Into Magnolia (Sandy Cove Series Book 3)

by Rosemary Hines

  The sound of the school passing bell pulled her back to her classroom, which was now beginning to fill with raucous eighth graders returning from their lunch break. She dropped her cell phone into her purse and walked to her podium, grabbing the attendance sheets from the corner of her desk on her way.

  A couple of students with questions about the homework from the previous night awaited her attention. Shifting her focus to them, she shot up a silent prayer of thanksgiving to the God of the universe who had taken time to join her for lunch.

  It was already getting dark when Steve and Michelle sat across the desk from Dr. Morris late in the afternoon on November 2nd. A heavy-set older man with a round face and jowls, he exuded a kind and gentle temperament.

  “Your daughter’s platelet count is lower than we like to see, and she has a slightly elevated white blood cell count. Her numbers are not too far out of range with the white count, so they could even reflect a minor infection her body is working to fight off. The bone marrow biopsy will help us make a more conclusive diagnosis of what is causing her bruising and bleeding issues.”

  “What do you think it is?” Michelle asked, the word cancer looming over her like a dark cloud.

  Dr. Morris scanned Madison’s lab results again. “I’d rather not speculate too much at this point. Leukemia remains a possibility, but her blood work is inconclusive. Did Dr. Gold discuss bleeding disorders with you?”

  “Yes. He mentioned leukemia and Von something disease.”

  “Von Willebrand,” he offered.

  “Yeah.”

  “We’ll need to wait a couple of weeks for the lab results on the Von Willebrand factor tests, but since we’re seeing some issues with the platelets and white count, I’d like to go ahead with the bone marrow biopsy in the meantime. If we are looking at leukemia, we’ll want to begin treatment as soon as possible.”

  “And if it’s not leukemia?” Michelle asked hopefully.

  “Then we’ll wait until we get the results back on Von Willebrand and other possible clotting disorders.”

  “What exactly does the bone marrow biopsy entail?” Steve asked, taking Michelle’s hand in his.

  “Madison will be admitted to the hospital early in the morning. She’ll need to fast from midnight the night before because we’ll be using anesthesia during the procedure. Other than the placement of the IV, the actual aspiration process will be easy for her since she’ll be asleep,” he explained.

  “The bone marrow will be taken from the iliac crest – on her back, just above her hip. I’ll be using a special needle with a syringe to remove some of the marrow from the bone. The entire procedure only takes about twenty minutes.”

  “Will we be allowed to be in the room with her?” Michelle asked anxiously.

  “You can stay with her while they prep her and set up the IV. You’ll meet the anesthesiologist and can be with Madison until she is asleep. Then you’ll wait in an adjoining room while we do the aspiration and biopsy. As soon as she’s in recovery, you can be with her again, so she’ll see you when she wakes up.”

  Michelle nervously twisted the hair at the nape of her neck. “Will she be in a lot of pain afterward?”

  “She’ll be groggy the rest of the day and will have some discomfort for a couple of days, but it will be easily manageable with some mild pain killers. In a few days, she’ll be back to her old self.”

  Dr. Morris paused and gave them both a warm smile. “I know this seems pretty scary, but Madison will do just fine. If she has a favorite doll or stuffed animal, she can bring it with her. Sometimes that helps kids relax. The hospital has a family educator who will meet with you in advance to walk you through everything.”

  “How soon can we get this done?” Steve asked.

  “Would next Monday, the seventh, work for you? I have an opening that morning.”

  Steve looked at Michelle. “What do you think? Can you get off school?”

  “Yeah. I’ll get a sub for the day. How about you?” she asked.

  “I’ve got a deposition after lunch, but I can have Roger cover it for me.”

  Michelle nodded.

  Turning back to the doctor, Steve said, “Let’s book it.”

  Sheila listened to the phone ringing at Michelle’s house. She was about to hang up when she heard her son-on-law’s voice at the other end. “Hello?”

