LA Gang (Book 2)

4. Saying goodbye is never easy

4. Saying goodbye is never easy

About a week ago, Matt had some scans done to track the tumor on his leg. Dr. Hayes just received Matt's results back and he was sad when he saw that the tumor was taking over Matt's tibia. Dr. Hayes asked his assistant to call Matt's parents to give them the bad news and the next step.

"I have some bad news," Dr. Hayes said to Matt's parents after they sat down at the chairs in Dr. Hayes' office.

"Is Matt OK?" Tammy, Matt's mom asked.

"The tumor is growing and taking over Matt's left leg. Right now the best thing to do is amputate it," Dr. Hayes said and showed the Sallees Matt's latest scans where the tumor was way bigger than it was at the beginning.

"There has to be another option, he wants to play basketball again. This is not fair!" Ernest said distressed, he didn't want his son to lose his leg.

"I'm sorry, I wish there was. I also did some tests on him to figure out if he was a candidate for a clinical trial but he was not a match. If we don't want things to go from bad to worse, then we need to amputate Matt's leg," Dr. Hayes said, trying to hold back the tears, this is one of the hardest parts about his job.

"Who will tell him?" Tammy, Matt's mom, asked.

"Both of you should, he will need some comfort after hearing the news. We will adapt Matt's leg in a way that it's easier for him to use a prosthetic leg. In that way, he will receive physical therapy after the surgery and then try on the prosthetic leg. Matt should be able to move normally with the prosthetic leg," Dr. Hayes told the Sallees.

Later, Ernest and Tammy walked hand in hand to their son's room and saw him sitting down on his bed talking to Scott and laughing. Matt saw his parents arrive and smiled, but it faded when he saw their faces.

"What's wrong?" Matt asked scaredly. He knew his parents didn't have good news.

"I'll leave you guys alone," Scott said and then got in his wheelchair and left the room.

"We have some bad news baby," Matt's mom said.

"The tumor on your leg is growing and they need to amputate it. The surgery will be tomorrow," Ernest said and Matt looked down.

"No. You're lying. I can't lose my leg," Matt said crying, he felt his world coming down, just like when he was diagnosed with cancer.

"I'm so sorry baby, but you need this. We'll be here for you tonight and again when you wake up. This is not going to be easy and we want you to know that we'll be here in everything you need," Matt's mom said and started crying when Matt sobbed.

"I want to be alone," Matt said, lying on his bed. His dad patted his leg and left the room with his mom.

A few hours later, the gang, even Kirstie, was meeting in Scott and Matt's room at Matt's request, he was going to tell everyone the bad news he just got but didn't know how to say to them.

"My parents told me today...that...I'm gonna lose my left leg, the tumor is way too big now," Matt said quietly.

"I'm sorry Matt, you don't deserve this," Scott said quietly and Matt shook his head.

"I'm so sorry Matty, I know how much you love playing basketball," Kirstie said, hugging Matt as he started crying.

"Try to look at the positives dude, you may be able to wear a prosthetic leg and walk normally, but if Dr. Hayes wants to amputate it, it's to save your life. It's not fair anyway, you have fought so hard," Kevin said looking down.

"How about we say goodbye to your leg?" Mitch proposed.

"How?" Scott asked.

"Let's dance for a bit. After the surgery you won't be able to move much until you start physical therapy and you get your robotic leg," Mitch said and the gang smiled and nodded. They played music and started dancing around, laughing and showing each other their secret moves. It was almost bedtime when the gang left but not before giving Matt their best wishes and trying to lift his mood a bit, Matt was happy to have his friends by his side supporting him.

The next morning, Matt was taken into the operating room, and his parents said goodbye to him before the surgery. "We'll see you soon, ok? You'll be fine," Ernest said and hugged Matt.

"I love you, baby, we'll be here when you wake up," Tammy said and kissed Matt's forehead.

"I love you too," Matt said and with that, he was wheeled to the operating room.

About three hours later Matt was wheeled into recovery and the first thing Tammy noticed was how his son's leg was gone and teared up, this was harder than she thought. Ernest hugged Tammy close and teared up as well, he couldn't believe his son had just lost his leg.

A few moments later, Matt woke up and was received to see his parents there with him but soon he remembered what was happening. Slowly, Matt touched his leg and was met with his amputated leg, he freaked out and started crying, his nightmare come true.