The Greatest Gift, Part 2
Monica's heart stopped. What could be wrong with him? He was only two!
He has severe kidney damage, Dr. Trent continued. It could be a result of his premature birth, or something totally unrelated to it. Why don't you and your husband come in to my office and we can discuss it more.
Monica managed to mumble, then hung up the phone. How could this be happening?
Monica turned and looked at Michael and Megan. They were so healthy and fine. How could Andrew be so sick? She felt terrible. Her two-year-old son wasn't just sick with the flu, his life was in danger.
Chandler entered. Monica saw him and started to cry. He wasn't quite sure why. Michael and Megan ran off. They hated it when heir mom started crying.
Monica? What's the matter? Chandler asked her. She went up to him and hugged him and cried. Chandler didn't say anything to her, just held her. Then when her crying died down, she spoke.
Appendicitis would have been a dream come true, she mumbled. Chandler stared to figure out this had something to do with Andrew
Monica, please tell me what's wrong, he said as he rubbed her back.
It's Andrew. He, he has severe kidney problems.
And what does that mean?
I don't know. We're meeting with the doctor this afternoon.
Sweetie, please calm down. This could be easily cured, you don't know yet.
she agreed, trying to stop crying. My poor two-year-old son has severe kidney problems! she sobbed. Stopping wasn't an option.
I know, Chandler said, hugging her. I know, it sucks.
Chandler called Rachel and explained the situation to her. Rachel was shocked, but agreed to come over and watch the kids. Monica didn't say much of anything to Rachel when she came over.
Even on the way to the doctors office she was pretty quiet. They were waiting in the waiting room, when Chandler knew she wouldn't be able to take this. He could read her like a book and she was already off to a bad start.
Dr. Trent sat across from him in his office.
First of all, I'm so sorry, Dr. Trent began. But luckily, Andrew can survive. Monica felt relieved, but only partially. At least he had a chance, he wasn't a lost cause.
Now, we aren't sure what's caused the sudden failure of the kidney. Kidney cancer is a possibility. I am only a pediatrician, so I am going to refer you to a doctor who can help you.
An hour later, Chandler and Monica were in another doctor's office.
Hi, I'm Dr. Levin, The doctor introduced herself. I have your son's blood tests and I think I know what's going on.
Chandler asked.
It seems he has cancer on his left kidney. The cancer has caused it to become non functional, and work the right one over time. The right one could only take so much before it couldn't function anymore. We need to run some more tests to be sure, but this is survivable, she added.
Andrew went to see Dr. Levin the next day. They took more blood and ran more tests to see what was going on.
Two days after all the testing, Monica and Chandler met with Dr. Levin again.
Well, here it is, Dr. Levin began. Andrew has cancer on his right kidney, causing the left one to overwork, and become dysfunctional, as we discussed. Now we have two options. Treat the cancer or give him a kidney transplant. He could be on a treatment list for years, until he's ten, and that's too long. Of course, cancer treatment is very long, tiring, and painful. It's your choice. Monica remembered when she thought that it was appendicitis. If only. What she wouldn't give for that to be all that was wrong with Andrew now. I'll give you two a while to talk and make a choice. I understand it's hard. Call me when you have a decision, she said, and quietly left.
That night, Monica and Chandler stayed up until three talking about Andrew. Well, I mean, I know it will be long and painful, but I think he has a better chance if he has the treatment for the cancer, Chandler told Monica.
I know, you're right, but that's hard for people our age, how can a two-year-old handle it?
I don't know, Mon, I don't know.
Well, at least that way he cant reject the kidney he's waited years for, she realized.
he agreed.
So should we do that? How can we? she wondered.
We have to, to save his life, Chandler pointed out. Monica sighed. Just thinking about it made her sick.
Two days later, they saw Dr. Levin, and gave her their decision. To give Andrew the treatment.
That's a wise choice, Dr. Levin agreed. With children Andrew's age, to get a donor it has to be from a person of the same blood type or they will reject it. And on a waiting list, that's very hard to do.
So, then, this is a good choice? Monica asked.
As far as I can see, yes, Dr. Levin said.
Monica said.
Monica didn't feel good all night or the next morning. She had headaches and became sick to her stomach. The whole Andrew thing was making her sick as well. Only, she knew, not nearly as bad. Now that Monica knew he was seriously ill, she could tell just by looking at Andrew.
Michael and Megan were clueless as to the severity of Andrews illness. Monica and Chandler decided not to tell them yet. They didn't want to scare them and worry them before they had to. They would have to sooner or later, though.
Andrew was feeling worse. It was no wonder Monica thought. He had cancer.
Ross and Rachel were trying to help out as much they could. They took all the kids to school when they could, and kept Michael and Megan at their house as much as they could without moving them in. It was a help to Monica, who wasn't up for taking care of them. She wanted to, but she knew she couldn't be trusted feeling so sick and being so upset.
It wasn't hard to take care of Andrew. All he did was sleep. And when he was up he was so quiet she couldn't tell.
