Chapter 19
“Mr. Whitaker, my name is Goodson Ikande. I will be Lamisha’s doctor for the rest of her treatment.”
He was a tall, slender man with delicate hands, close-cropped hair, and smooth ebony skin. His speaking voice was a blend of British precision and Nigerian lilt. He wore wire-rimmed eyeglasses.
He turned his attention to Lamisha. “And you must be Lamisha.”
He took her small hand in both of his and leaned toward her. “I’m very glad, very, very glad to be your doctor,” he whispered. “Call me Dr. Good, OK?”
On the previous day, Dr. Ikande had received a call from James Ponder. “Dr. Ikande, thank you for taking my call. I got your number from the hospital medical director. She speaks very highly of you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Ponder. It’s nice to speak with you. Yes, she told me you would be calling. Please tell me about the little girl.”
Mr. Ponder outlined Lamisha’s story: the automobile accident, her mother’s death, the long hospital stay, the musical chair of doctors, and the hardship on the family.
“Dr. Ikande, I’m calling to ask if you might be willing to take the young lady as a patient.
Her family doesn’t have private insurance, and she’s been treated by various doctors at this point.
We would like one doctor to handle her case for the remainder of her treatment and the medical director says you’re the best.”
The hospital medical director had, in fact, given a glowing recommendation of Dr. Ikande.
He was born and raised in Nigeria, received his medical degree in London, completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics at Boston Children’s Hospital, and maintained a thriving practice with a group in Golden.
He was widely recognized as an authority in his field and well-respected for charitable work he routinely did abroad, at his own expense, treating children with leg injuries caused by landmines.
“And Mr. Ponder, how do you know the little girl?” Dr. Ikande asked.
“I’m representing a private individual, a benefactor, who wishes to remain anonymous.
He’s a friend of the Whitaker family and wants to help them, but he doesn’t want them to feel indebted to him in any way.
If you take the case, you will bill him through my office.
He is very capable of covering any costs involved and very happy to do so.
He is hopeful you might be able to help the little girl.
I know this is rather unusual, but the gentleman wants the best for the child and her family. ”
“Yes, it is rather unusual,” Dr. Ikande agreed, “but I appreciate your client’s benevolence. I will talk with the medical director and have my office get back to you.”
Later that day, Dr. Ikande accepted the case, agreed to request and review Lamisha’s records immediately, and promised to meet with her family as soon as possible. The next morning, between surgeries, he met his new patient in room 626.
Mr. Ponder met with Theo to inform him of the arrangement.
“Theo, Lamisha is in good hands. The doctor is a remarkable man who specializes in treatment of leg injuries. He reviewed her records and said her condition is serious, but he’s cautiously optimistic of a good outcome.
I got the impression he was not terribly pleased with the level of care she’s received so far.
He said she’ll probably always have a limp, but there’s no threat of losing the leg. ”
Theo nodded. He was pleased that Lamisha’s future care would be consistent and high quality. He was not sure how he might thank the doctor.
“And this will all be kept confidential?”
“That’s correct. The Whitakers only know that a new doctor is going to be taking care of her.
I told Dr. Ikande that a concerned friend had gotten involved.
He understands the need for discretion. From what I can tell, he is a generous man himself.
I hope the two of you can meet sometime.
Rest assured Lamisha is in the best of hands with him. ”
“That’s very good. Thank you, James.” By then the two men were on a first-name basis. “And what have we worked out for the grandmother?”
“Right. I got in touch with her employer. We’re still working out the details, but basically they’re going to give her paid leave until Lamisha is back home and situated.
We’ll deposit some funds with her employer, and they’ll use that to pay her for as long as she’s on leave.
The folks who own the company are old friends of mine.
I told them I was working on behalf of a client who wishes to remain anonymous, so they’ll keep it all secret.
They spoke very highly of Mrs. Whitaker. ”
“Excellent. Thank you.” Theo grinned and patted Ponder’s forearm. “I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. We might just become a formidable force for good at this rate, yes? ‘On earth as it is in heaven.’ ”
“Actually Theo, I find this all rather curious, but it’s certainly admirable. People like you renew my hope in humanity.”
“Yes, we can be such a terrible race at times, but, at the same time, terribly wonderful. All capable of saintliness. You, too, James. You too.”