Chapter 2 - THE SURGEON SAID WE COULDN’T WAIT
Eliza began vomiting twenty minutes later.
The pain became so severe that she curled onto her side and stopped trying to pretend she was okay.
That was another thing I would remember.
How long she had learned to hide pain because adults had repeatedly told her it was too much.
The pediatric gynecologic surgeon, Dr. Priya Shah, arrived quickly.
She explained that imaging suggested the ovary may now have twisted more significantly.
“We cannot confirm the exact condition of the ovary without surgery.”
My mouth went dry.
“Can you save it?”
“If blood flow has been compromised, we assess what is viable. Our goal is to preserve healthy tissue whenever safely possible.”
No promises.
I appreciated that.
Eliza looked at me.
“Mom.”
I took her hand.
“I’m right here.”
She whispered:
“Am I going to die?”
“No one had said that.”
But I refused to lie.
“The doctors are taking this seriously, and they know what they’re doing.”
Her eyes filled.
“Dad said I was being dramatic.”
I felt something crack inside me.
“This is not your fault.”
Before she was taken toward surgery, Thomas arrived.
He came running down the corridor.
“Eliza!”
She looked at him.
He stopped beside the bed.
For a second, nobody spoke.
Then he touched her shoulder.
“I’m sorry.”
Eliza turned her face away.
That was all she could give him.
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And he had no right to ask for more.
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