Megan entered Eric’s room at six AM pushing a gurney, his transport for the pre-op MRI and surgery to follow. Caroline and David were slumped in chairs, faces lined and haggard, their eyes red and puffy. Caroline started crying softly, turning to bury her head in David’s shoulder, powerless and unable to protect Eric from what was going to happen.
“Caroline, David.” Megan’s greeting was soft.
David nodded before looking away.
Caroline met Megan’s gaze, eyes pleading, seeking reassurance that Megan could not provide. It was a look Megan had seen many times on frightened parent’s faces and it always sent a chill down her spine. Goose bumps rose on her forearms. Megan felt empathy for the family and wished she could do more for them.
“I’m going to wake Eric now and give him a minute or so before I turn on the overhead lights.”
“Please, let me do it,” said Caroline, rising and stepping over to the bed. She gently started to wake their son as her husband moved closer.
“Eric, Eric Honey, it’s time to wake up,” said Caroline. David put his hands on his wife’s shoulders, speechless with his own grief.
Eric stirred and started rubbing his eyes with the backs of his hands. “Hi Mom. Hi Dad.”
“Hi, Honey,” they replied, giving him a big hug and half lifting him out of the bed.
“Mo-,”
Eric’s words were smothered in his parent’s embrace.
Megan was watching quietly, while laying out clippers and a razor so she could shave his head before surgery.
“What were you saying, Eric?” David asked.
“I don’t need the surgery,” Eric replied.
“Oh, God,” Caroline said, putting her hand over her mouth, tears streaming down her face.
David swallowed hard, looked up at the ceiling for a second, then held up a hand when Megan started forward.
“Eric, I know you don’t want the operation. We have no choice. We need to remove the tumor,” David stated.
“But Dad I-”
“Eric, it’s okay. Let’s let Megan get you ready,” David said gently, pulling Caroline to the side.
“MY HEAD DOESN’T HURT ANYMORE!”
Caroline and David spoke simultaneously. “WHAT?”
Megan stepped over and snapped on the larger overhead lights as Eric said. “My head doesn’t hurt anymore! I don’t need surgery!”
Caroline and David looked at Megan.
“Let’s have a look at you,” Megan said. Eric’s color was good, and he looked rested, not the drawn and gray appearance he had yesterday evening. His eyes looked clear and relaxed. If anything, he should be worse.
“Let’s check your vital signs,” Megan said, while putting the blood pressure cuff on Eric’s upper arm. Megan pumped it up and listening carefully, began to drain the pressure valve, holding Eric’s wrist and counting his pulse, perfectly normal.
Caroline and David were holding each other and barely breathing. Caroline had her hand over her mouth and both parents were still, baffled, watching Megan and Eric intently. Caroline wiped tears from her face.
Megan was surprised, working hard not to let anything show on her face. Eric’s blood pressure was normal, the pulse strong and steady and his color was good. He was far better than he had been yesterday. “Don’t worry. Let me get Dr. Harrison.”
“What is it? Is Eric okay?” they asked as Megan abruptly left the room.
“Mom, Dad, I’m fine.” said Eric.
Moments later Megan was back with Dr. Harrison, who was dressed in surgical scrubs.
“Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Hall. How are you doing?” he asked, already focusing on Eric, watching him closely.
“Okay,” replied David.
“Eric, I’m going to give you a quick little examination. Can you be still while I do that? Is that okay with you?”
“Yes, sir”
“Good, now don’t be scared.”
“I’m not.”
“Good boy.”
Dr. Harrison took Eric’s pulse and listened to his heart with the stethoscope. Megan opened Eric’s file on the computer tablet and laid it on the bed. He noted the blood pressure reading and looked at the previous notes. Pulling an optical scope from his pocket he carefully examined Eric’s eyes then performed several reflex and extremity strength tests.
Dr. Harrison picked up Eric’s chart and began typing. All eyes were on the doctor, waiting.
“I am postponing the surgery. Eric appears to have had a dramatic improvement and we need to determine what has happened.”
Turning to Eric he spoke. “We will send you down for an MRI. We need to know what is happening in here,” Dr Harrison said, placing his hand gently on the side of Eric’s head.
“I need a blood test too. Is that okay with you?”
“I guess so.” Eric’s tone was sullen. He hated needles.
“Okay then. Megan will take you to imaging.”
Addressing David and Caroline he asked, “May I see you outside for a moment please? They’ll be right back, Eric.”
“Okay.”
After the three left the room Eric looked at Megan. “I told you I was okay. I don’t need that stupid surgery.”
Megan smiled.
“Eric, I hope you are right. Now, are you going to crawl onto this gurney, or do I have to tickle you?”
Out in the hallway Dr. Harrison started speaking with Eric’s parents. “I don’t know what has happened. Right now, Eric’s vital signs are normal and a quick reflex is good.”
“We don’t understand. Is Eric okay?”
“Folks, I can’t answer that question right now, but his condition seems to have improved. Let’s wait for the test results, then I’ll get back with you as quickly as I can.”
Two hours later, and after confirmation by another specialist Dr. Harrison concluded that the tumor appeared to be gone. He was cautious when he shared the results with Eric and his family and kept his doubts to himself. He signed discharge orders, so they could take Eric home. Caroline hugged Dr. Harrison, who, taken by surprise with the sudden affection, was nonetheless happy to share the moment. Warning them to call immediately at the slightest change in Eric’s behavior, Dr. Harrison scheduled a follow-up MRI in one week. Having no explanation for the sudden improvement he wished them well, hoping it was true.
Eric was vibrating, unable to sit still, climbing on the bed one minute, thumping across the floor on hand and knees the next.
“Where are my clothes?
“Can I get dressed?
“Mom, can I have ice cream now?”