Is there a cure?” Johanna asked with urgency.
“Just tell me, no matter the cost, as long as it can heal my daughter.” The doctor heaved another heavy sigh.
“The probability of successfully treating this condition is relatively low, and it necessitates a lengthy course of treatment.
You should brace yourselves for this.”
Upon hearing the doctor’s words, a buzzing filled Natalie’s ears and her mind went blank.
For a moment, she felt as though she had lost her ability to hear. A congenital abnormality in uterine development? Complicating her ability to conceive? Why did these words, individually familiar, sound so foreign when strung together? So ridiculous? Why had this happened to her? Clutching tightly to the test report that felt akin to a death sentence, Natalie’s face held a vacant expression.
It was as though all her energy had been sucked away, leaving her to lean heavily on the armrest of her chair to prevent herself from collapsing.
Johanna, too, was deeply afflicted, but as a mother, she knew she had to muster strength for her daughter, to stand by her. She firmly grasped Natalie’s hand and calmly inquired, “What’s the recommended treatment for my daughter’s condition? What are the success rates for pregnancy post- treatment? Most importantly, will the treatment inflict much pain on her?” Johanna was nearing fifty when she was reunited with her sole biological daughter.
During the two decades of their separation, Johanna never ceased thinking about the child they had lost. When she finally located her daughter, Natalie, and discovered the hardships she’d endured, she was heartbroken. She felt a profound sense of guilt and wished she could bestow upon Natalie all the good in the world. Just as she dared to dream that everything was falling into place, this diagnosis swooped in. The prospect of a long, drawn-out treatment was one thing, but the possibility of it causing her daughter constant pain and suffering was unbearable. Having spent years in elite social circles, Johanna had witnessed many affluent wives endure great sacrifices to bear children.
They would suffer immense hardship, consume medications that led to weight gain, and undergo multiple, unsuccessful IVF attempts, leaving their bodies ravaged. The fortunate ones would ultimately rejoice at the birth of their child, but the unlucky ones would spend years undergoing treatment without any results, only to be callously abandoned by their husbands. She would never subject her daughter to such torment in exchange for a child. What was so wrong about not having a child? Even if Natalie desired a child, they could always adopt.
And if Brandon wasn’t willing to adopt, the Whites had the means to support their daughter and grandchild comfortably. Natalie perceived the intent behind her mother’s words, gripping Johanna’s hand in response, deeply touched by her reassuring words.
Johanna gazed at Natalie, asserting gently yet firmly, “Fear not, my dear.
As long as I’m with you, I won’t let the prospect of having a child cause you distress.” Natalie nodded, comforted significantly by the warmth emanating from Johanna’s words.
“Please, don’t tread lightly around the issue.
I need to know what lies ahead.
I am prepared to face whatever news you have.”
Having witnessed numerous patients crumble in despair upon receiving unfavorable test results, the doctor was struck by Natalie’s fortitude.
His tone mellowed as he addressed her, “Although your condition isn’t the most promising, there still exists a glimmer of hope for a cure, albeit through a complex process.
Johanna, still anxious, interjected, “Hope is secondary.
What matters is whether my daughter will have to endure pain throughout the treatment.”
The doctor replied with a sense of resignation, “I can’t promise that, I’m afraid.”
A slight frown creased Johanna’s forehead.
She was about to voice her concerns further, but Natalie gently squeezed her hand and shook her head, signaling her to refrain.
Johanna recognized her daughter’s steadfast independence, her dislike of others meddling in her life or decisions.
And so, even with worry gnawing at her, she swallowed her words, abiding by her daughter’s wish.
Apologizing to the doctor, Natalie said, “I’m sorry, my mother gets a bit intense when she’s worried.
Her urgency might come off a little strong, I hope you don’t take it to heart.”
The doctor returned her smile, replying, “I understand.
Please, Mrs.White, don’t worry.
While I can’t guarantee a painless treatment process for Miss White, I will do my utmost to mitigate it.
In the initial phase, we’ll administer medication, and then adjust the treatment plan according to her recovery progress.
However, bear in mind that the treatment period will be lengthy.
Prepare yourselves for an extended battle.”
She immediately wanted to agree to the doctor’s suggestion.
However, she suddenly recalled Charis’ malicious gaze and Star Entertainment’s beauty pills incident. After going through that and having a pharmacist target her and Brandon, Natalie became very touchy about unknown medications and avoided them discreetly. Although the doctor before her was recommended by her mother, she still trusted Frank, a doctor who was Brandon’s friend.
Because of that, Natalie decided to consult with Frank first and inquire about the reliability of the customized medicine before determining what to do.
After all, it was always better to be safe than sorry. “Although your proposal is tempting, I want to go back and discuss it with my husband first,”
she said to the doctor. She looked at her daughter with a compassionate gaze and said, “If it proves unfeasible, we can choose to forego the treatment.
Having a child isn’t a life necessity, and I don’t want you to endure so much.” Natalie bit her lip and fell silent. She understood Johanna’s concerns and was apprehensive about the challenges ahead.
However, she cherished the hope of having a child with Brandon and wasn’t ready to abandon it due to the current complications. She had witnessed the joy and strength in Laney’s demeanor after childbirth and the newfound maturity in Garrett upon becoming a father.
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More so, she had seen how a child had deepened their bond during conflicts. To her, a child wasn’t merely a manifestation of love but also a bridge binding two lovers together. Therefore, despite the looming hardships, she was resolved to attempt it. Observing the determination in Natalie’s eyes, Johanna felt worried but was at a loss. She was both heartbroken for Natalie and compelled to respect her decision. After a moment’s hesitation, she conceded & said, “If you’ve made your decision, that’s okay.
I’ll always support you.” Natalie smiled, buoyed by her mother’s support, and said, “Thank you, Mom.” Johanna returned a rueful smile.
“We’re aging, and it’s no longer our place to make decisions for you.” The doctor added with a smile, “Young people today certainly have their own perspectives.” He paused briefly and then shifted gears. “However, our hospital collaborates with a specialist in this field.
If Miss White is determined to proceed with treatment and can endure the potential difficulties, we can invite the expert to devise a personalized treatment for Miss White.
This will take into account her specific condition and overall health, using custom medication to significantly enhance treatment outcomes.” Both Johanna and Natalie were encouraged by the doctor’s proposal.
Yet, given that it involved her daughter’s health, Johanna remained careful and inquired, “How proficient is the expert you’re collaborating with? Have there been any previous patients who’ve taken this customized medication? What were their outcomes? Are there any side effects?”
The doctor found himself taken aback by the flurry of questions.
He pulled up the expert’s details on his computer and addressed each query one by one, “As evident here, this expert is highly esteemed in the field of infertility treatment.