Chapter 3: A Gruesome Diagnosis
"A CAT scan?! Why does he need a CAT scan? What exactly were your findings on the X-rays?" Andy cried in horror.
"Andy, your son has what appears to be a thoracic aortic aneurysm." Dr. Sommers said. Andy couldn't believe the news he was hearing.
"Are you sure?" Andy muttered already knowing the answer to his question.
"It's very likely. But the CAT scan will confirm it. The X-rays I have shows a dilatation in the thoracic aorta." Dr. Sommers reasoned as he watched Andy's face turn with fear. "Look, it was a good thing he came into the hospital now. If he didn't have pneumonia and X-rays and blood tests were not taken, we would not have found out about the aneurysm. As you know, it can take years for symptoms of an aneurysm to become evident. It's better we find out now than when it's too late." Dr. Sommers offered a few words of hope.
"Is there treatment for this aneurysm?" Nina inquired moving nervously in her seat next to Andy. She held his arm tighter.
"At this point, it looks like a small aneurysm but with proper care and regular check ups, we should be able to keep track of it and know when surgery is needed. A ruptured aneurysm can be fatal."
Andy wanted to cry. He wanted to wake up from this nightmare. How could he not have known about this aneurysm before? He was a doctor - a good doctor. How was this overlooked? He knew aneurysms ran in Julia's side of the family but it was very remote. The only known case was Ephram's great aunt, who died from complications of an abdominal aneurysm. The thought never occurred to him that Ephram's life could ever be in danger. Why was this happening to him? Why was this happening to his son?
"Andy, I can't promise anything but we WILL take good care of him. I've got to make my rounds now." Dr. Sommers said looking at his watch. "But I'll be here later if you want to talk or see the X-rays. You'll be ok?"
"Yea." Andy sighed as Dr. Sommers left the lounge. Andy buried his face in his hands.
"Andy." Nina said with heartfelt sorrow.
"I'm ok." Andy said rubbing his eyes.
Doctors were the holders of optimism. They had all the answers. Even when the chips were down, they gave families hope because there might be a slight chance of a cure or remedy for whatever ailment life imposed. Andy learned that part of the trade. It was easy dealing with patients and their families but the road was always harder when it hit closer to home. He needed that extra bit of reassurance, comfort, and salvation. He now understood the power of doctors. He vowed never to give up on Ephram. Ever.
"Daddy, what's an anna-ism?" Delia asked curiously.
"You mean 'aneurysm'. In an aortic aneurysm, there is a weak spot in the heart's biggest artery, called the aorta, and a bulge forms there. And it gets bigger, kind of like a balloon, and when too much pressure is applied to that weak spot, it can burst." Andy tried to explain it in the simplest way so his eight year old can grasp the concept.
"You mean sorta like the time Bright's appendix burst?"
"Yes, similar but this is more serious. When an aneurysm bursts, it can get extremely dangerous and the person can die."
"And Ephram's got an ann-nu-rism inside his body?" Delia sounded out the new word she just learned.
"Yes, he does."
"Is he going to die?" Tears welled up in her eyes.
"No baby of course not. Ephram's not going to die. He's going to get better. We will make sure of that." Andy took Delia in his arms and gave her a big hug.
"Promise?" Delia pouted.
"Promise." Andy whispered. "We'll go visit him in a while. But you've got to promise me one thing. You won't mention any of this to him. I want him to recover a little bit before I tell him the news. Ok pumpkin?"
"OK." Delia nodded. Andy gave her a kiss on the cheek.
* end of chapter 3 *
"A CAT scan?! Why does he need a CAT scan? What exactly were your findings on the X-rays?" Andy cried in horror.
"Andy, your son has what appears to be a thoracic aortic aneurysm." Dr. Sommers said. Andy couldn't believe the news he was hearing.
"Are you sure?" Andy muttered already knowing the answer to his question.
"It's very likely. But the CAT scan will confirm it. The X-rays I have shows a dilatation in the thoracic aorta." Dr. Sommers reasoned as he watched Andy's face turn with fear. "Look, it was a good thing he came into the hospital now. If he didn't have pneumonia and X-rays and blood tests were not taken, we would not have found out about the aneurysm. As you know, it can take years for symptoms of an aneurysm to become evident. It's better we find out now than when it's too late." Dr. Sommers offered a few words of hope.
"Is there treatment for this aneurysm?" Nina inquired moving nervously in her seat next to Andy. She held his arm tighter.
"At this point, it looks like a small aneurysm but with proper care and regular check ups, we should be able to keep track of it and know when surgery is needed. A ruptured aneurysm can be fatal."
Andy wanted to cry. He wanted to wake up from this nightmare. How could he not have known about this aneurysm before? He was a doctor - a good doctor. How was this overlooked? He knew aneurysms ran in Julia's side of the family but it was very remote. The only known case was Ephram's great aunt, who died from complications of an abdominal aneurysm. The thought never occurred to him that Ephram's life could ever be in danger. Why was this happening to him? Why was this happening to his son?
"Andy, I can't promise anything but we WILL take good care of him. I've got to make my rounds now." Dr. Sommers said looking at his watch. "But I'll be here later if you want to talk or see the X-rays. You'll be ok?"
"Yea." Andy sighed as Dr. Sommers left the lounge. Andy buried his face in his hands.
"Andy." Nina said with heartfelt sorrow.
"I'm ok." Andy said rubbing his eyes.
Doctors were the holders of optimism. They had all the answers. Even when the chips were down, they gave families hope because there might be a slight chance of a cure or remedy for whatever ailment life imposed. Andy learned that part of the trade. It was easy dealing with patients and their families but the road was always harder when it hit closer to home. He needed that extra bit of reassurance, comfort, and salvation. He now understood the power of doctors. He vowed never to give up on Ephram. Ever.
"Daddy, what's an anna-ism?" Delia asked curiously.
"You mean 'aneurysm'. In an aortic aneurysm, there is a weak spot in the heart's biggest artery, called the aorta, and a bulge forms there. And it gets bigger, kind of like a balloon, and when too much pressure is applied to that weak spot, it can burst." Andy tried to explain it in the simplest way so his eight year old can grasp the concept.
"You mean sorta like the time Bright's appendix burst?"
"Yes, similar but this is more serious. When an aneurysm bursts, it can get extremely dangerous and the person can die."
"And Ephram's got an ann-nu-rism inside his body?" Delia sounded out the new word she just learned.
"Yes, he does."
"Is he going to die?" Tears welled up in her eyes.
"No baby of course not. Ephram's not going to die. He's going to get better. We will make sure of that." Andy took Delia in his arms and gave her a big hug.
"Promise?" Delia pouted.
"Promise." Andy whispered. "We'll go visit him in a while. But you've got to promise me one thing. You won't mention any of this to him. I want him to recover a little bit before I tell him the news. Ok pumpkin?"
"OK." Delia nodded. Andy gave her a kiss on the cheek.
* end of chapter 3 *