage of that type of blood, and your father did donate". "Did they screen any of the blood donors at that time, mother?", asks Amy. "Are you saying that your father's blood may be infected with Hepatitis?", asks an incredulous Mrs. Anderson, "I'm sure there were several other donors who had AB Negative blood, and some could have been Hepatitis infected". "But were they ever screened?", asks Amy persistantly. "I'm not really sure, Amy", answers Mrs. Anderson. "Didn't he have tattoos on his arm?", asks Amy. "Yes, he had a few, and one on his back as well", replies Mrs. Anderson, "I don't understand the connection". "Hepatitis C is transmitted through blood", says Amy, "so maybe the needle used for Dad's tattoos could have been tainted?" "But we don't know that for sure, Amy", counters Mrs. Anderson, "we don't know if it was your father's blood that was Hepatitis C infected". "I won't sleep until I find out for sure, mother", charges Amy, "I have to know about this. I am greatly concerned for both Greg and Molly. Isn't there any way you could go into past files of the blood bank that Dad donated his blood at? I'm sure the hospital would have that information in their database. It may sound like a long shot, but it's still worth it. Maybe they can re-test his blood". "You're right, Amy, it does seem like a long shot", counters Mrs. Anderson, "the disease does stay dormant for a long time. I'm not really sure having your father take a blood test would be proof that he has Hepatitis C." "But how many people do you know that have AB Negative blood are Hepatitis C infected?", asks Amy, "I could help you with the reasearch if you like". "I'll see what I can find out at the blood bank files, Amy", says Mrs. Anderson, "as far as your father agreeing to blood work, well, like you said, is a long shot". "But it's a shot worth taking, mother", pleads Amy, "please, do this. It's for Molly and Greg." "Alright, Amy", nods Mrs. Anderson, "I'll she what I information I can come up with. I'll try to contact your father". "Thank you very much, mother", smiles Amy, "I'll get moving on my reasearch as well". TO BE CONTINUED..............................