Chapter Twenty-Four
It turned out to be a periappendiceal abscess within her appendix. Though Dr. James had refused to even entertain the idea that I had figured out what Katelynn’s problem had been by merely looking into her eyes, he got his confirmation when the urine sample results had come in the next morning. Having gone untreated, her appendix would have likely ruptured soon, possibly, he admitted to Mrs. Brogan, on the eighteenth, twelve days away.
The surgery performed later that afternoon further proved that her appendix, despite the lack of pain in her abdomen, was indeed degenerating but the fact that it had been discovered when it had been meant she had been able to keep her appendix instead of needing to have it removed. The one and a half hour surgery went smoothly and her appendix was given a clean bill of health. Katelynn would need to be in the hospital for two more days in case any unexpected complications arose from the surgery or anesthetics but would be allowed to return to the farm to finish the week long recovery period after that. She was given an additional week by the hospital to get things put back together but was expected back to work in two weeks and a few days.
Katelynn had received the news that the test results had confirmed my unprofessional diagnosis over the phone the morning after the physical. She had then called me to tell me of the news. She asked if I would come with her to the hospital when she had her surgery. I told her I couldn’t make it and was answered with silence.
"Why not?" she had finally asked, sounding a little dejected.
"Your mom will be there with you, right?"
"Yes, of course. And I wanted you there, too."
"How long do you have to stay there?"
"Dr. James said for just a couple of days. Then I will be going back to the farm for a couple of weeks before returning to work."
"I would like to see you before you go back to the farm," I said. "But I won’t be staying at my home."
"Where are you going, John? What’s going on?"
"I have a lot to tell you about the week you were out at the farm. I want to tell you everything but I need to avoid Dr. James. He is going to want to know how I knew what I knew and maybe a lot more. When he asks, please tell him I couldn’t make it but will be by to see how you are doing later."
"But you won’t be, will you," she almost whispered.
"I can’t, Katelynn. But I will explain everything to you when I see you before you go back to the farm."
"You want to come to the farm with us?" she asked, sounding suddenly optimistic again.
"I can’t, Katelynn. Please trust me. I’ll tell you all about it in a few days. I will call you at the hospital after the surgery to make sure everything went as planned and to find out when exactly you will be able to go, but please don’t let Dr. James know that I am avoiding him."
"Okay, John. I promise. Call me though. You promise?"
"I promise."
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Chapter Twenty-Five
