The last week has been touch and go for Juliana. There were times when the doctors considered stopping the treatments because of how taxing they were on her body, but she objected. Cord blood can be stored and used any time, but she was already past the point of no return with her regimen. Her immune system couldn’t regenerate on its own after being obliterated by the chemotherapy drugs. Stopping the treatment plan meant certain death. She promised Rod she wouldn’t quit fighting as long as she had any strength left in her. She kept her word.
Instead of taking the easy way out, she pushed through the pain and side effects, refusing to give death its way, until she finished the full regimen last night. This morning, they’re preparing to harvest the life-saving cells she needs to create a new immune system. The next month or two will be crucial in her recovery, as the new cells from the cord blood take root in her veins and create healthy bone marrow.
Her whole life is about to change, as is ours. And I can’t wait.
When we arrive, the doctors have coordinated everything ahead of time to make the process flow like clockwork. We’re prepped and taken to the labor and delivery room right away. The plan was to start my drip to induce labor, but these babies already have a mind of their own. The nurse said I’m already in labor and having consistent contractions. I haven’t felt anything because of all the pressure from their weight bearing down on me.
“They’re already like me. They’ll have it their way or no way.” Rod smiles broadly, proud of this turn of events.
“Yes, just what we need—more Rods running around.” I joke with him, happy his anxiety about today seems to have disappeared.
The nurse comes in to check me again about an hour after the anesthesiologist finished my epidural. She gives me an expectant look and raises her eyebrows. “Are you ready to have those babies? Because they’re already making their way out.”
“Holy shit. Now? It’s time now?” Rod’s voice grows louder with each word.
“Right now,” she confirms. Then she arranges the bed for birthing and calls the doctor in. The transplant team enters with him, ready to grab the placentas and cords for the harvest.
Time seems to stand still and fly by simultaneously. The flurry of activity distracts me long enough for the doctor to get into position. “Ready, Mom? These babies are impatient.”
With Rod at my side, encouraging me to push, we greet our little ones with all the love in our hearts. Our son is born first, quickly followed by his slightly younger sister.
“Have you decided on names yet?” the first nurse asks as she cleans and weighs our son.
“Nate and Lyra. We’re still negotiating on middle names.” Rod walks over to meet her as she finishes swaddling the baby. Rod takes Nate from her and brings him to me. When he lays Nate on my chest, I’m instantly in love.
The second nurse finishes with Lyra, and Rod repeats his steps. The four of us huddle together, tears of joy freely flowing. More love than I knew a human could feel swells inside my chest as I picture my entire family together. I can’t wait for Landen to meet his siblings tomorrow. Tracy and Kevin are bringing him and Isa in the morning. We’re making a trip to the oncology floor to see Juliana through the isolation room window. Then my family will be complete.
“Aunt Daisy, Lyra’s crying woke up Nate. Now they’re both crying.” Isa is my official helper. She loves her new job.
“I hear them, sweetheart. I’m getting their bottles ready, so they’ll stop crying in a couple of minutes.” I pat her head, and she beams with pride.
“Are we going to see Aunt Juliana at the hospital today?” Landen asks as he climbs up in his chair at the table.
“Yes, baby, we sure are. But she’ll be home in a couple of weeks. Isn’t that great news? The doctor said she’s doing really well since her transplant.” I cut his pancakes while waiting for the bottle warmer to finish.
“Yay! I can’t wait. I miss her so much.” Isa stuffs her mouth with a pancake before I can cut it.
“She misses you too, sweet girl. You’ll both live here with us for a while though. We still need to take care of her and check on her frequently. Think you can help us take care of your mom, Isa?”
“Will you show me what to do, like you did with the babies?” Isa’s big eyes search mine for reassurance.
“Of course, sweetheart. You know what? She’ll be so proud of you no matter what you do.”
Rod joins us, carrying a baby in each arm. “We have dual alarms going off. It’s like they have a secret code word to let each other know when it’s time to cry. How do they know? Do they have internal alarm clocks set for every two hours?”
“They know when they’re hungry again and they’re not shy about telling us.” I chuckle and take Nate from his hold. “Here, Rod, have a bottle for Lyra while I feed this one.”
Before I have a chance to settle down with the baby, the phone rings. With Juliana still in the hospital and family calling daily to check on the babies, we never miss a phone call. When I glance at the screen, I snatch the phone up with my free hand. Jules rarely calls this time of morning. She usually waits until the twins are down for their nap so we have a few minutes to chat uninterrupted.
“Daisy, I’m sorry to bug you so early. I know you’re busy with five kids, including my brother, but I could really use your advice about something. Do you have a minute or thirty to talk me off the ledge?”
“You’re
