swarmed up the stairs to her bedroom, sirens wailing
outside. As they lifted Sara into the ambulance on a
stretcher, Dawn came out in tears.
“We’regoingto getaholdofthis,”Richtoldher.This
wasjustanothertriptothehospital,hesaidtohimself.
The doctors would figure out how to fix her.
At the hospital, Sara was diagnosed with pneumonia.
That troubled the family because they thought they’d
doneeverythingtokeepinfectionatbay.They’dwashed
handsscrupulously,limitedvisitsbypeoplewithyoung
children,evenlimitedSara’stimewithbabyVivianifshe
showedthe slightest sign ofa runny nose. But Sara’s
immune system and her ability to clear her lung
secretionshadbeensteadilyweakenedbytheroundsof
radiation and chemotherapy as well as by the cancer.
In another way, the diagnosis of pneumonia was
reassuring,becauseitwasjustan infection.Itcouldbe
treated. Themedical team started Sara on intravenous
antibiotics and high-flow oxygen through amask. The
familygatheredatherbedside,hopingfortheantibiotics
towork.Theproblemcouldbereversible,theytoldone
another. But that night and the next morning her
breathing only grew more labored.
“Ican’tthinkofasinglefunnythingtosay,”Emilytold
Sara as their parents looked on.
“NeithercanI,”Saramurmured.Onlylaterdidthefamily
realizethat thosewere thelastwords theywouldever
hearfromher.Afterthat,shebegantodriftinandoutof
consciousness. The medicalteam had only one option
left:toputheronaventilator.Sarawasafighter,right?