They were back at St. Luke's Hospital that Saturday night. Sebastian was once again admitted for observation. Now, Sam and RJ were just outside Baste's room with Maine inside holding on to their son's hand, watching over him as he slept. RJ slid both hands on his face as Sam was explaining to him what he thought of Baste's current situation.
"It's starting, pare," Sam told him. "Eto na yung manifestations nung initial diagnosis natin. Hindi lang natin alam kung anong klaseng degenerative disease ito at the moment since his symptoms are still vague at best. Maraming degenerative brain disease na ganito ang symptoms."
"Anong gagawin ko Sam?" RJ asked, touching his nape and his right ear, a sign of being agitated. "Hindi ko kakayanin na makita ang anak ko na unti-unting pinapatay ng sakit na ito. Na hindi ko man lang alam kung anong sakit nga ito."
"Were you able to talk to Patty?"
RJ shook his head. "Hindi pa. I emailed her first asking for her input dun sa initial MRI ni Baste. Ayoko muna sana siyang tawagan agad since hindi ko alam ang schedule niya. Nakakahiya at baka makaistorbo pa ako."
"I will call her for you, ok? Pare – you have to pull yourself together. Think like a doctor at this situation, treat Baste like any other patient. Alam ko mahirap for you since this is your son we're talking about," Sam said, putting a hand on RJ's shoulder. "But you have to – for the sake of Baste."
RJ looked at Sam and took a deep breath. He nodded and straightened up, rolling his head and shoulders to try and relax himself. "Pag na-contact mo na si Patty let me know ok?"
"Sure, pare," Sam replied. "By the way – kailan nga pala ang balik mo? Sa Wednesday ba? Kasi diba you have a scheduled operation on Thursday?"
RJ stopped by the door to Baste's room and turned to face Sam once more, frowning. "With one of your patients?"
Sam nodded. "Oo, si Kathrine. She's currently undergoing chemo and radiation for her glioma pero remember when I asked you to review her case with me – parehas nating solution is to operate and just remove the tumor, since it's just benign. Plus the radiation isn't exactly making the tumor smaller fast enough."
"How old is she again? 11, diba?"
"Oo, and her parents wanted you specifically to do the operation."
RJ's frown deepened. "You know I'd love to do it, pero kasi..." he gestured towards Maine and Baste.
"Sige sige, pare. I'll tell them na lang that you're unavailable. I'm sure they will –"
"No, never mind Sam. I'll do the operation," RJ cut him off, his being a doctor and a neurosurgeon first and foremost, prevailing. "Send me the rest of her x-rays and MRI scans as well as yung progress ng kanyang current chemo treatment. I'll review it prior to the operation," he continued, resigned. "I'm sure Maine would understand if I have to leave them for a day."
"Are you sure, RJ? I could have Ryan or Paul take over the operation instead."
RJ shook his head. "I'm sure. I'll do it. Especially since we've worked a plan together with her parents already. It's fine."
"Ok, sige. Salamat, pare," Sam replied. "Now, go tend to your family. I'll check in with Patty and see what she says. Nga pala, we need to do some diagnostic tests on Baste soon para ma-determine na natin kung anong sakit meron talaga siya," he added as he walked away.
RJ simply nodded in reply and went on in Baste's room. Quietly, he shut the door so as not to wake their son who was still sleeping. Maine, however, heard him enter and turned towards him, smiling tiredly.
