Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Surgery always comes with risks, and the thought alone left Sallie shaken.

She stared at the consent form in her hands, too unsettled to speak.

Herbert tried to reassure her. "Every surgery has its risks, Sallie. But waiting comes with its own dangers too. If you can't decide on your own, talk it over with your family. All of us here, every doctor, will do everything we can for Timothy."

He spoke calmly, as a doctor-objective, professional, keeping his personal feelings out of it, even with the holiday approaching. He never let private matters interfere with his work.

"Thank you, Dr. Wheeler."

Sallie could be hot-tempered, but she wasn't unreasonable. She knew Herbert was giving his all for Timothy's sake this time.

"Once you've discussed it and made a decision, let me know. We'll schedule the surgery as soon as possible."

With that, Herbert headed back to his office.

Sallie stood there, and her brother spoke up. "Sis, I still think we should go ahead with the surgery. I know there are risks, but if it succeeds, we won't have to worry about him ending up in a vegetative state."

"But Timothy's all we have."

No one could make a choice like this easily-not when it was about someone's fate.

silent. In moments like this, only the

should ask Grandpa and

talk to them.

the other

Sallie dialed Vince's number.

are you?" she

"Downstairs. What's up?"

Timothy's surgery. I want

be right up. She's on a

Herbert was speaking to Jessica about Timothy's condition. Vince walked over and heard her asking, “Is this really the only option? Is there any way to make the surgery less

Herbert answered, "Honestly,

the

unknowns. No doctor can give you a hundred percent guarantee.

doctors could

but there are always factors outside our control. That said, the specialists handling Timothy's case are experts in neurology-they'll be

understand,” Jessica replied

that in life both internal and external forces shaped outcomes.