The Melaswen Paradox (Read 318,956 times)

[André DiMera]

Chapter 390

SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Tears sprang to Claire's eyes.
CLAIRE: Rejection? D-does that mean...am I gonna lose my liver?
KIRSHNER: Not necessarily. There are a few options that we can go over.
BELLE: How did this even happen? I mean, she's had that liver for so long, she always takes her meds, she eats healthily, she takes good care of herself. Why would this happen after so long?
Dr. Kirshner sat down.
KIRSHNER: As I'm sure the transplant coordinator went over with you years ago, back when Claire first got this liver, the transplanted organ being accepted into the body is never a sure thing, even if the donor was a perfect match. Everybody has their own individual immune system. With any transplant, once the donated liver is in the patient, their immune system kicks into overdrive. Even if the liver was the perfect match, because it wasn't the original liver, the immune system sees it as a foreign object and sends antibodies to attack it.
SHAWN-D: I thought that was why Claire's on anti-rejection medications.
KIRSHNER: It is. But like any medication, if taken for long enough, the body can develop an immunity to them. Which I believe may be what's happening here.
CLAIRE: You said there were a few options. What are they?
KIRSHNER: Well, there are three that spring to mind immediately. Number one, we could simply try giving you a higher dosage of your anti-rejection medications and immunosuppressants. Now, I'm not entirely sold on that option, because of the amount of times your dosage has already been changed over the years. The second option is that we could put you on a different anti-rejection medication and different immunosuppressants, which I think would be the most helpful option. Now, the third option is that we put you back on the donor list and look for a new liver.
BELLE: What do you think we should do?
KIRSHNER: Well, at the end of the day, it is your decision. However, I would go with the second option. In the two years I've known your family, I can tell that Claire takes very good care of herself and her liver. It is my belief that we've caught it early. Early enough to reverse most, if not potentially all, of the damage that has been done.
There was a collective sigh around the room.
SHAWN-D: What do you think, Claire Bear?
CLAIRE: I can't lose my liver! It's the only part of Zack we have left!
Belle put an arm around Claire.
KIRSHNER: Zack?
SHAWN-D: My little brother. It was his liver that saved Claire when she was a baby.
Dr. Kirshner nodded.
KIRSHNER: Well, the good news, Claire, is that it is very, very unlikely that you'll lose it. I am confident that we found it in time to make sure that that does not happen.
Claire wiped her eyes.
CLAIRE: Okay. So, I guess we'll go with the second option.
KIRSHNER: Okay.
Dr. Kirshner turned to Shawn-D and Belle.
KIRSHNER: Any objections?
Both shook their heads.
BELLE: Claire's going to be eighteen this summer. She's old enough to make her own decisions. And Shawn and I agree with her on this.
KIRSHNER: All right, then. I'll go write a prescription for some new anti-rejection meds and immunosuppressants. I'll be back in a minute to go over them with you.

[heroicmuse]

I hope the new regimen of immunosuppressants works. This has to be so hard for Claire and her parents.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[Kpatch]

I hope the new drug protocol works for Claire. I think they made the right decision.

[fluffysmom]

I'm glad that Claire has some good options to try. I hope the new medications work for her.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 391

SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
A few minutes later, Dr. Kirshner was back in the room with two bottles in his hand. He lifted one.
KIRSHNER: This is your new anti-rejection medication. We'll start you off on a slightly higher dose and then bring you down gradually to one similar to what you have now. Take two of these twice a day with food.
Claire nodded.
KIRSHNER: Now, I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't warn you that some, not all, but some patients have a few side effects.
CLAIRE: Like what?
KIRSHNER: Well, the most common is mood swings, but there are a few patients that have had either mild hair loss or excessive hair growth, as well as a few with loss of appetite. However, those are all fairly uncommon. If you do notice any of them, though, please let me know right away.
CLAIRE: Okay.
Dr. Kirshner lifted the other bottle.
KIRSHNER: Now this is your new immunosuppressant. It'll work in very much the same way that your old one did. Just like with the last one, try as best as you can to keep healthy, as you will still be immunocompromised. Take these at the same time as the anti-rejection meds.
CLAIRE: Okay.
Dr. Kirshner handed Claire both bottles.
KIRSHNER: I'd like to see you regularly over the next month or two, until we know exactly what dosage is enough to keep incidents like this from repeating. On your way out, please talk to Nurse Maxine about scheduling an appointment for next week.
Claire nodded.
KIRSHNER: Do you have any questions?
CLAIRE: Am I gonna have to miss school much longer? I...I'm doing really well in school, and I don't want to miss much more.
KIRSHNER: Well, the good news is that this is Friday, so you'll have the whole weekend to recover. If you feel up to it by Monday, I don't see any reason why you can't. However, I do wish to stress that you shouldn't overdo it. Of course your grades are important, but if you aren't feeling well, don't push yourself too hard.
CLAIRE: Okay. Thanks, Dr. Kirshner.
BELLE: Yes. Thank you very much.
KIRSHNER: No problem. Claire, I hope you feel better quickly. I'll see you next week.
Dr. Kirshner shook hands with Shawn-D, Belle and Claire, and then walked out.

