After yesterday's surgery, Ethan was immediately moved to the sterile ward to begin chemotherapy.
The visiting rules in the sterile ward were even stricter than in the previous special care unit. Family members could only see patients through a window and communicate via intercom. Visits were limited to 30 minutes per day. Christine and Rebecca worked out a schedule, each taking 15 minutes to talk with Ethan.
Christine came to the hospital afternoon. Ethan lay in bed, facing the ceiling. She couldn't make out his expression.
In that moment, Christine realized she hadn't seen Ethan smile in what felt like forever. The vibrant, energetic man in her memories now lay buried in white sheets, his figure almost lost among the blinking machines and transparent tubes.
For Ethan's myeloid leukemia, the first phase of chemotherapy required intravenous anthracycline drugs, including daunorubicin and idarubicin.
