Dr. Caron: Severe combined immunodeficiency.
Taylor: The “Boy in the bubble” syndrome?
Dr. Caron: That’s right. To put it simply, your son was born with almost no immune system.
Nick: So he–he can’t be around people, or…
Dr. Caron: Not now, no. Babies born with it are highly susceptible to infections. That’s usually how it’s diagnosed– after the baby’s already gravely ill with meningitis or pneumonia.
Nick: Gravely ill?
Dr. Caron: It’s often fatal. I’m sorry.
Nick: Oh. Well, how did this happen?
Dr. Caron: It’s a genetic disorder. It–it–it sometimes happens when both parents have a certain recessive gene. Uh, but one of the lab techs noticed that the baby had an alarmingly low white blood cell count. So we did some follow-up tests to confirm the diagnosis. We’re lucky, in a way, because we’ve caught it before he’s had a chance to come down with anything. That’ll make it much easier to treat.
Nick: So it– it can be treated?
Dr. Caron: Yes, with a bone marrow transplant. Now the most effective treatment we have is what we call a half-match transplant from one of the parents. Using a half-match, we don’t have to worry about graft-host disease, and the baby doesn’t have to take as many medicines.
Taylor: (Voice breaking) I can’t be a donor because I’m not the biological mother.
Nick: You can use me. I’m the father.
Dr. Caron: We will. We’ll have to screen you, though– make sure there’s no viruses, no kind of infection. That could be fatal to the baby.
Taylor: (Normal voice) well, what– what is the success rate of that?
Dr. Caron: Well, an early half-match transplant within the first three months of life– almost 80%.
Nick: Well, I don’t want to wait. I don’t want to take any chances with this boy’s life. I want to do this transplant now, as soon as possible.
Taylor: No, we have to do everything we can to save him. Please, we don’t want to wait.
Nick: So… (clears throat) what if my marrow’s no good?
Dr. Caron: Well, I’m gonna contact the egg donor, see if she’ll cooperate.
Taylor: Whatever it takes– anything, please.
Dr. Caron: Oh, but she was anonymous, so maybe legally, it–
Nick: No, there’s a provision in the contract. We can contact the donor if there’s any issue with the child’s health.
Dr. Caron: Oh, good. That’ll make it easier.
Nick: Listen, doc, um… (clears throat) make sure you make it clear… (voice breaking) how much we love this little boy and how much we need her help.
Dr. Caron: I’ll get right on it. But right now, I’m afraid this little guy has gotta stay in a sterile environment.
Taylor: I can’t. I can’t. (Sobbing) I can’t. Please, no, don’t make me. I don’t want to be away from him. Please, please, don’t make me.
Nick: Shh. Shh. Shh. Shh. Now listen, our little boy’s in trouble, so we gotta do what we gotta do.
Taylor: I don’t want him to go.
Nick: (Whispers) I know. (Normal voice) hey, it’s okay.
Dr. Caron: Okay.
Taylor: (Sobbing) Oh, God!
Nick: (Whispers) it’s all right.
Dr. Caron: All right, we’ll test the father immediately. He’s very anxious to be the donor if everything works out.
Man: What about the egg donor?
Woman: I’ve got the file right here. Legal-verified– we have permission to make contact.
Dr. Caron: Ann Lloyd. She lives in riverside.
Woman: Is there a daytime number?
Dr. Caron: Yeah–her cell. Let’s do this. Let’s call her.
Man: I’ll arrange for Mr. Marone’s testing.
Taylor: (Sobbing) why? I just can’t believe this is happening. I don’t want to lose him.
Nick: Um, honey, I’m gonna get tested. I’m the kid’s father. It’s gonna be okay.
Taylor: Yeah, but what– what if–
Nick: Shh. Shh. Shh. Shh. Now listen. Listen. We’re gonna take this one step at a time, and right now we’re doing our best, okay?
Taylor: But–but what if the egg donor mother doesn’t want to– doesn’t want to help us? What if she won’t?
Nick: We are gonna do everything we can. We are gonna do our best for our son. Now you hold on to that. You hold on to that.