Where the Streets Have No Name
Chapter 48
"No... What does that mean? Am I sick?" Carmen asked with alarm.
"No, no, you're not sick. It means you tested positive for a genetic trait called SCT. That in itself is nothing to worry about. It just helps you to manage your baby's health care in the future," Dr. Miller said reassuringly.
"What's SCT?" Carmen asked.
"It's Sickle Cell Trait," Edward explained, circumventing Dr. Miller.
"That's right, Edward," agreed Dr. Miller as she picked up the thread from him. "It just means you are carrying a recessive, faulty gene that causes sickle cell anemia. You have nothing to worry about. You don't have the disease; you're only a carrier. There is a fifty percent chance that your baby could inherit the trait from you. In case she does, knowing this ahead of time would help her be prepared as an adult in making reproductive decisions. Of course, we are talking many, many years from now." She smiled.
"H-how can you be so sure my baby won't get the disease?" Carmen questioned.
"Because in order for sickle cell disease to manifest, your baby would need to inherit the faulty gene from both her parents," Dr. Miller explained. "I'm making an informed guess that Edward here doesn't have the trait. Thus, there's no risk of your baby inheriting the illness."
"But how do you know Edward isn't a carrier too? You didn't test him," Carmen asked, sounding suspicious.
"No, we didn't. That is true. I admit, as a physician I shouldn't be so presumptuous. But incidences of SCT or SCD are astronomically low among the caucasian population. Edward, what do you know about your genealogy?" Dr. Miller asked.
"My grandparents were Swedish-German from one side, and Irish on the other," Edward answered.
"And is there any chance that you might be adopted?"
"No, I'm fairly certain that I'm not." Edward laughed as he considered the possibility. He held too great a resemblance with his father to ever harbor such suspicion.
"Then the chances are close to nil that you are a carrier. Of course, you are very welcome to take a blood test to rule it out for certain. It would be one less thing to worry about," Dr. Miller stated.
Edward didn't think there was any pressing need for him to take the test, but he would to put Carmen's worries at rest. Especially given how distressed she looked in spite of Dr. Miller's explanation.
However, it was Carmen who rendered his decision useless. "No, that won't be necessary," she said decisively, then hastily concluded the session pleading fatigue.
She seemed particularly distracted that evening, but it didn't strike Edward as out of the ordinary.
A year later he would wish he had paid more attention.
*Sigh* I hope you see now why I didn't reply to your questions re SCT. Hope I'm forgiven:)
Thank you Lulabelle98, HeidiJoVT, and Dinx.
Please review. Work whipped my butt this week. I could really use some happy...