Turning Page [EXO Fan Fiction]

The Twenty-Third Chapter

The Twenty-Third Chapter

Fluffs of snow were falling slowly down the ground outside the window of Daesom’s hospital room. It was a beautiful scene and Sehun was sure that Daesom would love it if she saw. But the said girl was unconscious on her bed, still and silent. Since she was transferred here from the emergency room, Sehun never left her side and grasped her hand like it was his lifeline. Five hours had already passed since her crisis but she was still asleep. He watched her the whole time and he noticed how her pale skin turned into a yellowish color now. According to Yixing earlier, it wasn’t a good sign.

“Like I’ve told you before, Daesom’s case is quite unpredictable. Two weeks ago, I observed signs of progress on her condition and I honestly thought that the treatment was serving her right.” Yixing began on his explanation as Sehun, Kris, Daehyun and Tao listened to him intently.  “But after checking on her again earlier, her red blood cells have started to sickle again and her white blood cells are multiplying at an abnormal rate.”

 

The expressions on the boys’ faces turned even grimmer. Sehun could remember some of his past lessons on biology before and a high number of white blood cells indicated leukemia or certain infections in the body. The doctor scanned Daesom’s files as he continued to talk.

 

“But that isn’t all.” The calm and detached tone that Yixing was using turned into a deeply concerned one and Sehun knew that the worst was yet to come. “Her acute chest syndrome has affected her liver and kidneys already, and it’s now an acute multiple organ failure. This calls a need for more blood transfusions for her, hydroxyurea and oxygen therapy but that wouldn’t be enough.”

 

“Then what more can we do?” Daehyun asked desperately.

 

“Blood and marrow stem cell transplant. It is risky and if Daesom’s body won’t accept it, it may lead to more severe conditions, or even death. But if it would work, Daesom could have a normal life again. However, the stem cells that would be used should come from a closely matched donor who is not affected by the disease. I thought it could work with Daehyun donating but it’s regrettable to find out that after testing him before, his cells aren’t matched well with Daesom’s.”

 

“And now the only one who could save her is our father.” Daehyun whispered morosely.

 

“Only if he doesn’t have the sickle cell trait, too.” Yixing reminded.

 

“What about noona’s mom? Her real mom?” Tao suggested, still sniffing from his crying earlier.

 

Daehyun shook his head. “I have no idea where she is right now, or if she’s even alive. Our father had too many mistresses in the past.”

 

“Well, isn’t there anything more that you can offer? We can’t just leave things like this. Daesom needs to live.” Kris looked like he was barely holding on and there was a telltale sign of tears on his eyes.

 

“Gene therapy, but unfortunately, scientists here in Korea are still working on it since it’s still under research. But Daehyun here had already found a Canadian hematologist who could be of more help, didn’t you, Daehyun-ssi?” Yixing looked intently at Daesom’s brother.