Fated Mistake

Chapter 2 – Appointment to the past

Evania's POV

“Good morning Dr. Hershman.” I greeted after opening the door.

“Good morning Dr. Santoz. Please come in and have a seat.” He greeted me back and looked at Jack and said.

“Hello, young man. You look great today. Are you excited about the result?”

“Hello Dr. I am doing great and yes I am super excited for the result,” Jack replied as we sat in front of Dr. Hershman.

Dr. John Hershman is the most experienced and the best cardiologist in Texas. When Jack was born with a hole in his heart, everyone recommended Dr. Hershman. Jack was immediately transferred here for the treatment and from then, it is because of Dr. Hershman’s treatment I have my baby till now. Each time when Jack fell ill, Dr. Hershman was there at my doorstep. He had always considered Jack, more as a family than a patient. It’s been five years since this relation started. In the last visit three weeks back, he gave Jack the news about the possibility of his surgery. Since then Jack was anxiously waiting for this appointment. The test results of the samples that we gave on the last appointment will be deciding whether Jack could have surgery or not. I looked at Dr. Hershman with anxious eyes.

“So, your results are here my little fighter. I got the results three days back and have discussed it with some other experts.” Dr. Hershman said with a smile which really eased my tension.

“So, after surgery, Jack can live a normal life, right Dr. Hershman?” I asked him.

“Of course Dr. Santoz, Jack will be able to live a normal life within few months of his surgery. You just have to make a routine check-up every two months for the first one year.” Dr. Hershman said.

“That’s great. So, when can we perform the surgery?” I asked.

“Hhhmm, actually Dr. Santoz, I can’t perform the surgery.” Dr. Hershman’s words came as a shock to my ears.

“What do you mean Dr. Hershman?” I asked.

“The surgery is really complicated. I can’t take the risk of putting Jack’s life in danger. I have gone through all the possibilities and there is no cardiologist here in Texas who could guarantee a 90 percent chance for the success of the surgery. Everyone could promise only a 70 percent success chance.” Dr. Hershman said.

“So, what can we do now? I can’t take the chance of risking Jack’s life.” I started panicking.

I had performed lots of C-sections in my career and never had feared doing it. Those patients believed me and gave me a chance to play with the mother’s and baby’s life. But today, I am here sitting not ready to believe any of the doctors who could save my son’s life. I am not ready to give a chance to anyone to play with my baby’s life. Right now I am not a gynecologist, but a helpless mother.

“Even I am not ready to take that risk, Dr. Santoz.” I looked puzzled at Dr. Hershman.

“Since last three days, I have been contacting all the best cardio surgeons of the US. Many gave a guarantee of 80 to 85 percent success chance but the only one gave the assurance of 95 percent chance.” Dr. Hershman said.

“That’s great. Who is the doctor? Is he in Texas? Is he ready to take Jack’s case?” I asked out of my excitement.

“Yes, he is ready. But there is still a problem.” Dr said and looked at Jack who was eagerly listening to our conversation. Dr. Hershman called the nurse and said.

“Samantha, take this young man to my personal room.” And then he turned to Jack and said.

“Jack, can you please excuse your mummy and me. We have to discuss some important matters. You can watch TV in my room.” Disappointment is clear in Jack’s eyes but he said nothing and nodded in approval and stood up to leave with the nurse.

“Samantha, give Jack, company until we finish our discussion. Give him some nuts and order a hot chocolate for him.” The nurse nodded and happily took Jack’s hand and walked to another door inside the room which I guessed to be Dr. Hershman’s private room. He waited until the door closed behind Jack and the nurse.

“Dr. Santoz, the doctor who has agreed to perform the surgery is not in Texas. He is in New York.” He said.

“That’s fine, doctor. I will take him there.” I said.

“I know you will do anything for Jack. But the problem is that you will have to take Jack to New York within a week.” His words caused my eyes to pop out. A lot of questions emerged in my head. It’s nearly impossible to take Jack to New York within one week, but what if Jack needs the surgery urgently.

“Is everything alright? Is there any problem with Jack’s result?” I asked.

“Don’t worry Dr. Santoz. Jack is perfectly fit to have the surgery. There is nothing to worry about on Jack’s side. It’s the doctor I mentioned who is ready to take Jack’s case. He only has one condition. He will take the case only if you see him in one week.” Dr. Hershman said.

“But why so fast? It’s nearly impossible for me to finish all my pending works here in Texas within one week and accompany Jack to New York.” I said.

“I understand Dr. Santoz and I tried to convince the doctor but he said that he will attend the case only if he gets it in one week.” He said.

“Dr., can you please give me his contact details. I will call him and explain my situation.” I said.

“I have explained your situation. He said that he will be available only for the next two months. After that, he will be going for a holiday for one month.” He said.

“Then there is time doctor. I can take him in a month.” I said with hope.

“Actually, the surgery needs time. They will have to prepare Jack’s body and mind for the surgery if we want a high chance percent. Jack needs to be monitored even after the surgery and that doctor’s presence is a must. If you go after one month, then the doctor will be leaving for his holiday just after Jack’s surgery.” He explained.

“Then I will take him after three months when the doctor returns from his holiday,” I said hopefully.

“He guaranteed a 95 percent success only if Jack is brought to him in a week. After three months he can only give an 80 percent success chance.” Dr. Hershman said.

“Can you please ask him to extend his holiday? I know I am asking a big favor but I am really helpless.” I asked.

“I can’t do that Dr. Santoz because that doctor is going to his daughter’s wedding. He said that he wanted to give some time for his wife after the wedding and so they are leaving the country for one month.” He replied.

I can’t risk my son’s life. If the chance to save my child is high in this one week, then I will definitely do my best to take Jack to New York in one week. It will be hard to handle all my appointments in just one week. I will have to talk to my colleague about handing over my patients to them. I am sure they will help me as they all know about Jack and his medical history. There will be no problem financially as I have been saving for the day since the time I have known about Jack’s condition. Another problem is accommodation in New York as it’s not good for Jack to have hotel food. I should find a place for rent for two months before we go to New York. It’s been six years since I left New York, my birthplace.

“Okay Dr. Hershman, I will leave for New York with Jack as soon as possible,” I said.

“Great, then I will inform the hospital there to make all the arrangements.” He said.

“Dr. Hershman, who is the doctor who is going to save my baby?” I asked.

“Well, he is an old friend of mine. We were in college together and did specialize in cardiology at the same time. He has a doctor's family and so owns the best hospital in New York. His wife is a famous gynecologist and his son is also a promising cardiologist. His daughter is also a doctor specializing in pediatrics. He also had another daughter who died in an accident when she was doing her specialization.” Dr. Hershman’s words had already started to create an unknown fear inside me. With fingers crossed I waited for the name of the doctor.

“He is the famous cardiologist of New York, Dr. Edward Raymond, director of Raymond Medcity, New York.”

It felt as if my whole world got upside down.