Our family’s best times occurred during the following months because God lived in the hearts of the four of us.
Judith had complete remission from the disease. Anything she wanted to do, we did if we could. We made ordinary things an adventure because we were high on God. There were doctor’s appointments at least three times a week at first. These were special times too as we drew closer than ever to Him. Judith’s blood was drawn constantly, yet, she never complained, not ever. She drew her own blood a few times and we laughed about her being so much braver than her mother. The doctors and nurses adored her.
During one of our visits, early on, we chatted with Dr. Guilfoil and his nurses. At a quiet moment, a sound noise erupted from my stomach. Everyone glanced at me. I turned red and Judith giggled. Dr. Guilfoil stopped and looked in my direction. “How long has this been going on, Kay?” He looked at me for several seconds without blinking. “I don’t know,” I shrugged. I wanted to ask, “What’s the big deal?” But I respected him too much. “I haven’t thought about it, Dr. Guilfoil,” I added, squirming around on the sofa, a bit embarrassed. ”Maybe a few weeks. Every morning, after orange juice, my stomach is in a turmoil, not bad, but noisy.” Everyone laughed except him.
Judith, busy with the nurse, the doctor motioned with his eyes for me to follow him down the hall. We stopped at the fountain. I asked, my voice barely audible, “What’s wrong? What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking you might be pregnant.” How presumptuous! Dr. Guilfoil is dear to me. He’s even cried with me and even spent time off duty with us, but this is too much. ”You must be joking. You know my children were born when I was a teenager. I’ve not been able to become pregnant since Judith.”
“Have you missed a period?” His question was direct. “Hummm…I don’t know. I’ve been so busy with Judith.
His eyes were misty, as he spoke ever so gently. ”I’ve seen this happen so many times in my practice. Often when God takes one child, He sends another. Don’t be surprised if you’re pregnant
“Not this time, Doctor!” “Will you go for a checkup? I’ll make the arrangements for you to see my friend and colleague right now – just down the street.” He motioned with his head. “I’ll think about making an appointment, but I don’t want to see the doctor right now,” I said. We argued about my doing it now or later.
Finally, I agreed to see the other doctor. He went to the phone, called his doctor friend and told him my situation. His friend wanted me in his office in thirty minutes.
With Judith running beside me, we treated this idea as a joke. We rushed into the new doctor’s office, a block away, and found ourselves ushered through a room full of very pregnant ladies. I murmured, “This is absurd. I can’t believe I’m doing this!
Judith became ecstatic. “I can’t either. I didn’t even pray for a baby brother or sister lately. But He knows I would like one.” We’d recently chatted about all our answered prayers.
I left the new doctor’s office with Judith skipping beside me, then in front of me, looking back at me. “Oh, Mama, I hope it’s a girl. But if it’s a boy, I’ll love him anyway. May I be first to tell Joey and Dad? Huh?”