Chapter 18

The next couple days felt like a gray cloud had fallen over all of us. Our spirits were lower than I had ever thought. I watched as Jon just slept most of the day away and had to be put back on the oxygen when his breathing became labored again. I tried with both Tico and David and even his brothers to bring Jon's spirits up but it was hard with the news that we all had gotten about Jon's health. He had gone from a robust on the go singer to being practically bed ridden. I knew I had to go home but I fought it so much that Doctor Markus put a cot in Jon's room and that's where I slept.

After receiving the news we all asked Doctor Markus what we could do to help Jon. His remark was just to be tested to find out of anyone was compatible to donate to Jon. This got me thinking to our friends and family gathered in Jersey. What if one of them was compatible then we needed them to come in and get tested anything for Jon. I called so many of our friends but didn't tell them the exact problem and wrote up a list.

It was when I was talking to one of our friends that an idea hit me to bring Jon's spirits up again. They had told me to wish Jon a happy birthday for them in a couple days. With everything that happened I had and I think everyone else forgot that Jon would be turning twenty eight in a couple days. After I got done with the phone call I started to make plans and talked to Dr Markus. While this all was going on what I didn't know was that Pop had a few things up his sleeve to do with Doc McGee who didn't have the guts to show up at the hospital which all of us were thankful for.

A couple days later I had talked to everyone and we had it all set up. To keep herself busy Ma had made the cake and took over the decorations. Because Jon couldn't leave the hospital we were allowed to have it in the part of the sun room. It would allow Jon time out of bed and time to be with the family. None of us told him what was up. Dorothea had snuck some of Jon's clothes in for him. Though because of his catheter bag he had to wear sweat pants as they changed it. But for Jon it was great that he was able to wear his normal clothes even if they were a tad big for him. Much to poor Jon's embarrassment the nurses helped Dorothea help him get changed but it was nice to see him in regular clothes for a little while.

His voice was slowly coming back though he talked he talked softly as to not aggravate his throat that and he just had so little energy. The day of the party he was told we were going to just enjoy some time in the sun room. So he wasn't too shocked when a wheelchair was brought in for him. I had to fight tears as I was the one that lifted him up to put him in the chair. I was shocked at how light he felt . It was like lifting a feather though his legs were swollen he still didn't have much weight to him. His head rested on my shoulder as I gently set him down Dorothea fussed with the blanket over his legs while the nurse put his portable oxygen on the back of the chair. “ready for a walk..” I asked forcing myself to be cheerful. He just nodded his head as Dorothea took the handles we left the room. A few of the nurses waved at Jon as we passed and he gave them a small smile but relaxed as we took a walk. I had to stall for a few minutes before we could go to the room as we had to make sure everyone was there and things were set up. A few minutes later we walked into the room it was all worth it to see the shock on Jon's face. A big banner hung from one side that said Happy Birthday Jon gathered around were his brothers the band ma and pop and my parents. Along with my parents even Dave's parents showed up to support Jon.

He looked up at me “what how... I thought....” his voice was soft and shocked. I knelt down by his chair looking into the blue eyes of my best friend. “I thought you'd like to celebrate your birthday even Doctor Markus said you could have some cake ….you got a day pass to come to the room for a couple hours. “ He reached up and wrapped his arms around me and hugged me as tight as he could. Jon was not much for manly demonstrations of emotions but lately he had hugged a lot more. I wrapped my arms around him tightly. “happy birthday bud.... I know its not so great having to have your party in the hospital but hey … at least we get to celebrate it...”

He grinned and let us wheel him closer to the group where he got a ton of hugs and kisses. We all enjoyed the time we had with him. We sang happy birthday to him and even gave him his gifts. I had gotten him a new guitar which was set aside for when he was feeling better. The other gifts were simpler he got some new pajamas from his parents which made him roll his eyes and shake his head. Though the idea was appealing as the hospital gowns were drafty and cold. The main gift that had shocked even me was the management had sent a plaque to him. It stated that New Jersey had gone double platinum I wasn't sure if that was great to hear. It might only reinforce what Doc had said but Jon wiped at a tear. “what's wrong Jon...”

“Gone platinum but for what …. “ he whispered.

“hey … this is not because of the tour this is cause of the fans ….” Dave sat by him. He put his hand on Jon's shoulder. “they are out there for you still... I have run into a few fans … somehow its leaked out that your sick.... “ Pop muttered something about Doc but wasn't clear enough to be heard. He pulled large box over to them. Inside laid thousand upon thousand of cards. “they are get well cards …. they keep coming to the fan club... there are a few stuffed animals and I don't even want to talk about the flowers... you know your a guy ..” he joked. Jon picked up a few and opened them a smile graced his face some of them were so sweet. He looked at his mom.

“they know?” He frowned he wasn't sure if he wanted them to know just how bad he was. He loved his fans but this was a personal battle he was dealing with. The idea that they might know about having to have a kidney wasn't something he was sure he wanted them to know.

She shook her head “all they know is that your very sick right now and are in the hospital.. they don't know what hospital or why.” Carol sat by him. “I promise honey they don't know everything … not unless you wanted them to know....”

Tico clapped his hands together “okay we are getting a bit morbid for a birthday party...” he shot a grin at Jon “i don't about you but I'd love some of that cake...” We continued the party and it was a couple hours later when Doctor Markus came himself to get Jon. We could tell he was getting tired it had been a great party for him. He even signed a few autographs for a few of the patients in the sun room. They didn't try to intrude on his space and a couple were for little kids. He even got a hug from a young girl till he fought a yawn. We knew it was time to get Jon back to his room when his doctor came in.

By the time we got him back to his room Jon was almost asleep. He didn't protest when the nurses helped him change back into his pajamas before being tucked into bed. His gifts were set to the side of his bed while the rest would be taken home with Dorothea the cards were set on the stand by his bed so he could read them later. He soon was asleep. It was a good day and it was great to see him smile enjoying himself. While he slept I turned on the tv on low to watch a few while Dorothea sat in the other chair. When the news came on I was ready to turn it off when a face on the screen caught my attention. I turned it up.

“Doctor George Manning has been arrested for false representation. He was falsely advertising himself as a physician while his license to practice had been suspended. He is accused of injecting countless patients with medications without checking for adverse reactions. Some of his so called patients are from a long list of celebrities and well known public figures. We will let you know more once we have more information. If you have news pertaining to this individual or if you have a claim against him please call this number. “ I stared at the television then looked at Dorothea. She didn't seem phased by it but then she didn't know the name of the doctor that had injected Jon with those damn steroids. “D that's the doctor that did this to Jon.....”