The doctor got up and sat on the edge of his desk, his hand on her arm. “I’m going to administer a cocktail of immunosuppressants and anti-inflammatory drugs. A couple of them are a bit experimental, at least for people in your condition.”

“I’ve been down that road before,” she lamented.

“Which means you know that this can work.”

“Just as much as it can’t.”

He hesitated. “That is true. But I’ve thought long and hard about it and consulted several of my peers, and I think this is the best option available to you right now.”

She knew that meant it was her only option, aside from the C word.

Sighing with resignation, Kate asked, “So are we talking some time hooked up to an IV, pills, or do I have to go inside some weird machine that drives claustrophobics insane?”

“It will consist of eight injections at the base of your spine.”

He looked pained to even say it.

Her hand went reflexively to her back. “Will I be numb?”

“I can numb the surface, but I’m afraid you’re still going to feel it. I promise we’ll do it as quickly as possible. I’ll finish with a painkiller that will keep you groggy for the rest of the day. You’ll be sore for a few days, and you might experience a persistent burning sensation, but that will eventually fade.”

Kate swallowed hard. She was used to pain. Burning, not so much.

“How long do you mean by eventually fade?”

He shrugged. “It’s different for everyone. It could be two, three weeks.”

“And when do I have to get my next treatment?”

“A month from today.”

“So I’ll be feeling better just in time to feel like crap again.”

He didn’t have to say it out loud, and to his credit, he didn’t. “There’s a gown for you in room one. Once you’re ready, Mary will bring you to the suite. I’ll be assisted by Dr. Martin. If you want to take a breather, gather yourself, talk to Andrew, that won’t be a problem.”

Digging her thumbnail as hard as she could into her palm, she said, “Might as well get it over with. Like pulling off a Band-Aid, right?”

He patted her shoulder. “You’ll get two lollipops for this one.”

“Promise?”

“Maybe even three. We’ll see how well you behave.”

Dr. Kendricks showed her to the examination room, an ugly hospital dressing gown wrapped in plastic waiting for her. She tore open the bag and stripped down to her underwear. She’d worn her lounging-around panties and bra, not expecting a paper gown kind of day. Kate was sure once she left the room, everyone would be able to hear her heart thumping in her throat.

She’d had two spinal taps in the past, and the pain had nearly driven her mad.