Chapter 17: Chapter 16. Go Along with The Surgery and Live, Or Keep Suffering and Die Soon

My face turned ghostly pale, and I saw Nancy’s eyes grow wide.

This is exactly why I dread doctor visits. They always find something wrong, something that needs fixing. And I absolutely despise ~needles!~

~

I know it sounds ridiculous, coming from an undefeated boxer, but I can’t stand the sight of them. Ever since my first doctor’s appointment as a kid, I’ve been terrified of needles. The thought of the sharp pain that follows the prick of a needle still gives me the creeps.

“S-surgery,” I stammered, my shoulders trembling slightly. The pain in my lower abdomen was momentarily forgotten.

Dr. Kelly nodded, offering me a comforting smile.

“Yes, dear. Internal bleeding is a serious matter. The knife wound in your lower stomach, just below your belly button, has punctured your colon.

“Now, there’s severe internal bleeding in your colon. If left untreated, it could be fatal within days,” Dr. Kelly explained, pointing to the image of my colon on the screen.

I heard Nancy gasp as my face turned even paler.

So, my options were clear: Undergo surgery and live, or continue suffering and die soon.

~Not much of a choice, really.~

~

I swallowed hard and nodded slowly. “As much as I hate needles, I don’t think I have a choice, do I?” I mumbled, forcing a nervous laugh.

Dr. Kelly shook her head. “No, Claire. You always have a choice. But you must be ready to face the consequences of your decisions,” she said seriously.

~Consequence?! I thought surgery was supposed to be a good thing!~

~

“Then, what’s the consequence if I choose surgery?” I asked hesitantly.

“Well,” she began, “the surgery could go one of two ways: It could go perfectly, and you’d be back on your feet in no time. Or, we might not be able to operate in time, and the worst could happen,” she said nonchalantly.

“Which is more likely?” I asked.

She smiled at me. “The odds are in favor of the surgery going well and you surviving. But, we can never be 100% certain.

“Unexpected things happen that even we doctors can’t always fix in time. But I would recommend taking the small risk and going through with the surgery,” she explained warmly.

I nodded, understanding that either way, death was a possibility. But I was confident they could perform the surgery in time.

“So, when is her surgery?” Nancy asked, her voice trembling.

Dr. Kelly glanced at me briefly, then turned back to Nancy, her face expressionless. “Today, as soon as possible,” she said.

“Oh,” was all Nancy could manage. Nancy was never one for blood or even the thought of it. The mere sight of it made her nauseous.

She hated hearing about the surgery and what it entailed. The graphic images that came to mind from the doctor’s description were too much for her.

And she absolutely despised it when a loved one’s life was at risk!

Dr. Kelly nodded. “I’ll get started as soon as possible.” She turned to me.

“Claire, since I know about your ‘situation...’” She was referring to my secret identity as White Wolf and my parents’ ignorance of it.

“I’ll perform your surgery without anyone else knowing.

Of course, it will take longer because I’m the only one doing a surgery that usually requires a team of five. But don’t worry,” she said, noticing Nancy’s alarmed expression.

“I’ve been doing these kinds of surgeries for years. I know what I’m doing. It’ll just take a bit longer,” she reassured me.

I nodded, eager to get it over with. “Okay,” I said. I just hoped it wouldn’t be as painful as I feared. The pain in my lower stomach—my colon—was getting worse.

Half an hour later, I was in a drab hospital gown, an IV needle in my right arm, being wheeled into the operating room by Dr. Kelly.

After I agreed to the surgery, Dr. Kelly immediately began setting up the equipment and handed me a bag with a hospital gown to change into.

To say I was scared would be an understatement.

I was terrified!

Again, I HATED needles!

So, you can imagine how much I squirmed and bit my lip as I watched the needle pierce my skin, the medicine flowing into my veins, making sleep seem like the most wonderful thing in the world!

I could picture Nancy pacing the waiting room, worry lines creasing her forehead, biting her nails and her lower lip, lost in thought.

“It’s alright, Claire. I promise, you’ll be fine,” she assured me as she wheeled me into the room.

I looked around the small, cramped room.

It was filled with various objects—objects I couldn’t even begin to identify.

When my eyes landed on the small cart filled with sharp instruments, they widened and I felt a wave of nausea wash over me.

~Is she going to cut me open with those?!~

~

Soon, Dr. Kelly turned around. A white mask covered her nose and mouth, her hands were encased in light blue gloves, and her white coat was off.

She slowly walked over and turned on a machine above me.

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion, wondering how I had missed the huge machine hanging over my head. She took off a type of breathing mask and slowly brought it to cover my mouth and nose.

As I breathed in the sweet-smelling oxygen, my eyelids grew heavy.

I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer.

The last thing I saw was Dr. Kelly giving me a thumbs up, before I finally closed my eyes, surrendering to the sweet, all-encompassing darkness that enveloped me.