Chapter 40

Katie's POV

I sat nervously in the pediatrician's office, holding tightly to Alex's hand as we waited for Max's test results. Max, our youngest child, had been struggling with frequent illnesses and fatigue for weeks, and we knew that something wasn't right. The doctor had run a battery of tests, and now we were waiting for the results.

I felt a knot in my stomach as the doctor walked in, holding a folder of papers. "I'm sorry to tell you this, but it looks like Max has a serious medical condition," she said gently.

My heart sank, and I felt tears welling up in my eyes. "What kind of condition?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"It's a rare genetic disorder called mitochondrial disease," the doctor explained. "It affects the way your son's cells produce energy, and it can cause a range of symptoms, from fatigue to seizures."

Alex squeezed my hand, and I knew that he was feeling just as scared and overwhelmed as I was. "What's the treatment?" he asked.

"There's no cure for mitochondrial di