Memories of Max - A Father's Story

Chapter 10 - Transplant

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I was spending up to thirty six hours at a time watching Max like a hawk. I knew Max. I knew his idiosyncrasies and how he reacted and when something was wrong. The anti-sickness was withdrawn.

The following day the senior doctor walked into the room on his ward round. Max was sitting up in bed chatting and playing. "He's a different child, I think we'll keep him off the anti-sickness." The ward doctor turned to me, smiled and winked. My part in the decision was never revealed.

The nausea disappeared and Max continued to be sick, but only once or twice a day. He now had to start trying to take oral medication. This was a hurdle for him, but I explained that he could not remain on intravenous drugs indefinitely. He also hated the restrictions caused by the drips and the numerous tubes.

He looked at the tablet.

"I can do it, I will do it. I will take the tablet."

He took it and to the relief of both of us he did not throw up. Major progress.

Max was fully aware of my part in stopping the sickness.

"Dad, why did the doctors not know that I should stop the anti-sickness?"

I explained that they could not know everything and that I only knew because I was with him so much, something which was not possible for the doctors

"Well they should know. You know Daddy, you are the most lovely, nice, funny Daddy in the whole world. You're so - " He searched for the word.

"Dependable, but I don't think that is the word. You try so hard to get me better, even if I don't like it. But you still try."

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