Chapter 1 BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING

MARIA

Four years ago Annie faints during a fashion week show, stopping the event, immediately they called Dulce Maria who was her best friend and who shared an apartment together with Daniela, daughter of some idiot who abandoned her when she learned of her pregnancy. Annie and Dulce Maria had no one else but each other. Both were raised in a nun's orphanage and when they turned 18 they had to leave and fend for themselves.

Dulce arrived at the hospital all worried, imagining that her friend had done something crazy again, because when she was young she had anorexia, but she had medical and psychological treatment.

Dr Gabriel - Are you related to Annie de Jesus?

Maria - Here doctor, I am her sister, what happened?

Dr Gabriel - So she arrived, she fainted in a parade, we are waiting for some exams, but I feel that it is not good by the symptoms

Maria - Doctor, is there anything related to anorexia? In her adolescence she suffered with anorexia, but this was treated.

Dr. Gabriel - I don't think so, well she is going through some tests, but you can stay with her while she is not ready.

Maria - But what do you think she has?

Dr. Gabriel - It's better to wait for the exams and then we can talk about it, we can't keep talking about what we think, I take care of lives, I can only speak accurately. I will ask one of the nurses to take her to the patient and as soon as I have the results, I will look for her.

The hours never take as long to pass as on this day waiting for the results, Maria called her sister Cecilia to stay with Dani and explained the whole situation of Annie.

Annie - Maria, you are so serious, what did the doctor say?

Maria - That's the problem my blonde, he didn't say anything, you know how I am, I hate waiting and I hate hospitals. But don't worry everything will be fine

Annie - Where is Dani? This time class is already over

Maria - Don't worry, Sister Cecilia took her to the orphanage, as soon as we leave here we will pick her up.

Dr Gabriel - Good evening, sorry for the delay, but the hospital is crazy today

Maria - So Doctor, what's wrong with Annie?

Dr Gabriel - Well, you will have to spend the night here for observation on account of fainting, but tomorrow you can go home, I will give you some medication, your blood tests were altered.

Annie - Anemia ne? I have anemia since always doctor, when I had my daughter it was even worse, it was a risky pregnancy because of it.

Dr. Gabriel - Yes, now I would like to talk to your sister, to settle the paperwork for your hospitalization, meanwhile the nurse will medicate you - Maria and the doctor leave - Maria

Maria - Are you hiding something, what my sister has?

Dr. Gabriel - Look Miss, I'm afraid to say what your sister has is not simply anemia, it's something more alarming, and she won't be able to go home tomorrow, but first I need to talk to you before she does. I need to introduce you to a colleague at work. He will explain it to you better and he will take care of your sister's case - Poncho approaches - Miss, this is Dr. Rodrigo Soares, he will be the doctor in charge of your sister. I've already talked to him so I'll leave you two alone to talk more. - Dr Gabriel leaves -

Rodrigo - Good evening, well as you know my name is Dr. Rodrigo Soares, but you can call me Dr. Rodrigo, I think we will see a lot now and what is your name?

Maria - Maria, but you can call me Mah, but doctor, what my sister has, nobody talks about, it's just not a simple anemia.

Rodrigo - It really is something much more serious, let's go to my room where I can explain better - they go to the room and sit down. - Have you ever heard of Thalassemia or Mediterranean Anemia? - Maria nods no - everything indicates that your sister has Thalassemia, but I need more tests to confirm

Maria - Is it serious? Could she die?

Rodrigo - Stay calm Maria, no one is going to die, but it is serious and I will explain what it is ok? - nods - Thalassemia, also known as Mediterranean anemia, is a hereditary disease. Its main characteristic is the abnormal production of hemoglobin, a protein in the blood that is responsible for transporting oxygen to all tissues in the body. There are two types of thalassemia - alpha and beta - which can manifest themselves in the following forms: minor, intermediate, and major. The minor form, or thalassemia trait, produces a mild degree of anemia that is asymptomatic and may go completely unnoticed. In the intermediate form, the deficiency of hemoglobin synthesis is moderate and the consequences are less severe. Thalassemia major, or Cooley's anemia, is a severe form of the disease, caused by the transmission of two defective genes, one from the father and the other from the mother. This causes profound anemia and other important organic changes, such as increased body mass, growth retardation, and bone problems.

Maria- Does that mean that Daniela could have the same disease?

Rodrigo - Who is Daniela?

Maria - She is Annie's daughter, my goddaughter.