I know medically, this is all wrong. It'll be dropped very quickly.

Long Road Home

Chapter 7

"So, will it ever get better?" Mike asked Lloyd Milowsky as he looked at an x-ray of Katie's lungs.

"There is a great deal of scarring." Lloyd said.

"That can be fixed, though?" Mike continued.

"I can put her on medication that might repair some of it, but…she cannot remain on those meds forever. It'll ruin her immune system." Lloyd said.

"There has to be something!" Mike insisted.

"There is, but its not likely ever going to be a possibility." Lloyd said.

"What?" Mike asked.

"A lung transplant." Lloyd answered.

"They don't even allow blood donations anymore. Why would a lung transplant be any different?" Mike asked.

"The only possibility for a lung transplant is a familial donation. Frankly, you've smoked, and your wife and you would probably not be a match." Lloyd said.

"Just cigars and only occasionally. Why can't we?" Mike asked.

"Blood types, organ size…several different reasons." Lloyd answered.

"What about Hannah?" Mike continued.

"Mike, do you understand what a partial lung donation consists of?" Lloyd asked.

"No." Mike said.

"We would biopsy, test, examine Hannah—who is completely healthy. If she is a match to Katie, we would cut her open, take a lung and put it in Katie. We would take Katie's two diseased lungs out and put Hannah's healthy lung in. In turn, we would be subjecting Hannah to a lot of pain. She would be far more prone to disease. I can give Katie somewhat of a quality of life without subjecting either girl to this. You cannot endanger the health of one daughter to give the other her health back." Lloyd said.

"To me, the answer is simple and it would be selfish not to at least try and do this." Mike said.

"Talk to Christine quietly about it. I am going to advise strongly against it, and I am not sure I can ethically perform the surgery." Lloyd answered. Mike followed the other man out of the office, where they were greeted by Katie and Christine.

"Ready to go?" Mike asked.

"Let me know what you decide." Lloyd told them. They parted ways and Mike started the drive home. Katie eventually fell asleep, and Christine spoke up.

"What was that about?" Christine asked.

"Huh?" Mike asked.

"Dr. Milowsky said to let him know what was decided. What decision is there to make?" Christine asked.

"He said that he can medicate Katie to fix the scar tissue or there is another option, but he was not a fan of it. It seems like a good idea to me, but he is sure against it." Mike answered.

"What is it?" Christine asked.

"A partial lung donation. Hannah would give Katie a lung if she passes the examinations and tests. Dr. Milowsky said it would make Hannah more susceptible to disease. It seems like a viable option to me." Mike said.

"That is a terrible idea!" Christine told him a bit loudly, so much so that Katie stirred in the backseat.

"I don't understand." Mike said.

"Mike…is this because you can't connect with Hannah? You want to subject her to…being maimed? Honestly? I don't think Katie would ever allow it and Hannah would probably say yes because she wants to make her sister better. As their parents, we have to do the right thing for both girls." Christine asked.

"You make it seem like I don't love Hannah." Mike accused.

"I am beginning to wonder." Christine remarked. Mike shot her a dirty look in response. "Look…I think you want this for the right reason, but you are being short sighted. Katie would never want her sister to go through this. Hannah would want to do it for her sister, but she is young. I know you love Hannah, but you are really struggling with her and I am wondering if you think by…incapacitating her, you stand more of a chance." Christine explained.

"I would never want Hannah in pain." Mike said.

"I know, Mike. You don't want Hannah in pain. You just want Katie better so badly." Christine said.

"I don't want Hannah to ever feel responsible for her sister." Mike told her.

"How about we try the medication and if it doesn't have the desired result, we revisit this? And I will work on Hannah. But, Mike, this is not the answer. I think you wanted to make Hannah dependent on you." Christine answered.

"Why is it such a bad thing that I want my daughter to need and want me? When she was little…" Mike started.

"Because she is not little anymore, Mike. You have to accept Hannah as she is. Go to her level. She can't make it to your level. She's only fourteen. You did really good with her when you were working on the house." Christine insisted.

"I don't have anymore home repairs or furniture to build." Mike said.

"Then make things up. Even if you have to sell the furniture, it'll be time with your daughter, teaching her a skill she wants to learn." Christine answered.

They made the rest of the drive in near silence and Mike was thrilled to pull into his own driveway. Hannah had fixed them a frozen pizza and they ate quietly. Katie was exhausted. She tried to answer Hannah's questions but went to bed shortly after supper was cleaned up. Hannah had homework to do so she went upstairs. A few minutes after she went up, Mike stood at her door and watched her for a moment.

"What do you know about pie safes?" Mike asked.

"Not much." Hannah answered.

"Your mom wants one. Thought we might look at designs tomorrow." Mike said.

"Sounds good." Hannah said with a smile. Mike winked at her before leaving her bedroom door. Maybe Christine's plan was better then his.