Allen’s heart was beating out of his chest as he bolted through the doors of NYU medical center. When Tamiko called him she was crying and could barely put together a coherent sentence making it hard to understand her. But he definitely knew that she told him to come to NYU medical center. Something had happened to Tim. From what he could piece together from Tamiko, it probably was a seizure. Tim had told him that this could happen as a side effect from the biopsy or from the increased pressure from the tumor. Allen hoped it was more the former rather than the latter.
Allen headed to the emergency unit waiting room, and there he saw Tamiko sitting with Ms. Russell and Tim’s sister, Allyson. Allyson seemed to be consoling her mother while Tamiko was doubled over holding her head in her hands.
“Hey, what’s going on?” asked Allen, out of breath.
“Allen, what are you doing here?” queried Allyson incredulously.
“I called him”, said Tamiko weakly.
“Do you really think all this is necessary?” hissed Allyson.
“For heaven’s sake, he already knows, Allyson!” Tamiko spat back out of frustration.
“Can somebody please tell me, what’s going on with Tim?!” Allen asked again.
“He had a seizure. They were able to stabilize him in the ambulance, but they’re checking him out now. They think he’s going to be okay”, said Tamiko trying to keep herself composed.
“Thank God for that”, breathed Allen.
“Excuse me, I’m looking for Ms. Russell, Tim Russell’s mother.” said the doctor on duty. He was a tall dark-haired white man in scrubs.
“Yes, I’m Ms. Russell”, said Eleanor springing up from her chair.
“I’m Dr. Michaels. Your son had a seizure, and we gave him some Klonopin to stabilize him. We’re going to keep him for observation overnight, but overall we think he’s going to be fine for now. He’s awake and you can go in and see him now. I suggest two at a time, family first.”
“Thank you, doctor. Come, Allyson.”
Eleanor and Allyson followed the doctor through the swinging doors into the emergency unit, while Allen and Tamiko remained in the waiting room. Allen took a seat next to Tamiko.
“Are you okay?”
“I don’t know. One minute we were sitting at the table, and the next thing…I didn’t know what to do. You don’t know how much I thanked God that there was a doctor in the restaurant that helped us… I was so scared…I thought I could be strong for Tim, but now I’m not sure.”
“Everything’s going to work out”, said Allen putting a consoling arm around Tamiko “Tim’s going to be all right. He told us this kind of thing could happen. It doesn’t mean it’s the end.”
“After having dinner with his family, I realize just how much he needs God’s love and our support.”
“I guess they didn’t take the news well.”
“His mother is in denial, and his sister doesn’t seem to care at all.”
“Sorry to say, but I kinda expected that.”
“I’m going to keep praying. I know God can bring him through this. We just have to help Tim keep faith in Him.”
“Excuse me.” Dr. Michaels came back. “You can see him, now, but try to keep it short. He needs to rest.”
“Where is he?”
“Right this way.”
Dr. Michaels took them upstairs to a general observation room. Tim was sitting up, playing with his smart phone when Allen and Tamiko came in. Tamiko swooped down on him for a hug.
“Hey.”
“I’m so glad you’re okay”, she said, her voice muffled by the fabric
of the hospital gown he was wearing.
“I hope I didn’t give you guys too much of a scare.”
“Don’t worry about us, man. How are you?” asked Allen.
“I’m okay.”
“Really?” asked Tamiko.
“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s not like Dr. Rabinow didn’t warn me. But I will
say that losing control of one’s body does take some getting used to.”
“We have to keep believing. God is going to see you through this.”
“Yeah. But I think this just might be a sign that I better get my
second opinion soon.”
“Remember, man: one day at a time” said Allen.
“I’m trying. But it’s hard when you get these little reminders that
your brain is falling apart”, said Tim struggling to be brave.
“So when are they letting you go home?” asked Tamiko.
“Tomorrow morning.”
“We’ll come by and pick you up.”
“You guys don’t have to do that. I don’t want to become ‘poor
Tim’.” “Tim, we’re family. We got you”, insisted Allen.
“That’s right. Speaking of family, what happened to your mom and your sister?”
“They went home. My mother is determined to haul me off to Baltimore. But at least now she seems to be coming out of denial. My sister…I don’t know. She didn’t say much of anything. I’m really sorry you had to put up with all her nonsense at dinner.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’m developing a thick skin for insults. But I think your mom is right. You should go”, said Tamiko.
“I don’t think I have a choice, now.”
“Maybe this will all work out for the best. You never know, man”, said Allen.
“I don’t know. If the tumor doesn’t kill me, two weeks with my mom just might.”
“Maybe she won’t be so bad.”
“I love my mom, but I just wish she wasn’t such a control freak. You know, I told her all they have to do is send my records and the biopsy sample to Johns-Hopkins for the new doctor to review, but she wants me to have another MRI, CT scan, and biopsy. I don’t want to have to go through all of that again.”
“Did you tell your mom that?” asked Allen.
“Talking to her is like talking to the wall, especially if she’s determined to get what she wants.”
“You’re not a minor, Tim. She can’t make you go through with something you don’t want to”, suggested Tamiko.
“You obviously don’t know Eleanor Russell very well.”
“And I think we’d like to keep it that way”, joked Allen.
“Is there anything you need right now?” asked Tamiko.
“No. Not really. But since you guys are coming by tomorrow, could you stop by my apartment and bring me my field coat and some regular clothes. I don’t want to be out Saturday morning with a formal suit on. And bring a couple of garment bags for my suit and my dress coat.”
“Will do. But right now I think we need to let you rest for the night. Good night man, see you in the morning.”
“Goodnight, dude.”
“Good night, Tim” said Tamiko pecking him on the forehead.
“Good night, Miko. ”
Seventy
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