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October 17, 2001 Transcribed and edited by Cindy Popiela and Karen Ross. At The Hospital Troy: I think it might be better if you both sat down. Nora: I don't want to sit. Just give us the facts, no matter how bad it is. Okay! Sam: We know what to do with facts. We've been through all kinds of hell together. Troy: I understand, and I admire both of your courage. Nora: Oh god! Is it that bad?! Sam: What are we up against?
Nora: It can't be worse than what we're imagining. Sam: The sooner you tell us, the sooner we can find a way to help Matthew. Troy looks at Nora, and Nora looks worried Sam: What's wrong with him? Troy: Matthew's contracted what is known as Pediatrics Robins-Wyler Virus. Nora: Robins-Wyler?! I've never heard of it. Troy: It's very rare. It affects the neuro muscular system. And so far there aren't very many well documented cases. Nora: So you might have made a mistake! Troy: Unfortunately not. I've seen it before. I've observed a case like this when I was an intern. It was just luck that I recognized Matthew's symptoms. Sam: Well if this virus is so rare, how did Matthew get it? Troy: We don't know how it's transmitted yet. It could be carried by mosquitoes or any number of things. Matthew could have been genetically predisposed to getting it. We just, we just don't know. Sam: Well what do you know?! Troy: Well, the one thing so far is that this particular virus has only been found in children. Sam: I want a second opinion! Nora: Sam! Just go on doctor, would you? Troy: It's okay. I understand. I encourage you to speak to someone else, but just so you know, I have gone over Matthew's blood work three times myself as well as received a second opinion. I wanted to make sure that I wasn't reading anything into Matthew's symptoms. Sam: Well I still want to be sure. Troy: Fine, I'll give you the paperwork.
Nora: What about you? What about you doctor, are you certain this is what Matthew has, this virus? Troy: I'm positive. Nora: Okay. Okay, we know that Matthew's sick now. And we know what it is. It has a name . . . Robins-Wyler Virus. And if it has a name, it could be beat, right Sam? Sam: That's right. Nora: Right. Sam: So what's the cure? Troy: There is no cure. Nora: What's wrong with my little boy? Troy: This is a relatively new virus. Sam: New?! Troy: As I said before, it's only been isolated in a few cases. So far there is no known cure, but Matthew's symptom's are treatable. Nora: And what are those? What are those symptoms? I mean what's going to happen to him? Troy: Well, the fall off the swing was the first sign. And like I said it effects the neuro muscular system, so he will experience some weakness, some loss of muscle control. He may complain of pins and needles. And after that, the virus follows a degenerative course. Nora: Degenerative . . . oh my god! Sam: I want another doctor here. I want another doctor here right now! I mean before you showed up Matthew was a perfectly happy, healthy little boy, and now you're saying that he has some mysterious . . . Nora: Sam! SAM! Sam: . . . rare virus that only you know about. Well I'm sorry I just don't buy that Troy: Sam I want you to listen to me okay. Now I know that this is sudden, but please DO NOT let your personal feelings about me get in the way of the treatment of your own son. Now we are very lucky that we caught this virus early. Sam: Lucky? Troy: Yes, very lucky. But there still isn't any time to waste. This is a very serious situation. Nora: Serious! How serious? What are you saying doctor? Is Matthew going to die? Troy: I'll admit Matthew's prognosis isn't good. But there is hope and that's what we have to focus on here. Nora: Hope! That's all we're left with now? Sam: What do we have to do to stop this thing? Troy: Well I'm already up on the latest research. There's been a lot of treatments that have been tested lately. Sam: Tested? NO, no! You're not going to use our son as a guinea pig. Nora: Sam! Troy: Sam there is no set proticol for Robins-Wyler. I wish I could tell you there was, but we did catch Matthew's condition early . . . earlier than any other case so far. Nora: So that's good, right? The earlier the better. Troy: Yes that's good. And I'm optimistic if we could find the right specialist . . . Sam: Not you! Troy: Not if you don't want me to be. Nora: Sam! (to Troy) Please, just go on. Troy: Look I think we need to keep all of our options open here. I think we need to attack this thing quickly and aggressively. And I think we can beat this thing. Nora: You think? Troy: There is a chance.
Sam: A chance? Chance! A chance is not good enough. Troy: Okay there is a good chance! But I'd be lying to you both if I said it was a sure thing. Sam: I think we could use a moment alone. Troy: I'm sorry I had to be the one to have to tell you this. (he leaves) Nora: (upset and crying) It's our little boy Sam. We can't lose our little boy! (He shakes his head NO and they hug) |
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