Doctor Clause (Doctors of Eastport General)

Chapter Sixteen

Dr. Kent Cammbell’s Office

There was a little yellow duck, wearing a Santa hat and scarf, sitting on his desk. A coincidence? Probably not. There was a good chance it was one of the rubber duckies he’d donated to the pediatric ward. Its new home was in the office of Dr. Kent Cammbell, the top children’s oncologist in not only the hospital, but the surrounding areas as well.

If there was a new procedure, or radical type of treatment, he was on top of it. That’s what they were there to discuss—a new regimen for Tommy.

“I’m not a quack,” Kent said with a smile, quickly realizing no one in the room got his joke. “Ahem. I understand you were the one who donated these little guys. Thanks for that. They’ve brought a lot of smiles to the faces around here. It’s a new level of paying it forward in the duck, duck, Jeep tradition. Duck, duck, hospital? That doesn’t sound as good, but I hope it takes off and becomes the new big thing. Spreading a little cheer is always good. A genuine smile is a cure we haven’t been able to bottle, but it is an effective pain and stress reliever and it comes without a hefty price tag attached.”

“You donated them?” Leeona shrieked. “Ahem.” She reeled in the shock. “Are Tommy’s latest results in? Has there been any change?”

Doctor exchanged glances with doctor.

“It’s okay,” Leeona blurted out. “I asked Dr. Clause to come. He’s a friend of mine and I want to cover all my bases.” She paused. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, of course. I do.”

Kent chuckled. “That’s all right. I fully understand. Tommy is your baby, after all. If it makes you feel better to have Stephen here, that’s fine by me.” He handed over the boy’s medical charts. “It’s your consent which is needed. If you want him here, he can stay.”

“What’s his current condition?” Stephen asked.

“Tommy is stable at the moment,” Kent replied. “The cancer hasn’t progressed, nor has it shown signs of shrinking. It is my opinion; he may benefit from the latest clinical trial.”

“Is it necessary?” she asked.

“No,” Kent replied, leaning back in his chair, hands folding together. “But given the current success rate for the new treatment, the fact Tommy’s condition is a match to all requirements, and there is no cost to you, I strongly recommend taking part.”

“Are there side effects?” Leeona asked

“There is always the possibility of side effects,” the doctor replied. “Even with the current treatment plan, there are. You know that. I can’t say what they might be. I can only tell you what is in the early reports. Here.” He used the edge of the desk to pull forward his rolling chair, placing a sheet of paper in front of her. “That’s a list of possible adverse reactions. It is pretty standard stuff.”

“I don’t know,” she said, squeezing her lover’s hand with all her might, looking for his support and input.

“Hmm,” he groaned, pulling away from her grip. Fingers flexed, relieving the stiffness caused by the earlier extreme pressure. “I can’t give professional advice, but I can say the treatment program looks good on paper. I would certainly suggest it to any of my patients, if they were given such an opportunity.”

“Really?” Her gaze fell to the floor, intently staring but seeing nothing.

“Look.” Kent inhaled deeply. “I can’t force you to accept this offer, but I can say it won’t come around again. This is a once-in-a-life-time deal, a true one and done. If you don’t take the spot, there are hundreds of others who will jump at the opportunity. Think about it, but don’t take too long. I can’t hold off giving an answer for more than forty-eight hours.”

Leeona gasped. “But Christmas is only a few days away. I need to discuss this with Tommy, and I don’t want to ruin the season for him.”

“He’s tougher than you give him credit for,” Kent suggested.

“I’ve only met him once, but I’ll agree with that diagnosis,” Stephen said. “He’s a fighter, who worries just as much about his mother as she does about him. I think you should have a talk with him. Bring Kent with you to explain the fine details. He may be young, but it is his body and he should at least have a chance to express his feelings.”

“Okay!” she agreed. “I’ll talk to Tommy and have an answer for you tomorrow.”

The truth was, as frightening as it was, she’d already decided to accept the offer. It was the season for miracles, after all. This was a present waiting to be opened. Maybe Santa crossed off both Tommy and her own wishes at the same time.

Until the ribbon was pulled, there was no telling what the box actually held. No one refused a gift left under the tree because they were too scared it might not be exactly what they asked for.