CHAPTER 71: TREATMENT PLAN

Dr. Johnson Returns

A gentle knock at the door interrupted the family moment. Dr. Elizabeth Johnson entered, carrying a tablet and wearing the kind of confident expression that suggested good news.

"I’m sorry to interrupt," she said warmly, "but I wanted to discuss Nina’s treatment plan with all of you."

David looked up from Nina’s bedside, his eyes still red but alert. "Doctor, I... I don’t know how to thank you for seeing us. When the other hospitals..."

"Mr. Morrison," Dr. Elizabeth said gently, "your daughter is exactly where she needs to be. Let’s focus on getting her healthy."

She moved to Nina’s bedside, smiling down at the little girl. "How are you feeling, Nina? The IV fluids should be helping by now."

"Less tired," Nina admitted. "And my tummy doesn’t hurt as much."

"That’s wonderful to hear." Dr. Johnson turned to address the family.

"I’ve reviewed Nina’s medical records from St. Mary’s, and I’ve run some additional tests since she arrived. The good news is that while her kidney function is severely compromised, she’s responded well to the initial treatments."

Linda gripped David’s hand tightly. "What... what does that mean exactly?"

"It means we have options," Dr. Johnson said, consulting her tablet. "Nina will need to start regular dialysis treatments immediately... we’ll begin tonight. This will help her body filter toxins while we evaluate her for a kidney transplant."

The word ’transplant’ hung heavy in the air.

"In the meantime," Dr. Johnson continued, "we’ll be running comprehensive tests to determine her compatibility for transplant, managing her nutrition carefully, and keeping her comfortable. The dialysis will help her feel much better... more energy, less nausea, clearer thinking."

Danny found his voice first. "How... how long will all this take?"

"The dialysis treatments will be three times a week, about four hours each session. We have an excellent pediatric dialysis unit with entertainment systems, tutoring services, even art therapy. Many of our young patients actually look forward to coming in."

Dr. Johnson folded her hands on the desk, her tone steady but compassionate.

"The next step is the transplant evaluation. Ideally, we look first to the donor registry to see if there’s a kidney available that matches Nina’s blood type and tissue markers. That process can move quickly if a suitable match is already listed, but in many cases it can take weeks or even months before the right kidney becomes available."

She paused, glancing between David and Linda.

"In the meantime, we’ll begin testing both of you... and any close relatives... because sometimes the fastest and best option comes from a living donor within the family. If a compatible kidney is found from you or another relative, we can move forward much sooner."

She leaned forward slightly.

"The good news is that Nina’s young and otherwise healthy. That makes her an excellent candidate for a transplant once a suitable kidney is available. Our job now is to find that match as quickly and safely as possible."

"The cost..." David began, his voice tight with worry.

"Has been handled," Dr. Johnson said simply. "All of Nina’s care... Dialysis, testing, eventual transplant, post-operative care, medications... everything is covered. You don’t need to worry about anything except being here for your daughter."

David looked at Alex again, shaking his head in amazement. "Son, I don’t know what you did or who you know, but..."

"Mr. Morrison," Dr. Johnson interjected gently, "what matters is that Nina is getting the care she needs. She’s going to have good days and challenging days, but with proper treatment, children with kidney disease can live full, normal lives."

She turned back to Nina. "And you, young lady, are going to help us take very good care of you, aren’t you?"

Nina nodded solemnly. "Will I be able to go back to school?"

"Eventually, yes. We’ll work with your school to make sure you don’t fall behind, and once we establish a good dialysis routine, you’ll have plenty of energy for all the things eight-year-olds should be doing."

For the first time in days, Nina smiled... not just a weak acknowledgment, but a real smile that reminded everyone in the room of the vibrant little girl she’d been before the illness took hold.

Dr. Johnson made a few notes on her tablet. "I’ll let you all have some family time now. A nurse will be in shortly to begin Nina’s first dialysis session. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison, there’s a family consultation room down the hall where we can discuss the technical details of her treatment plan when you’re ready."

After she left, the room fell into a peaceful quiet. Nina dozed lightly, finally comfortable for the first time in weeks.

Linda and David sat beside her bed, holding hands and watching their daughter breathe easily.

Danny stood near the bed, still processing the magnitude of what had just happened. Sarah held his hands, while Alex and Mike stood together nearby, quietly watching Nina rest.

"She’s going to be okay," Danny said quietly, more to himself than anyone else.

"Yeah," Sarah replied, watching Nina sleep peacefully. "She’s going to be just fine."

Outside the window, warm afternoon sunlight streamed across the hospital room, illuminating a family who had just been given back their hope.

***

An hour had passed since Dr. Johnson’s encouraging update. Nina dozed peacefully in her hospital bed, the dialysis machine humming quietly beside her as it began its work of filtering toxins from her small body.

The improvement was already visible - her breathing was easier, and some color had returned to her pale cheeks.

Linda sat in the cushioned chair beside Nina’s bed, one hand resting protectively on her daughter’s arm.

But as the immediate crisis had passed, practical concerns began to surface in her mind.

"David," she said quietly to her husband, who was speaking with Danny and Mike near the window. "I need to go home for a bit."

David looked up, concern flickering across his face. "What’s wrong?"

Linda glanced down at Nina, who was finally resting peacefully, and let out a quiet sigh of relief. She lowered her voice even further, as if the words themselves might shatter the fragile calm. "I just realized... in all the panic this morning, we left the house completely open."

"The front door’s unlocked, my purse with important documents is still on the kitchen counter," she whispered. "And Nina’s medications are scattered across the dining room table."

David nodded, understanding immediately. In their rush to get Nina to the hospital, basic security and neighborly responsibilities had been forgotten.

"Plus," Linda continued, her voice catching slightly, "I grabbed clothes for Nina, but I barely packed anything for us. If we’re going to be staying here for days or weeks..." She gestured at David’s wrinkled work shirt and her own day-old clothes. "We’ll need proper things."

"Mom," Danny said, having overheard, "Sarah and I can drive you home. You shouldn’t go alone."

Linda shook her head. "Sarah’s been here all day. She must be exhausted too, and she has her own things to worry about."

She looked at Alex, who had been quietly observing from his spot near the door. "Alex, honey, would you mind driving me?"

"Of course," Alex said immediately. "We can go now if you want."

"Just for an hour or two," Linda said, already reaching for her jacket. "I need to secure the house, pack proper bags for all of us, and call my sister to let her know what’s happening. She’s been trying to reach us all day."

Nina stirred slightly, and Linda immediately moved to her bedside. "Sweetheart? Mommy needs to go home for a little bit to get some things. Daddy and Danny will stay right here with you."

Nina’s eyes fluttered open, still heavy with medication but alert. "You’re coming back, right?"

"Of course, baby. I’ll be back before dinner, and I’ll bring your favorite pajamas and maybe some of those books you’ve been wanting me to read to you."

Nina managed a small smile. "The ones about the princess who saves the dragon?"

"Those exact ones," Linda confirmed, kissing her forehead gently. She gave Nina’s hand a reassuring squeeze.

"I’ll be back soon, baby." With that, Linda reached for her jacket.

As they prepared to leave, David’s eyes glistened again with emotion. "Drive carefully, both of you. And Linda?" He turned to his wife. "Don’t worry about anything here. We are here for Nina."

As Alex and Linda walked toward the elevator, neither of them noticed a man watching their departure, his expression sharp, calculating, unreadable.

***

Author’s Note:

Thank you for following along with Nina and her family. I hope this Chapter leaves you with a little warmth and hope, just as it did for me while writing it.

Stay safe, treasure your loved ones, and never underestimate the power of care, patience, and small acts of kindness.

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