Home for the Holidays

Chapter 10

Mallory got home with a packet of literature for Mike to read through and a huge bag from the store. She typically discussed every purchase with Mike so he was a little surprised. He didn't care that she had bought something but it was not typical behavior. Hannah was still sound asleep. Emma and Sailor were eating breakfast and Tommy went to Mallory as soon as she put her bags down. Mike followed her into his room and waited while she nursed Tommy.

"So, I spoke with the rheumatologist. While there is no real treatment for Hannah, there are a few things that might ease the pain for her. I went and got a heated mattress pad for her and an electric throw that can either go on her bed or over her when she is in the chair."

"Okay. Anything that will help her. What about horseback riding and basketball, violin?"

"She's mid flare up right now so she doesn't feel like doing anything but when she isn't; she should do whatever she feels like. She needs a normal life. Us giving her that will set the pace on how she deals with this. He also suggested a counselor."

"I've tried that. She refuses to talk. God knows she needs one but I can't push her to talk."

"I told the doctor that too. He's prescribed pain meds and antidepressants. I didn't pick them up because I wanted to see her reaction first before we jumped on that boat."

"So we can treat the symptoms but not the disease?"

"Pretty much. Lupus is a weird disease. No good diagnosis, no treatment, and no cure. My opinion is that we let her decide. The pain meds and antidepressants have side effects. Keeping her warm and not stressed will do more for her."

"I agree with that. I'm still dreading this though."

"I know. I can be the one to tell her. It might be better. Sometimes when patients get a new diagnosis, they get angry at the person telling them. I would rather she be mad at me and lean on you for comfort."

"You're her mom though, she isn't some random patient."

"Yeah, that's the hard part. Can you take Tommy while I readjust here?"

Mike took the baby so that Mallory could properly adjust her clothes. Tommy gave him a good burp and he changed him into one of his outfits. The baby was all smiles and didn't seem to care how downcast both his parents were. Mallory went in and changed into a set of pajamas. He laid the baby down in his playpen while the girls got bundled up. They had plans on playing in the snow over at Tom's with Sam. Mallory finally came downstairs and told him Hannah was waking up. He walked the girls across to Tom and Sasha's. They went inside but Tom was out clearing off his truck. Mike decided to help him.

"So, how's Hannah feeling now? She was in pretty rough shape yesterday."

"She was still in her room when I came over."

"Everything okay?"

"No. She's been diagnosed with Lupus. We're telling her this morning."

"Poor kid. She'll be fine though."

"How? This disease is terrible. There is no cure or real treatment. It can cause organ damage and cripple her."

"Remember my sister, Dana?"

"Yeah? What about her?"

"She was diagnosed with it when she was just a little younger than Hannah. The doctors told us all that same stuff. But Dana perservered. They did the treatment that was something like chemo. Dana refused it after three months. She learned when to stress about something and how to deal with it to minimize her flare ups. When she did have one, which was rare, it was rough but warm blankets and heating pads helped a lot. She lived a normal life too. Played sports in school, went to college and had a career."

"I didn't know she was sick. No one ever said anything."

"She wanted it that way. Lupus is about coping mechanisms. And for all them saying she needed to avoid stress? She was a 9-1-1 dispatcher. One of the most stressful jobs there was. And no flare ups."

"Have you found out what happened to her?"

"No. We know James, her husband died from the Red Flu but I can't find anything on Dana."

"I'm truly sorry. Depending on how Hannah reacts, I might have you talk to her to remind her she can have a normal life. If you're okay with that?"

"Of course. Just call when you're ready to have the girls back. We'll keep them here."

"Thanks. Tommy is all about his favorite parent right now so we'll keep him with us."

"Sarah Elizabeth does that too. You don't have breasts."

"Thanks for the clarification. And I was thinking it was just Tommy taking after me."

"Too much information. Go. Holler if you need anything."

"Thanks."

Mike walked back to his own house with a little more clarification but the same amount of dread as before. Hannah was sitting at the table eating her breakfast. Mallory was sitting next to her and nodded towards Mike. He grabbed a cup of coffee and sit down next to Hannah. She looked at both of them suspiciously and frowned.

"What did I do wrong?"

"Hannah, you didn't do anything wrong. Last night when I pulled your labs, my attending decided to test some other things besides your thyroid. One of the tests was an antibody test. It came back positive which means that your immune system is attacking itself, specifically your joints. It explains the pain that you've been in, along with the lack of energy. This new disease is hard to diagnose and even harder to treat but all your symptoms match something called Lupus. It is pretty normal with thyroid disease. I spoke with a doctor who specializes in this, and he agreed with the diagnosis and also agrees with my assessment and my attending's assessment. He thinks if we can keep your thyroid levels in check, we can minimize the new disease's affect. There are pain medications you can take but the side effects are pretty rough. My opinion is, we sooth the pain not try and take it away. I went to the store this morning and got you a heated mattress pad and an electric blanket. The heat helps. If you want the pain medication than we will get it but I think we need to try the heat therapy first. Lupus presents in flare ups brought on by stress and in your case, your thyroid levels plummeting. We minimize the stress your under and control the thyroid disease. Lupus is not a good diagnosis but you can still have a normal life."

"What can it do?" Hannah's eyes had filled with tears and Mike had ahold of her hand.

"If we don't control the flare ups, it can damage your organs and can cripple you."

"And there is no medicine?"

"No, sweetie. Not anymore. Since the pandemic they aren't producing the same medications as before and honestly, the side effects were worse than the actual disease and caused more problems."

