The First Dialysis Story written by US!

[okarol]

Well Kit ya gotta have a leap of faith here. She was in shock, but they probably spoke to her mom and transplant coordinator, then she signed, but doesn't remember. She was sedated afterwards, the match results came in and BOOM - off to the OR! She will remember it all later, if neccessary... I imagine! Wonder where you are going, because neither Jon nor Jim would have shown up at the dialysis center...? Oh well, looking forward to see what's up with the Bean family!

[MyssAnne]

I love this story! I can totally believe it, but there sure are a lot twists in the story!
Can't wait to see what else happens...it's not done, is it?

[kitkatz]

Sam giggled to herself as the pain meds took effect in her system.  The doctor had no idea the Jim was not a real dialysis patient.  Oh well, it would be one hell of a shock when the articles were printed in the newspapers. Then everyone would know and she would not have a secret to keep any longer.

[Bajanne]

But she had already been prepped for a transplant at that same hospital.  So I thought that all the preliminaries would already have been done.

[kitkatz]

Six months later, Samantha has recovered beautifully from the kidney surgery and all tests pointed to the fact she was going to do fine.  She and her mother were now planning to go to Las Vegas and no dialysis center had to  be contacted this time! One more appointment with the transplant team and she would be turned over to her own nephrologist for follow ups from then on.  

[okarol]

Looking back over the last six months, Sam knew how lucky she had been. Leaving the dialysis center behind was a kind of freedom she had not known in a long time. She had gotten so accustomed to feeling marginal that it was her norm, but now she could see how much she had struggled. Her thoughts went back to Jim as well. The memories were painful, but she did not want to close the door on them either. When his article hit the newspaper the week after he was killed, she was stunned. While the article began as an in-depth, revealing picture of the life of dialysis patients and the care they received, it ended poignantly. Jim told the story of a patient he had met, a woman, whose courage and frailty he admired. Despite the physical and emotional toll she had suffered from treatments, evaluations and set backs, she had remained a vibrant and free spirit. And yet the war she had battled was not without cost, each disappointment making it's mark on her soul. Sam felt he was speaking to her, trying in some way to offer an apology for the lies. At Jim's funeral she stood with the other dialysis patients that he had befriended. He had given them a voice and they quietly honored him as they said good-bye.   

The hospital was investigated due to the confusion with Jim's and his brother Jon's mixed up identification. Because they were twin brothers there was no way to prove who was who. Adding to the confusion was the fact that there were no other family members to help sort things out, and Jon had left town. The transplant center had gotten a 30 day probation for negligence, but were back to business as usual.

[Bajanne]

Great going, guys.  I am looking forward to the continuation.

[kitkatz]

Las Vegas! What fun! She had not been since she was a little kid and was not allowed to do anything in the casinos! She was going to see Shark Reef and the MGM casino.  They were staying in the Pyramid in a room near the top of the place.  Her mom had entertainment connections, so they were going to see a couple of shows, too.  And the tour of the south rim of the Grand Canyon would be great.  Mom was also trying to get a helicopter tour of the city arranged.  It would be a whirlwind trip. Sam was so looking forward to everything.  Her first real trip anywhere in years!

[Sluff]

Put your thinking caps on and Join in on the story!!

[angela515]

Sam was doing her hair and finishing up some last touches before they headed out. She yelled to her mom, "Are you almost ready??" Her mom laughed and replied, "I'm done, your the one fooling with your hair." "Okay, okay! I'm ready. I'm just so excited I haven't been out to do something fun in years!" Sam said. They headed out of their room and down the hallway. The elevator was open and waiting for someone to enter it, so they got in and headed for the lobby. They had gotten tickets to one of the most amazing shows in Las Vegas, Blue Man Group. Once they arrived at the show they went to their seats. They had front row seats! Sam headed up to the bar to get a drink and asked her mom if she wanted anything. Her om replied, "I'll take a Pina Colada." She returned with the drinks and the show started. Samantha watched with a huge smile upon her face. The show was so spectacular she was having the time of her life. On their way out Sam wondered where they would be going tomorrow night....

[kitkatz]

Out of the corner of her eye Sam thought she saw someone who looked familiar.  When she turned to look for them they were gone.  "Hmmmm. " She thought. " That man looked a lot like Jim Bean."  Even though his death had ended the hope of a relationship she remembered him fondly.  Her Mom caught up with her in the lobby of the theater and they continued out to the casino floor.
"Hey Mom." said Sam "Let's play the nickel slots for a little bit."
"Okay." Mom answered over the crowd.
They wandered over to the slot machines and played.  Sam won a little. but mostly lost.
"Well, I should have just thrown the money on the casino floor!"  Sam said to her mother.  Her mother laughed as she pushed the last button on the slot machine.

