The oncologist had been cautionary, of course, but Cathy didn’t care. Her daughter was coming home to be with her.
Cathy would naturally have to take Chloe in to the hospital for regular appointments and the ongoing monitoring would make certain that things continued to go well. Chloe’s immune system was delicate. She couldn’t be exposed to other children or public places yet. If she developed graft-versus-host disease, she would have to be given immunosuppressive drugs for a minimum of six months. Then she would have to be revaccinated for diseases like measles and polio. Cathy understood all of that. The remaining difficulties didn’t matter. My baby is coming home! Her mind raced happily with the possibilities.
She immediately called her sister and brother-in-law to relate the happy news, and it was a long, animated conversation before she rung off. Talking to them helped to ground the whirl of giddiness that had seized her, and Cathy straightened in her chair. Her thoughtful gaze darted around her office. The enormity of the changes in her life and her daughter’s was just beginning to sink in. She needed to be with Chloe every hour of the day. She couldn’t be at the office, yet she would need a steady income. Her lips tightened with determination. Everything would have to be reworked and changed to accommodate Chloe’s homecoming.
Cathy picked up the phone again. It was time to take advantage of the often-repeated offer of her employer to grant her a leave of absence. However, instead of requesting leave, she was going to negotiate the viability of telecommunicating. She needed to present the proposal to her direct supervisor first, not only to get his input but to enlist his support. “Paul? Have you got a few minutes? I have some wonderful news!”
After she had spoken with her boss, who immediately endorsed her proposal and promised to clear the path for her change in work location, Cathy found that she couldn’t contain herself any more. She just had to tell someone else the good news. She picked up the phone again and dialed the direct extension for the office of the network administrator. When her call was answered, she blurted out, “Vicky! Chloe is coming home!”
“What? Oh my God! The blood transplantation—”
“It looks good, really good,” Cathy said, laughing.
“Oh, girl! That’s fantastic news!” Vicky’s voice had thickened with emotion. The clearing of her throat came clearly down the line. “When will Chloe—”
“Maybe in a few days, I don’t know exactly. I’ve already talked to Paul and arranged to work from home as soon as I hear what day I can pick up Chloe.” Cathy’s thoughts were racing again. “Vicky, I’ve got so much to do! I’ve got to clean the apartment from top to bottom. I don’t want any stray germs or dust. I need to get another HEPA filter. And a car seat! I’ve got to buy a car seat the first thing! I won’t be able to bring Chloe home without it. And I want to have Chloe’s favorite things to eat and—”
“I can help you with the shopping. And I’ll get the car seat.”
“Oh, Vicky, you don’t have to do that.”
“I want to.” Vicky’s voice was firm. “It will be my gift to you and Chloe.”
“Thanks, Vic.” Cathy smiled tremulously. She wiped the unexpected tears from her eyes. “I really don’t know what I would have done without you through all of this.”
“You would have done the same for me.” Vicky’s voice lowered, as though she was speaking from behind her hand. “Cathy, are you going to tell him? Tell Michael about Chloe?”
“No. No, of course not.” Cathy’s response was quick, visceral. She straightened in her chair. “Why would I? He has nothing to do with me and Chloe.”