The Genotype

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 2

The Genotype Test episode Two

Luke and Agnes got to the hospital for the genotype test the next day and both of them were highly apprehensive. They did not know what to expect because sickle cell was the last disease they would have thought their baby would have. It was distressing because their baby’s situation was getting worse by each day. Luke was particularly interested on how to get help for the child, but he also wants to know how come he became a father of a child with sickle cell disease.

After a few minutes of waiting for the nurses at the hospital, their samples were taken for the genotype test. The aim is to establish their genotype and to know if there was a mistake in the first test they did before they got married years ago.

“But the test we did before we got married confirmed that we were compactible since you were AA and I’m AS. I wonder why the child came out with such disease. This is confusing, but we are here to find out what really went wrong.” Agnes said to her husband Luke as they were in the reception area of the hospital waiting for the test result to be ready. The lab scientist had taken the samples to the laboratory for accurate testing. The doctor had instructed the lab scientist to handle the test with utmost care to ensure there was no mistake in the result.

“You know sometimes, there could be a mistake in the test and the lab scientist could declare the wrong result. Maybe that was what happened to us in the test we did before marriage.” Agnes said.

“But you remember we did the test twice that time and we were told the same result. We did it twice to be sure and the two results were the same thing. However, I cannot conclude yet until this particular result is announced. Let us know exactly where the problem is coming from because our baby is really suffering. She has been in and out of the hospital since we gave birth to her.” Luke said to his wife as they continued to wait in apprehension.

After a few hours of waiting for the test result, Luke and Agnes were called into the doctor’s office when the result was ready. As they walked into the doctor’s office, Luke prayed in his heart that the whole nightmare would be over soon. He prayed that the whole thing should be a mistake, that he and his wife should be compactible geneotype-wise and that it should be that their daughter was suffering from a different ailment.

However, Luke’s hopes of a reprieve was dashed when he heard the test result announced by Doctor Nat after he opened the envelop delivered to him by the lab technician. Doctor Nat’s face was gloomy because of what he saw in the test result in his hands.

“I’m afraid you and your wife are compactible. Luke is AA while Agnes is AS, which means you are compactible in terms of genotype. This also means you were not supposed to bear a child who has SS gene and who is tormented by sickle cell. The chances of such birth is so low. What is it that went wrong?” Doctor Nat asked the couple sitting before him. At that point, he knew that the truth to the problem lay in the hands of Luke and his wife Agnes.

“If we were compactible, how come we are having a sickler as a child? I’m confused doctor. Can you help us explain the possibility of this happening? Have you handled this kind of situation before?” Luke asked doctor Nat who was using his hand to wage his chin in total confusion.

“I must confess this is the first time I’m seeing this kind of situation. If the couple is compactible, the chance of giving birth to a child who is a sickler is low. All sickle cell patients I know were delivered by parents who got married and started bearing children when it was clear they were not compactible. I suggest you go home and ask each other deep questions. Have a communication in your inner room to be sure that nothing else when wrong in the process of conceiving the child.” The doctor said.

“But what could go wrong in conceiving a child?” Luke was wondering in his heart. But he clearly understood what the doctor was driving at. He took his wife and daughter home with a heavy heart laden with emotions.

“What do you think must have happened to our child? Why is she SS when we were declared compactible and cleared for marriage? Why does this have to befall us?” Look asked his wife when they got home and started talking.

“My love I don’t know where this is coming from. I have to be honest with you, I’m as confused as you are. I’m also in pains because we are spending all our monies in treating the baby and she is not getting better. Trust me, if I have a solution to this problem, I would have solved the issue a long time ago.” Agnes lamented.

“So what should we do? What should we do because we can’t continue like this. We can’t continue to suffer this way. All my income is going into hospital bills and this has to end.” Luke asked.

“But we can’t throw away the baby. She is a human and we have to keep caring for her. But I suggest we should have another child and so we can see the genotype he or she would come out with.” Agnes said. Instantly, Luke’s expression changed.

“How can you be making such a suggestion? We are yet to solve the problem we have and you are suggesting we should create another problem. We have to find out why we gave birth to a child with SS genotype first. We are going to the hospital tomorrow for a DNA test.” Luke said with an air of finality.

“What? God forbid. I’m not going to take part in any DNA test. I reject it.” Agnes said as she jumped up from her seat.

“Why are you rejecting it? It is a normal thing for us to know exactly where the problem is coming from.” Luke said calmly.

“No way! I’m not doing any DNA test. Count me out of it.” Agnes continued to reject the suggestion as she stormed out of the room.

Watch out for next episode