A Boy Called Noah

Chapter Fifty-One

Noah James

Noah's head throbs and spins. He tries to shake the dizziness away but it only results in making the world spin even more. His body aches and his mouth tastes strange. He tries to move his tongue only to find something in his way. His gaze snaps down at the thick tube protruding from within his mouth. Panic sets into his mind and he tries to pull it out. He stops short when a sudden jolt of pain shoots up from his abdomen. 

He scrambles to lift the thin t-shirt to see his stomach. He nearly passes out from the pain but keeps going until he can see the other tube coming from his side. His scream gets muffled by the thick and uncomfortable tube in his mouth and throat. 

He tries to sit up but something heavy presses down on his legs and he yanks at the sheets to see what it is. Tears well up in his eyes and he yells in agony again. Nothing but his legs. He tries to move his legs or even just a single toe but nothing happens. His legs remain exactly as they were before. He tries to yell but the tube restrains him completely and makes it damn near impossible to speak. His eyes search around the room and it lands on a big red button. He slams his hand down on it and a shrill alarm echos outside his room. 

Seconds later a nurse bursts into the room and sees his tear-stained face. Sympathy clouds her face and she presses the button again. The alarm stops blaring and she gently eases Noah back into his pillows, "Hello, Noah. I'm glad to see you're awake. Dr. Brown will want to speak to you soon. Do you want me to go get him?" Noah nods with wide eyes. She disappears out of the door and Dr. Brown takes her place beside his bed a few minutes later.

"Hello, Noah. How are you feeling?" Noah tries to speak but the tube makes it impossible and Dr. Brown is quick to stop him, "Don't try to speak with it in, there's a chance you may rip some of your throat muscles. Rather just nod your head yes or no." Noah nods his head. 

"Are you in pain?" Noah starts shaking his head then rather changes it to a nod. "Alright, where is your pain?" Noah points to the tube coming out of his lower stomach. Dr. Brown nods, "Yes, I thought you'd have pain in the G-tube." Noah lifts a questioning eyebrow. "You see, Noah, a gastrostomy tube- also called a G-tube- is a tube inserted through the belly that brings nutrition directly to the stomach. It's one of the ways doctors can make sure kids who have trouble eating get the fluid and calories they need. I'm afraid that the cancer has spread and one of the major places is your esophagus." 

Noah frantically gestures to his legs and Dr. Brown frowns in what seems to be despair, "Noah... the cancer... it's spread to your bone marrow. I'm very sorry, I'm afraid that you will never be able to walk again." Tears well up in Noah's eyes and spill out onto his cheeks. Dr. Brown's eyes soften a fraction. "Do you want us to call your family?" Noah shakes his head and drops it down onto the pillows. 

He points to the tube in his mouth and Dr. Brown sighs, "That has to stay in for at least a week. Then you should be good as new. Nurse Pamela will be here to show you how to use your g-tube soon and then she'll show you how you can maneuver your way around the hospital." 

Noah doesn't look at him again. Dr. Brown sighs and leaves, closing the door behind him. Tears spill out of Noah's eyes and leak onto the pillow.