20. The End
6:17 pm, Fri, 24 May
"I've really been enjoying reading Galatians," I say to Dana as I sit next to her bed. I've sneaked some of our favorite Chinese food in and am surreptitiously sharing it with her from under my Bible. “Why not enjoy our Friday takeaway,” I said to her when I revealed my hidden stash.
Dana giggled, like a mischievous kid, as she quickly looked around to make sure no-one was watching.
"Yeah, I love Galatians too," Dana replies. "It almost seems like Paul is writing it to me," she continues.
"Yes," I reply, "That's how I feel. I’ve read it before, and it was just words written to some people from long ago. But now it hits me like a ton of bricks. He is talking to me. I now realize that I've been stuck in rules rather than relationship. I've been obsessed with facts rather than faith. I've pursued legalities rather than love."
Dana looks at me. "Malo, she says, I can see you have met Jesus."
Just then Dr Aldridge walks in. He's smiling.
"Good news Dana. We have a kidney for you." Tears fill my eyes. How can I thank God? My words are useless.
Dana giggled, like a mischievous kid, as she quickly looked around to make sure no-one was watching.
"Yeah, I love Galatians too," Dana replies. "It almost seems like Paul is writing it to me," she continues.
"Yes," I reply, "That's how I feel. I’ve read it before, and it was just words written to some people from long ago. But now it hits me like a ton of bricks. He is talking to me. I now realize that I've been stuck in rules rather than relationship. I've been obsessed with facts rather than faith. I've pursued legalities rather than love."
Dana looks at me. "Malo, she says, I can see you have met Jesus."
Just then Dr Aldridge walks in. He's smiling.
"Good news Dana. We have a kidney for you." Tears fill my eyes. How can I thank God? My words are useless.
9:56 pm, Fri, 24 May
It is amazing how quickly things can change and how fast things can move. The kidney transplant has already been scheduled for tomorrow early. It's been an incredible day. I'm not sure my nerves are up to all this stress. Dana somehow seems so calm.
"You should go home," she says to me. "It's late and tomorrow is a big day. The end of all this. God has been with us every step of this journey, and tomorrow he will be right there too. It was a miracle that they found a match so soon, lets keep looking, because I'm sure the miracles are not done yet."
I squeeze her hand. My Dana. My beautiful Dana. "I'll see you tomorrow before the operation. Sleep well," I say giving her a goodbye kiss. Tomorrow is the end of all this, she’s right!
"You should go home," she says to me. "It's late and tomorrow is a big day. The end of all this. God has been with us every step of this journey, and tomorrow he will be right there too. It was a miracle that they found a match so soon, lets keep looking, because I'm sure the miracles are not done yet."
I squeeze her hand. My Dana. My beautiful Dana. "I'll see you tomorrow before the operation. Sleep well," I say giving her a goodbye kiss. Tomorrow is the end of all this, she’s right!
4:47 am, Sat, 25 May
The roads are quiet as I make my way to Bethesda medical center. The sun is just lighting the sky in the east, as it sends out its orange welcome to the new day. A garbage truck is collecting garbage. A small van is being unloaded next to a grocery store. A lone jogger is running along the pavement. People's days are already beginning. Normal, everyday days for so many. For me, for Dana, this is such a big day it seems strange that the world does not pause. That people do not stop and wait.
5:22 am, Sat, 25 May
I arrive at Dana's ward and see that she has already been prepped for the surgery. "You couldn't have got much sleep," I say to her as I walk in, "or did you get this all done last night?" I say indicating the new pale blue gown she is wearing and the drip now attached to her arm.
"Hi Malo," she says smiling a welcome. "I don't need much sleep, apparently I'm getting the best drug-induced sleep money can buy today. I would hate to waste it," she says grinning at me.
I must stay strong. I must, for Dana. I breathe in deeply. "So is everything still all set for the operation?" I ask.
"Yes," says a voice behind me. I turn around and see Dr Aldridge has walked in. "All is ready. The donor kidney is ready and the surgeon is making final preparations."
"So what time do you think it will be over?" I ask.
"It depends on how things go," Dr Aldridge replies, "but typically it takes between two and three hours."
Just then a nurse walks in. "Mrs. Bel, we need to transfer you to theatre."
It's happening too quickly. I've just got here. I grab Dana's hand. "You're in good hands," I say, "don't worry."
"You're right Malo," she replies, "I've always been in good hands. He's the best surgeon ever. He must be, he sculpted me."
Her words are still sinking in as they begin to wheel her bed away.
“He sculpted me...where did she hear that?”
I walk hurriedly next to her bed until it reaches the swing doors leading to the theatre. Finally I let go of her hand.
"I love you Dana," I say as the swing doors part to reveal the hive of activity within. "I love you too Malo. Finally this is finished." The doors swing shut hiding my whole world from me.
"Hi Malo," she says smiling a welcome. "I don't need much sleep, apparently I'm getting the best drug-induced sleep money can buy today. I would hate to waste it," she says grinning at me.
I must stay strong. I must, for Dana. I breathe in deeply. "So is everything still all set for the operation?" I ask.
"Yes," says a voice behind me. I turn around and see Dr Aldridge has walked in. "All is ready. The donor kidney is ready and the surgeon is making final preparations."
