17. Message
6:22pm, Sun, 5 May
Amazing. God is amazing. There is an email in my inbox when I return home.
"Congratulations," it begins. Now an email that begins like this, provided it’s not from a spammer, is always exciting.
"Congratulations Mr. Bel, after careful consideration of all the applicants we are pleased to offer you the job of Creative Director at Advantage Media..."
I don't even read the rest, I'm so excited I jump up to go and tell Dana. What a weekend! Wow!
"Congratulations," it begins. Now an email that begins like this, provided it’s not from a spammer, is always exciting.
"Congratulations Mr. Bel, after careful consideration of all the applicants we are pleased to offer you the job of Creative Director at Advantage Media..."
I don't even read the rest, I'm so excited I jump up to go and tell Dana. What a weekend! Wow!
8:13am, Mon, 6 May
"Dana," I call from the shower, "can you bring my blue shirt when you come back?" There's no response. After half dressing I dash to the small laundry room to find my shirt. While putting it on I notice Dana is sitting sipping a cup of tea in the kitchen. "Are you OK?" I ask looking at her. "Yeah, why?" she replies. "Just that I called a few times and you didn't hear. No problem, I just thought you were coming back to the room. Are you sure you’re OK. You look tired."
"Sorry Malo, I’m fine. I must have been deep in thought," she replies. "Are you all sorted for your meeting today?"
"Yeah," I reply. "I'm sure I can reach agreement on a salary with Advantage Media today. And you, what are your plans today?"
"Well," Dana replies, " I've got a meeting with Mom's who Knit, at ten." I smile. I can't help it. Every time I hear about "moms who knit" I have a vision of old grannies sitting around knitting. However it's a charity that knits blankets that get given to homeless people all over the world. Dana, while more than capable at knitting, helps manage the projects.
"Yeah," she continues, "your favorite old people's activity. Then I am popping in to see Dr Aldridge, and then..."
"What?" I interrupt. "Why are you going to the doctor? Are you sick?"
"I'm fine Malo. I need to have an annual check up, like you should too. I've been feeling a bit tired lately and I also want him to check my back, and so I decided to do the check up now. After that I am hoping to talk to the agent about putting an offer in on the barn, and then I am meeting Jeanie to discuss my dance studio ideas with her."
"Wow, and I thought I was busy," I say smiling at her. "How about us doing a Bible reading and a prayer before we set out on our day's adventures?"
"That's a great idea," Dana replies. "Is this part of your new resolutions list?"
"No,” I reply, “I've dumped those. “Today I just want to hear what God has to say. It's hard to explain, I almost feel excited like I used to feel when I received letters from you when you were away. There's a thrill I can't explain."
Dana smiles, and grabbing my hand says, "Lets pray."
"Sorry Malo, I’m fine. I must have been deep in thought," she replies. "Are you all sorted for your meeting today?"
"Yeah," I reply. "I'm sure I can reach agreement on a salary with Advantage Media today. And you, what are your plans today?"
"Well," Dana replies, " I've got a meeting with Mom's who Knit, at ten." I smile. I can't help it. Every time I hear about "moms who knit" I have a vision of old grannies sitting around knitting. However it's a charity that knits blankets that get given to homeless people all over the world. Dana, while more than capable at knitting, helps manage the projects.
"Yeah," she continues, "your favorite old people's activity. Then I am popping in to see Dr Aldridge, and then..."
"What?" I interrupt. "Why are you going to the doctor? Are you sick?"
"I'm fine Malo. I need to have an annual check up, like you should too. I've been feeling a bit tired lately and I also want him to check my back, and so I decided to do the check up now. After that I am hoping to talk to the agent about putting an offer in on the barn, and then I am meeting Jeanie to discuss my dance studio ideas with her."
"Wow, and I thought I was busy," I say smiling at her. "How about us doing a Bible reading and a prayer before we set out on our day's adventures?"
"That's a great idea," Dana replies. "Is this part of your new resolutions list?"
"No,” I reply, “I've dumped those. “Today I just want to hear what God has to say. It's hard to explain, I almost feel excited like I used to feel when I received letters from you when you were away. There's a thrill I can't explain."
