LA Gang (Book 2)

16. Blood and Robots

16. Blood and Robots

"Welcome back, Scott," Dr. Hayes said entering Scott's room, the teen boy just smiled and laid down on his bed again. "I hope you're ready for the spinal chemo," Dr. Hayes continued.

"How will it work?" Rick asked curiously.

"We will take him to another room and sedate him to avoid causing him pain and insert the drug, it is not a long process, but before, we need to do some blood work to figure out if you're stable enough. It is key for these types of procedures," Dr. Hayes explained and the Hoyings nodded.

"We will do the blood work later today, until then I'll let you rest a little," Dr. Hayes said and then left the room. Scott was quiet and his parents knew something was going on inside his mind. "You good, son?" Rick asked.

"I'm fine. I'm just...a little tired," Scott said and turned on his side. His parents looked at each other, worried.

Meanwhile, Matt and his parents were on their appointment with their orthopedist to try on some prosthetic legs on Matt and figure out which one fits him the best, is comfortable for him, and fits the budget Ernest and Tammy have. "I have a few options for you, Matt. These options go along with what you're looking for and the budget your parents gave me," the orthopedist said and Matt nodded. He tried a few options and was surprised to figure out that it hurt.

"It hurts and is quite uncomfortable," Matt said and the orthopedist nodded.

"It's normal. Once you get your leg, you must do physical therapy until you get used to it." Matt tried on a few more examples until he found the perfect leg for him. He looked at himself in the mirror and smiled proudly. "I like this one," he said and his dad replied, "You look like a robot," Ernest said and Matt chuckled.

"This one is at the top of your budget, but it is comfortable and should allow you to walk normally," the orthopedist explained and Matt's parents nodded. "Let's get it then," Tammy said and Matt cheered, making everyone laugh.

A few hours later, Dr. Hayes came back to Scott's room with bad news for the family. He felt bad for the Hoyings, Scott has been his patient for nine years, and has seen Scott on his good and bad days. Now he had to deliver the news no one would like to hear.

"I have some bad news," Dr. Hayes started. "Scott is not stable enough for the spinal chemo," he continued.

"What? What does it mean?" Connie asked taking Scott's hand on her own.

"Scott's cancer just keeps on progressing. It has now reached stage 4." Scott looked down, he saw this coming, but the news still surprised him. "What can we do about it?" Rick asked.

"There is a new clinical trial that Scott qualifies for. Just because it is stage 4, doesn't mean it's terminal."

"Will it hurt?" Scott asked quietly, and Dr. Hayes hesitated.

"We'll try to keep you as comfortable as possible," Dr. Hayes tried. "Then, it does hurt," Scott concluded and Dr. Hayes nodded, sadly.

"I don't want it," Scott said coldly and his parents were surprised about his answer, their son never gave up. "Why not, baby?" Connie asked. "This could save your life," Rick said and Scott just shook his head.

"I don't want to do it anymore. I'm tired of fighting and I don't think I can handle another treatment...I'm in pain all the time, and the meds just make me feel tired and nauseous. I-I already lost a big part of my childhood in this hospital, now I want to spend the time I have left outside of it and just...live a little," Scott explained, tearing up.

"I agree with you, Scott. This trial is not easy and I hate seeing you in pain and suffering. Mr. and Mrs. Hoying, I recommend you take Scott home and stop treatment. Honestly, it could be way too much for Scott, and possibly kill him," Dr. Hayes said and Rick nodded, Connie was hesitant she didn't want to lose her son.

"If we stop treatment, how long will he live?" Connie asked, crying.

"About 12 to 18 months," Dr. Hayes answered and Scott hugged his mom. "I will go and start the paperwork," he said and then left the room to give the family some privacy as well.

"How long have you been thinking about stopping treatment?" Rick asked Scott, and he hesitated.

"Ever since the transplant. All the meds they give me cause me a lot of pain and are exhausting. Everyone in the gang is now better and I'm still here, I want to have a life and enjoy it instead of being stuck in here until I die," Scott explained, crying and his parents nodded. "If this is what you want, then we are stopping treatment and taking you home with us," Rick said and the three of them hugged. Connie and Rick have to get mentally ready for losing their son.

"Do you want to tell us the others or do you want to do it?" Connie asked.

"You, I don't think I can, but do it when we're back home, please."

Scott was excited about going home and living, but the gang was going to lose another member, they were going to lose their leader.

A/N: Book 3 will be the last one :)