Chapter 11
"Thanks Doctor. I appreciate the information. I'll make the arrangements on this end. Yes, we'll see you later tonight."
Abbey hung up the phone and turned to an anxious Jed, standing right beside her. "That was Dr. Paulter. The polyps were malignant and they want you in the hospital tonight."
"Okay."
Abbey knew that that short statement was not the only reaction he would have. She didn't have to wait long for the rest of it.
"But he said that maybe I didn't have to come in the night before."
"Jed, we need answers and this is the only way we'll get them."
"But why can't I stay here and go to the hospital in the morning? I've got so many things still to tie up."
"I know you do. But we both decided that to do an adequate prep it would be better to have you admitted tonight. You're supposed to be there by 7 pm. But in the meantime, no more solid food. Only liquids. They'll clean your colon out tonight after arrival."
"Okay." He turned and walked across the study in the Residence. "Call the girls and your family so they won't hear about it on the news. I'll call my brother from the Oval. I have to give CJ the go ahead to make the announcement and there won't be a minute's peace once it's made. Every network will have their own local quack reporting every bit of news, whether it's true or not."
"Aren't you being a little cynical?"
"I'm only reporting the truth. When I was shot at Rosslyn, Ellie said that every network tried to outdo each other with any tidbit of news they could report, no matter how inconsequential or even if it was rumor based. I think at one point I was dying or something like that. That's taking things to the extreme."
"I'll call them and let them know not to watch the news. Now go on and remember no solid food. We don't need to postpone the surgery any longer than we have to."
Jed walked back to where Abbey was standing, pulling her into a tight hug, and kissing her cheek. "It'll be fine, Abbey. I know it will."
A brief kiss and he was gone.
'I hope so, Jed. I hope so.'
"If you'll get seated, I have an announcement to make."
CJ was facing the weekend members of the White House press corps. Only the bigger newspapers and the networks had someone covering the White House on the weekend. Usually, if a big story broke, these correspondents would cover it until the regular correspondents could make it into work. But today was different. The White House Press Office had only given a fifteen minute notice of an impending announcement.
Before CJ began to speak, the press noticed that she was dressed in a smart suit, unlike most weekends when she dressed much more causally. Right away, they knew there was going to be some sort of a big announcement.
"I have an announcement to make and then I'll take some questions. I have copies of the announcement which will be available in the back of the room after I finish."
Each correspondent sat on the edge of their seats. Something big was happening.
"The White House Medical Office announces that President Bartlet was informed this morning that the polyps removed during his colonoscopy at his annual physical yesterday, were malignant. Exploratory surgery has been scheduled for Monday morning at Bethesda Naval Medical Center in order to determine if the malignancy has spread beyond the removed tissue. He will be admitted tonight so that he can undergo appropriate preparation and will have surgery at approximately 7 am Monday. The doctors are hopeful for a complete and speedy recovery. Now, questions?"