"So what time do you think it will be over?" I ask.
"It depends on how things go," Dr Aldridge replies, "but typically it takes between two and three hours."
Just then a nurse walks in. "Mrs. Bel, we need to transfer you to theatre."
It's happening too quickly. I've just got here. I grab Dana's hand. "You're in good hands," I say, "don't worry."
"You're right Malo," she replies, "I've always been in good hands. He's the best surgeon ever. He must be, he sculpted me."
Her words are still sinking in as they begin to wheel her bed away.
“He sculpted me...where did she hear that?”
I walk hurriedly next to her bed until it reaches the swing doors leading to the theatre. Finally I let go of her hand.
"I love you Dana," I say as the swing doors part to reveal the hive of activity within. "I love you too Malo. Finally this is finished." The doors swing shut hiding my whole world from me.
9:17 am, Sat, 25 May
The waiting is killing. If the operation started at six then it should be over by now. I'm sitting on a hard plastic chair near to where they took Dana into theatre.
9:42 am, Sat, 25 May
I can't sit any longer. I pace up and down. What's taking so long?
Time...time...slow...so slow...
Time...time...slow...so slow...
10:03 am, Sat, 25 May
The doors swing open. I've been slumped over in the chair staring at a spot on the floor. My head jerks up as I see Dr Aldridge walking out. I try desperately to read his face but he's still wearing a surgical mask and his expression is hidden.
I jump up and meet him and blurt, "How is she? How did it go?"
He pulls the mask from his face and he is smiling. "Malo, it went well. It took longer than we anticipated but it is all done. However the next few hours are important and we will be monitoring Dana closely. She must remain in post-op while we keep a close eye on her."
"Can I see her?" I ask hopefully.
"Sorry Malo, not just yet. You will see her in a few hours. Why don't you go out for a bit. There is nothing more you can do here. She’s in good hands. I'll call you as soon as you can see her."
"Thank you Dr Aldridge," I say. "I know I'm not the easiest patient’s spouse. But thank you for everything. Especially for arranging the kidney in such a short time."
"You're welcome.,” he replies, “But…”
Just then a nurse appears. "Doctor we need you for post-op now," she says.
He follows her back into the theatre. I'm left alone, so alone.
I jump up and meet him and blurt, "How is she? How did it go?"
He pulls the mask from his face and he is smiling. "Malo, it went well. It took longer than we anticipated but it is all done. However the next few hours are important and we will be monitoring Dana closely. She must remain in post-op while we keep a close eye on her."
"Can I see her?" I ask hopefully.
"Sorry Malo, not just yet. You will see her in a few hours. Why don't you go out for a bit. There is nothing more you can do here. She’s in good hands. I'll call you as soon as you can see her."
"Thank you Dr Aldridge," I say. "I know I'm not the easiest patient’s spouse. But thank you for everything. Especially for arranging the kidney in such a short time."
"You're welcome.,” he replies, “But…”
Just then a nurse appears. "Doctor we need you for post-op now," she says.
He follows her back into the theatre. I'm left alone, so alone.
10:32 am, Sat, 25 May
I haven't eaten anything all day so I decide to take Dr Aldridge's advice and go out for a bit. I head across the road to Kairos' Café. It's getting too familiar, a sign that I'm spending too much time at this hospital.
My usual booth is free so I quickly slip in and pick up the menu. I hear a kid giggling and catch a glimpse of someone running out of the corner of my eye. It's so unexpected, the laughter, the sound, that I quickly turn to see who it is. However there is nothing just a few other patrons quietly talking at their tables. Maybe the tiredness, the stress is catching up with me.
I sense someone standing next to me and look up and am not surprised to see my same waitress. "Hi," I say, but continue before she can reply, "Please can you give me a cheese omelet and a regular cappuccino.
"Sure," she says scribbling it down before she shuffles off.
I am still too stressed to eat but I know I need something to keep me going.
I glance at my watch and then check my phone. How long do I have to wait for news? I hear a beautiful bird song and again catch a glimpse of a flash of color just above me. However when I look up there is nothing besides a slowly turning ceiling fan that is in desperate need of cleaning. Where's that coffee? I wonder. I need something strong.
"I've got something strong for you Malo."
He's seated across from me at my table.
It's Yesh!
My usual booth is free so I quickly slip in and pick up the menu. I hear a kid giggling and catch a glimpse of someone running out of the corner of my eye. It's so unexpected, the laughter, the sound, that I quickly turn to see who it is. However there is nothing just a few other patrons quietly talking at their tables. Maybe the tiredness, the stress is catching up with me.
I sense someone standing next to me and look up and am not surprised to see my same waitress. "Hi," I say, but continue before she can reply, "Please can you give me a cheese omelet and a regular cappuccino.
"Sure," she says scribbling it down before she shuffles off.
I am still too stressed to eat but I know I need something to keep me going.
I glance at my watch and then check my phone. How long do I have to wait for news? I hear a beautiful bird song and again catch a glimpse of a flash of color just above me. However when I look up there is nothing besides a slowly turning ceiling fan that is in desperate need of cleaning. Where's that coffee? I wonder. I need something strong.
"I've got something strong for you Malo."
He's seated across from me at my table.
It's Yesh!