The Road Ahead

I..I..I Can't Take This Anymore

"You might want to sit down for this...."

             I don't know what he's fixing to tell us, but I can tell it's scary information....just like I thought.  

"I don't know what kind of miracle happened, but last night you went from being close to the bottom of the transplant list to the very very top. We've got to get you prepped. You're getting new lungs. I guess this is the best and worst wedding present you'll ever receive. I know you're probably scared, so I'll give you some time to process everything and to talk but we've got to get your prep started. Isabelle....you're going to be fine. Everything will be fine. You'll get your lungs then y'all can go have your happily ever after like a normal married couple. You'll no longer have to live here. There's one other thing I need to tell you though....these lungs. They are compatible for another patient. She's a little bit older, so we offered them to you first. She's been here for a while, but you need them more. If you was to choose to give them to her, you would drop back towards the bottom of the transplant list....possibly the very bottom. It's all up to you. It's best if you get the surgery, but if you choose not to they won't be wasted. Just let me know what you decide."

              Wow....I watch Justin walk out of my room. My mouth wide open. I have to choose my life or someone else's life. They literally just put someone's life in my hands. I hate hard choices, but I've got to choose. I don't know what I'm going to do. Me and Andrew spend some time talking about it. Of course he wants me to get the surgery. His words were, "We can have a longer future together. You can finish school. I don't know why you wouldn't want to go ahead and get the surgery. I can see why you're considering not getting it, but I mean I'll support you either way but I really think you should get it."

            I need to get someone else's opinion. Someone who understands this situation a little bit better. 

"Hey Izzy. How's married life treating you."

"Actually, Meagan, that's why I called."

"Oh no. What happened. Wait are you pregnant?!"

"No....haha....I wish I was pregnant instead...."

"If you're wishing you were pregnant then you must have some pretty bad news. What happened?"

"Well Justin came in this morning. They have lungs for me...."

"Oh my gosh that's amazing...."

"Let me finish....they have lungs for me and someone else...."

"Wait you mean....no....I mean...."

"Yeah, I have to choose my life or someone else's life."

"So, right after you get married they decide to put someone's life in your hands...."

"Yeah, I'm flipping out. Of course Andrew wants me to get the surgery, but I don't know."

"When does he need an answer by?"

"In less than an hour. I don't know. What do you think."

"I mean do you know why you were put before the other patient....do you know anything?"

"Apparently, I was higher up on the list but they are older than me. The only person under me on the list is....oh no this can't be happening. Everything just got a lot more complicated."

"Wait, you're one from the bottom on the list. The only person below you  is....oh crap....now I definitely don't know what you need to do. I was going to say take the lungs, but you might regret doing that if she ever finds out."

"I know....I don't know what I'm going to do...."

"Just think about it for a few minutes, pray about it, and talk to your husband about it. That's what he's there for....he's taking my spot, but in this moment I don't really have any advice so I'll gladly hand my job over to him. Here you go Andrew. Bye Izzy. I'll talk to you in a few."

"Alright bye."

"Bye Meagan!!!! Thanks for the job." -Andrew

--------------------------------------Andrew's POV------------------------------------

             Of course I want her to get the lungs. Why wouldn't I. I want her to live a long life, but apparently according to their phone call someone else might make this decision a lot harder than it was. Didn't really know that was possible, but apparently someone found a way. I don't know who, how, or why but someone is making her scared and she needs her husband. I need to be there for her, but I don't really know how.

-------------------------------------Isabelle's POV-------------------------------------

"I don't know what I'm going to do...."

"Who is making this so difficult?"

"You really want to know. You'll understand everything after I tell you...."

"Hit me it can't be that bad as long as it's not....oh crap please tell me it's not...."

"Yep, leave it to Rachel to ruin everything."

"You've got to be kidding. Now I know why you would consider giving them away. Just think though....she's always been mean to you...."

"Stop I don't play by that game. You know the rules....treat others the way you want to be treated....I'm not about to be mean to her just because she's been mean to me. I'm not that type of person."

"I know, I don't know why I said that I'm sorry...."

"It's okay, but I've got an important decision to make....I'll be back....I know where I need to go."

              I slip on my coat. He doesn't question me, I think he knows where I'm going....there's only one place I can go. Only one person who'll know what I need. I've got to hurry with a decision, but there's always time for God. He answers your prayers. He'll help me make the right decision. At least what I think is the right decision anyway. I really want these lungs, but I don't want any grief between me and Rachel. This is going to be a hard choice. I walk up the steps....down through the church pews....I get to the altar and do the one thing that I know to be right. I get on my knees and pray. As I'm praying I hear Amazing Grace start to play. I know what I have to do....