Disclaimer: I don't own The Nanny
Max sat in the hospital room holding his wife's hand. She'd been in the hospital ever since the car accident three days ago and he didn't leave her side.
"Mr. Sheffield?"
Max looked back to see the Doctor entering the room. He stood from his seat but did not let go of Sarah's hand.
"Yes," he said, "I'm Maxwell Sheffield."
The doctor sighed.
"I wish we were meeting under better circumstances," he said, "I have to talk with you about a few things. The crash… as you know caused major damage. Ultimately her lungs are destroyed. She's going to need a new set of lungs."
"You mean… like a lung transplant?"
Max felt like kicking himself for asking such an obviously dumb question. Of course, that was what the doctor was talking about.
The doctor had a kind look in his eyes.
"She needs her right lung replaced," he explained, "Hopefully within 24 hours. It can't be any more than 72 hours total."
His head was spinning. He tried to process what the doctor was saying. Taking a deep breath Maxwell squeezed Sarah's hand.
"Take mine," he said.
"I'm sorry?"
"You said that a live donation was her best chance. Take my lung. We're the same blood and tissue type. I know this because we had to get tested before we got married and-"
"I'm not sure you understand how painful it will be for you," the doctor said, "First we'd have to open you up as well as open her up. You might well be in pain for months."
"I understand," Max said, "I'm asking you– no, I'm begging you to give Sarah my right lung."
"Have you had anything to eat today?"
"No. I didn't get up to leave her side or even to go to the bathroom," Max said.
The doctor sighed.
"I'll get you the papers to sign," he said, "But I'm telling you that doing this is going to hurt."
"It won't hurt that much," Max said, "I'll be asleep when you open me up right?"
"Of course," the doctor chuckled, "But after that, you're going to feel it for days."
((45 minutes later))
"Okay," the doctor said, "I'm going to put the mask on your nose and mouth. I want you to just breathe comfortably and count backwards from 10."
Max nodded as the mask was put on. He was asleep before he even got to 8. The operation took 8 hours. Max woke up in the same recovery room as Sarah.
"How is she," he half asked; half demanded.
"It was touch and go for awhile but Sarah pulled through," the doctor said.
Max sat up and groaned. The pain was sharp.
"So, she's out of the woods?"
"She needs to be kept here for another 2 weeks," the doctor said, "and she'll be on anti-rejection medication too."
Max nodded.
"It's important that you stay calm," the doctor said, "Stress can cause a lot of problems including rejection of the organ. I recommend you be positive-"
"I always am," Max said.
He paused.
"When will I be released," he asked
"You'll be released in a few days," the doctor said, "Meanwhile Maggie, Brighton and Gracie all really want to see you."
Max smiled. The doctor left the room, and the kids came in.
