The drive to the hospital was quiet, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Emma sat in the back seat, staring out the window as the world passed by in a blur. The closer they got, the more real it became. His heart raced, but he clutched the small bracelet on his wrist—the one Alex and Sarah had given him at the fair—holding on to it like a lifeline.
Alex glanced at Emma in the rearview mirror, offering a small, reassuring smile. Sarah reached over and squeezed his hand. No words were spoken.
As they approached the hospital, the tension in the car grew thicker, but so did their resolve. Whatever came next, they were ready to face it—together.
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The hospital room buzzed with quiet activity as nurses moved swiftly around Emma, preparing him for surgery. The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air, and the sound of medical equipment being adjusted only heightened the growing tension. Emma lay on the bed in a hospital gown, staring at the ceiling, trying to keep his breathing steady. Every so often, his eyes would dart to Alex and Sarah, who sat nearby, doing their best to mask their worry.
A nurse approached the bed with a clipboard, her expression calm but focused.
"Alright, Emma… We're going to start preparing you for surgery now. First, I'll check your vitals." Emma forced a grin, hoping to lighten the mood.
"As long as my vitals aren't 'panicked,' I think we're good, right?" The nurse chuckled softly as she wrapped a blood pressure cuff around his arm.
"Well, a little nervousness is normal, but we'll make sure everything is under control." Alex and Sarah smiled at the attempt to lighten the moment, but Emma could see the tightness in their expressions. They were trying to be strong for him, but he knew they were just as scared as he was.
The blood pressure cuff tightened, and Emma felt his pulse quicken as the nurse read the numbers on the monitor.
"Blood pressure's a little high, but nothing unusual given the circumstances." She gave him a reassuring smile before removing the cuff and moving on to check his oxygen levels. Emma swallowed hard, trying to push the fear down.
"Have you ever considered doing surgery with me awake? I could offer live commentary... Keep the mood light…?" Sarah laughed gently, leaning closer to him.
"I think you've got enough on your plate without having to entertain the surgeons, sweetie." Another nurse approached with a cart filled with supplies, placing IV bags and various equipment onto a tray beside the bed. Emma's eyes flicked to the array of tubes and needles, and a wave of nausea rolled through him. He felt like the walls were closing in, the weight of the upcoming surgery pressing down on him. The first nurse returned, pulling out a stethoscope.
"I'm just going to listen to your heart, okay?" Emma nodded, biting the inside of his cheek as she pressed the cold diaphragm of the stethoscope to his chest. He could hear the faint rhythm of his own heart through the device—an erratic, unreliable beat that had shaped his life for as long as he could remember. The sound had always unnerved him, a constant reminder of the fragility inside him.
"Heart sounds are a bit irregular," the nurse commented, more to herself than to anyone else.
"But that's expected… That's why we're here today." Another nurse entered the room, her hands holding an anesthesia mask.
"We're going to go over the procedure one more time, Emma, just to make sure you're fully informed before we start. Your surgery today is called a pulmonary valve replacement." Emma nodded, trying to focus as the nurse explained. He had heard it all before in previous consultations, but hearing it now, right before the surgery, made everything feel more immediate—more real.
"The valve in your heart that controls blood flow from the right ventricle to your pulmonary artery isn't functioning properly," she began.
"It's causing strain on your heart and leading to the episodes you've been experiencing... Today, we'll be replacing that valve with a new one, either biological or mechanical, depending on what's best once we're in there." Emma tried to lighten the mood again, forcing a smirk.
"Biological, like… from a pig? Does that mean I'll oink when I wake up?" The nurse laughed softly but didn't lose her professional demeanor.
"I assure you, you'll wake up just as human as you are now." Emma's attempt at humor faded as the nurse continued.
"The procedure is complex, and there are risks involved, including bleeding, infection, and issues with the new valve itself. We'll have you on a heart-lung bypass machine to take over the function of your heart and lungs during the surgery, so we can work safely." Emma's stomach tightened. He had read about the heart-lung bypass machine. The idea that his heart would be stopped while a machine kept him alive was terrifying.
"And if the surgery goes wrong?" Sarah reached over and took Emma's hand, squeezing it tightly. Her eyes were filled with quiet strength, but he could see the fear hiding behind them. The nurse's voice remained calm.
"There's always a risk with any major surgery, but we've done everything we can to prepare… The surgeons are highly skilled, and we're confident this is the best course of action for you… The goal is to relieve the strain on your heart and improve your quality of life." Alex, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke, his voice hoarse.
"And if we don't do it…?" The nurse's expression turned somber.
"Without the surgery, Emma's condition will continue to deteriorate. His heart is working too hard, and over time, that strain will become too much. This is a necessary step." Emma closed his eyes, trying to steady his breathing. He had known this was coming, but hearing it laid out so plainly made it harder to swallow.
"What about recovery? How long before I'm back to normal?" The nurse nodded thoughtfully.
"Recovery varies depending on the individual, but you'll be in the ICU for the first 24 to 48 hours for close monitoring. After that, you'll move to a general recovery room, and we'll start physical therapy to help you regain your strength… Full recovery can take several months." Emma nodded, feeling the weight of it all pressing down on him. Months. His whole life had been disrupted by this condition, and now it felt like there was no end in sight. He forced another smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"So, no running marathons anytime soon, huh?" Alex chuckled, though it sounded strained.
"Let's take it one step at a time, bud." The nurse inserted an IV into Emma's arm, and he winced slightly at the prick of the needle. As the cool saline began to flow, she attached the other end to the bag hanging beside his bed.
"This will keep you hydrated and help administer the anesthesia. Once we take you to the operating room, the anesthesiologist will put you to sleep, and you won't feel a thing." Emma nodded, his throat tight with anxiety. He looked at Alex and Sarah, his fear finally breaking through the surface.
"I'm scared," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. Alex looked at the nurse.
"Can we have a brief chat before you take him?" The nurse nods.
"It's only fair… feel free too while I finish preparations" Alex took a deep breath, his expression softening as he leaned closer to Emma.
"I know you are scared, Emma. It's okay to be scared. But remember, we're right here with you, every step of the way. You're going to do great." Sarah reached out and gently brushed Emma's hair back from his forehead, her touch warm and comforting.
"You're so strong, Emma. And we believe in you. You're not alone in this. We'll be waiting right here when you wake up." Emma nodded, tears slipping down his cheeks despite his efforts to stay composed.
"Thank you," he whispered, his voice cracking.
"I'm really grateful for you both." Alex squeezed Emma's hand, giving it a reassuring pat.
"We love you, Emma. More than anything. And we'll be right here, cheering you on." Sarah took a deep breath, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"You're going to get through this, and we'll be with you for every moment. Just focus on getting through the surgery, okay? We've got this." Sarah leaned in, her voice soft but full of reassurance.
"We love you, Emma. And we believe in you... You're going to get through this." Emma swallowed hard, his eyes brimming with tears. The weight of the situation was almost too much to bear, but with Alex and Sarah beside him, he felt a little stronger—just enough to face what was coming.