SALEM HIGH
Joey, Tripp and the rest of the basketball team were toweling off and changing back into their normal clothes.
JOEY: We did great out there. You think we're ready to take on Salem West?
TRIPP: Hell yeah we are! We're gonna cream those suckers! And, maybe then, your cousin'll be impressed enough to go out with me.
JOEY: I don't think Ciara's interested. No matter if we beat Salem West or not.
TRIPP: So she says. But she's just playing hard to get. All girls are into this.
Tripp waved his hand around his body.
TRIPP: And your cousin, she wants it bad.
JOEY: Dude, stop talking about Ciara like that.
TRIPP: Come on, Johnson. You know she's smokin' hot. And so does she. That's why I let her play hard to get.
JOEY: Hey, Ciara's my cousin, and I don't appreciate you talking about her like that. So, cool it, okay?
Joey closed his locker and walked out. Tripp followed closely behind. Mr. Woods was just walking out of his office.
WOODS: Tripp, just the young man I was looking for.
TRIPP: Sup?
WOODS: I know it's after school hours, but I'd like to speak with you for a moment. Come into my office, please.

[Kpatch]

I hope Claire gets well and is able to fulfill her valedictory duties.

Here we go. Tripp's in trouble!

[heroicmuse]

Yay.I hope Mr Woods heard all of that and has something to say to Tripp about appropriate and inappropriate ways to talk about girls.

I hope Claire is able to get back to school. I'd hate for her to lose any more time or for her grades to slip.

Great chapter André DiMera

[fluffysmom]

I hope Claire doesn't have many side effects from her new meds.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 392

SALEM HIGH
Tripp walked into Mr. Woods' office.
WOODS: Please, take a seat.
Tripp sat down and Mr. Woods sat across from him.
TRIPP: So, what's up?
WOODS: “What's up” is this: I have received complaints from a handful of your fellow students.
TRIPP: Okay...about what?
WOODS: It seems that you are paying quite a bit of attention to some young ladies, and that this attention is unwanted on their end.
Tripp rolled his eyes.
TRIPP: You can't be serious, Mr. Woods. Come on.
WOODS: I am very serious, Tripp. This is not a laughing matter.
TRIPP: This is high school. So, I flirt with a few girls. So what? All guys do it. And the girls love it.
WOODS: The girls in question do not seem to share that opinion.
TRIPP: Mr. Woods, you're a dude. You know how it is. Women like to play hard to get. They make you think they're not interested when you know they totally want you.
WOODS: I know nothing of the sort, and I'm very concerned by what I'm hearing right now. Tripp, we've talked about this before. If a young lady doesn't find you interesting and has actively told you to stop, then you need to stop. What you're doing is considered harassment.
TRIPP: Hey! I never touched those girls!
WOODS: Nobody is saying that you did. However, it is clear that these girls are uncomfortable. And that should not happen. They should feel that this school is a safe environment for them.
TRIPP: Okay, so what do you want me to do, then?
WOODS: As I am sure you are aware who these girls are, I would like you to do your best to stay away from them, at least for a little while. I will be rearranging your class schedule so that you aren't tempted.
TRIPP: What? That's totally not fair!
WOODS: You will still be in the same classes that you are taking now, just at slightly different times than you have since January. All of the periods are on the same subject as the ones you're in now. Also, I would like you to speak with a counselor about this. Mr. Hanson should have some spots open.
Tripp rolled his eyes again.
TRIPP: Anything else?
WOODS: As a matter of fact, yes. You will have detention for the next two weeks. Also, I've spoken with Coach Jeffries, and he has agreed with me on this. You are temporarily suspended from the basketball team, and your position on the team in general will be discussed at a later time.
TRIPP: Oh, you've got to be s**tting me!
WOODS: Watch your language, young man!
TRIPP: You can't kick me off the team! I'm one of the best players there is! Those guys won't stand a chance without me!
WOODS: Tripp, you need to learn that your actions have consequences. I did not say that you were kicked off, I said you were temporarily suspended until such time as this can be discussed in depth. As I said, there are consequences for your actions. Harassment, as well as all other forms of bullying are not tolerated at this high school. You're very lucky that you weren't suspended from school altogether, or worse. Now, please, go home. Spend your weekend thinking about what you'll say to Mr. Hanson when he contacts you on Monday. That is all.
Tripp stood and walked out, slamming the door behind him.

