"This is crazy," said Phoebe. "I've never had any symptoms before I got the flu. How could I be this sick and not know it?"
"Some people are what's called asymtomatic," said Phillips. "This means that, while you may be suffering from a particular disease or ailment, you show absolutely no signs of it. That's what has happened here. The only reason you're having symptoms now is because you are so ill."
"Isn't there anything you can do?" Prue asked. "Can't you repair the damage?"
"Sometimes surgery can help," said Phillips. "But I'm afraid in this case you would probably never survive the surgery. Your heart is just too weak. At this point I can see only one course of action."
"And that is?" Phoebe asked.
"A transplant," said Phillips. "Your heart is too badly damaged to sustain you for much longer. The only viable treatment is to replace the damaged organ. Without a transplant it's only a matter of time before your heart gives out completely.
"But I'm afraid there are complications. You have a rare blood type. And the list for organ transplants, especially heart transplants, is very long. Even if we could find a suitable heart, the procedure is very lengthy and extremely hazardous. Many patients don't survive the procedure. Unfortunately I'm afraid it's our only option at this point."
"Heart transplant?" questioned Phoebe in a daze. "But I've always been perfectly healthy. I've rarely been sick. And the medication you prescribed the other day has me feeling better."
"It's only temporary, I assure you," said Phillips. "I wish I had better news for you Phoebe. But I'm afraid the prognosis is not good. I'm going to prescribe several medications that should help alleviate your symptoms. But this is by no means a cure. While you may begin to feel better, you're still a very sick woman."
"Is there anything we can do to help?" asked Piper.
"She'll need to take it easy," said Phillips. "The less strain she puts on her heart the better. No strenuous activities. No heavy lifting. And try to relieve as much stress as possible. Stress is one of the major causes of heart related problems. In Phoebe's case, it's doubly dangerous."
"Dr. Phillips," said Prue. "Is this the same thing Grams had? As you know she died from congestive heart failure."
"I'm aware of that," said Phillips. "No, it's not exactly the same thing. It is similar but the actual diagnosis is somewhat different. This type of ailment is not hereditary. And as I said it's not contagious. But it does suggest a predisposition in your family for heart problems. I would suggest that the two of you be examined by a cardiologist to identify any possible problems you may incur later on. The sooner we can identify a problem the better our chances of correcting or curing it."
"I understand," said Prue. "Is there anything else?"
Dr. Phillips pulled several sheets of paper out of a file on his desk.
"I've put together a list of dos and don'ts," he said. "There is also a list of foods, both of some she should eat and some she should avoid. Diet is also one of the main contributors to heart problems."
"I'll take that," said Piper, taking the papers. "I do most of the cooking at the house. I'll see she eats only what's on this list."
"Good," said Phillips. "Now, as I said, no strenuous activities. And I'll want to see Phoebe in here for regular checkups, probably every month or so. In the mean time I'll see about getting her on the donors' list. And I'll do what I can to get her as high on that list as possible."
"Thank you, Doctor," said Prue. "We appreciate everything you've done."
"That's what I'm here for," said Phillips. "Phoebe, don't become disheartened. I know it sounds like a cliché, but they're developing new procedures and medications every day. We can do things today that even five years ago we never dreamed were possible. If there's anything that will help I'll let you know immediately."
"Thank you, Dr. Phillips," said Phoebe, still in somewhat of a daze. "I know you'll do everything you can."
"Absolutely," said Phillips. "Now, see the nurse at the front desk. She'll schedule you for your next appointment. Get the prescriptions filled immediately and take them every day. Piper, see that she sticks to her diet. That's a very important part of her treatment. And above all, try not to put yourself under any more stress than you absolutely have to. That will go a long way in increasing your chances of beating this thing."
"How long do I have?" Phoebe asked. "How long before my heart gives out completely?"
"That's impossible to say," said Phillips. "It could be a couple of weeks or a couple of years. There are just so many variables that I can't give you a definite answer. But if you follow my instructions it will go a long way to relieving the pressure on your heart."
"Thanks again," said Phoebe. "We'll be sure to schedule that next appointment with your nurse."
"Good," said Phillips. "And if there's any change in your condition, notify me immediately."
"We will," said Prue.
"Stay away from stress?" Phoebe exclaimed as they drove home. "Yeah, that's going to be real easy. What with demons popping in every other day. What are we supposed to do? Ask them to come back some other time so I'm not put under any more stress?"
"I know how you feel," Prue started.
"How could you?" Phoebe asked, nearly hysterical and on the verge of tears. "Your heart is perfectly healthy. I'm the one with a ticking time bomb in her chest. A bomb that could go off at any minute and then it's hasta la vista, Phoebe."
"Phoebe, calm down," said Piper. "You heard what the doctor said. Try to relieve as much stress as you can. Getting all worked up like this isn't going to do you any good."
"I guess this is Gods' way of punishing me for all my misbehaving when I was younger," said Phoebe.
"Don't even go there," said Prue. "You're not being punished for anything. You heard what the doctor said. It was caused by bacteria. Bacteria is not a punishment. So get that out of your head right now."
"I'm kind of tired," said Phoebe, slumping down in the back seat. "When we get home I think I'm going to go back to bed."
"That sounds like a good idea," said Piper.
Piper looked at Prue. They could both tell that Phoebe was taking this extremely hard. Not that it was all that surprising. Anyone would take this kind of news hard. And Phoebe was the baby of the family. This made it more difficult for her. None of the sisters spoke the rest of the way home. None of them knew what to say to each other.