Santana Lopez
I was driving like a lunatic through the streets of NY, I think I went through about five red lights, because I wanted to get to the central hospital as soon as possible so that I could be by my best friend's side in this critical moment. Finn is in the driver's seat, he was whiter than a piece of paper and was reciting some kind of prayer, since he was afraid that we would have some accident and arrive at the hospital as patients in an ambulance, but luckily, we arrived at the hospital without mishaps or accidents.
We entered the hospital like two rockets, we didn't ask about Antony at the reception, we just went to meet Quinn who was sitting next to a short brunette and a taller blonde with blue eyes, she is very beautiful and I will definitely try to get closer to this wonderful woman.
-You really came! -Quinn came to hug us and took me out of the trance imposed by the beauty of the other blonde.
-Friends are for every moment, Fabgay! -I commented while hugging my best friend.
-How is the little boy? -Finn asked after hugging our friend and looking deep into her eyes.
-We have no news yet. -Quinn commented sadly. -Oh, Rach these are my friends.
-Nice to meet you... -The brunette managed to force a smile through her tears.
-This is Brittany. -Quinn pointed to the blonde sitting on one of the chairs. -She's Rachel's best friend.
-A pleasure... -The blonde murmured and continued to stare at me since I arrived at the hospital.
After the formal introductions we sat down on the reception chairs and waited for some doctor to show up and give us some information about the little one, but the hours went by, doctors came and went, but no one stopped their duties to give us some information. During this time I ended up getting along with the brunette and especially with Brittany. The blonde is a sweet person, very innocent and I am sure that I am falling in love with this fascinating and wonderful woman.
-Antony Berry? -A doctor asked and soon Rachel and Quinn stood up quickly.
-I'm his mother! -Rachel spoke up and the doctor approached us. -How is my son? -He asked.
-I think you'd better sit down... -The doctor was very serious and left us in despair.
-What happened to my son? -Rachel asked, and didn't sit down as she was asked.
-Your son was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma... -The doctor commented and gave a heavy sigh.
-What is it? -I decided to ask, since the others were afraid of the answer. -Is he going to be okay?
-Multiple myeloma is cancer of a type of bone marrow cell, called a plasma cell, which is responsible for the production of antibodies that fight viruses and bacteria. In multiple myeloma, the plasma cells are abnormal and multiply rapidly, compromising the production of the other cells. -The doctor explained, Rachel eventually fell back in her chair, as she had been floored by the diagnosis.
-Is my boy getting cancer? -She asked in a whisper. -No... it can't... it can be true...
-I'm sorry... -The doctor murmured and we all looked at the reception floor.
-Is there any treatment? -Finn asked, as he had always been the most positive of the small group.
-Chemotherapy is one of the viable options, the treatment consists of using several extremely powerful drugs to fight cancer with the aim of destroying, controlling or inhibiting the growth of the sick cells. -The doctor gave us the answer along with the explanation. -But Antony is small and the chances of success are low, since he is in the growth phase... -He commented in a professional manner.
-Is there another treatment? -Brittany asked between sobs and wanted so much to hug her at the moment.
-A bone marrow transplant... -He seemed a little more confident. -We would harvest the patient's own healthy cells, but in the case of the little boy, he will need a compatible donor.
-How does the transplant work? -Quinn asked with his eyes focused on the doctor.
-Antony will undergo a regimen of chemotherapy in high doses, called conditioning, which aims to eliminate the sick cells, but this chemotherapy regimen leads, consequently, to the destruction of the patient's bone marrow. -Rachel stared at the doctor for a few minutes and then said:
-Would this save my child? -She asked between tears, and Quinn massaged her shoulders.
-Possibly it's the boy's best chance, Mrs. Berry! -The doctor sighed heavily.
-Will he suffer? -Quinn asked as he tried to control his own tears.
-Antony will have some symptoms due to chemotherapy, such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, change in taste, dry mouth, and mouth sores. Hair loss also usually happens, because chemotherapy affects the malignant cells as well as the healthy ones, especially those that multiply faster, such as the hair follicles, responsible for hair growth. -Rachel cried even more when she heard that. -In both chemotherapy and transplantation, these symptoms are present.
-The choice is in your hands. -Quinn murmured.
-Do the transplant... -Rachel murmured in reply.
-Okay, but we'll need a donor match. -The doctor commented.
-I'll do the compatibility test! -Rachel assured.
-Ok, but the mother is not always a match for the child... -That doctor was annoying me.
-I'll do the test too! -Quinn commented and I was proud of my friend's choice.
-Also! -Brittany remarked and I fell even more in love with the blonde.
-I want to help in some way! -Finn was the next to speak. -I hate needles and blood, but it's for a good cause!
-You can count on me! -I remarked, and the doctor gave a positive nod.
He took us to the collection room and one by one we went through the collection of the necessary material, but the results would be out in a week, however, we made sure that we would be present at the hospital.
Antony would have to stay in the hospital, because at home he would be prone to infections, but hospitalized they could work around the situation and take good care of the boy. The little one will be better off in the hospital for a few days.
-I'm going to Rachel's apartment... -Quinn commented and wanted to joke, but it was a serious situation and I decided to just agree. -Ah, Brittany asked me to give you this. -Quinn pulled a piece of paper from his pants pocket and handed it to me with the following wording:
"Lovely to meet you, please call me, unicorn"
The blonde's number was just below it and I gave a warm smile to the paper in my hands.