While We Were Waiting

Jul 30, 2026

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A novel set in the Manhattan Fertility Services waiting room follows Lorraine Stern as an IVF consultation begins amid confusion, anxiety, and unexpected procedural demands. Will remains close as she struggles with the paperwork and the shock of medical scrutiny after decades without gynecologic care. In the office, Dr. Injy Lewis explains the complexity of in vitro fertilization and the need for full reproductive health history, while Lorraine tests boundaries around confidentiality and safety.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages174

Reading Time4 h 28 min

Prologue

While We Were Waiting Also by Katherine Nouri Hughes The Mapmaker’s Daughter While We Were Waiting a novel Katherine Nouri Hughes Delphinium Books While We Were Waiting Copyright © 2026 by Katherine Nouri Hughes All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information, address DELPHINIUM BOOKS, INC. , 1250 4th Street, 5th Floor Santa Monica, California 90401 Library of Congress Catalog-in-Publication Data is available on request. ISBN 978-1-953002-74-7 Jacket and interior design by Colin Dockrill, AIGA This is a work of Mction. Names and characters are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used Mctitiously; any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is coincidental. For Caitlin and Johanna and For Oliver and Audrey [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) PROLOGUE In the Manhattan Fertility Services waiting room, the ¦rst obstacle had been ¦lling out the forms. Lorraine didn’t have answers to most of the questions, including when she’d last had a gynecologic examination. 􀂘is riled the receptionist who—by the time Lorraine’s husband got there—had further informed Lorraine that following the consultation there would be a blood draw and likely a pelvic exam. At Lorraine’s side, Will could hear the lid rattling on the kettle ; feel the steam coming o􀂝 Lorraine’s confused stare. Will could see that his wife was trying to contain herself and wasn’t able to. She was telling the nurse stonily and a little too loudly that no one had said anything about any ofthis when she’d made the appointment. “Lorrie. Sweetheart. What’s going on? You’re . . . all red.” “I should have been warned, Will. About every one of these demands.” Will would not let Lorraine shake his arm o􀂝 her shoulder.“Informed, Lorrie. It would have been better if you’d been informed.”Will turned to the nurse. “It would have been better if my wife had been informed. Of the necessary procedures.” He walked Lorraine to a seat, held her hand ¦rmly till he was reasonably sure she wasn’t going to walk out of the clinic. 􀂘e nurse disappeared. Shortly aªer, Dr. Injy Lewis came into the reception area. “Lorraine Stern?” Without a word, Lorraine looked around to emphasize there was no other patient in the reception area. Will had been concerned something like this might happen. “Ah, Lorrie. Come on.” Lorraine sat there trying to remember why she had ever thought seeing a doctor for the second time since childhood could have turned out any di􀂝erently. Lorraine answered the doctor. “Yes.” “First, forms must be completed before I see a new patient. Second, the nurses here take their instructions from me. 􀂘ird, your appointment was arranged as a favor—and I’m not big on string pulling. So. You can ¦ll out the forms now. 􀂘en I’ll meet you in my o ce. 􀂘en I’ll examine you. Or not. One hundred percent your choice. 􀂘ere’s an appointment right aªer this, so if you wish to keep yours, we need to get things started. 􀂘ere’s a lot of ground to cover in the preliminary appointment.” Lorraine looked at Will. “I think I’m going to throw up.” Dr. Lewis came over, took Lorraine’s elbow. “Yes, I see that. Come with me.” Neither Lorraine nor Dr. Lewis looked back as Lorraine was led away. 􀂘 e receptionist got up to close the door behind them. Will stayed put. When Lorraine was done being sick, Dr. Lewis asked Lorraine if she wanted to sit down in her o ce for a couple of minutes. “You mean, as in, to consult.” Watch it, Lorraine: Lorraine to herself. “I mean—as in—to catch your breath. Metaphorically.” Slowly, Lorraine nodded her head yes. She didn’t cry or shake. She sat there, looking at her hands in her lap. “Lorraine—let’s see ifwe can make things a little easier.” “What do you mean?” “Your c

FAQs

What triggers Lorraine Stern’s distress when she arrives at Manhattan Fertility Services?

She faces forms and procedures that were not clearly communicated when the appointment was made, leaving her unprepared. The situation quickly escalates her anxiety in the waiting room.

Why does Dr. Injy Lewis insist on gathering Lorraine’s reproductive health history before IVF?

Because in vitro fertilization is complex and requires understanding a patient’s reproductive health and related medical issues beforehand to ensure the process is prepared and appropriate.

How does confidentiality affect the conversation between Lorraine and Dr. Lewis?

Lorraine asks Dr. Lewis to promise confidentiality, even from her own husband. Dr. Lewis explains that what is said is confidential according to the context of the consultation.

Jul 30, 2026

Upload by Quinn