“That is where the fetus and placenta should be, however, there is none.”
I looked up, meeting his gaze. “What is it instead?”
“What are called trophoblasts, which are abnormal cells or fluid-filled tumors.”
“Tumors?” Immediately, I was on high alert. “Are you saying I have cancer?”
“No, no,” he said as he flicked the tablet off. “No need to be alarmed on that account. The pregnancy, however, is not viable. Even if there had been fetal tissue, which can happen in a partial molar pregnancy, it wouldn’t be.”
“Not viable.” I repeated the words. “No fetus.”
“That’s correct.” The doctor had tucked his tablet under his arm and was now staring at me over the rim of his glasses. “At this stage, it’s not always easy to determine via ultrasound, but we did note that something appeared abnormal. When we got your blood tests, we also noticed very high hCG levels, which is another indicator. Comparing the two, we were able to diagnose the problem and the decision was made that you needed a D&C. Today.”
“Today.”
All I could do was repeat what he was saying, but I couldn’t help it because I was so shocked. I’d never even heard of a molar pregnancy and the idea that I had tumors growing inside me rather than a fetus freaked me out. A lot. It also made me question the article Hilary had sent me. Hadn’t it said that thanksto the Department of Fertility, abnormal pregnancies were were rare? Apparently not that rare.
“Yes.” Dr. Hendricks glanced toward the clock like he couldn’t wait to get away. “I have a couple patients I need to see, but the nurses will get you prepped while I do that. I should be ready in an hour or so. Assuming the anesthesiologist can get here that quickly. We do share him with the hospital, although the Department of Fertility, of course, takes precedence.” He glanced toward Hilary. “Have you contacted him already?”
“Yes, Doctor. He should be on the way.”
He was moving for the door when he responded, his attention already shifted to something else as he murmured, “Good, good.”
A second later, Hilary and I were alone.
She turned to me. “The nurse will be here in a few minutes to get you to pre-op. In the meantime, you’ll need to arrange to have someone transport you home.”
“Transport me home?” I once again repeated dumbly.
“Yes. You can’t drive yourself home after being under anesthesia.” She paused. “You do have someone, don’t you?”
Her tone was doubtful, as if she thought that just because I didn’t have a partner to parent with, it was impossible for me to form relationships. Which was both annoying and presumptuous. It also had me wondering what her personal life was like. She’d mentioned a son and wore a ring on her left hand, so she was married, but to who? A man? A woman? Had she adopted from someone like me, or was she fertile? I didn’t think so based on how she’d reacted to my hesitation about the program, but it was possible. Destiny had proved that.
“Ara?” Hilary snapped when the silence stretched out too long.
I shook myself then said, “I have someone.”
She waved. “Go ahead and give them a call, then. We need to get moving.”
I pulled my phone from my pocket. “When will I be ready to go home?”
She pursed her lips before saying, “Four o’clock should do it.”
“Okay,” I mumbled as I pulled Trevor’s contact info up and hit call.
Hopefully, he didn’t have anything important going on today since he was one of only a handful of people who knew I was in the program. What if he had court or something? Who would I call then? Teresa was an option, but she was at work, and it wouldn’t be easy for her to get away. I also knew Bruce wouldn’t miss that both of us were out. I didn’t know why him finding out I was in the program irked me so much, but it did. I really, really did not want that man knowing anything more about my life than he already did.
My call to Trevor went unanswered, so I sent him a quick text.
I KNOW THIS IS LAST MINUTE AND YOU MIGHT BE BUSY BUT I NEED A RIDE AT FOUR. PLEASE TEXT ME BACK.
Typically, Trevor was fast to respond, so I stared at my phone as the seconds after I hit send ticked by. Waiting. Hoping. Growing worried when still no reply came.
“Anything?” Hilary asked.
“No response yet.”
She sighed like my lack of a ride home directly affected her. Maybe it did. Maybe if I couldn’t find someone to pick me up, she was required to take me home since she was my fertility counselor.