Dana smiles, and grabbing my hand says, "Lets pray."
1:40 pm, Mon, 6 May
Wow, that went well. I've got a job again. It seems crazy after running my own company for so many years. But in a way I'm relieved. No employee issues. No bank manager issues. No client issues. I can just enjoy what I do well - being creative. The job starts 1 June, so I have a couple of weeks to sort things out before I get back into the work life.
I see an email from Professional Investments saying that there will be a delay on any further payments due to certain conditions not having been met. I knew they would do that. I just knew it. I still can't get over what Randle did, and that idiot Dewati.
I see an email from Professional Investments saying that there will be a delay on any further payments due to certain conditions not having been met. I knew they would do that. I just knew it. I still can't get over what Randle did, and that idiot Dewati.
2:13 pm, Mon, 6 May
My phone rings, it’s Dana. “Hi Dana, how’s everything?” I ask.
"Malo, don't stress, but Dr Aldridge checked me into the hospital."
Naturally I stress immediately.
"What!" I exclaim. "Are you in the hospital? What do you mean?" I ask in a panic.
"Don't worry. I’m sure it's nothing serious," Dana replies in a soothing tone.
"Not serious?" I reply, my heart racing, "why in the world would you be in the hospital if it’s not serious? Where are you?” I ask, all the euphoria of the day melting from me. "I'm in Bethesda Medical center, you know, downtown next to Dr Aldridge's rooms."
"I'm on my way," I say as I race towards my car.
"Lord," I pray, "please, please, please don't do anything to Dana. Please!"
"Malo, don't stress, but Dr Aldridge checked me into the hospital."
Naturally I stress immediately.
"What!" I exclaim. "Are you in the hospital? What do you mean?" I ask in a panic.
"Don't worry. I’m sure it's nothing serious," Dana replies in a soothing tone.
"Not serious?" I reply, my heart racing, "why in the world would you be in the hospital if it’s not serious? Where are you?” I ask, all the euphoria of the day melting from me. "I'm in Bethesda Medical center, you know, downtown next to Dr Aldridge's rooms."
"I'm on my way," I say as I race towards my car.
"Lord," I pray, "please, please, please don't do anything to Dana. Please!"
2:47 pm, Mon, 6 May
"Dana Bel," I say to the white dressed nurse sitting at the reception. "What room is she in?" The nurse looks at her computer and after a moment she says in a formal voice, "B3."
I look at her confused. How am I meant to know what that means. After a moment she adds, "third floor, room B," and then returns to the form she was completing.
I quickly find the lift, but after noticing it is on the fifth floor I decide to take the stairs. Running up them two at a time I arrive at the third floor a little out of breath. I quickly locate room B and race in.
Dana is lying on the bed closest to the window. Three other beds are in the room but only two others are occupied. I race over to Dana's bed. "What's wrong?" I ask, trying my best to sound calm. Dana turns from looking out the window and beams her smile at me.
"Malo!" She exclaims. "That was quick. Hope you didn't speed."
I ignore her comment and ask again, "What's wrong Dana, why are you here?"
"I don't think it's too serious," she says. But her eyes betray her. "It's just a check up because Dr. Aldridge wants to check my kidneys."
"Your kidneys!" I exclaim. "Why what's wrong with your kidneys?"
"Nothing I hope," she says, "it's just that he wants to check things."
“I don’t understand. Why would there be something wrong with your kidneys? You’re fine. You don’t have kidney problems!”
Just then Dr Aldridge walks in. "Hi Dana," he says in his soothing controlled voice. "Are you comfortable?"
Before she can answer I reply, "Dr Aldridge, what's wrong with Dana?"
He turns and fixes me with his beady eyes staring over his half rim glasses. "Aah, Malo. It's been awhile. How are you?" he asks.
"Fine," I reply curtly, "What's wrong with Dana?"
"Dana has symptoms that are indicative of ARF or acute renal failure," he says looking at me as though I should know what he is talking about.
"What's that mean?" I exclaim feeling my face flushing. I don’t like words like ‘acute’ and ‘failure’ in the same sentence.
