The Ballad of Katie: Somewhere Under Heaven Series

Panic on Route 1

Casey's POV

Katie got back from CHOP a few days ago. She can go outside but has to be extremely careful and wear a mask when she does. Dr. Macy said this will be a norm until her immune system comes back to normal which can take up to a year.

A few months after she gets home, Katie comes into our bedroom one night and complains of some pain and says she feels warm. We take her temperature and realize it's 100.2 which scares the crap out of me. I tell Rob we need to get her to the hospital and thankfully we have my half-brother Eric staying with us while his new house is being renovated. I mean, Ashton's pretty mature for his age but I really do like that we got Eric around in case things happen. 

 "Eric, we have to take Katie to the hospital." 

"I'll keep an eye on things here," he tells me. "I'll also make sure Ashton doesn't do anything too crazy." 

As I walk out the door, Ashton stops me. "Mom, is everything okay." 

"I don't know," I tell him. "Your sister spiked a fever and is having some pain in her head. It could be anything, but we can't take a risk. I'll make sure you and your uncle know everything that's going on." 

I rush right for my car, and I can see Rob sprinting out of the house with Katie in his arms. "You better call CHOP," he tells me as he gets in the backseat with Katie. 

I can hear Katie murmuring in pain and it's breaking my heart. "Katie-bird, we're going to get you to the hospital," I tell her as I start the car. I dial the number for CHOP after starting the car.

"Good evening, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia," I hear on the other end.

"I need the oncologist on call. My daughter had a bone marrow transplant two months ago and she's having issues."

"One moment."

The oncologist comes on just as I'm headed towards the onramp for Route 1. "This is Dr. Edmunds; how can I help you?"

"Hello, Dr. Edmunds, my name is Casey Pattinson and I'm calling because my daughter Katherine had a bone marrow transplant two months ago. She approached my husband and me and said she was having some pain in her head and didn't feel well. We found her temp was 100.2 and she had the chills."

"Okay, I think you need to get her checked out right away. How fast can you get here?"

"It can take us 45 minutes to an hour since we're in New Jersey," I tell him. 

"Where are you in Jersey?"

"We live in Princeton and we're just five minutes from Penn Medicine Princeton Health. Do you want us to go there instead?"

"I'll call Princeton Health and let them know that you'll be there with her. Who is Katherine's oncologist?"

"Sandy Macy."

"I'll have Dr. Macy paged and have her call you. Where's a good number to reach you?"

"856-555-0180," I tell him.

"I'll get this to her ASAP."

I hang up the phone and I'm next to terrified for our daughter.

Rob's POV

Our daughter rarely complains so for Katie to come in and tell Casey and me she's not feeling well is a big deal. I see Casey rushing for the thermometer and she realizes that the batteries were dead. I find the one that works and that's when we see it...100.2.

"Casey, I don't like this," I tell her.

"How bad?"

"It's 100.2 and I also noticed this small rash next to her ear."