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Mustard Seed: Faith, Hope, and Love

By Sasha Zarya Nexus

Chapter Six ~ Surgery

How will the little 'mustard seed' fair when she traverses the distance between her mother and her aunt?.

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April 6, 2008 ~ Surgery

The big day was upon the twins as they were both prepped for surgery. The procedure was much like the surgery preparation and procedures that they had become familiar with during the test phase. This time the stakes were much higher as both Leira’s life and that of her unborn child hung in the balance. In committing to the plan to save them, Laura had placed her life in the balance as well.

Each of the sisters were prepped and then rolled out into their own operating theatre as before. Mark accompanied Leira to her OR for as long as they would allow and then he took a seat in the observation room. Likewise Robin along with Terry and Hope accompanied Laura to her OR and then took a seat in the observation room as well.

For Leira they collected some stem cells as before. This time the cells were taught to help the sites where her organs would be removed from. The Doctors did the incision and painstakingly started removing Leira’s ovaries fallopian tubes and uterus. A special organ transport cart was standing by that was capable of continuing to circulate blood thru the harvested organs.

For Laura they collected some stem cells. Some would be trained to be blood vessels and others to help on the interfaces between Laura’s body and Leira’s organs. The Doctors made an incision in Laura and began the work of making space and preparing the tissue to receive the transplanted organs.

The team of surgeons working on Leira transferred the extracted organs to the special cart and began the process of completing their work so that they could close the incision to complete the surgery. The cart, with its precious cargo, was transferred to the other OR. Laura waited on the operating table ready to receive the transplant. Expertly the surgeons made the proper blood vessel and nerve connections with the aid of the stem cells for the organs. Finally the organ implantation was completed and also the altered GRS was completed. The time came to close up Laura’s incision as her surgery was completed.

Leira waited unconscious in her recovery room while the rest of the involved surgery was being performed on her sister Laura. The monitors of the unborn child in Laura’s womb indicated that all was well. As Laura was transferred to her separate recovery room, the monitors indicated that instead of being merely unconscious that the drug induced sleep for Laura was turning into a coma. Streams of data on the two women and the unborn child were being continuously fed to the experts on the research and surgical teams.

Dr Kathryn watched, with deep concern, as the data came in and listened as the experts reported on their aspects of the surgery. The most encouraging sound above the din of conversations and devices beeping was the audio of the fetal heartbeat monitor tuned into the baby in Laura’s womb. Everything had gone very simply and as expected until this. On the one hand, the coma would permit more rapid healing but it presented a great many long term problems for Laura long term.

This time the support medical equipment needed would not permit them to share the same room since both of them needed the equivalent of an ICU room. Such a situation would not be good for Leira’s recovery due to Laura’s situation. Finally, Leira had improved enough to be transferred out of recovery and into her waiting room. Terry and Hope kept vigil over Laura's bed. Terry held her hand and spoke softly to her. Hope periodically would try to start telepathic contact. ~' Please wake up, Mother! we love you!'~

Dr Robin was one of the experts in the data acquisition and analysis room. While she did not have an assigned area of responsibility, Dr Kathryn thought it was best to have her there. The sisters had shown some unpredictability and having Dr Robin was her hedge that someone might have a clue to the right direction if a mystery like Laura’s coma, was to come to light.

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Dr Kathryn had given Mark permission to sit beside his wife’s bedside since she recognized that she couldn’t really keep them apart especially now. As Mark gently held Leira’s hand, her eyelids fluttered and then opened. Mark gave his wife a kiss and greeted her, “Good Morning Sweetheart. It’s so good to see you awake again. How are you feeling sweetie?”

“I feel fine, Mark” said Leira with a smile, “I guess the drugs are masking the effects from the surgery. I feel a little empty because I no longer feel our little mustard seed’s presence. Did Laura’s surgery go well? How are she and the baby?”

Mark began, “Laura’s surgery was a success. The baby is very healthy as though she never left your body. Laura’s body is accepting the transplant well and there is no hint of any rejection. Her body is reacting as though she always had a womb.” Mark concluded,

Leira could feel that there was something more that he hadn’t told her yet so she added. “But?” Mark finished, “But Laura went into a coma after her surgery concluded. I’m sorry Leira.”

Leira’s face lit up and Mark recognized it as a flash of inspiration, “What is it Leira?”

“The telepathy that I shared with Laura could be the answer.” Said Leira excitedly

Mark responded, “You both told me that it had faded away. Hope had some telepathy with Laura. Hope and Terry are with Laura now.”

“Now I know why our telepathy faded away. It was born of Laura’s great need since Momma didn’t understand that she was a girl so she reached out to me and I reached out to her. Our focus didn’t waver and that was what it took for our telepathy to work.”

“What changed so that it faded away?”

“She changed outwardly into a girl and everyone accepted her. And then you entered my life and my focus changed from being on her to being on you. Thank goodness we have help already to try to reach Laura. Terry will speak to her and tell her how much we all love her and that we want her to wake up. It’s been a while but I will focus only on her and her need to start the telepathy again. I’ll help guide her back to consciousness helping Hope speak to her telepathically.”

