Check-up With The Kidney Specialist...

This appointment was a very important one. It would be the one that said if Brayden was strong enough to once again start dance, and if he had to continue with dialysis. Brayden was nervous and so was Amanda. She wanted her son to be able to start to get back to his normal. Her ex had taken enough from him. God how she hated him. The kidney specialist had all sorts of blood work done on Brayden and was going over all the results that had been coming back. He also thought that this kid had been through hell for being just thirteen years old, being shot, having his kidneys screwed and shrapnel damaging not one but both of them.

He knocked on the door and came in.

"Hi Brayden, Hi Amanda. Sorry it took so long I was going over all the results from the blood work that I had done today on you Brayden. before I get into the results, Brayden how have you been feeling? Plus I do need to check your weight and your vitals."

As Brayden gets to his tank and boxer briefs he tells the doc that he's been feeling okay. More tired on the days he has dialysis. He hated that he needed to get bathroom passes all the time at school cause he always had to pee. Plus recently his side where all the surgery was had been giving him issues with pain and comfortability.

"Brayden you have lost some weight. You were at around 145 and you're down to 135. That's ten pounds. What have you been eating? Are you feeling weak, I know you said you've been tired and run down on dialysis days which is completely normal. Do you feel like that on days you don't have dialysis? Or for that fact maybe days before dialysis and I would imagine pretty crappy the day of and maybe even the day after."

Amanda was worried and she had every right to be. The doctor got into the results. It wasn't good but it wasn't fatal.

"So. Upon looking at your results Brayden. It looks like your good kidney developed 'chronic kidney disease' which is better known as 'CKD'. While there is treatment, there is currently no cure. It can last a few years or it can be lifelong. We can do medication as well as keep up with the dialysis. There is a possibility that it can lead up to renal failure which is also why I am going to put you on a list for a transplant. Amanda I know you're going out of your mind. I can reassure you that this is a liveable condition."

Amanda wiped her eyes. It was so much for her. This was her baby boy. Brayden saw her tear up. He knew this was serious, but he also wanted to know if he could still dance.

"Yes Brayden, you can still dance. You may have to take it easy with it, but yes you can dance. Don't overdo it and take a break when you need to. We can make that work Brayden, I know that means alot to you. As well as keeping as much of a normal life as you can."

He finished up, and had Amanda sign a few things especially with the transplant list. After they left, she took him home and he went right to his room. He just wanted to take in all of the news and updates he got today and not to mention still dealing with the fact that his own father had caused all of this.

Amanda stayed in the living room. She text Liv telling her she missed her and hoped to see her soon. Maybe for the weekend since it was going to be a long weekend.

Long Weekend... First dance class since diagnosis...

Brayden was excited and happy to get back to dance. School had been going okay, he was getting the swing of things and picking up when he had the dialysis. He hated that it wiped him out for the nights when he had it and he didn't do much. Amanda had dropped him off for his first night, of course checking and making sure he had everything.

"Ma... I love ya, I do. But yes I have everything. I promise. Stop worrying."

She laughed at him as he got out of the car. "Never gonna happen Bray. Good try though. I'll see ya after class."

"Ma can Noah and Olivia come over? They haven't been over for a while and I know you need a friend with my doctors visit. Plus we have court coming up and I'd like to spend time with him."

Amanda nodded "If he wants and if she wants. As long as you have someone to talk to I'm good my boy."

He went into his class. Amanda was happy that he was able to do what he so loved, and that Derek hadn't taken that away from him.

She drove around for a bit, just to try and relax. When she stopped to grab a coffee she took that moment to text Olivia.

"Olivia-

It's been a bit. I was wondering if you and Noah would like to come over for the weekend. Got news and I'd really like if I could have you around to talk to."

Olivia had just pulled into the parking lot of central park. She was just going to sit there and relax. Then she saw Amanda's message come through. She read the message, didn't respond for a bit. So that made Amanda anxious. All Amanda wanted was her best friend to come over and it seemed like any and every time lately Olivia was dragging her feet. So she sent another text.