He pauses for a moment, which does little to calm me if that is his intention. He then continues, "Looking at her symptoms, back pain, tiredness, little urine when urinating, decreased appetite, nausea, and so on, I'm concerned she may be exhibiting signs of kidney failure. Has she experienced unusual memory loss of late?" he asks looking at me.
My mind is a blur. "Um, I'm not sure," I say as I try and process what he is saying. “Memory loss? Um…” As I think about it I realize she has been more forgetful than usual. "Yes, maybe," I reply. "But what does it all mean?"
"Don't worry Malo. We are just going to do some blood tests that will measure Dana's creatinine and GFR levels. These will tell us what is going on." He then turns to Dana. "Dana, the results will be back early tomorrow. I think, just to keep you comfortable, that it is best if you stay here tonight." With a nod to me he turns and leaves the ward.
Dana can see the stress in my face, but I know that I really need to stay calm, as this is Dana who is unwell, it’s not about me. So after a while I joke feebly, “As we said, we would have adventures today.”
I then tell Dana all about my meeting with Advantage Media. We sit for a long time and chat about the barn and Dana’s plans and what we must do before I return to work. I finally kiss her and head home to try and get some sleep.
I look at her confused. How am I meant to know what that means. After a moment she adds, "third floor, room B," and then returns to the form she was completing.
I quickly find the lift, but after noticing it is on the fifth floor I decide to take the stairs. Running up them two at a time I arrive at the third floor a little out of breath. I quickly locate room B and race in.
Dana is lying on the bed closest to the window. Three other beds are in the room but only two others are occupied. I race over to Dana's bed. "What's wrong?" I ask, trying my best to sound calm. Dana turns from looking out the window and beams her smile at me.
"Malo!" She exclaims. "That was quick. Hope you didn't speed."
I ignore her comment and ask again, "What's wrong Dana, why are you here?"
"I don't think it's too serious," she says. But her eyes betray her. "It's just a check up because Dr. Aldridge wants to check my kidneys."
"Your kidneys!" I exclaim. "Why what's wrong with your kidneys?"
"Nothing I hope," she says, "it's just that he wants to check things."
“I don’t understand. Why would there be something wrong with your kidneys? You’re fine. You don’t have kidney problems!”
Just then Dr Aldridge walks in. "Hi Dana," he says in his soothing controlled voice. "Are you comfortable?"
Before she can answer I reply, "Dr Aldridge, what's wrong with Dana?"
He turns and fixes me with his beady eyes staring over his half rim glasses. "Aah, Malo. It's been awhile. How are you?" he asks.
"Fine," I reply curtly, "What's wrong with Dana?"
"Dana has symptoms that are indicative of ARF or acute renal failure," he says looking at me as though I should know what he is talking about.
"What's that mean?" I exclaim feeling my face flushing. I don’t like words like ‘acute’ and ‘failure’ in the same sentence.
He pauses for a moment, which does little to calm me if that is his intention. He then continues, "Looking at her symptoms, back pain, tiredness, little urine when urinating, decreased appetite, nausea, and so on, I'm concerned she may be exhibiting signs of kidney failure. Has she experienced unusual memory loss of late?" he asks looking at me.
My mind is a blur. "Um, I'm not sure," I say as I try and process what he is saying. “Memory loss? Um…” As I think about it I realize she has been more forgetful than usual. "Yes, maybe," I reply. "But what does it all mean?"
"Don't worry Malo. We are just going to do some blood tests that will measure Dana's creatinine and GFR levels. These will tell us what is going on." He then turns to Dana. "Dana, the results will be back early tomorrow. I think, just to keep you comfortable, that it is best if you stay here tonight." With a nod to me he turns and leaves the ward.
Dana can see the stress in my face, but I know that I really need to stay calm, as this is Dana who is unwell, it’s not about me. So after a while I joke feebly, “As we said, we would have adventures today.”
I then tell Dana all about my meeting with Advantage Media. We sit for a long time and chat about the barn and Dana’s plans and what we must do before I return to work. I finally kiss her and head home to try and get some sleep.