Mark told Leira, “I will call over to receive an update periodically. Darling. I love you, Leira”

“I love you too, Mark”, responded Leira

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As Leira began to concentrate on connecting again with Laura, brain activity started occurring in an unfamiliar part of the brain of each woman. As the readings became stronger, almost all of the experts were stumped. That is except Dr Robin who turned to Dr Kathryn and told her, The readings became stronger still because they also included brain activity from Hope's attempt to communicate as well.

“Dr Kathryn, Do you see those mystery brain activity readings that are increasing?”

“Dr Robin, I do see them and they have my team baffled. Do you have a clue what they mean?”

“Yes. I have seen exactly those readings before when the girls were nine and I had to prove to their mother that Leira actually did have a telepathic link with Laura. When Mark entered Leira’s life the link faded to become solely empathic. I always thought that the capability was still there but Leira didn’t need as much to reach out to Laura since she was OK now and her attention was focused on Mark. My best guess is that Leira and also Hope are trying to reach Laura telepathically.”

“That would be my guess too knowing what the readings meant. Mark was in there with Leira when she woke up and Leira must have gotten Mark to tell her about Laura’s coma. Will the attempt tax Leira physically?”

“I would order some glucose IV’s for both of them to make up for the energy they both will be using but other than that its not really taxing physically since using telepathy is usually accompanied by a very relaxed state.”

“It’s not anything to be worried about then?”

“Not at all. If Leira is successful then Laura will wake from her coma. Long term having their telepathic bond active again will help both recover because they won’t do anything unadvised just to visit the other.”

“That’s a relief. We’ll just keep monitoring it and recording.” Dr Kathryn was still concerned but this gave some new hope.

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Terry had just checked in with Mark and had re joined Laura in her room and was holding her hand and speaking to her, “Sweet Laura, we’d like for you to wake up now. Leira loves you and so do I and so does Hope and most of all Leia's mustard seed needs you here so please wake up.” Mark continued trying to coax Laura back to consciousness. Hope continued to reach out telepathically to Laura hoping all would be well.

Leira concentrated and tried to focus only on her sister Laura. Leira held on to her mustard seed of faith that she could contact her sister Laura again. She felt the telepathic link forming as a swirl of random thoughts from Laura whispered in the background. As it became strong enough. Leira began to speak telepathically to Laura.

~’Hi Lori and good morning. I had felt our bond growing again from the moment you had my beloved child in your womb. Obviously our telepathy never completely was lost. It was just waiting for another great need like when we were small children. Welcome back Lori’~ Hope continued, ~'Hi Mother! It's me, Hope! I am so glad you woke up for us!'~

~’Good Morning Leia and Hope! Leia, it’s so good to hear your thoughts directed to me again. I can feel our child in my womb and she feels OK to me. Love you sis! ’~

~’Love you too, Sis. Lori, do you hear Terry speaking to you” ’~

~’Yes Leia. He seems so far away as though he was in a different world.’~

~’Sweetie, I want you to go join him in that world. You are unconscious now and you need to wake up.’~

~’ I’ll try Leia but it is so hard to get there. It’s like there is a barrier that’s keeping me from doing it’’~

~’Lori, I would like for you to break thru that barrier. Remember what even faith like a mustard seed can do.’~

~’Leia, I remember and I have faith so I will break thru it. Help me please? and you too Hope’~

~’I love you Lori’~

~’I love you Leia’~

~I love you Hope!'~

~'I love you Mommy'~

~’I love you Lori’~

“I love you Leia and Hope!” Laura spoke having broken out of the coma. She turned and smiled at Terry, “I love you too, Terry! as her eyes shown mischievously She smiled at Hope as she collected a big hug from Terry.

Terry responded," I love you , Laura. You gave us quite a scare since you went into a coma after the surgery but you are OK now. I imagine the doctors will be rushing in any minute to check you out but I am so glad to have you back with us.”

Laura responded, “Where is Leira? I see you Hope! I heard both of you in my mind.”

Terry told her, “Leira came thru the surgery OK and she is in her room. She was just worried about you when she found out about the coma.”

Laura said brightly, “I’ll put her mind at ease.” ~’Leia, It worked! Our faith and love got me thru the barrier. I’m awake and talking with Terry and Hope now. Don’t worry! Everything is fine.’~

~’I’m glad Lori. I feel like I need some rest. Take care Sis’~ Leira told Mark that all was well with Laura and their baby.

~’You too Sis and thanks’~ “I told Leira and she said she was going to rest, Terry”

“Thank you, Laura. You both could use some rest but I don’t think you’ll get any for a while.”

A Doctor appeared at the door and asked. ”Terry, and Hope could you leave now so we can examine Laura?”

