A Rose for Melinda (6 page)

Hi—

This is Bailey, Melinda's friend. Remember me? Well, it doesn't matter. What does is this: I'm writing you because Melinda asked me to. She's in the hospital. Now, don't freak. We still don't know too much about what's wrong with her. It's got something to do with her blood, because that's what they keep testing. Here's what happened. She fainted in ballet class in D.C. and got rushed to a hospital. Her mother went to Washington and flew back with her to Atlanta, where Melinda got checked into another hospital.
There she lies until the doctors figure out what's wrong. I've talked to her and she sounded scared. Just as soon as I know something, I'll e-mail you—you can contact me anytime. The important thing is that we help Melinda get through this really bad time, because we're her two best friends in the whole world. That's what she told me once.

Bailey

MELINDA'S DIARY

July 11

They stuck a needle in my back today. I couldn't see it, but I really felt it … like it was sucking out my insides. It hurt so bad. I tried not to cry. I squeezed the nurse's hands so hard that she yelped and I felt bad even though she said it was okay. I wished I'd let Mom come with me for the test, but I didn't want her any more upset. She looks like she's going to cry all the time. Dad looks like he hasn't slept in days. I hope whatever's wrong with me isn't bad. Please, God, don't let it be bad.

TO: Ann
Subject: Apology

I am so sorry you were inadvertently left off our e-mail news list. Please forgive us. Lenny and I have been distraught over Melinda and we're not thinking clearly. The second I heard Jesse's voice on our answering machine, I realized what had happened. Poor kid! He sounded upset. I had forgotten how long he and Melinda have been friends. Of course the news hit him hard. Melinda said she'd asked Bailey to get the word to him.

Well, you're in the e-mail loop now and just as soon as we know something, we'll send out the word. I hate the worried look on her doctor's face. I know that whatever is wrong, it's seri-ous—much more than a case of severe anemia like they'd first suspected.

Tell Jesse that Melinda will be in touch, because they have computers here at the hospital and patients can use the Internet and e-mail. We just found this out today.

Elana

121 East 18th Street, Suite 318
Atlanta, GA 30020
Phone: (800) 555-4567 Fax: (800) 555-4568

Referring Physician:
Janet Powell, M.D.
Specimen Number:
JL01-99437
Hematology Associates
Emory University Hospital, Suite 2010
Atlanta, GA 30020

Date Collected: 7/11
Date Received: 7/11
Date Reported: 7/12

Gross Description

The specimen consists of 5 slides and 2 additional aliquots of 3 cc each, labeled “Bone Marrow Aspirate, Melinda Skye.”

Microscopic Description:

The bone marrow aspirate demonstrates extensive hypercellularity with normal bone marrow elements essentially replaced by infiltrating lymphoblasts. There are multiple mitotic figures seen. The lymphoblasts demonstrate a high nuclear/cytoplasm ratio and clumped nuclear chromatin. Some nuclei display a folded appearance. Scattered among the abnormal cells are small numbers of erythroid, myeloid, and megakaryocytic cells.

Flow cytometric immunophenotypic studies demonstrated a
population of beta lymphocytes, which expressed the CD19 and CD20 antigens, and were weakly positive for CD10 (CALLA) antigens.

Cytochemistry was positive for TdT, further corroborating a lymphoblastic process and poor prognosis.

The findings are consistent with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Stephen R. Jones, M.D.
Pathologist

TO:
Jesse
Subject:
The Final Word