Adrien's hands tremble slightly as he holds a list of names. His back was pressed up against headrest of the hospital bed; the nurses had helped stuff pillows behind him to support his lean torso. He rested his elbows along the mattress to help lessen the shakes of his hands. The symptoms, according to the doctor, were progressing quickly, more so than others afflicted with it. Adrien was told it was due to his young, healthy body. In high school, Adrien joined the track and field team, becoming a star athlete. His body was still lean and fit, even since graduating a few years ago. He kept up a level of exercise, running several miles a day. But now his health life style was helping the disease spread faster through his system.
He coughed a few times into the crook of his arm, and then returned to scanning the list. He stopped, about halfway down, at name he easily recognized. James Jensen, or JJ as most people who knew him called him, was Adrien's best friend. They had become fast friends in elementary school, when James moved into town at around 10 years of age. Like himself, his friend was also an athlete in high school, but he chose to join the rugby team. And after high school, his friend continued to work out regularly, becoming a body builder of sorts. He also regularly lead classes as a fitness instructor.
Adrien was not at all surprised that his friend would volunteer, and he almost impulsively selected him right away. But, he hesitated. The doctor had explained the process of the transplant in detail. Adrien's head, neck, spinal cord, and as many healthy organs as possible, would be transplanted onto a volunteer's body. A recent medical breakthrough had significantly increased the likelihood of any transplants being successful as it eliminated blood type differences and other factors. With that advancement, many people had been saved through transplanted organs and blood donations.
The transplant surgery that Adrien was going to be part of, however, was in the trial phase. There had a lot of success at different hospitals across the country; the odds being about 80% survival rate for both people involved. But there were many people against such a surgery as they believe it violated both individuals, or needless put both people in harm's way. And, Adrien knew there was more to it than just the survival chances. If he chose James, he and his friend would be inseparable, permanently hanging out. His spinal column would be attached, beside his friend's, and the doctors would link him to James's nervous system, circulatory system, and respiratory system. Half of James's body would then belong to Adrien, in a sense. From what he understood, he and his friend would each have dominance and sensation over half of the body. They would have to re-learn how to do essentially everything together.
Adrien hoped that his friend heard all of the risks, all of the potential issues from the doctor. In as raspy voice, he spoke to the doctor, "James Jensen. Transplant me to JJ." The doctor nodded and began ordering nurses around. A nurse, injected something into his IV, and the world began to go dark. Before Adrien lost consciousness, he heard the doctor ask for someone to find JJ, his friend, before they began the procedure.
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