Chapter 9 - INCOMPATIBLE MATCHESAt 10:00 AM, my ringing phone broke the quiet. It was Dr. Vance calling from the children's hospital.
"Mr. Brooks, we have the marrow compatibility results for Leo and Maya," Dr. Vance's tone was grim.
Grace and I rushed straight to the hospital.
In Dr. Vance's office, genetic analysis charts were spread across the desk. Dr. Vance looked at us with a solemn expression.
"What are the results, doctor? Can Leo or Maya donate marrow to Chloe?" Grace asked frantically, clutching my sleeve.
Dr. Vance sighed, pointing to two columns of figures. "I'm very sorry. Maya’s compatibility is only 50%—the same as yours, Mr. Brooks. As for Leo... due to complex genetic inheritance, his match rate is only 25%. Neither child can serve as a donor. A forced transplant would carry a 99% rejection and mortality rate for Chloe."
The doctor's words felt like a death sentence hanging over us. Grace staggered, and I caught her before she could fall.
"What about the national marrow registry?" I asked, straining to keep my composure.
"As I mentioned, the odds are 1 in 100,000," Dr. Vance shook his head sadly. "And right now, Chloe’s white blood cell count is dropping dangerously low. She could slip into a deep coma by tonight. We don't have months to wait for the national registry."
"Is there any other way? Any way at all?!" I grabbed the doctor's shoulders.
Dr. Vance hesitated for a long moment, then looked me dead in the eye. "There is one method... but it is extremely risky and requires an immense sacrifice from you, Mr. Brooks."
"What is it? Tell me!"
"An experimental Haploidentical (half-matched) Transplant," Dr. Vance lowered his voice. "We would use your marrow—as a 50% match. But due to the significant genetic disparity, we must completely deplete the T-cells from your marrow before transplantation to prevent graft-versus-host disease. Harvesting such a large quantity of marrow from you in a short window will permanently damage your immune system, and Chloe's survival rate is only 30%."
"Do it," I answered without a second's hesitation.
"Ryan, are you crazy?" Grace grabbed my arm, her eyes wide with fear. "The doctor said it could permanently ruin your immune system, even cost your life! And the success rate is only 30%!"
"Even if it were 1%, I would still do it," I turned to Grace, my resolve unwavering. "I failed my duty as a father for three years. If trading my health gives Chloe a 30% chance at life, I will do it right now."
Suddenly, the office door was thrown open.
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Eleanor Brooks stood there, flanked by two corporate attorneys. Her face was set like marble, her gaze fixing on me with absolute coldness.
"You will not undergo that insane procedure, Ryan!" Eleanor declared.
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