8:41 pm, Mon, 6 May
Empty.
Empty home.
Empty heart.
Empty home.
Empty heart.
10:32 pm, Mon, 6 May
"Please Lord, please let Dana be OK. I love her. She is so beautiful. Beautiful in every way possible. Please hear me."
1:40 am, Tue, 7 May
I can't sleep.
I open the Bible next to my bed.
It's not like it used to be.
Somehow I want to read these words. They feel like words from...from...not a distant power, but from my own Dad.
"You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry." I've opened Dad's letter to Psalms 10:17.
"Please Lord," I pray. "Please listen to my cry."
I continue reading, feeding on these living Spirit-filled words.
Psalm 11 starts, "In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain."
A bird in the mountain?
My mind is transported back to the peace, the serenity of my sunbird in that special mountain place. Somehow I just know Jesus is with me.
I open the Bible next to my bed.
It's not like it used to be.
Somehow I want to read these words. They feel like words from...from...not a distant power, but from my own Dad.
"You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry." I've opened Dad's letter to Psalms 10:17.
"Please Lord," I pray. "Please listen to my cry."
I continue reading, feeding on these living Spirit-filled words.
Psalm 11 starts, "In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain."
A bird in the mountain?
My mind is transported back to the peace, the serenity of my sunbird in that special mountain place. Somehow I just know Jesus is with me.
7:12 am, Tue, 7 May
I call Dana but she says I should come after 9 when the doctor has seen her and the traffic is less hectic.
8:55 am, Tue, 7 May
I can't wait for 9am. I walk briskly into Dana's room trying to look calm. "Has he been?" I ask.
"Good morning, Malo she says, fixing her blue eyes on me. "How did you sleep?"
"Fine thanks," I reply automatically, before adding, "well, not so fine. How can I sleep fine when you're here? And how was your night?"
"Not bad considering..." she replies.
"Considering what?" I quickly ask.
"Considering," and she leans closer to me and whispers, "the lady in the bed opposite me...Don't stare at her," she quickly adds, "well she's a snorer."
"Oh!" I say feeling relieved.
"The results aren't back yet,” she says, “Apparently they'll know more after 11."
"Good morning, Malo she says, fixing her blue eyes on me. "How did you sleep?"
"Fine thanks," I reply automatically, before adding, "well, not so fine. How can I sleep fine when you're here? And how was your night?"
"Not bad considering..." she replies.
"Considering what?" I quickly ask.
"Considering," and she leans closer to me and whispers, "the lady in the bed opposite me...Don't stare at her," she quickly adds, "well she's a snorer."
"Oh!" I say feeling relieved.
"The results aren't back yet,” she says, “Apparently they'll know more after 11."
9:17 am, Tue, 7 May
Across the road from the hospital is Kairos' Café. I pop in to grab a quick bite to eat. I didn't stop for breakfast on the way out and as Dana seems happy I grab the opportunity. The black and white theme seems rather drab although I'm sure it's meant to be retro.
Black and white posters showing scenes from yesteryear clutter the walls. I seat myself at one of the plastic covered, black and white striped eating booths and glance at the menu. Even though I've missed breakfast I'm still not that hungry.
A short, plump waitress comes to take my order.
“Too much café food,” I think sardonically to myself.
"I'll just have a coffee and your French toast please," I say. She leaves and I stare blankly at the posters. People long dead. Scenes from another era. How was it for them?
Black and white posters showing scenes from yesteryear clutter the walls. I seat myself at one of the plastic covered, black and white striped eating booths and glance at the menu. Even though I've missed breakfast I'm still not that hungry.
A short, plump waitress comes to take my order.
“Too much café food,” I think sardonically to myself.
"I'll just have a coffee and your French toast please," I say. She leaves and I stare blankly at the posters. People long dead. Scenes from another era. How was it for them?
11:51 am, Tue, 7 May
Finally Dr Aldridge arrives clutching a folder under his arm. He looks at me over his glasses as he approaches, but turns and speaks to Dana. "How did you sleep?" he asks.
