That single word, deceptively cheerful with its exclamation mark, concealed a decision forming within me. For sixty\u2011seven years, I had been the supporter, the helper, the one who set aside her own needs. Widowed at forty\u2011nine, I\u2019d poured everything into supporting Philip through law school, babysitting my grandchildren four days a week, and even contributing eighty thousand dollars toward the down payment on their suburban McMansion. My reward: an Uber suggestion and a reprimand.<\/p>\n
With hands steadier than they\u2019d been moments before, I opened another text thread, one with Dr. E. Harrison Wells\u2014the renowned cardiologist who had initially consulted on my case before I\u2019d been referred to Cleveland. We had developed an unexpected friendship during those preliminary appointments; his kind eyes and attentive manner were a stark contrast to the clinical detachment I\u2019d expected from someone of his stature.<\/p>\n
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