"Olivia-

Look I don't know what is going on. You've been really distant again. I get it there's alot going on. I've needed you alot. I'm sorry. I would like it if you came over and just hung out with me, but it's fine. Since you haven't answered, can you at least let Noah come over and hang out with Brayden. It was a hard day for him and all he wants is to hang out with his best friend."

Olivia was just in her own world. After she read Amanda's second text she got annoyed. She needed time for herself. Granted she didn't mind being there with Amanda and being there for her. It had been a tough week at work.

"Amanda-

There's nothing going on. I have been busy. Yes it has been alot lately. Also found out that court is on monday. Ill ask Noah if he wants to come over after dance. As for me, I need some space Amanda, some time to myself."

Amanda got the message. She couldn't deny that she was hurt but that was how things were.

"Olivia-

I'm sorry to have been such a bother. You are the one person I thought I could let my guard down and actually need someone. I won't ask anymore. I'll tell Brayden that this weekend isn't a good weekend. Thanks for your time. Hope you have a good weekend and again I'm sorry for being an imposition. I won't anymore. All you had to say was it's too much and I need a break. This will be the last text for a while."

It was time to pick up Brayden from dance. She knew he was gonna ask about Noah coming over. This would be a fun night. Not. Olivia had gotten her text and just left it alone. Herself heading to get Noah. Brayden had asked Noah to come over. Noah wanted to, it was a long weekend and they hadn't spent alot of time together, especially since their moms were distant once again. Olivia however had gotten tired of the back and forth.

"Amanda-

Well, I find it odd that you said you didn't want to bother me Amanda. But yet you keep texting me. Seems a bit presumptuous don't you think?"

Amanda bit back the tears as she saw the latest text. She was doing what she didn't want to. She drove to the dance school to pick up Brayden. She was so hurt, where the hell did all of this fall apart? As she parked Fin called her and told her to make sure to get intouch with her lawyer since the trial was going to start on Monday. She parked where Brayden could easily see her when he came out. She saw Olivia pull in behind her. She resisted the urge to get out and go confront her. She was in her own little world when Brayden came out. When he got into the car he was a little winded.

"Hey Ma. So can Noah come over? He even asked me at dance. We wanna hang out. We haven't done it in a while."

Amanda took a deep breath. Her voice soft. "I don't know Bray. Olivia is mad at me for some reason. I know it shouldn't be taken out on you boys but. I mean you can ask her. He can come over if he likes. My door is always open."

Brayden understood. He felt bad for his mom. He knew his mom loved Olivia even if she wouldn't admit it cause she was scared. She looked at him, "You can text Liv or Noah and see. You have dialysis in the morning and thankfully it's the weekend."

Brayden sent Noah a text "My mama doesnt know what's going on yet again. Your mom is pissed off at her for some odd reason. My mom said you can come over if you can. Also the trial starts on Monday. Would be nice if you were there but with what is going on I dont know."

When they didn't hear anything from Noah, Amanda slowly took off. Noah watched them leave and scowled at his mother. "Mom, why all of this all the sudden. You and Amanda aren't on speaking terms and the two of you are preventing me and Brayden from hanging out? That's not fair nor very adult. Just because the two of you can't figure stuff out doesn't mean Brayden and I should have to suffer. This isn't right. I want to go to Brayden's and hang out and Amanda already said it was fine. If you wanna stay home and miserable without Amanda that's fine too, but I am thirteen and I don't have to suffer cause you two cant act like adults."

Olivia was pissed and hurt. Though her son did have some points she didn't appreciate him pointing out what she was doing. She said nothing but drove him to Amanda's. When they got there he looked at her.

"You gonna come in and talk to her? Mom I know you care about Amanda, I can see you are lost without her. You need to really sit and think about what you want. You can't keep lying to yourself or denying yourself love and you can't keep leading Amanda on either."

Olivia told him no. It was still too hostile and raw between her and Amanda and she really didn't want to ruin his time with Brayden. She made sure he got inside before taking off.

Amanda was happy and grateful, as Brayden needed his best friend. So she sent a simple text.

"Thank you for letting him come over. I appreciate it and Brayden does too. Just let me know when you want him ready tomorrow."