Core Beliefs - Chapter 37 - The Set Up

Core Beliefs – Chapter 37 - The Set Up

Chris and Charley reached the Myoplex facility and were greeted at the door by the entire management team.

“You are our greatest hope to give Matthew Lehman his life back,” Chris stated. “It will require all of us to do extraordinary things, but we’ve done that before, and we will do it again!”

His last words hit those in attendance with such force that people were ready to run through walls, Charley included.

The group's response and discipline astounded Charley. They set about their tasks.

Melissa Kyle assigned the rooms they would use. Twenty-five workers from the floor volunteered for the first shift. Twenty-five more had signed up for the second. In truth, they had volunteers committed for five days of around-the-clock labor.

***

On Friday the 10th, the hospital declared, “Ling would not be allowed access to Matt.”

Charlotte brought her to Myoplex, both to distract her and to allow her to see the progress. The clothes Cynthia had picked up were a good fit and appropriate for the weather.

Chris had forged forward with the task. He hadn’t slept in the last 24 hours, and it showed, yet he refused to break or slow.

The work accomplished amazed Ling. The surgery suite only lacked a few items. The patient room was fully equipped with the latest state-of-the-art hardware, and the labs were coming together amazingly.

While they reviewed the material checklists, a worker came in and tapped Chris on the shoulder. “The MRI unit has arrived. We need to confirm how to have it positioned.”

“MRI?” Ling asked.

“Mobile, state-of-the-art PET CT scanner,” Chris said. “One of our friends at GE arranged to loan it to us.”

Chris left with the worker. Ling gazed at Charlotte.

“There’s another lab to inspect,” Charlotte said.

Down the hall and through another door, Ling saw the Neuro Imager. ‘This is indeed the perfect apparatus for this need. Is this a coincidence or providence?’ she wondered. Looking at the headgear, she felt a sense of awe. It wasn’t the clumsy prototype she’d worn. This was flexible, light, and perfect.

Totally consumed with the resources about her, she didn’t notice her phone buzzing until Charlotte pointed it out.

Ling answered. It was her associate head of staff at Baylor Medical Center. Ling explained the situation and asked if she could come to St. Louis.

The associate knew about Ling’s relationship with Matt and committed to being out the door by three.

Ling had already reached Wheatley and had two medical researchers flying out, due to arrive by ten that night.

The elements were coming together. Ling’s biggest fear remained that Matt might not make the transfer.

***

Marcus called Chris and asked about the status of the facilities. Chris rushed back in and put Ling on the phone.

“Ling,” Marcus asked, “when can we move Matt?”

“Give me thirty minutes, and I can give you a time, but I’m sure we can do it today.”

Joe listened in on Marcus’ end. “Let’s make the arrangements,” Joe said.

Fifteen minutes later, Ling called back. “Marcus, we’re ready.”

There was fear in her voice, and she had to ask, “Marcus, how are you going to move him?”

“On Angel’s wings, my dear,” the warmth in his voice calmed and brought a comforting sensation.

3:50 in the afternoon, Ling briefed the lab techs on the blood test she would need to run.

Chris came rushing in. “The bird is on its way. They’ll arrive in five minutes.”

The bird comment baffled Ling until Charlotte said, “Life-flight, they’re bringing him by helicopter. Fully equipped and with the best flight crew available.”

Ling rushed out, her heart beating hard. She saw a cleared space in the parking lot outlined by orange markers and lights. With the others, Ling stood, eyes scanning the sky, looking, listening. She heard the thumping of the helicopter blades as it approached.