"Fine thanks," Dana replies. She doesn't mention the snorer.
"That's good. I have the results back." He opens the folder and looks at them. "It seems the results are a little worse than I expected."
"What do you mean?" I blurt out.
"Dana's glomerular filtration rate is not what I had hoped. It's indicative of acute renal distress and potential kidney malfunction."
The way he says it makes it sound like he's talking about a car not Dana. Dana just sits there calmly looking at him. I feel the sweat break out on my brow and my heart beating faster.
"What do you mean?" I ask again. "What must we do?"
"These are preliminary results," Dr Aldridge continues, "and I've ordered more tests. However we need to get Dana on a dialysis machine today to stabilize her condition. Then once we have done more tests we can make decisions."
"What do you mean 'decisions'?" I ask curtly.
"Malo," Dr Aldridge says looking at me over his glasses, "lets just get the results back. Most important is that Dana rests." With a smile at Dana he turns and leaves. Before I can say anything Dana says grinning at me, "What a bargain. I get to enjoy some more chill out time."
"Fine thanks," Dana replies. She doesn't mention the snorer.
"That's good. I have the results back." He opens the folder and looks at them. "It seems the results are a little worse than I expected."
"What do you mean?" I blurt out.
"Dana's glomerular filtration rate is not what I had hoped. It's indicative of acute renal distress and potential kidney malfunction."
The way he says it makes it sound like he's talking about a car not Dana. Dana just sits there calmly looking at him. I feel the sweat break out on my brow and my heart beating faster.
"What do you mean?" I ask again. "What must we do?"
"These are preliminary results," Dr Aldridge continues, "and I've ordered more tests. However we need to get Dana on a dialysis machine today to stabilize her condition. Then once we have done more tests we can make decisions."
"What do you mean 'decisions'?" I ask curtly.
"Malo," Dr Aldridge says looking at me over his glasses, "lets just get the results back. Most important is that Dana rests." With a smile at Dana he turns and leaves. Before I can say anything Dana says grinning at me, "What a bargain. I get to enjoy some more chill out time."
9:18 pm, Tue, 7 May
Alone again. Hopefully I will sleep better tonight.
1:07 pm, Wed, 8 May
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
"What do you think about that?" I ask Dana as I sit next to her bed reading the Bible. The dialysis machine is attached to her but we still haven't heard about the final tests.
"It's beautiful," she replies wistfully. She almost has a faraway look. I'm not sure if it’s the dialysis that is making her tired or just her deep contemplation.
"It's beautiful to be new," she continues. "I love the smell of new. New clothing, new carpet, new baby, new flowers in spring. What it means to be new cannot be explained, it can only be experienced."
"I think I know what you mean," I reply. "I'd read about Jesus, I'd heard about Jesus, but now I've met Jesus. Whatever that means I can't really explain. But what it's done I can certainly feel. I've journeyed from knowing of him to knowing him, from working for him to working in him, from following because I must, to following because I love. You're right Dana, being new is just amazing and I'm loving the smell."
"What do you think about that?" I ask Dana as I sit next to her bed reading the Bible. The dialysis machine is attached to her but we still haven't heard about the final tests.
"It's beautiful," she replies wistfully. She almost has a faraway look. I'm not sure if it’s the dialysis that is making her tired or just her deep contemplation.
"It's beautiful to be new," she continues. "I love the smell of new. New clothing, new carpet, new baby, new flowers in spring. What it means to be new cannot be explained, it can only be experienced."
"I think I know what you mean," I reply. "I'd read about Jesus, I'd heard about Jesus, but now I've met Jesus. Whatever that means I can't really explain. But what it's done I can certainly feel. I've journeyed from knowing of him to knowing him, from working for him to working in him, from following because I must, to following because I love. You're right Dana, being new is just amazing and I'm loving the smell."
3:35 pm, Wed, 8 May
Dana's asleep but I've noticed the person - the snorer - across from her is just sitting doing nothing. I wander across to her bed and say, "Hi, I'm Malo. How are you feeling today?"
She looks up with a sad face.
Suddenly her aged, sad face is shattered by a smile breaking across it, like dawn ending the darkness of night.