Andrew was scheduled to begin treatment in a week. He would have to stay at the hospital while he was undergoing it. It was a good thing he was used to being away from home on account of going to daycare. But Chandler knew he wasn't going to like sleeping there. Monica had promised herself to spend nights there and a lot of other time, too. She wanted to make sure he knew he was okay. She knew Chandler would be there just as much, if not more. Ross, Rachel, and Joey would visit, too.
Monica felt sicker than usual he closer it came to his departure date. Chandler didn't feel too good, either, but he never got as sick as Monica did. Monica was terrible.
Four days before Andrew was scheduled to go into the hospital, Monica and Chandler had to talk to him about it. They couldn't just send him off and leave him with no explanation in four days.
So, Andrew, we know you've been feeling bad, Chandler began. Andrew gave him a small smile, and Chandler knew Monica was seconds away from crying. So, what we have to do to get you better is, well, let some doctors look at you.
No like that, he said.
Andrew, you have to, or you won't get better, Chandler said. He could feel Monica's head resting on his shoulder.
Andrew nodded weakly, not wanting to fight it. And he did want to feel better. Andrew said. He didn't fight anything much anymore, even medicine. He took it without a fight now. Not that the medicine was doing anything but making him more tired.
And in order for them to take care of you, you're gonna have to stay in a room at the hospital, okay? Mommy and I will be there with you as much as we can.
Andrew said, his eyes filling with tears.
If you wanna get better, Andrew, you have to, Monica said.
I stay sick, he decided.
No, please? It will be fun! Like sleeping in a hotel, Monica added.
Andrew whined.
Please? For Mommy and Daddy? Chandler asked.
Andrew gave in, just to stop talking and wasting energy.
Monica looked at Chandler and sighed, She knew Andrew didn't like this, and she knew when the time came, he wouldn't want to go to the hospital, but this would save his life.
Since Andrew was in on how sick he was, Michael and Megan should be, too. Monica and Chandler were in Megan's room, where both she and Michael were.
Well, guys, Monica began. You know how Andrew has not been feeling well?
Megan and Michael echoed in one voice.
Well for him to get better, he has to go to a hospital for a while.
Michael asked.
Well, so the doctors can take care of him and give him special medicine we don't have. He is very sick, Monica told him. Chandler put his arm around her and she smiled. Just his touch made her feel better.
Poor Andrew, Megan declared.
Michael agreed.
Chandler, too, agreed, giving Monica a little hug. But he'll be okay.
Monica felt sick on and off all week. The closer it got to Andrew's hospital departure, the sicker she was. Just the thought of it made he stomach tie in knots and her head pound.
Andrew wasn't much on the idea of going, either. His mom and dad and sister and brother told him he had to, so he agreed to. But he didn't want to.
Monica was helping Andrew pack. He was going to take some toys and she was helping him decide which ones. She wondered how long until he would be home. It was March now, and she hoped he would be home, for good, not just a visit, on Christmas. But who knew. It could work fast or slow. Monica was, of course, hoping for it to go fast.
When they got to the hospital a few days later, Andrew was asleep. But as soon as the car stopped, he woke up.
Well, here we are, Monica told him.
Andrew looked out the window of the car. And then he started crying. Monica sighed and looked at Chandler. She knew he wouldn't want to go, and she hated having to make him.
Andrew, please don't cry, Chandler pleaded with him. We hate making you go here, but we have to, Chandler sighed. Besides, Mommy's gonna start crying if you cry.
Monica looked at Chandler. What? I-I-I-I am not! Monica said, beginning to cry. Chandler hugged her. Andrew's crying had stopped as soon as Monica's had started. Chandler got out of the car and picked up Andrew Its all gonna be okay, he promised him.
Andrew was in hospital room 605. Monica shrugged at the irony that his hospital room number was the same as the hotel room number in London where she and Chandler had first slept together. She tried not to think about it.
Andrew sat on the bed, taking in his new room. He didn't like it. It was boring and cold looking and uncolorful.
Rachel came by at two that afternoon to see how he was. She had left all the other kids with Ross and Joey.
Hey, Andy, Rachel greeted Andrew.
Hi Aunt Rachel, he said.
How are you feeling?
Yeah, I can imagine, she said, ruffling his dark hair.
The doctors had decided, that since Andrew was hesitant to his hospital room, to let him get used to it for a few days before beginning him on the treatment. Monica had decided to stay overnight with him that night. He held her hand the whole time. She knew he was scared, and she wished he wasn't at all sick.
Chandler had gone home to take care of Michael and Megan. The house seemed weird without Andrew and Monica. Even though Andrew had mostly been sleeping the past two weeks, it was still weird. And Monica's absence was even more noted.
The next morning Monica woke up sicker then usual. It was probably because Andrew was now in the hospital, and he didn't want to be there. She wondered how long this sickness was going to keep up. She wished it would end soon. But Andrew's pain was just about to begin.
TBC! How do you like my series? PLEASE Review! Friendsfan03@yahoo.com. Thanks.