Hannah let go of Mike's hand and was out of her chair and running up the steps to her bedroom before they could stop her. Tommy started fussing and Mallory got up to get him. Mike was not sure what to do. He knew Hannah needed her space but she also needed comfort.

"Mike, go. She needs you."

"You need to rest."

"I have tonight off. I have to work a twenty four starting tomorrow. Go. I'll be alright. I'll lay down when Tommy takes his nap."

"If you're sure?"

"Positive, go."

Mike grabbed Hannah's cat, Socks and headed up the steps. He could hear Hannah crying and it made him want to cry. She had left the door open and was lying on her bed. Mike sat the cat down and sit down on the bed, pulling Hannah as close as she would allow. He wasn't even sure what to say to her so he just held her. The smell of the roses was even stronger and there was no explanation for it. While Mike was trying to give Hannah some personal space, the cat didn't care at all and had sit down basically on top of her.

"It's my fault. If I hadn't said that stuff…"

"No, no. Hannah, you didn't cause this."

"Then what other explanation do you have? Why does this crap keeping happening to me?"

"I don't have an explanation and I don't know why. I wish I did. But the one thing I am absolutely certain of is, you don't deserve this. No one does."

"It's not fair."

"No, it's not."

"So, what now?"

"We keep you warm to help with the pain. Minimize the stress. Uncle Tom's sister had Lupus too. She lived a normal life, played sports, went to college, got married, and worked a high stress job. I have no doubt that you can do all those things too. I know this seems like a horrible thing and you have a right to everyone emotion you're feeling but the one thing I am adamant that you don't feel is that this is your fault or that you deserve it."

"What happened to his sister?"

"Tom hasn't been able to find her since the Red Flu."

"We should try and find her. I'd like to talk to her if she's still alive."

"I was thinking that too."

"I'll see what I can do. I remember Dana and I am sure she would love to talk to you, provided that she is alive."

"I hope so. Not necessarily just so she will talk to me but it would be nice for Uncle Tom. That's more important."

"I agree. Let's go downstairs in my office? I can't remember her married name but I can look it up."

"Okay."

Mike was immensely proud of her. She was still emotional and in pain but she was focusing on something else. He just prayed that he would be able to find Dana. Not only for Hannah but also for Tom. It would be a nice thing for someone who had done so much for Mike. They walked down the stairs and Mallory was sound asleep on the couch, holding a still awake Tommy. Mike shook her awake and took Tommy. Mallory stood up and hugged Hannah tightly. Mike explained what they were doing and that he would look after Tommy. She gave them both a kiss and headed upstairs. Hannah took Tommy and they all went into the office.

Mike found Dana's married name with little problem and then found that she was working as a supervisor at the St. Louis County 9-1-1 center. He called Tom to let him know they were running an errand and when they got back Emma and Sailor could come back. Hannah got herself and Tommy bundled up and they all headed for the 9-1-1 center. She had to have her oxygen and it was a chore toting it around and Tommy was not wild about the cold. Mike just hoped that Dana was working.

The 9-1-1 center was buzzing with activity. He explained the situation to the lady at the front desk, telling her that if Dana was working and had time he'd like to talk to her and was an old family friend. She got them settled in a reception room. He noticed the sympathetic look she gave Hannah before she left the room. Hannah looked pretty rough. She was pale, her eyes were red rimmed and the rash on her cheeks looked horrible. It had been years since he had seen Dana last but could hear her voice giving directions before walking into the room. She hadn't changed at all. Her blonde hair was in a bun with minimal make up and jewelry, wearing a pair of khaki BDU's, a dark blue long sleeved polo and boots. But what really caught his attention was the fact that she looked like the picture of health.

"Mike, wow. I was shocked when I heard you were here. I've tried to find Tom. I know he's famous now, but so hard to find and get in touch with. Who is this cute little guy? And no way, this is Hannah? Last time I saw you, you were about eight." Mike gave her a big hug and they all settled down.

"This is Tommy and yes this is Hannah. I can get you in touch with Tom. I was thinking, we'd have you over for dinner and it be a surprise for Tom. What are doing tonight?"

"Well considering you're wearing a wedding band and that little guy has to have a drop dead gorgeous mom, not going on a date with you!"

"You were always a flirt, Dana. And yes, his mom is gorgeous. Christine was killed and it took me a while to find the girls. Hannah and Emma were on the streets and she got pretty sick. I do have selfish reasons for asking you to dinner though, Hannah was diagnosed with Lupus and when I mentioned it to Tom, and he told me a bit of your story. I was hoping you'd talk to her." Dana looked over towards Hannah who was looking at her hands. Instead of sympathy, there was something else in her eyes. She smiled at Mike and patted Hannah's knee.

"Of course. I can't right now but tonight is a good time. Give me your address and I can be there at six. What do I need to bring?"

"Just yourself. No need to dress up. We're a pretty informal bunch."

"Alright. How's Tom? I had heard about Dad but nothing else."

"Darian died, Sam and Ashley are okay. Tom remarried a woman named Sasha and they have two more kids. Jed and Sarah Elizabeth. Live across the street from me."

"Awesome. I hate that about Darian but is it the same Sasha he dated years ago?"

"Yes."

"Wow. Can't wait to meet her. And you're super model too."

"She could be but she's modest. She's a resident. Will be a pediatrician."

"Beauty and brains. And she makes pretty babies."

"Agreed on all accounts."

Mike gave her his address and helped Hannah back into her coat. He grabbed the Tommy's car seat and they headed out the door. Hannah seemed a bit overwhelmed with Dana's vibrant personality. Dana hadn't changed much at all. Still outspoken and full of energy. Mike was looking forward to seeing the reunion between Tom and Dana.