"Hello," she says in a full throaty voice. "I've been watching you two. You have a beautiful wife. A beauty deeper than what is seen. Treasure her."
"Thanks," I reply, "I certainly do. Well at least I certainly am now treasuring her. I'm not sure I always did...So why are you here?" I ask trying to turn the conversation away from me.
"Age, I suppose," she says. "It gets us all eventually. But I'm OK. Just the bladder with a few problems," she says as she shifts a little in the bed. I notice a slight grimace of pain.
"So do you have any family around?" I ask.
"I had a son," she says, "her eyes going slightly distant as she seems to recall him. I notice she said ‘had’ and so I say nothing, not wanting to bring up any painful memories. However she continues.
"He was a good boy. He loved the outdoors. He loved fishing. He would always bring me fresh fish when he returned. It was so delicious, I loved sharing those meals with him...." Again she trails off as she is lost in thought. I look down and her hand is in mine. Her eyes glisten. "He never came back from that fishing trip."
She sighs. A single tear runs down her cheek. He never came back."
I sit there silently holding her hand.
"Can I pray with you?" I ask. Her eyes brighten, and she replies. "That would be nice. Very nice."
I pray. "Dad, thank you for always caring, always providing, always being there."
She looks up with a sad face.
Suddenly her aged, sad face is shattered by a smile breaking across it, like dawn ending the darkness of night.
"Hello," she says in a full throaty voice. "I've been watching you two. You have a beautiful wife. A beauty deeper than what is seen. Treasure her."
"Thanks," I reply, "I certainly do. Well at least I certainly am now treasuring her. I'm not sure I always did...So why are you here?" I ask trying to turn the conversation away from me.
"Age, I suppose," she says. "It gets us all eventually. But I'm OK. Just the bladder with a few problems," she says as she shifts a little in the bed. I notice a slight grimace of pain.
"So do you have any family around?" I ask.
"I had a son," she says, "her eyes going slightly distant as she seems to recall him. I notice she said ‘had’ and so I say nothing, not wanting to bring up any painful memories. However she continues.
"He was a good boy. He loved the outdoors. He loved fishing. He would always bring me fresh fish when he returned. It was so delicious, I loved sharing those meals with him...." Again she trails off as she is lost in thought. I look down and her hand is in mine. Her eyes glisten. "He never came back from that fishing trip."
She sighs. A single tear runs down her cheek. He never came back."
I sit there silently holding her hand.
"Can I pray with you?" I ask. Her eyes brighten, and she replies. "That would be nice. Very nice."
I pray. "Dad, thank you for always caring, always providing, always being there."
5:21 pm, Wed, 8 May
I'm back in Kairos' Café across the road from the hospital. The black and white photos are even less inspiring and in some way represent my mood. A strange mix of grief and joy, dark and light. The additional test results have still not come back, but as I've hardly eaten today I pop down to satisfy that basic human need.
"What will it be?" a friendly voice says next to me, snapping me back to reality. I've been staring at the menu but not even reading it. I look up. It's the same short, plump dark-haired waitress from before. “Is she here all day?” I wonder. "Um," I say looking back at the menu. "What soup do you have today?" I ask, not really feeling like much else.
"Pumpkin," she replies. I wait for more but she is silent, obviously indicating that is it.
"Oh, OK. I'll have pumpkin soup then. And also a glass of water please." She makes a note on the pad she's holding and turns and shuffles off.
"What will it be?" a friendly voice says next to me, snapping me back to reality. I've been staring at the menu but not even reading it. I look up. It's the same short, plump dark-haired waitress from before. “Is she here all day?” I wonder. "Um," I say looking back at the menu. "What soup do you have today?" I ask, not really feeling like much else.
"Pumpkin," she replies. I wait for more but she is silent, obviously indicating that is it.
"Oh, OK. I'll have pumpkin soup then. And also a glass of water please." She makes a note on the pad she's holding and turns and shuffles off.
5:55 pm, Wed, 8 May
My phone buzzes. One new message from Dana. I click “Read”.
