Jamison’s expression grew serious as he watched his wife make her decision with such crisp resolve. Nervously, he asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to think it over? Dr. Beckett said that while the surgery is effective for your condition, the research on possible complications is still incomplete. And once the anesthesia wears off, it’ll be pretty painful for a few days.”
Ivy remained composed. “Better to get it over with than drag it out. It’s still an improvement over those few torturous days every month, when the pain is enough to make me want to smash my head against the wall.”
Every month, right before and after her period, she was wracked with agony that made her wish she could just tear out her uterus and be done with it.
Now, all they’d do was use a minimally invasive procedure to block the artery feeding the diseased area. Whatever pain she’d feel couldn’t possibly compare the monthly misery she’d been enduring.
“Let’s do it, Dr. Beckett. Today,” Ivy said, her voice steady and sure.
Dr. Beckett nodded, but added, “There’s no rush. We need to run a few tests and assessments first, decide on the best plan for the procedure.”
“How long will that take?”
“Let’s aim for tomorrow. For now, we’ll get the tests started.”
Tomorrow…
to
A flicker of relief crossed Ivy’s face. She’d get to spend one more day with the child. she’d never get to meet. Unable to help herself, she smiled softly. “Alright, you’re the expert. I’ll follow your lead.”
Dr. Beckett left to arrange the necessary tests
Ivy turned to her husband, who still looked troubled. She reached out her hand
toward him.
Jamison came closer, taking her hand in his. His voice was low and tense. “Aren’t you even a little scared?”
“What’s there to be afraid of? This is the best hospital in the city, and Dr. Beckett is the top specialist. You have to trust your doctors. Maybe after this I’ll finally have. some peace every month. Besides, the surgery won’t affect my chances of getting pregnant–in fact, if it works, it might actually help. So what’s there to worry about?”
Chapter 689
Listening to her, the tension finally eased from Jamison’s face.
Once again, he couldn’t help but marvel at his wife’s decisiveness and calm. She was sharp, rational, and knew her own mind.
After years as a doctor, he’d seen every kind of patient and family member–most of them hesitant, anxious, unable to make even small decisions without asking everyone they knew for advice.
But Ivy? She acted like even the biggest life events were mere trifles, always quick to make a choice and never looking back.
With a helpless but fond smile, Jamison reached up and tapped Ivy’s nose. “If every patient thought like you, our jobs would be a lot easier.”
Sitting in her wheelchair, Ivy let out a sigh and tugged him closer, then buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled. “I get one more day with the baby…”
Jamison stood frozen, pain flashing across his face.
He knew, deep down, that Ivy was still grieving–she just didn’t want him to worry, so she pretended to be unfazed.
Once Dr. Beckett had set up all the tests, Jamison accompanied Ivy through them.
Afterward, Ivy returned to her hospital room to rest, and Jamison went back to his department to work.
Word had spread among friends and family that Ivy was supposed to have her procedure today, and her phone buzzed with calls and messages offering comfort.
But when she explained that the plan had changed–the surgery would be tomorrow, and that she’d be undergoing a uterine artery embolization as well–the complicated medical term startled everyone.
The next morning, it wasn’t just Katrina who came to visit. Even Adela, Jamison’s mother, showed up at the hospital leaning on a cane, with Davina by her side.
Ivy looked at them in surprise. “You two–what are you doing here?”
Before she could finish, Davina explained, “Mom wanted to see you. With such a big surgery coming up, we were worried.”
“It’s really not a big deal–just a minimally invasive procedure, very safe.” That’s what Ivy said out loud, but she felt genuinely touched that Jamison’s family cared enough to come.
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Adela turned to her younger son, worry etched in her face. “Is this surgery safe? Will it affect her ability to have children later? She was able to get pregnant before–what if the surgery changes that?”
She didn’t really understand the medical details; she just heard the word “uterus” and instinctively worried.
Jamison reassured her. “It won’t hurt her chances. The surgery’s meant to treat the problem, and it could actually make it easier for her to conceive.”
“Really?” Relief washed over Adela, but she pressed on, “So when can she try for a baby after the surgery?”
That, of course, was what she cared about most–she was afraid she’d never get to see her youngest son’s child born.
Ivy’s feelings grew complicated at that. It was like a daughter–in–law being wheeled out of the delivery room, only to have her mother–in–law Immediately ask, “So when are you having the next one?” Who wouldn’t be annoyed?
Still, Ivy understood where Adela was coming from; the older woman’s health was failing, and she just wanted to see her last wish come true.
Jamison, however, was fiercely protective. As soon as he heard his mother’s question, he snapped back, “If you came all this way just to add to her stress, maybe you should go home.”
Adela frowned. “I was only asking. Of course she should recover first–I’m not telling you to rush.”
Katrina watched all this from the side, and couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy at how Jamison defended his wife.
A nurse came in to say it was time to prep Ivy for surgery.
Jamison was visibly tense, clearly on edge. He asked again, “Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?”
He’d watched a video animation of the procedure the night before. As simple as it looked, the thought of his own wife on the table made him anxious.
He’d brought up the idea of staying with her during the operation, o, to be shot down again.
“Do other patients‘ husbands get to stay by their side during surgery? Don’t abuss your position just because you can,” Ivy had teased him.
He’d argued back, “If I’ve got the pull to get special treatment, why shouldn’t I use
2008
it?”
Ivy had just ignored him.
Now, as he asked one more time, she rolled her eyes. “I said no. If you keep pestering me, I’ll transfer to another hospital.”
As if this was the only facility in town capable of doing the procedure.
Jamison could only nod. “Alright, whatever you say.”
The truth was, Ivy was nervous too–especially knowing she’d have to undergo a procedure to end the pregnancy first. Her feelings were a tangled mess.