A Heavy Heart 16/20
Chapter Sixteen:
"Dad." Don nudges his father. The doctor asked him a question and he didn't respond.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Alan's having trouble wrapping his head around what he's just heard.
"I wanted to know if you had any other questions about the procedures before you sign the paperwork."
Alan shakes his head. He's not sure he's capable of understanding any more than he's already heard. The doctor laid out all the treatment options, stressing that the second episode of tachycardia in less than four hours meant that they had to make their decision quickly rather than wait for more tests. Charlie's heart can only be shocked so many times before it's damaged beyond repair. Alan's own heart almost stopped when the doctor mentioned the eventual need for a transplant if the damage continued.
"Just give me a few minutes, please."
The doctor nods and rises. "I'll come back after I check on operating room availability but we shouldn't wait too long."
Don thanks him as he leaves then turns to focus on his father.
"Dad, it's your decision. Which are you going to choose?" Don's nervous but trusts his father's judgment. He also doesn't envy the responsibility the doctor's laid on him. Charlie's life could well be in his father's hands.
"Donnie, it's so hard to decide! The open heart surgery's got a good success record but it's... it's open heart surgery! That's not going to be easy on him. The new procedure sounds like it would be easier on him than full on surgery but the risk of heart failure during the procedure is a lot higher. Either way he could die on the operating table but if we do nothing he still could die!"
"I know, Dad, I know." Don tries to be supportive but he doesn't have any answers for his father.
The two men sit in silence for some time as Alan prays for guidance in making the hardest decision of his life.
When the doctor returns, Alan is ready.
"The new procedure. The one that doesn't require open heart surgery."
The doctor nods. "There's an operating room available tonight. We can have him prepped within the hour."
Alan accepts the paperwork the doctor hands him.
His hands shake.
He signs his name.
Charlie's fate is sealed.