[Bajanne]

"Ching! Ching! Ching!!!"  Jackpot!!!! Sam and her mom screamed and screamed.  Her mom had won over ten thousand dollars. In fact, it was nearly eleven thousand.  "I can't believe this!" Sam said, semi-shocked.  Her mom said, "At least, this will cover all we spent to come here." 'Mom, ever the practical one,'  thought Sam, but said nothing.
"Let's go and celebrate!" said her mom. "I refuse to lose any of this, trying to get more!"
"At least, I can drink as I please now," added Sam.
They went to the restaurant next door to casino, and went up to the bar.  Sam felt quite excited.  She looked around the restaurant.  It had quite a few people, but it was not full.  There was a pleasant ambiance there.'This trip is turning out nicely,' she said to herself.  After all she had been through, this was like a breath of fresh air. 
Then she looked over to the corner and saw two men and a women seated.  Her eyes were just passing over them, when the head of the man backing her looked very familiar.  She looked back again.  It couldn't be!  'I have him on my mind too much,' she said to herself.
But she would know that head anywhere... or would she.....?

[kitkatz]

Sam hid behind the menu when she saw the table he was at get up to leave.  They were going to pass right by their table.
Sam took a good look at him as he walked by.  She must be seeing things.  Jim Bean walked on by her table.  She resisted the urge to trip him. 
When she brought the menu down, her Mom said: "What's wrong? You look like you have just seen a ghost."
Sam aswered: "I think I just did."

[okarol]

Sam ate but her mind was elsewhere. Her mother kept talking as Sam pretended to listen. 'Am I losing it?' she wondered.
On the way out of the restaurant she stopped at the waitress station as her mom headed for the lobby. "Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice that you waited on the table in the corner." The waitress looked up, "Yes, can I help you?" "Yes, actually, I'm not sure, but I think it was an old friend and I was wondering if you could tell me if they signed the check as hotel guests?" The waitress eyed her suspiciously, but seemed to loosen up as Sam slipped a folded twenty dollar bill into her hand. "All I can say," said the waitress, looking around, "Is that the gentleman who signed the bill is a registered guest. Sorry, I can't risk my job," and she quickly put the money into her pocket and turned away.
Her cell phone rang. "Sam!" her mother said, "Where are you? I was walking along, apparently talking to myself when I realized you weren't with me! The man in the elevator looked at me like I was half crazy!" "Sorry Mom, I got distracted. I'll be right up." "Ok, but hurry," said her mom, "I have a surprise for you..."

[kitkatz]

Sam hurried along to meet her Mom wondering what the surprise could be.  Winning all that money was enough of a surprise and seeing someone who looked just like Jim Bean had really floored her. In a big hotel like the Pyramid it would be hard to spot him again even if she staked out the front lobby.  What was she thinking?  Sam pulled her thoughts back to Las Vegas and her mother.  The ten thousand dollars was going to go along way to helping pay for the trip. 
     Sam found her mother with suitcases in hand.
     "What is going on?" She asked her mother. They were staying in this hotel for a week.  "What's with the suitcase?"
     "Oh honey. I ran into an old friend and he offered us the use of his penthouse suite.  He had no idea we were in town and I took him up on his offer."
      "Mom! The penthouse!  Who did you run into?"  San grinned. Her mom was well known is the entertainment world and she was always running into people she knew.
Sam went to grab her suitcases. 
   

[angela515]

lol, yah the 10k will go a lonngggggggg ways in paying for the trip. A trip to Vegas for a week... only about 3k, and thats pushing it really... ad thats onsidering they go to an expensive show like blue man group every night.

[kitkatz]

Plus a free penthouse stay!  Cool.

[okarol]

The penthouse overlooked the whole city. Sam and her mom Suzie explored the entire penthouse like little kids. The phone rang and Suzie took the call, so Sam headed outside. The large French doors led out to a rooftop garden with blooming bougainvillea and large potted palms. On the south side was a shady striped cabana next to a bubbling hot tub. Big, fluffy white robes hung waiting. The warm desert air was filled with the scent of sage and far off thunderclouds. Sam stood still, eyes closed, feeling the breeze, listening to the sound of nothingness. She felt happy and calm as she spied two lounge chairs near an umbrella. She lowered her self into one and almost immediately fell asleep.

[kitkatz]

When she awoke from a refreshing nap, she heard her Mom wandering around.  She thought it was her Mom. She heard someone come out into the garden. 
"Mom, some ice tea might be nice." Samantha said.  There was no answer. Sam had her eyes closed and was enjoying the sensation of being quiet.  "Mom!" she called again.  Not hearing her Mom anymore Sam sat up and looked directly into the blue eyes of Jim Bean.

