Chapter 21
“Doctor?” asked Howie again after he waited a few moments for the doctor
in front of him to speak.
“Um, yes I’m sorry Mr. Dorough. As I was
saying
earlier, Mr. Littrell needs a heart transplant. This is the only option
that we
feel will save him. The bad thing is that it could take weeks, months,
even
years for a new heart to become available, and I’m afraid Mr. Littrell
may
not have many months and definately not years to wait.”
The young men
in
front of him looked up at him with a mix of pain and sorrow gracing
their
features.
“How long does he have left, sir?” asked Kevin. This was the
question everyone wanted to know the answer to and they were gratefull
someone asked it.
The doctor cleared his
throat and looked the boys right in their eyes. “I would probably say 2
to 3
months tops. I’m really sorry gentlemen, wish I could offer you better
news.”
The doctor then turned to leave.
“Sir, wait. When can we go see him?”
called out A.J.
The doctor stopped and turned around as he said, “Right
now
if you wish. Usually we only allow a maximum of two people to visit an
intensive care patient, but I will allow all four of you gentlemen in
his room at
a time. His room number is 220 and if you gentlemen have any questions,
please feel free to have a nurse page me. Visiting hours are over at
12:30.
Goodbye gentlemen.”
The soft click of the door shutting seemed to be a
signal for the boys to break down. They never thought this situation
could get
this bad. Their friend, their brother, their fellow bandmate is
probably going
to die. Each one mentally kicked themselves thinking, “If only I had
done
more, this may have never happened.”