  “Hi, Steve. It’s Sheila. I’m surprised to catch you home this early.”

  “We had a doctor’s appointment for Maddie,” he explained.

  “Oh. Did Michelle have a faculty meeting after school?” Sheila asked, assuming that was why Steve had taken Madison to the doctor.

  “No, she’s right here. Let me put her on.”

  “Hi, Mom,” Michelle said.

  “Hi, Mimi. Everything okay with Maddie? Steve said you guys had a doctor’s appointment for her.”

  There was a pause, and she heard her daughter say something to Steve about taking Madison upstairs to get changed. “Sorry, Mom. I didn’t want Maddie to hear me.”

  “What is it?” Anxiety crept into Sheila’s heart.

  “We don’t know anything yet, but the doctor is running some tests.”

  “Tests for what? What’s wrong?” It wasn’t like Michelle to keep things from her. It seemed like ever since John’s hospitalization, her daughter tried to protect her from any additional problems.

  Sheila flashed back to her husband’s suicide attempt and how her kids had been such a support through the long ordeal. Was it really eight years ago?

  She glanced over at John snoozing in his recliner chair. God had gotten them through a pretty scary time. Were they about to enter another one with their granddaughter, Madison?

  Michelle’s voice interrupted her thoughts. She was saying something about bruising.

  “Kids get bruises all the time, honey. You used to have a dozen bruises at any given time when you were her age — from tumbles off the bike to dodge ball at school. I even remember asking the pediatrician about it. He said it’s normal.”

  “Maddie’s bruises aren’t normal, Mom. And she gets them in places kids don’t normally get bruises.”

  Sheila could hear the concern in her voice. “What are the tests they’re running?”

  “They did a blood panel, and on Monday they’re doing a bone marrow biopsy.”

  Sheila’s heart stopped. It sounded serious. Really serious.

  “Mom? Are you there?”

  Sheila swallowed back her fears. “How are you doing with all this, sweetheart?” She tried to picture how Michelle would handle it if Madison were diagnosed with a serious or even life-threatening disease. Hadn’t they been through enough with all the infertility issues? Was it possible they might lose their precious, long-awaited daughter?

  “I’m doing the best I can not to let Maddie see my concerns, but it’s really hard, Mom.” There was a pause and then, “When the doctor said they were going to test her for leukemia, I almost fell apart. It seems unreal. She’s always been so healthy.” Michelle’s voice trembled slightly, and Sheila could tell she was fighting to maintain her composure.

  “Why didn’t you call me?”

  “There’s no need for you to worry, Mom. We really don’t know anything yet.”

  “But I could come up there. Help out, maybe,” Sheila offered.

  “We’re fine for now. Thanks for offering, though. I’d love to see you, but with school and everything, it’s a pretty crazy time right now. Plus, I know how hard it is for you to leave Dad.”

  “Well, you let me know if you need me, honey. Your dad is doing great. And I’m sure Tim would come stay with him if you needed me up there.”

  “What’s new with Tim these days?”

  Sheila smiled. “You know your brother. Always has some new adventure going on. He’s learning how to make surfboards now. He’s got some notion of starting his own company.”

  “Good for him. I’m glad he’s starting to think about the future and not just the next w
ave.”

  There was a short pause in the conversation, then Michelle added, “I’ve got to get going, Mom. Time to fix dinner.”

  “Okay. Promise me you’ll call if you need me, and let me know what the doctor finds out.”

  “I will. Promise.”

  As Sheila rested the receiver back in its cradle, the magnitude of her little granddaughter’s medical possibilities engulfed her. Reaching for the phone again, she dialed her parents’ number, needing to hear her father’s voice. His steadfast faith had a way of calming her fears.

  As she waited for an answer, she thought, I should have asked Michelle about Thanksgiving. It would be good for all of us to be together again.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Steve couldn’t sleep. He wandered down the hall and peeked into Madison’s room, the nightlight casting a warm glow on his sleeping daughter’s face. He leaned against the doorframe and gazed at her, watching her small form nestled under the fluffy pink comforter.

