Hey Readers! Here is the May update for this story. To the guest reviewer who told me I abandoned this story, I didn't. Perhaps you should read my little notes at the bottom of each chapter. I only update once each month because I work over 40 hrs most weeks. To those that are still reading, I hope you enjoy this chapter because there is a twist in it. We are getting to some of my favorite chapters for this story. Once again, I don't own Divergent, and all military-related mistakes are mine. Happy Reading!
Chapter 49: Appointment
The next morning, I wake up early and Tobias is gone to work already. My hand lazily stretches across the mattress, searching for him, only to find the bed cold and empty. I groan, my eyes glancing at the clock. It's July 7th at nine in the morning. I know I need to get up soon for my appointment. Maybe I should cancel it? I feel stupid for asking for a second opinion, but I need to know the truth once and for all: Am I unable to have a child as the original doctor told me?
As I am walking into the clinic, I am shaking from nerves, excitement, or a combination of both. When the nurse calls, "Tris," with a smile on her lips from behind a door. A brief thought crosses my mind: I think of running out the door, of attempting to find Tobias on this large base. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, and I don't run. I wish I had told Tobias what I planned on doing today, but I couldn't stand to see the look of disappointment on his face if the plan to start a family didn't work.
Goosebumps appear while I sit with a gown on a cold exam room table. I feel physically and emotionally exposed, waiting for the doctor to come in. I try to relax. I search my mind for a happy memory, one that will give me the strength to get through this appointment. A knock on the door sends my heart beating out of my chest. A blonde-haired, middle-aged woman enters the room with a smile gracing her lips, "Hello, you must be Tris." Her voice is gentle. She holds out her hand. I stare at her outstretched hand, not knowing what to do. She drops her hand, smiling, "My name is Dr. Jeanine Matthews. You had some concerns you wished to discuss with me at this appointment."
I hold my breath, gathering my courage, "I want to start a family with my husband. However, I, rather, we can't get pregnant." Dr. Matthews sits on the stool, asking, "Okay, when was the last time you had your period? Do you track your ovulation, or is the issue with your husband?" Quickly, I reply, "Nothing is wrong with Tobias. I have a medical condition that is preventing us from starting a family. You see, when I was younger, I was diagnosed with endometriosis and a low iron count." Dr. Matthews smiles, her voice professional. She folds her hands, and places them onto her lap, "Let's take this one step at a time. When was the last time you had some blood work done to test your iron level?" I search my mind for an answer. I mumble, "More than a year ago." She nods her head, "Okay, we will order some to check your iron levels. How long have you and your husband been trying for a baby?"
My cheeks heat at the invasive question. My eyes shoot to the floor. I can't look this woman in the eye while I answer, "Since he got home from deployment." Dr. Matthews makes a note on a pad of paper, asking, "Which was when?" I answer, "The beginning of June, but. . ." I answer automatically. Dr. Matthew sighs, interrupting, "Tris, it is only the beginning of July. It has only been a month. Your body might need some time. You might need some time." She stares at me, willing me to understand. I furrow my brow in frustration. Clearly, this woman hasn't read my chart! My words are measured, stating, "Even before he left for deployment, it's not like we were being careful." My cheeks heat at my admission with this woman I barely know. What would my mom think of this conversation?
Dr. Matthews stares, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, asking, "How long have you been married for?" Crossing my arms, I reply, "A little over a year, but things happened before we were married." I try to get my meaning across to her. She nods in understanding, "Okay, let's run some blood tests, Tris, and see what is going on. I would also like to do an exam if you are okay with that." I answer, "Sure. Also, you can run the iron test, but you are going to find my iron levels are great. I always take my pill every day."
Dr. Matthews begins to flip through the paper chart quickly, asking, "Who is prescribing these pills to you?" I answer, "My old doctor from California, the one on Pet-" my voice dies as I recall the doctor was on Peter's payroll. My mind rapidly fills with memories of Peter bringing me to the doctor at the age of seventeen and how Peter always picked up my pills from the pharmacy. He was always adamant I took my pills daily, on time, like taking one would keep me from getting pregnant. Dr. Matthews lightly smiles, "What is the name of your iron pill so that way I can take over the prescription for you?"
