Deadlock

He then looked at her. "He is in a very rare condition. Because, you already know, I will get to the point. His heart's ejection fraction is less. This is not something that can be fatal at all. Say, athletes or even their children have a greater fraction than the average. It varies from person to person, depends on age and, your man has that fraction quite less. People continue to live long and die normally without even realizing this.

"But, here is the actual problem. He has anaemia. That is putting more pressure on his heart. The oxygen supply will get lower in time. The anaemia can be controlled, but seeing that it is rather serious, the medication will not suffice. The only other way to cure the anaemia is a spleen surgery. In normal cases, it can cure the anaemia; if not, the condition won't improve, but there will be no damage done.

"For this man, however, we cannot perform any surgery. There is a high chance that his heart will be in danger. As for his heart, there is simply nothing that we can do. Medicines can improve heart function. We will try that. But apart from that, heart transplant can be done. But putting the finance aside, the risk is usually too high.

"Moreover, His body cannot take any surgery. Be it to the spleen or near the heart, anymore blood loss cannot happen. He already needs blood transfusions every four to six months. This period will only continue to decrease until the day he can't go on anymore.

"So, layman terms, this is a deadlock situation. Two problems — the blood and the heart. Trying to heal anyone with something other than medicines will not be possible because of the other.

"And, like I told before, medicines at this point cannot do much. If this condition was identified earlier, there would be more hope. But the anaemia is a sudden onset. So there is no way that you could find it out any sooner."

He then paused for a while, referred my reports again and looked at the both of us.

"Are you using any medicines?" he asked me.

I told him a list of supplements that Desna prescribed temporarily. He was no specialist in the area, so he asked me to go a good doctor later. But, I did not have the heart to.

"Who told to use them?" He frowned a little.

"I did. For the time-being."

"Why didn't you meet a cardiologist for so long? Anyway, I will prescribe some medicines. Use them along with your supplements and take proper diet." The first part of the sentence made me very guilty. This doctor... Why were we here again?

"I know I will die. My wife just wants to confirm the truth and also know when." I told him.

"James!" Jessie's tone held a warning.

"I see..." The old doctor paused and then said, "Well, he should be fine for the next five years."

"Excuse me, but I am a doctor as well! Are you certain that I will live for five more years?"

The old doctor's face did not change as he said every word slowly, "With an error of six months, yes."

"I take a transfusion every four months. There was also a time when I had to take on just in three months. The reports are a year old. So I will be alive for three years and after that, there is no telling what will happen."

"Young man, why do you want to die so much? Use these medicines. And because you are a doctor, keep checking yourself properly and get the blood transfusions." He said and scribbled on the new file. I had long lost faith in medicines. It was already so late.

"And, girl, next time, take an appointment with this code. You will get one soon. Considering his condition, you will need it." He said and handed Jessie a token.

"Look after him. He might neglect the medicines. And, that's it." He told Jessie. Damn this old man. I really did not like him when I attend that seminar either.

"I won't." I told Jessie. But she did not respond. She just piled the papers and the files and slowly stood up.

"Thank you, doctor." She said and walked out. I followed her.