Read Online Hope's Toy Chest by Marissa Dobson - Free Book Online Page B

he had to put distance between them. Neither one was going to be easy for him.
    With nothing else to do but get back to the paperwork that littered his desk, he vowed to talk to Chelsea after their trip. She deserved him to be upfront with her. In the meantime, he had to decide if he was willing to give up what he could have with her before they even had a chance to explore it.
    As he opened the next file on his desk that needed his attention, his cell went off with an emergency message.
    Code blue: radiation room three. Glancing at the clock again, he jumped out of his chair and charged for the door. At that time of day, his only patient in radiation was Jessica. Damn!
    Skipping the elevator , he raced down three flights of steps to the radiation ward. He wasn’t a religious man, but with each step he said a silent prayer. Jessica’s frail body couldn’t take much more and if her heart stopped they might not be able to get it restarted. He made a mental note to talk to Mrs. Cook to see if she had changed her mind on a living willing for Jessica. Kelly needed to consider if she wanted them to perform extreme measures to try to save Jessica…or if she preferred them to let nature take its course.
    He realized h is thoughts sounded too similar to what the nurse had said, and he scolded himself. Coming through the stairwell doors, he didn’t have time to consider it. Doctor Cole Roberts, the pediatric radiation oncologist handling Jessica’s treatment, and one of his nurses stood waiting outside room three.
    “What happened?”
    Cole tipped his head to the side, dismissing the nurse before turning to Le. “We just finished Jessica’s treatment when suddenly she said something was wrong. She didn’t have time to explain before she went into cardiac arrest. After a flat line, we were able to get her heart beating again. Doctor West is with her now.”
    “Damn it.” Le grabbed hold of the door handle. He was glad it was Brian in there with her. He was a good pediatric cardiologist and held the same beliefs as he when it came to saving children.
    “Her heart and body are giving out, and you know the probability of her surviving this latest round of cancer. Is it wise to continue the treatments?”
    “It’s our duty to do everything we can to help our patients ,” Le reminded him, his tone heated with anger.
    “We also made a vow not to do harm. Have you considered the treatment might be doing more harm than good?”
    He had considered it but wasn’t willing to admit it yet because that would mean defeat. The minute they stopped doing the treatments it would be an automatic death sentence for her.
    “All I’m asking is for you to run a new batch of tests, see if we’re making any progress with this treatment. If there are no changes, sit down with her mother and consider the options. Will you at least do that?”
    Le nodded. “I won’t put her heart under anymore strain until Brian clears her.”
    “Very well. With today’s reaction, we’ll postpone her treatment for tomorrow in order to give you time to perform the tests.”
    He opened to door, stepped inside, and found Kelly hovering by Jessica’s bed . Tears streaked her face.
    “I hear you had a negative reaction to the treatment . How are you feeling now?” Le asked.
    “Tired.” Jessica’s voice was faint, and her eyes fluttered.
    “Why don’t you rest here for a few minutes while I speak with Doctor Mathews and your Mom?” Brian patted her hand. “Would that be okay? We’ll just be right outside in the hall.”
    Jessica nodded , not opening her eyes, and Kelly kissed her forehead. “I’ll be right back, sweetie.”
    Le opened the door for Kelly and Brian and when they stepped outside, he left it slightly opened so they could watch Jessica.
    “How is she?” Kelly asked.
    “Her heartbeat is faint and she’s extremely tired. This episode took a lot out of her ,” Brian explained. “I need to do a chest x-ray, EKG, and a few other tests