I lick my lips and jab my hands into my armpits, answering, "Exo-iron." Dr. Matthews's face drops at my words. Dr. Matthews cocks her head to the side, staring at me, asking, "Are you sure?" I nod, "Yes." She continues, "I have been in practice for years, and I have never heard of that supplement for iron." She picks up her phone to begin scrolling through it to search for the name of the pill I've been taking for years.
Moments later, she says, "Tris, I don't see anything called that on the US Drug Database that has been authorized by the FDA." Her eyes skate to mine, asking once again, "Are you sure that is the name of them?" I nod my head, grabbing my purse to retrieve the bottle, showing her the name. She goes back to her phone, searching for a minute. Suddenly, she gasps, "Stop taking those pills immediately. Whatever doctor has been prescribing them should be stripped of their license. That pill is illegal in the US; it thickens your uterus to the point if you take the pills enough, you will be unable to physically have children which is why the FDA didn't allow the medication to be sold. That medication was involved in a major drug bust a little more than a year ago when the mob got caught selling it on the black market. That pill was a birth control pill, not an iron pill. Apparently, the mob's leader by the name of Peter went to prison for only a week."
Angrily, I yell, "Son of a bitch! Do you have a lab in house?" Dr. Matthews looks at me like I have gone crazy, asking, "No, but I can send something out and have the results back tomorrow." Pointing at the bottle, I ask, "Can you test these for me to confirm if these are the cause of everything?" She smiles at me, "Sure, but first, you need to explain why you are taking these if you want children so badly, and who the hell gave them to you in the first place."
Frustration laces my voice, replying, "Let's just say, my ex-boyfriend was a bit of a crazy lunatic and might have been the leader of that mob who apparently went to jail for a week without my knowledge. I shouldn't have put it past him to do something as horrible as this to destroy my life. I can't believe Peter would do something like this. Why would a doctor prescribe this medication? What if the doctor wasn't even one?
Freezing as I think about all the possibilities my mind conjures. Dr. Matthews apologizes, "I'm sorry," breaking my thoughts. I mumble, "Let's get this examination over with." Dr. Matthews examines my body, poking and prodding with instruments I wished I never had to see again. During an ultrasound of my stomach, Dr. Matthews exclaims, "It seems Tris, you indeed have endometriosis, of the moderate to severe type. If you look right here," she points to a grainy black, white, and gray screen. I can't tell what I am looking at other than it's my internal organs. She continues, "Your tube on the right side is completely blocked, and the one on the left side is partially blocked."
As Dr. Matthews turns off the ultrasound, I sit up, feeling utterly defeated. She hands me a lab slip to get my blood drawn at another station in the office. I whisper, "Can it be fixed?" I try to hold in the tears that are threatening to fall.
"Maybe, first you need to stop taking that damn pill. Surgery will be needed to help clean up your insides. When you are on the mend, as long as your blood work comes back clean, we can begin to discuss the options of starting a family through the process of IVF if that is what you and your partner still want to do."
My mind doesn't process anything else she is saying. Excitedly, I ask, "Really? You are saying there is a possibility I can still carry a child?" Dr. Matthews smiles, "With a little luck and science." Feeling anxious, I ask, "When can we schedule surgery? When is the earliest date?" Dr. Matthews smirks, "After your blood work comes back, we can talk. I want you to come back to see me in a few weeks for a follow-up, and we can discuss any questions either you or your husband might have regarding this surgery." My voice is light with optimism replying, "Sounds good." When the doctor leaves the room, my brain begins to swirl while I dress, thinking about how I'm going to break the news to Tobias about my appointment today.
Thoughts and opinions on this chapter. Next chapter update will be up sometime in the month of June. See you all then.