...continued from previous page
Charlie tried to pick up a nearby magazine, but put it down when she realized it was in German. The clock on the waiting room wall seemed to stand still, and every subsequent glance only seemed to confirm her suspicion that it was no longer working. To her dismay, Adam confirmed its time by checking his watch. Disappointed, Charlie picked up the German magazine and decided to look at the pictures.
Legal Disclaimer: The characters and events depicted in this story are fictitious, and should not to be interpreted as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The author is not a medical doctor, and used omentum transposition as a plot element in "The Greatest of These" in a manner that may not necessarily be the case for most people with Alzheimer's Disease. Consult your doctor before making any decisions. See the links page to learn where you can get more information about omentum transposition.

Five hours later, Dr. Melissa Barnes informed them that Chuck had come through the operation without any complications. He was still unconscious, but they could see him.

Adam took Charlie's hand and they went to the recovery room where Chuck was resting. He had just been through major surgery, and his bandaged head indicated where the doctors had delivered the omentum to his brain.

Timidly, Charlie touched her father's unresponsive hand. "When will we know if it worked?" she asked Dr. Phillips.

"That depends on Chuck and the will of God," he replied. "Let's give the omentum some time to do its job."

The following day, Chuck Overholt opened his eyes.

Vera was sitting beside Chuck's bed, talking to Charlie, when she suddenly realized that he was watching her. "Chuckie?" She touched her son's hand and he blinked.

Charlie quickly went to her father's side. "Daddy, it's me." Chuck turned his eyes on her and went to sleep.

Adam was amazed at what he had just witnessed. "Charlie, he was making eye contact with you and Vera!"

"He hasn't done that in about a year and a half," she nodded hopefully.

Adam hugged his wife and smiled until it hurt.

A few hours later, Chuck woke up again and he continued to look at people directly whenever someone managed to get his attention. There was a lot of confusion in his face, and it wore him out so much that he spent a good deal of time asleep.

By the third day, he was keeping his eyes open for longer periods of time.

And then it happened. Adam had just made some trivial remark that made Charlie laugh, when they noticed something on Chuck's face that hadn't been there in over a year. He was smiling. When everyone became excited, the smile quickly disappeared and he looked so confused and frightened that they had to dramatically quiet their excitement.

"He actually smiled!" Charlie whispered into Adam's ear so loudly that it smarted.

"God is in this," he encouraged her with another hug.

The fourth day required tests that had Chuck sedated once more, so they had little opportunity to see if he was still continuing to improve.

On the fifth day, however, Chuck smiled and his eyes followed Vera as she moved about his hospital room. The German and American doctors were frequent visitors, for it was an extremely rare sight to see someone who's Alzheimer's was actually improving. They continued to run their tests and make evaluations and draw blood and monitor Chuck's every heartbeat.

By the seventh day, it was clear that Chuck recognized his mother. His face looked happier whenever she was present, and he showered her with more smiles than anyone else. Including Charlie.

That was when Charlie needed Adam's hugs the most. She was happier than words could express that her father was improving so dramatically, but it hurt that he treated her the same as he did the nurses and orderlies.
continued on next page...
<< Love Stories Last PageLove Stories Next Page >>
Spread the Love
One of my longtime readers, Myra Valcourt, has created a Facebook group just for you! "The Works of Judith Bronte" offers a forum to discuss the stories and characters, and a way to get to know other readers. I hope to see you there!