“Sure Doctor. What did I tell you Laura? I’ll be back when they let me. Take care, Laura. Bye” Hope waved Bye and told her 'Bye for now!" and added ~'Give us a yell if you need anything and we'll make sure its done.'~

“Thank you Hope and Terry and you take care too. Bye.”

The monitors noted a decrease in the telepathic activity and that Leira was resting comfortably. The team in the monitor room remained vigilant. If any problem developed they would be ready to solve it. It wasn't long before the steady activity had given way again for the mundane so the SO's being Mark for Leira and Terry and Hope for Laura were allowed to rejoin them in their rooms.

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Dr Erika joined Leigh and Jessica in her room. Although Jessica had not undergone any surgery she had been prepped for it for much of the day. Jessica was glad to hear that both twins had made it into recovery since that took her off of standby with the surgery being successful. Jessica hoped that Dr Erika brought news of what the plan was from this point.

"Hi Jessica, and Leigh, last I heard the news was good concerning the twins and their baby. You came thru with flying colors on standby duty. The question is how best to handle your continued participation with the project and the security breach that your friend caused? We think that we've come up with a solution that will cover up the external breach and we trust that an internal leak wont occur."

"How long will I need to stay onsite for medical reasons then?"

"Thru Laura beginning the child's second trimester. However, we feel that the proper monitoring and hormonal balance can be achieved thru the HBS program which you will be retroactively be placed."

" How long will that last?"

" To preserve the cover story we are now creating and to follow thru with Dr Summer's commitment, you will stay in the HBS program until ordinary release following GRS.. After transferring to a HBS client dorm area you'll be introduced to your roommate as a HBS client and explain the secrecy as being part of that program. You'll retain your job with the project thru the duration of Laura's pregnancy and your RLT and GRS recovery, but no other association with us externally. Once the internship and associated degree program credits are completed , you'll be free to resume your work towards your Masters if there is any remaining at that point."

"That is truly amazing, Thank you Dr Erika! Its amazing that I will have everything I have dreamed of. Well I still have to own up to being a transwoman to my friends but if I don't reveal myself then I won't have any chance of reconnecting with my old life."

"We have a good plan on dealing with them to keep you safe. If they choose to be bigots then the university will deal with them appropriately."

"What about Leigh, Dr Erika?"

"She's doing the secret retroactive swap to the HBS program along with you. Her cover is that she was giving you a crash course to get you ready to join with the others entering into the program since you two are siblings. Dr Summers has projected that project shutdown is needed until the procedure is required again. In the meantime he is placing key staff at programs in the university so that they can be recalled to the project when needed."

Leigh responded," Please thank Dr Summers that he has taken such good care of us. And thank you too Dr Erika for making this process so easy to go thru as a part of the program. It's been fun!"

Dr. Erika concluded, "I've had fun too! I'll take my leave of you for now. Goodbye!" She waved to them and they waved back as she left the siblings alone in the room.

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Fortunately no problems occurred and 6 hours after the women had left recovery it was time for the initial assessment to be made. Like the Launch Director in mission control, Dr Kathryn went around the room getting a report from each member of the team regarding their area of responsibility for the women and the unborn child.

After going round the room and hearing everyone’s report Dr Kathryn spoke to the room and all of the research facility involved with the project.

“This is Dr Kathryn with our six hour assessment. Both Leira and Laura appear to be reconvening well from their surgeries. The unborn child is in excellent condition as is the condition of the transplanted womb. I assess the surgeries to have been a success! Now I’d like you to hear a message from Leira and Laura.”

The message began from Leira, “Hi, this is Leira and I want to thank you all for the miracle of giving me a fighting chance to beat my cancer. Laura continued, “Hi, I’m Laura and I would like to thank you all for the miracle of giving me the chance to be a surrogate mother to Leira’s child.” Together they said, “You all are our true friends and we are fortunate that each of you has entered our lives. Thank you with all our heart!”

Cheering and celebrating ensued from the monitor room and in the areas of the research center where the announcement was heard. While noticeably relieved the team was still vigilant so that they would be ready for a future problem if one should occur. Dr Robin took her leave from her colleagues in the monitor area to go visit the sisters.

Dr Robin gave a hug to both of the mothers to be in their separate ICU rooms before she left to go home. Her girls had journeyed far since she had met them both at nine years old. She had taken off all the time that she could right now from her practice but she promised both of them to return to visit and to monitor their progress from Ellenwood. Both sisters were going to receive the best medical care that was available any where in the world so she knew that they were in the best hands. Even better news was that Dr Terry had taken a liking to Laura. Dr Robin wanted to give that relationship, between Laura and Dr Terry, a chance to blossom. Dr Robin had hopes that it would not be long before Laura was offered an engagement ring.

With Laura successfully completing the surgery and now Laura was made a surrogate mother. This was not the first time in Laura's life that surgery was a life changing experience but it was for Leira. This surgery promised to save her unborn child's life where she was safely nestled in Laura's womb and allow the cancer to be combated which would save Leira's life. Leira was reminded of the slightly less dramatic circumstances when Laura had her other surgery.