"Malo. The results are back. Whatever happens, remember Jesus is here. Love you. Dana x"
I dump some money on the table and dash out the door.
"Malo. The results are back. Whatever happens, remember Jesus is here. Love you. Dana x"
I dump some money on the table and dash out the door.
6:07 pm, Wed, 8 May
"So," says Dr Eldridge looking at his folder through his glasses. "The new results have confirmed the previous diagnosis. I have spoken to Dr Parkin, a Nephrologist about the results. Unfortunately it seems the acute glomerular disorders in the kidney are resulting in rapidly deteriorating kidney function. His prognosis is..."
"Sorry!" I interrupt. "Please just tell us in English. What are you saying?"
He fixes me with a look, and then firmly says, "I'm saying that Dana will need a new kidney."
"Well then let's get her one," I snap. "What are we waiting for?"
"It's not as simple as that," Dr Aldridge replies. If you have a family member who is a correct match and willing to donate a kidney then that option can be explored. This is usually unlikely. In which case Dana's name needs to be added to the Kidney Donor waiting list, and she will have to wait until a suitable donor is found."
"How long does that take?" I ask.
"It depends," Dr Aldridge continues. "Anything from a few months to a more likely three to five years."
"Five years!" I blurt. "That’s crazy. What? And she just dies in the meantime?"
"No, Malo. She will just require regular dialysis treatment. However the longer the wait the more frequent we will need to do dialysis as her kidney function deteriorates."
"Well then we just have to get her a kidney then," I say.
The whole time I've been speaking to Dr Aldridge I've ignored Dana who has sat quietly in the bed listening. "Sorry Dana," I say. "I should have let you ask questions."
"You asked just the right questions," Dana replies with a slight smile that I can see is keeping tears at bay.
"Dana," Dr Aldridge says," I'll set up a dialysis schedule and get you registered on the donor lists and we will take it from there. Don't worry, everything will be fine."
He marches out leaving the two of us swirling in the vortex of the news.
Black and white...black...
"You know what," Dana says grabbing my hand, "I know Jesus is here! I'm excited to see what he has in stall for us on our journey.”
She pauses then says, “Let’s always remember him."
"Go to Dana Malo, she has a message for you. Remember me."
Yesh’s parting words explode in my brain like a flash of light.
Black and white...black and white...
"No Lord," I silently cry, "please don't take her away. Please."
"Sorry!" I interrupt. "Please just tell us in English. What are you saying?"
He fixes me with a look, and then firmly says, "I'm saying that Dana will need a new kidney."
"Well then let's get her one," I snap. "What are we waiting for?"
"It's not as simple as that," Dr Aldridge replies. If you have a family member who is a correct match and willing to donate a kidney then that option can be explored. This is usually unlikely. In which case Dana's name needs to be added to the Kidney Donor waiting list, and she will have to wait until a suitable donor is found."
"How long does that take?" I ask.
"It depends," Dr Aldridge continues. "Anything from a few months to a more likely three to five years."
"Five years!" I blurt. "That’s crazy. What? And she just dies in the meantime?"
"No, Malo. She will just require regular dialysis treatment. However the longer the wait the more frequent we will need to do dialysis as her kidney function deteriorates."
"Well then we just have to get her a kidney then," I say.
The whole time I've been speaking to Dr Aldridge I've ignored Dana who has sat quietly in the bed listening. "Sorry Dana," I say. "I should have let you ask questions."
"You asked just the right questions," Dana replies with a slight smile that I can see is keeping tears at bay.
"Dana," Dr Aldridge says," I'll set up a dialysis schedule and get you registered on the donor lists and we will take it from there. Don't worry, everything will be fine."
He marches out leaving the two of us swirling in the vortex of the news.
Black and white...black...
"You know what," Dana says grabbing my hand, "I know Jesus is here! I'm excited to see what he has in stall for us on our journey.”
She pauses then says, “Let’s always remember him."
"Go to Dana Malo, she has a message for you. Remember me."
Yesh’s parting words explode in my brain like a flash of light.
Black and white...black and white...
"No Lord," I silently cry, "please don't take her away. Please."