Sprouting Nightmares Sometimes Grow into Magnificent Treasures
By: Greg Prince
Tags: Short Story, Fiction, Horror, Storytelling, Racism

She woke up in a puddle of warm liquid. Trisha realized she’d lost control of her bladder. But it was too early. How could her water break twenty-four weeks before she was due? The nurses and doctor at the emergency room rushed her into a hospital bed and didn’t say much.

After an ultrasound, a pelvic exam, and a blood test, the doctor advised Trisha,

“Maam, we have to share unfortunate news with you. We’re going to have to induce a miscarriage unless you wish to go home and wait for it to happen. Your amniotic fluid is extremely low, and your baby's health is in danger. ”

Trisha glared at the doctor and said, “I’m not going anywhere. That’s why I pay all that money for insurance. I’m having my baby.”

The cold empty hospital room felt like an isolated desert with death all around her, but Trisha remembered her roots. Strength and resolve flooded her heart and veins. The Mwezi family stayed firm through any storm, and the love in her heart for her unborn child remained unshakable.

She knew the answer but asked anyway, “Doctor, will my baby live? How can I be in labor this early?”

“We’ve never seen a baby, at this stage, survive a preterm premature rupture.”

The pressure of the following silence exploded in Trisha’s ears. She would not give up on her baby or herself. The doctor recommended termination, but Trisha opted for a high-risk treatment.

GenoMedz Pharmaceuticals was doing a research/trial on a steroid replacement that offered a drug to promote organ growth, bone growth, and health without the harmful effects of steroids. They called the drug a SARMS(Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators). SARMS are more selective and easily absorbed than steroids. They do not increase testosterone but can be targeted for more specific uses.

Her doctor said, “Trisha, I think this could work. Tests have shown this SARM, Lava, is very safe. Many other SARMS have been developed and approved for a wide variety of medical uses.”

“What does Lava stand for?”

“It’s a long scientific name even I have trouble with. Sign here and we can begin the treatment.” She extended her clipboard to Trisha. The doctor wasted no time.

Trisha went home the next morning. Dr. Andrea Jefferson instructed her to drink a gallon of water a day to get her amniotic fluids up. The SARMS, Lava, would help speed up the baby’s development, and if she could make it to 23 weeks, she could return to the hospital for bed rest until delivering her baby.

Week 30 of her pregnancy arrived much more quickly than she anticipated. Resting in the hospital bed, the last 7 weeks was the hardest thing she’d ever done. Fortunately for her, AmSend( We Send Your Money Fast Service Inc.) gave her medical leave; executives have their perqs. Trisha knew it was time to deliver Robyn.

She felt the baby’s need to get out. Her lower back felt like a giant crushed her spine between its huge hands, and every joint in her body was on fire. Her water broke again, but this time it was only a trickle. Then came the contractions. Whoever dreamed up deep breathing was an effective way to deal with contractions was a sadist, Trisha thought.