Risky Business by Kathryn Shay Page A

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    “I know that’s what you were thinking, but cancer doesn’t announce itself with that kind of pain. There
is
a mass, though.”
    “What could it be?” Jared asked. Much as she disliked the man, Magdalena couldn’t steel herself against the hoarse pain in his tone.
    “I have anidea but I’d rather not speculate. I know it’s hard waiting, but I’ve ordered an ultrasound, along with blood tests. You can go up with her for those, too,” he said to Ana and Jared. “Then I’ll read the results and meet you back here.” He nodded to them. “Have patience.”
    When Ana and Jared and a sleepy Opal left, Magdalena said, “I don’t get it. Ana’s been vituperative about Jared for overtwo years. Now she’s letting him take care of her.”
    Taking her hand, Logan said, “Some love never dies, sweetheart.”
    She knew his words had a double meaning, was glad for it.
    Eventually, the doctor and Ana and her family came back. After a nurse settled Opal inside and sat with her, Dr. Janson said, “I have the results.” He nodded to their daughter, who was falling back to sleep. “Whydon’t we all go out in the waiting area?”
    They sat at a table. He placed a pad in front of him. It will be easier if I draw it out. He sketched as he talked. “Opal was born with her ureter on top of the kidney right here, instead of on the bottom, here. This caused a buildup of fluid. That’s what the mass is.”
    “What’s the cure?” Ana asked.
    “Surgery. We’ll go in and drain the liquid.Then I’ll move the ureter to the bottom of the kidney so this doesn’t happen again.”
    “That’s major surgery.” This from Jared. “What are the risks?”
    “Damage to the kidney. We’ll try our best to preserve as much as we can, but it
will
be damaged. The best we can hope for is that it’s ten percent functioning. I know that doesn’t sound like much, but if something were to happen to the otherkidney, she could live without dialysis with
seven
percent of this one.”
    Magdalena watched Ana digest the news. She didn’t cry now. She straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “When will you do it?”
    “Not for three weeks.”
    “What?”
Jared’s tone was harsh.
    Dr. Janson turned kind eyes on the man. “My schedule is packed, literally, for three weeks. Renal pediatrics is a sparsefield. It’s dangerous to do too many surgeries in one twenty-four-hour period. Though you may not feel this way, Opal’s condition isn’t as bad as the patients I’ll be operating on before I get to her.”
    “But she’s in pain.”
    “I’m hoping that won’t happen again. Did she do anything unusual yesterday or the day before?”
    “We ice-skated at Rockefeller Center. She fell a lot, which is unusual.She’s a good athlete.”
    “That might have precipitated the pain. She’ll have to take it easy. No sports or physical activity. You’ll have to watch her carefully.”
    Logan said, “No offense to you, but what about another surgeon?”
    “You wouldn’t find one who’s in any different circumstances than I am. But you’re welcome to try.”
    “Do you want me to try, Ana?” Logan asked.
    She lookedto Jared. He said, “I think we have to believe Dr. Janson. Let’s go with him.”
    “Then here’s what we’ll do. Give her pain meds if she has another attack and call us. She’ll also have to come in for some pre-op tests. I’ll order an MRI just to check things out, but it will take a few days to get in for one. Meanwhile, I’m certain of my diagnosis.”
    “Can she go to school?”
    “Yes, but I’dprefer someone drive her and pick her up. All cautionary, but you’ll want to avoid those bumpy busses.”
    After more instructions, the doctor left. The four adults stared at each other. Finally, Logan said, “In the scheme of what could have happened, this is good news.”
    “There’ll be damage to her kidney,” Ana said
.
    “We can handle that, Ana.” Jared spoke softly. “Let’s make some