  She looked so peaceful.

  Heaviness pressed on his shoulders as he quietly entered the room. Easing himself down onto his knees beside her bed, he gently brushed some stray curls from her face. She stirred slightly but did not awaken.

  Sitting back onto his heels, Steve replayed the appointment with the doctor. Maddie seemed so healthy – a happy little girl with some bruises. How could it be possible that they were about to test her for leukemia?

  He felt a sudden urge to take her in his arms and whisk her away. Somewhere where needles and biopsies and doctors would not be a part of her future. Where he could be her knight in shining armor and protect her from the dragons of life.

  Though she was only five years old, he couldn’t remember life without her. How could he fathom the possibility that they might lose her?

  He thought back to how badly Michelle had wanted a baby and how he’d almost let her down because of his infertility and his resistance to the procedures the doctor had recommended.

  But medical science had opened the door for conception, and a DNA test had confirmed his paternity. Madison was their miracle child. Probably the only child they’d ever have.

  Her smile, her bright curiosity, and her contagious laugh – they were the greatest gifts God could have given them. Was He going to take them all away now? Was this the end of their happy ever after?

  Please, Lord. Please don’t take our precious little girl. Steve’s face contorted with pain at the very thought. Take me, God. She has her whole life left.

  It seemed like he sat there for hours, pleading with God, as he laid out his case in his best possible form. This meant so much more than the issues he pled in court on a weekly basis. This time he couldn’t afford to lose, no matter what.

  Eventually the numbness in his feet and legs caused him to wrestle to his feet. As he turned to walk out of the room, he saw Michelle standing in the doorway watching him. She held out her arms, and he moved into them. Their tears mingled as they held each other.

  “Hi, Dad. It’s Sheila.”

  Phil could tell something wasn’t right. Sheila never was one for hiding her feelings. “What’s wrong, honey?”

  “It’s Michelle. Well, actually Madison. There’s something going on with her, and the doctors are running tests. They said it might be leukemia.”

  “Oh, Sheila. I’m so sorry to hear that. How’s Michelle handling it?” Phil wrapped one arm around his wife, Joan, who’d come to stand next to him.

  “She’s worried. What mother wouldn’t be? But she’s trying to maintain a hopeful outlook.”

  Phil nodded, taking a deep breath. “And you? You sound very upset.”

  “I feel like I need to be there – to help out and give Michelle moral support.”

  “But?”

  “But she says I should stay here with John until they know more.”

  “If you need us to come and be with John, we will. We’d be happy to help,” Phil offered, giving Joan a squeeze.

  “I just don’t know how Michelle will handle this if it turns out to be cancer, Dad. You know how her world revolves around that little girl.” Her voice was trembling.

  “What exactly did the doctors say?” he asked.

  “I don’t know all the details, but Maddie’s been getting some unusual bruises, and they ran a blood test. Now they are scheduled for a bone marrow biopsy on Monday.”

  “Okay. We will put Madison on the prayer chain up here, and we’ll be ready at a moment’s notice if you need us to come down.” He gave Joan another squeeze as she searched his face for information.

  “Thanks, Dad,” Sheila replied.

  “I know it’s hard at times like this, honey, but try to trust God with the outcome. He won’t allow anything into Madison or Michelle’s life without a plan to ultimately bring blessings. I honestly believe that.”

  “I know you do, Dad. Thanks.”

  Joan nudged Phil and gestured toward the phone. “Your mom wants to talk to you. Keep us posted on whatever you hear, and be sure to tell Michelle that we’re praying and will help in anyway we can.”

  “Okay. Thanks.” Sheila’s voice sounded a little calmer.

  Handing the phone to his wife, Phil began praying that God’s peace would rest on his daughter, granddaughter, and great granddaughter through whatever ordeal lay ahead. As a pastor, he’d counseled many parents through difficult times and mountains of concern, but now his heart ached for his own family, and he found himself pleading with God in ways only a father and grandfather could.