[Sandi]

Really enjoying the story.  We anxiously look forward to reading it each day. I think the writers are readers who have a vivid, wild, but healthy imagination.  Keep up the good work.

Sandi

[mrhecht]

lol, yah the 10k will go a lonngggggggg ways in paying for the trip. A trip to Vegas for a week... only about 3k, and thats pushing it really... ad thats onsidering they go to an expensive show like blue man group every night.

well....there IS shopping......I could make 10k disappear in a week!

[mrhecht]

She was stunned and speechless.
"Before you say anything," he rushed "just hear me out." Jim waited just a moment to see if Sam was actually going to listen, then plunged ahead.
"I'm so sorry about everything Sam. I couldn't have done anything differently. I had a twin brother, Jon. He did die in that car accident, but I have to explain.....we were BOTH investigative reporters. Jon specialized in exposing seemingly legitimate businessmen and their illicit connections to drugs and organized crime. He had been working a story for months but had been discovered. He was getting ready to "disappear" and had followed me to quickly let me know what was up. Apparently his car had been tampered with and that's why he ran into us. At the hospital his editors were notified and when they came to identify his body, they told me about all of it. It was thought that the best thing was for both of us to "die" in the accident , for my protection. Being identical twins, everyone, including the FBI thought that I might be in danger....I couldn't tell you Sam. No one, even my OWN editors didn't know. I've been hiding for the past 6 months. I finally put my own "feelers" out, to see if there had been any contracts out on me. All of my info tells me that I'm safe. The guys that Jon had been working, didn't seem to care about me...they just wanted him dead."
Sam just stared at him. He looked a bit different.......his hair was darker and he had grown a beard, but the eyes were his. She needed a moment to take all of this in and got up to catch her breath and just get away for a moment.
"I wanted to call you, Sam. I wanted to, but I was afraid you'd hang up on me....that you wouldn't believe me."
She didn't say a word.
"Who'd make this stuff up, Sam? It's too weird even for me to believe!" he said bitterly.
Sam took a deep breath, turned and

[Bajanne]

walked away.  She had to sit.  She felt as if she was on that roller coaster again.
Jim followed her and sat next to her. He started to say something, then stopped.
"I really don't know anything now.  This is too much for me to handle," she whispered, her head bent down.
"I totally understand.  That is why I did not try to contact you before.  But there is something else you must know."
"Well, just say it.  What further shocking revelation could you have?" she retorted, trying to keep the bitterness from her voice.
"You know," he said. "You are now closer to me than ever."
"What on earth could that mean?" she said, looking full into his face for the first time.  Her heart gave a little flutter, but she fought for total self-control.

[mrhecht]

"My brother....he...." Jim stopped and Sam could see there were tears in his eyes. "Jon and I had not been close for some years. Our work...it kept us on the move but when I began work on my story about dialysis...we met before I started and we had a conversation....he wanted to be an organ donor and showed me the back of his license. When the accident happened, I knew that we were identical, so our blood types matched. I knew he had the same blood type as me and I knew that you and I matched form the conversations we'd had at dialysis. I pulled strings, and had them do the tissue typing to see if it matched you. By the grace of God it did, but then further.....when they put it all in the computer, you were number three for the two kidneys available. But then one of the recipients....he was sick and so......" Jim choked up again.
"Are you telling me that the transplant I got was from your brother...your twin?" Her mind was reeling. Could this really have happened or was this another "secret" that she'd find out the truth about later on.

[kitkatz]

Sam walked back into the Penthouse suite.  She grabbed her purse and coat and flung open the door to the penthouse. Jim followed her into the hallway.
At the door she hollered: "Mom, I am going out for a bit."  Mom came out into the hallway smiling at Sam and Jim.
"Okay, Sam. See you later." Mom said.
Sam gritted her teeth.  Mom knew about Jim.  She turned to Jim and said;" Look. I am going out for awhile.  Don't follow me. I don't want to talk to you right now."
Jim watched her step onto the elevator and push a button.  He made for the stairs and a few floors down he watched where the elevator stopped.  The casino floor.  He followed Sam down to the casino in the next elevator.  He followed her from a distance.
Every now and then Sam would turn around and he would duck into a slot machine area or somewhere else to hide so she would not see him.
Sam wandered aimlessly through the casino.  Thoughts whirling through her mind.  Jim Bean was alive, it was his brother that died and she had that kidney. 
Sam turned around suddenly and saw Jim ducking behind a slot machine.  She walked up to a security person and said: "Excuse me.  I think a man is following me."