[heroicmuse]

I'm glad Mr. Woods is taking this seriously, but I have a feeling Tripp is not going to accept his punishment or use his time with Mr. Hanson very effectively.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[krw627]

Tripp has all weekend to seek out the girls who he believes turned him in and make things worse for them for getting him suspended from the team. It would have been better to do this on Monday morning when he could be watched by the teachers for retaliation tactics.

[Kpatch]

I don't think Tripp had any idea he was doing anything inappropriate. Now he knows.

[fluffysmom]

Feb 21, 2018 10:10:21 GMT -5 Kpatch said:

I don't think Tripp had any idea he was doing anything inappropriate. Now he knows.

I agree. I think he thought it was all in fun.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 393

PARK
Joey was walking through the park to get home. Suddenly, Tripp came up behind him and shoved him.
JOEY: Dude, what the hell!?
TRIPP: You rat on me, Johnson?
JOEY: What?
TRIPP: You heard me! Did you go to Woods and tell him about me flirting with your cousin?
JOEY: Dude, what are you even talking about?
TRIPP: I think you know damn well what I'm talking about! I just got out of a meeting with Mr. Woods. He gave me detention for two weeks and told me I can't play for god knows how long!
JOEY: Well, that's the way it goes, you know.
Tripp grabbed Joey by the arm.
TRIPP: You think you're funny, dude? Johnson, you've known me all throughout high school. You should know that I don't like rats. You know what I do to rats? Especially ones that think that just because they grow a pair of stones it means they can say whatever they want about me?
Joey got his arm free.
JOEY: For your information, I didn't rat you out. But, I wouldn't be surprised if someone did. Dude, the way you treat girls, that is messed up! What's more messed up is the way you talk about them between gym and practice. That stuff is not cool, dude. So, if someone did rat you out, good for them.
TRIPP: Well, when I figure out who it is, they're gonna pay! Big time!
MAN: Tripp! Over here! Now!
Tripp and Joey turned to see a large, well built man standing in front of a car at the edge of the road. The man was Tripp's father, and he was not happy!*

ALAMAIN MANSION
Nicholas was in his study, typing on his computer.
VIVIAN: Ah, Lawrence's old study.
Nicholas looked up and saw Vivian walk in. Vivian has mostly recovered from her injuries from the previous summer, but now walks with a cane.
VIVIAN: I love what you've done with the place! And so would your father.
NICHOLAS: Thank you. I appreciate that.
Vivian sat down across from Nicholas.
VIVIAN: Nicky, there's something we need to discuss.
Nicholas closed his laptop.
NICHOLAS: Okay. Go for it.
VIVIAN: Well, I understand it's been a busy few months for you. Helping me through my recovery and taking care of young Beatrix. However, I was wondering, that woman, what on earth is she still doing here?
NICHOLAS: I take it you mean my mother.
VIVIAN: That is exactly who I mean. When I first woke from my coma and nearly went into shock because you told me Carly was back in town, I was under the impression that her visit would be a short one.
NICHOLAS: I have never said anything to give you that impression.
VIVIAN: Not with words, no. However, your general attitude tells more than you know. I know that you and she don't get along, and I don't blame you one bit for that, after what she and Millicent-
NICHOLAS: Melanie.
VIVIAN: Whatever, after what they did to this company, which your father spent so much of his time on, and you've devoted all your time to since, I don't blame you for being cold towards her. Heaven knows, that woman isn't my favorite person in the world, either. That's why I find it curious that you would want to live with somebody that you seemingly can't stand to be around.

*Please note that, although he has the same name and is played by the same actor, the Tripp used in this story has a totally different backstory than the one on the show.

[heroicmuse]

Lol at Vivian calling Melanie by the wrong name. She must be feeling better since she is back to her usual cold and sarcastic self.

I wonder if Mr. Woods called Tripp's father and what he will do about this if anything. I have this feeling Tripp may be being abused.

Great chapter André DiMera.