Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
Dean looked over at Noelle and offered her a weak smile. She was sitting close beside him as they waited in the examination room at the doctor’s office. They were there for a final consultation with Dean’s surgeon before his procedure, and Dean felt his whole body buzzing with anxiety.
He knew that having the surgery was his best chance at feeling better—maybe even nearly back to normal—and he wanted that for himself, and for Noelle, who often had to be patient and gracious when his arthritis got in the way of their plans.
He couldn’t help feeling unnerved by the whole idea, however.
There were risks involved, and he hated the idea of going under and surrendering his body to strangers, no matter how competent they might be.
He was doing his best to be brave, but he couldn’t hide his building nerves from Noelle. She clearly sensed every time he shifted in his chair, and he saw her watching the mist of perspiration on his forehead with concern.
“How long have we been waiting?” he asked, partly to make conversation and partly because he wanted to know the answer. He was beginning to feel as though they’d been sitting there for an hour.
Noelle glanced at her watch, shaking her head. “It’s been nearly twenty minutes.” She placed a reassuring hand on his back. “Do you want me to go out to the front desk and check with Hazel? Maybe she can give us an update.”
As if summoned by her words, a moment later there was a knock on the examination room door and Hazel poked her head inside. Dean felt a surge of relief at the sight of his twin, and he’d never been so glad that she worked as a receptionist at the doctor’s office before.
“Hey, guys.” Hazel offered them an apologetic smile. Dean could tell that she sensed his worry too. “Dr. Keller is going to be here soon, I’m sorry for the delay. He got held up at another clinic, but he’s almost here.”
“It’s okay.” Noelle smiled at her. “Thanks for letting us know.”
“Of course.” Hazel nodded, glancing at Dean with a worried expression. “I’m sorry you had to wait. Can I get you both some more coffee?”
Noelle glanced at her empty coffee cup, which was resting on a small table next to their chairs. “Would you? Thanks, Hazel. You’re a sweetheart.”
“No problem at all. Happy to be able to do something.” Hazel stepped forward to take Noelle’s coffee cup as she handed it to her. “What about you, Dean Bean? Do you want any more coffee?”
Dean couldn’t help smiling when Hazel used one of his silliest childhood nicknames. He hadn’t heard it in a while, and it brought back good memories of simpler times. “No, thanks, Hazel. I’m good for now.”
The truth was that he would have enjoyed a little more coffee, but he was already feeling too jittery, and he didn’t want to add a caffeine buzz to his anxiety.
“Okay. I’ll be back in just a second.” Hazel smiled before disappearing through the doorway.
“That was nice,” Noelle said after a pause.
“Yeah.” Dean smiled. "It’s nice that she’s here.”
True to her word, Hazel returned in a couple of minutes with a steaming refill of coffee for Noelle. Just as she was handing her the cup, someone appeared in the doorway behind her. Dean’s heart skipped a beat when he saw that it was Dr. Keller.
“Hi, Dean, Noelle,” he said, striding into the room. He was a tall man, and his white doctor’s coat made him look bigger. Dean always felt slightly intimidated by the doctor, despite his kind and gracious demeanor. “I’m so sorry I’m late.”
Dean stood up to shake the doctor’s hand. “You’re all good. Thanks for meeting with us.”
“I’ll let you get to it,” Hazel said, slipping out the door again with a look on her face that said, “Come tell me what he says as soon as it’s over.”
“Please, have a seat.” Dr. Keller leaned against the counter and smiled at Dean and Noelle, who sat down again. Dean felt a surge of adrenaline as he steadied himself to hear what the doctor was going to tell them.
“So we’ve been going over all your tests, Dean,” he said, smiling the kind but emotionless smile that he seemed to have mastered after many years in his profession.
“And it all looks stable. Surgery should be able to do you a world of good, and your body should take well to it. Nothing’s changed for you that would give us any cause for concern, so we’re full speed ahead on your surgery. ”
“That’s great.” Noelle squeezed Dean’s hand as she smiled.
Dr. Keller nodded. “Exactly as it should be, before a big procedure like this. And on that note—since it is such a major operation, there’s been a slight change of plans.
We’d like you to have surgery in the Andersonville hospital, Dean.
We know it’s a bit further away, but it’s the best place for your surgery. ”
Dean’s brow furrowed. He was already feeling sweaty hearing Dr. Keller use the words “major operation” and now he was being told that the surgery would take place miles away?
“Can I ask why?” He kept his voice steady, but he squeezed Noelle’s hand more tightly as he spoke.
“Of course.” Dr. Keller smiled his well-rehearsed smile again. “It’s important for a surgery like this to have all the necessary equipment.”
“I thought you have the equipment here,” Noelle said, glancing at Dean as if she could sense his tension.
“We have the equipment for the surgery itself,” Dr. Keller said, “but we want to be able to access other kinds of equipment—in case the surgery doesn’t go as planned.” He said the words breezily, as if he was discussing menu changes at a restaurant, but Dean blanched when he heard the words.
“Is it that risky?” Dean asked, still managing to keep his voice steady, but it was more difficult that time. “Are there a lot of things that could go wrong?”
Dr. Keller shook his head. “I wouldn’t think about it like that. There is a risk factor involved in every kind of surgery.” He smiled, seeming to believe that his words were encouraging.
Instead of feeling encouraged, however, Dean found himself thinking the worst. What if they hit a snag during his surgery and it impacted his recovery time? What if he wouldn’t be fully recovered for his wedding after all?
“That sounds good, Dr. Keller,” Noelle said. “We’ll do that if you think it’s the better option.”
“I do. And there’s no need to fret—hospitals are always in the business of preventing things. That doesn’t mean the risks are great.” Dr. Keller paused and jotted a few notes down on his clipboard.
“Understood.” Noelle squeezed Dean’s hand, giving him a reassuring smile. “We’re pleased than Dean will be given the best possible care.”
I wish I could be as optimistic as she is, he thought, squeezing her hand back. I know this surgery is the best option for me, but the closer I get to it, the more nervous I feel.
Still, with Noelle and his family by his side, he knew he could do it. He just needed to accept the risks and move forward, hoping for the best.