Instant Regrets Book II

Chapter 36

A few days later,

Jennie and Jiyong sat in the hospital waiting room, their hands intertwined, eyes fixed on the door to Dr. Lim's office. The air was thick with tension, and the ticking of the clock seemed unbearably loud. The past few days had been a whirlwind of tests, consultations, and sleepless nights, all leading up to this moment.

Dr. Lim emerged, holding a folder with the test results. His expression was serious but compassionate as he gestured for them to follow him back into his office. Jennie's heart pounded in her chest, and she felt Jiyong's grip tighten around her hand.

Once they were seated, Dr. Lim took a deep breath and looked at them with a mix of empathy and determination. "Mr. and Mrs. Kwong, I have the results of your HLA typing. I know how much you've been hoping for a match, but unfortunately, neither of you is a suitable donor for Hyeong."

Jennie felt as if the ground had been pulled out from under her. She looked at Jiyong, whose face was pale and strained. The words echoed in her mind, each one a hammer blow to her already fragile hopes. "What does that mean for Hyeong?" she whispered, her voice breaking.

Dr. Lim leaned forward, his tone gentle but resolute. "It means that we need to start searching the bone marrow registries immediately. While this is a setback, it does not mean we are out of options. Like what I've said, there are millions of registered donors worldwide, and we will work tirelessly to find a match for Hyeong."

Jiyong swallowed hard, his voice raised. "No, we're running out of time, Doctor. Do whatever it takes!"

Dr. Lim sighed softly. "I understand your frustration, Mr. Kwong. In the meantime, we will continue to support Hyeong with regular blood transfusions and medications to manage his condition."

Jennie felt tears streaming down her face, the weight of their situation pressing down on her. "What can we do to help? How can we speed this up?"

Dr. Lim nodded, understanding their desperation. "You can encourage friends and family to register as potential bone marrow donors. Every new registration increases the chances of finding a match, not just for Hyeong, but for others in need as well. We'll also put out an urgent request through the international registry."

Jiyong took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. "We'll do everything we can. We'll get the word out, make sure everyone knows how important this is."

Dr. Lim gave them a reassuring smile. "Your determination and support are crucial. Hyeong is lucky to have such loving parents. We'll keep fighting, and I believe we will find a match. In the meantime, stay strong for him."

As they left Dr. Lim's office, Jennie and Jiyong felt a mix of devastation and determination. The road ahead was uncertain, but they knew they had to keep moving forward for Hyeong's sake. They would rally their friends, their family, and even strangers, all in the hope of finding that life-saving match. Together, they would fight for their son, no matter how long it took..

---

Days later, Jennie and Jiyong gathered their friends and family at the hospital, hoping someone would be a match for Hyeong. The waiting room was filled with concerned faces, each person silently praying for a miracle. The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation and anxiety as they awaited the results of the HLA tests.

One by one, the tests came back, and with each negative result, Jennie's heart sank a little more, some of her friends and even distant relatives had come to help, but none were a match. The sense of desperation grew with each passing minute.

Jennie and Jiyong were sitting beside Hyeong's bed, Irene and Wendy was also there to visit. The couple watching their son sleep. His small body seemed even more fragile under the hospital blankets, but there was a faint color in his cheeks from the blood transfusions. He was awake, but weak, and Jennie could see the effort it took for him to stay alert.

"Mommy," Hyeong whispered, his voice barely audible. "Are we going home soon?"

Jennie forced a smile, fighting back tears. "Soon, sweetheart. We're doing everything we can to make sure you're all better."

Hyeong nodded, his eyelids heavy. "I'm tired, Mommy."

Jiyong gently stroked Hyeong's hair. "Rest, my boy. We're right here with you."

Just then, Dr. Lim entered the room, his face etched with concern. "Mr. and Mrs. Kwong, can I speak with you for a moment?"

Jennie and Jiyong followed Dr. Lim out into the hallway. "I'm afraid none of the recent tests have found a suitable match," he said softly. "We need to intensify our search and expand our reach. Hyeong's condition is stable for now due to the transfusions, but his body can't hold out indefinitely."

Jennie felt the weight of the world on her shoulders. "What do we do now, Dr. Lim?"

Dr. Lim took a deep breath. "We need to continue searching the registries and get the word out more broadly. Time is critical. Every day counts."

Jiyong nodded, his determination renewed. "We'll do whatever it takes. We'll contact more people, use social media, and reach out to international organizations. We won't give up."

They returned to Hyeong's bedside, taking his small hands in theirs. Jennie whispered a silent prayer, drawing strength from the love and support of their friends and family. They knew the road ahead was uncertain and filled with challenges, but they were determined to keep fighting for their son. Together, they would do everything in their power to save Hyeong and bring him home.

Wendy, her concern unwavering, watched them with a heavy heart. She stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on Jennie's shoulder. "Everything will be fine, Jennie. We're just here."

Irene, feeling the weight of the situation, knew she had to do more to help.

Determined, she followed Dr. Lim, as he left the room, catching up with him just as he was about to enter his office.

"Dr. Lim, can I have a moment?" Irene asked, her voice a mixture of urgency and determination.

Dr. Lim turned to face her, a look of understanding on his face. "Of course, Irene. Come in."

Inside the office, Irene took a deep breath before speaking. "I need to know something. Are biological parents always potential matches for the HLA test type?"

Dr. Lim nodded thoughtfully. "Biological parents can indeed be potential matches, but it's not a certainty. Each parent contributes half of their HLA markers to their child, so while there's a chance they might match, it's not guaranteed."

Irene hesitated, knowing she had to reveal a delicate truth. "What if... what if one of the parents isn't biological? Would that change the chances of finding a match?"

Dr. Lim's expression shifted to one of concern. "If one of the parents isn't biological, it means that the chances of them being a match are essentially zero. The child's genetic markers wouldn't align with the non-biological parent."

Irene bit her lip, glancing back towards the room where Jennie and Jiyong were waiting. "Jiyong isn't Hyeong's biological father. Jennie has never talked about Hyeong's biological father... Do we need to consider finding her for a potential match?"

Dr. Lim's eyes widened slightly, understanding the gravity of Irene's revelation. "If Hyeong's biological father can be found and is willing to be tested, he might be a potential match. It could significantly increase the chances of finding a compatible donor."

Irene nodded, her mind racing with the implications. "Thank you, Dr. Lim. We'll need to discuss this with Jennie, but it might be our best chance."

Dr. Lim offered a reassuring smile. "I know this is a difficult situation, but it's important to explore every possibility. If there's anything more I can do to assist, please let me know."

As Irene left Dr. Lim's office, she felt a heavy weight on her shoulders. She knew the conversation with Jennie would be challenging, but it was a necessary step. Back in the room, she took a deep breath, ready to face the next difficult conversation in their fight to save Hyeong's life.