Chapter 148
Within moments Krystal was sound asleep and Dr. Vossen was at work obtaining bone marrow. He was an hour into surgery on Krystal and from the looks of things, would need at least forty-five more minutes. "How's she doing Van Meter?" Vossen asked the anesthetist.
"Good, a little drop in blood pressure back there, but she's just fine now. How much longer do you estimate?" he asked checking all the instruments.
"I would say about forty-five minutes. Do you see any problems?"
"No, doctor, she'll be fine," he adjusted the anesthesia to be sure Krystal was out for at least another hour.
"Nurse start the blood transfusion, she'll need it by the time we're done," Dr. Vossen nodded to his surgical nurse. "How is Krista, doing?"
Upstairs in the operating room at 9:l5 AM Dr. Vossen finished with Krystal. "Not bad for not getting started on time," replied Dr. Vossen. "Someone roll her down to recovery and watch her closely. I'm going to scrub up, go next door, and start with Krista. Be careful with that bone marrow. If we had to do this again it would be too late for Krista to make it as it is we only have a 50/50 chance."
Going into the operating room where Krista waited, he asked, "Krista, are you ready to begin?"
"Sure doc...just remember your peppermint supply depends on me living!"
"I'm really not worried about that at the moment, Krista. You ready to go under? Just lay back and relax. Krystal, came through just fine, by the way," he explained. "Shut your eyes. Now Mr. Van Meter you may proceed."
"Remember, none of your painkillers, doc, and kiss Krystal for me, just don't let Tom know!"
"Shut your eyes, Krista or they'll dry out and be sore when you wake up. I'll see what I can do for your sister. Now shut them!" ordered Dr. Vossen.
"That's it-limited supply of peppermint for you!" she grumbled and closed her eyes
"Let me know when she's completely under Mr. Van Meter," requested Vossen. "Then we'll begin."
"She's asleep now, Olaf, if you're ready to start," Van Meter advised.
"Thank you, Richard. Alright as the Americans say, lets rock and roll." Using the little instrument, he drilled six tiny holes around Krista's pelvic area. Then, he took the bone marrow, and using needles and syringes, he injected the holes slowly until he had used all two pints of bone marrow he had taken from Krystal. Covering each of the six sites with plasters to hold in the marrow he asked, "How's she doing Richard?"
"Strange, same as her sister. Her blood pressure dropped the same, it came right back up, and then no problem. She has been doing fine since then," said the anesthetist shaking his head.
"Great! Give her a blood transfusion just like Krystal and roll her on down to the recovery room. Not bad-11:45 AM and both twins doing well," smiled Vossen leaving the operating room. "I'll need to
clean up and go down to the waiting room and tell the two men."
"So are their men identical twins too?" joked Richard.
"Well they are both bald and Admirals. Only difference is one has a mustache and the other is the JAG," laughed Dr. Vossen.
"Krista asked her if she would help you raise the baby if the worst happened. Krystal is afraid that you'll not want her around if Krista does die, because they look so alike and it would hurt you too much."
"Damn, Tom, why won't the woman stop talking about dying? But if she did die, seeing Krystal would probably hurt for a while, but then it would give me joy seeing her with our baby. It would be almost like seeing Krista caring for our child. I appreciate the fact that Krystal wants to help; but she may have to give me a little time. I just don't know. Lets play it by ear," AJ replied rubbing his tired moist eyes.
"Will do buddy, and just know that whatever happens both Krys and I will be here for you!"
To be continued…