‘T-Day had arrived, as Grace had taken to calling it. She’d had a course of radiation to eradicate all traces of her own bone marrow. Following which, she’d been placed in an isolation ward. They had to be totally careful now, as she was wide open to infection. Dr Kennedy had told her that she could expect to call this germ-free room home for at least a month. Only Liam and Catherine – not even Jack, much to Grace’s distress – would be allowed in the room, and that was only after they’d put on protective clothing. Everyone else would have to contact Grace via an intercom or on the phone. There was even a hatch whereby all items were delivered into the room to ensure that it stayed germ-free. While this was going on, Noel was on the operating table having one litre of his bone marrow removed. He was going to stay overnight in hospital to recover, but hopefully would be okay to go home tomorrow. Catherine was with him. The doctors had predicted he’d be stiff and sore for a couple of days, but hopefully, nothing worse than that. Grace wasn’t sure how she’d ever be able to repay him. It was a debt that was maybe un-payable.
Grace shivered. The room was actually very cold. The nurse had said it was because of the system used to keep the room sterile. Grace was feeling really nauseous and she couldn’t work out if it was the radiation – probably – or the waiting for the actual transplant. She hoped Liam got here soon. It was so lonely in the little room. She didn’t have long to wait. He walked in a few moments later.
‘Not long now, babe,’ he said, smiling as he walked in. Grace couldn’t help but notice the new lines around her husband’s face. Cancer was taking its toll on Liam too, she knew that.
‘Come here,’ Grace said, patting her bed. ‘I’ve something to ask of you.’
Liam sat on the edge of the bed and smiled at his wife. ‘What can I do for you, babe?’ he asked tenderly.
‘Kiss me passionately. Then tell me you love me. If something goes wrong, I want to go smiling,’ Grace said.
Liam leaned in and did just as his wife asked. They sat holding each other until it was time for Grace to leave for the transplant.
A few hours later Liam walked into Noel’s room where everyone had gathered to wait for news of Grace’s transplant.
‘Well, it’s done,’ Liam told everyone.
‘How is she?’ Noel asked.
‘Worried about you, mate,’ Liam told him. ‘How you doing? Are you in much pain?’
‘Not a bit of it,’ Noel said bravely. ‘Nothing a few days’ rest won’t cure.’
‘Looking like a florist in here,’ Liam said with a laugh.
‘Can you believe it?!’ Noel answered. He couldn’t get over how Grace’s family and friends had treated him. They had welcomed him like a returned war hero and he couldn’t keep up with the stream of visitors and friends who called in to see him.
‘Did you give her our love?’ Tara asked Liam.
‘Of course,’ he replied with a smile. ‘She knows you guys are all here willing her on. She said to say she loves you.’ It was difficult for them all, not being able to see her. ‘Won’t be long though and she’ll be home again,’ Liam said.
Tom walked over and gave him a hug, ‘You alright buddy?’
‘I’m getting there,’ he replied.
‘We’re all here for you too, you know. Don’t forget that,’ Tom said.
****
The next three weeks went by intolerably slowly for Grace. It was an endless stream of blood tests, tablets and mind-blowing boredom. She found that she couldn’t get up the interest to watch TV or even read a book. She spent all her time wishing Liam and Catherine were with her, but when they did arrive, she didn’t have the energy to talk to them. But the good news was she wasn’t getting any graft-versus-host problems that Dr Kennedy had warned her about. He had said that some patients find that their body – the host – and the graft – Noel’s marrow – don’t like each other. In some cases the marrow can start attacking vital parts of the body causing a rash to break out. But thankfully, Grace was spared that. She also managed to avoid getting any infections.
Liam walked in and kissed Grace with a grin on his face. ‘Guess what?’ Liam asked.
‘What?’ Grace answered irritably.
‘How would you like to give your son a big kiss today?’ Liam asked with a big smile. ‘That’s right, grumpy. I’ve just spoken to the nurse and you’re moving back into your old room today!’
Grace had never felt so happy in all her life. Not being able to touch Jack was unbelievable. He’d come to see her through the window and she’d spoken to him daily on the phone. But he couldn’t understand why he couldn’t go into her room. It had broken her heart.
‘When?!’ Grace demanded.
‘Any minute! Thought that would put a smile on your face!’ Liam said, laughing at his wife’s face.
‘Go get Jack, Liam. Go get him from Montessori and bring him in right now,’ Grace said excitedly.
‘Already taken care of. Catherine’s picking him up at this minute!’ Liam said, well aware how urgently Grace needed to feel her son in her arms.
An hour later, Grace was back in her old room. ‘I never thought I’d be so happy to see these old beige walls again!’ she said with a smile.
Dr Kennedy arrived then. ‘Well, Grace. You’re looking very good.’ He picked up her chart and smiled. ‘Your white cells are 0.7 to 1 and your marrow has started to grow. That’s excellent.’
Grace couldn’t believe it. This was the first time since all this cancer shit started that Dr. Kennedy had used the word excellent! ‘Does that mean I can go home?’ Grace asked.
‘I’m afraid I’ll need you here for a few more weeks, Grace. We need to make sure all your counts rise to an acceptable level. Plus, we need to ensure you don’t get any major infections. You’re still going to be taking quite a bit of medication, which we have to monitor,’ he answered.
‘But I’m on the home stretch though,’ Grace said with a smile.
‘Yes, Grace, I do believe you are,’ he answered with a smile of his own. ‘But you may continue to feel some nausea over the next few weeks. Keep drinking lots of fluids, that will help. Now, I also need you to start eating again. You’re dangerously thin, Grace.’
‘I want to eat, honestly. It’s just as soon as I do, it comes back again – one way or another,’ she finished bluntly.
‘One bite at a time, Grace. One bite at a time. It will get easier. But you must keep your strength up,’ he advised.
‘I promise,’ Grace told him earnestly. She was willing to do anything, if it meant that she could get out of hospital quicker. ‘Oh Liam. I haven’t felt this happy since our honeymoon.’
‘Me neither,’ Liam replied.
‘I’m going to get better,’ Grace said with a giggle.
‘Never doubted it,’ Liam said, giggling too.
‘Liar,’ Grace said, throwing a pillow at him.
‘Well, maybe once or twice. But only for a second,’ Liam admitted.
Then the door burst open with Jack screaming at the top of his voice ‘Mommy!’
Liam picked him up and he threw him into Grace’s arms.
‘I missed you, Mommy,’ Jack said sorrowfully.
‘I missed you too sweetie-pie,’ Grace answered him. ‘So much.’
‘Did Uncle Noel’s medicine make you better, Mommy?’ he asked earnestly.
‘Absolutely. I’m much better now, Jack. I’m getting stronger every day and I’ll be home real soon, I promise,’ she answered, tears in her eyes.
‘Can I see you every day now, Mommy?’ Jack asked.
‘You better believe it!’ Grace said, tickling him until he begged her to stop.