  Monday morning finally arrived, and Michelle and Steve forced themselves to remain upbeat as they got Madison ready for the drive to the hospital.

  “Don’t forget Teddy,” Michelle said, gesturing to the threadbare stuffed animal resting on Maddie’s pillow.

  Madison scooped him up and nestled him into her neck, as they started downstairs.

  “When do we get to go out for ice cream?” the little girl asked.

  “After you take your little nap at the hospital,” Steve replied.

  “And I get to pick any kind I want, right?”

  “That’s right, princess. Any kind you want,” he promised.

  “I don’t like going to hospitals, Daddy. They smell funny.”

  “I know, Maddie. But you won’t be there very long. And you will be asleep most of the time.”

  “But Teddy gets to stay with me,” she added for reassurance.

  “Yes. Teddy will be with you while you take your nap.”

  “But the doctor will give me a shot first.” Her face wore a worried expression.

  Michelle sighed as she glanced at Steve.

  Steve knelt down beside their daughter. “Yes, honey. You will have to get an IV. It’s like a shot, but it only hurts for a second. Just a little pinch.”

  “Like the blood test?”

  “Like the blood test.” He gave her his most reassuring smile. “Mommy and I will be with you when you get the IV. You can hold my hand.”

  “And Teddy will be there, too.”

  “Yep.”

  Madison looked her teddy bear in the eyes. “We have to be brave, Teddy. Don’t be scared.” She hugged him tight, and Steve could see her eyes beginning to fill.

  “Let’s get going, pumpkin, so we can get finished at the hospital and get your ice cream.”

  Maddie nodded her head as she rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand.

  When they walked into the hospital lobby, a receptionist in bright, teddy bear print scrubs greeted them. “Look, Daddy! She has teddies all over her shirt.”

  “She sure does,” he observed.

  A nurse soon appeared and escorted them to the room where the IV would be started. Madison cried briefly but stopped when Steve suggested she might be scaring Teddy.

  Soon it was time to begin the procedure, and Madison’s gurney was rolled out of the room, Teddy in her tight grip.

  Michelle took one look at Steve, and they both began to tear up. “Why is this happening?” she asked
.

  “I don’t know, babe.” Pulling her close, he stroked her hair and back.

  With arms around each other, they walked out to the sitting area to wait.

  “I heard something on the radio this week that made me think about Madison,” Steve said.

  She turned toward him. “Really? What?”

  “It was a Bible study from Genesis about Abraham.”

  “Why did it remind you of Maddie?”

  “For a couple of reasons. First, because the pastor talked about how Abraham had to wait a long time to have his son, Isaac.”

  Michelle nodded, remembering their journey with infertility that had made her wonder if they’d ever have a child.

  “He also talked about how God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.”

  “What? Are you telling me you think God is going to take Madison from us?” Michelle couldn’t believe her husband was saying this.

  “Wait. Let me explain,” Steve said. “It was really a test of Abraham’s faith and trust in God. Abraham took Isaac and placed him on the altar, ready to obey God. He knew that Isaac was a child of promise and that God was even able to raise him from the dead if need be in order to fulfill that promise.”

  “Go on.”

  “What I’m saying, Michelle, is that maybe God wants us to put Madison on the altar – to say we trust Him with whatever is going to happen here. That we believe He loves her as much or more than we do, and that He will get us all through this just like He did with Abraham and Isaac, when He supplied a substitute sacrifice at the last minute.”

  Michelle just stared at him for a few moments. “How do we do that, Steve? I mean, how do we put her on the altar?”

  “I guess we just pray and tell God that we are trusting Him to do the right thing and that we will still love and obey Him even if this doesn’t turn out the way we hope.”

  “Can you honestly do that?” she asked.

  “I don’t think we have a choice.”

  She paused and then asked the question she feared most. “Do you think God is going to take her?”