Gary Markman

Gino's Mom Gary Markman

You will laugh. You will cry. You will cheer... for Gino's Mom. Based on the true story of a woman who gave her son a life the doctors said would be impossible, all the while struggling through an abusive marriage and forging a career that saw her battle through the glass ceiling and rise to the pinnacle of her profession. Macy stood and extended her tiny hand which was immediately swallowed by the doctor's. After a brief pause, the doctor looking more uncomfortable by the minute, cleared his throat and, looking down at Macy, and then at her parents, said, matter-of-factly, "Your baby has had a significant bleed in his brain. It was caused by his blood sugar spiking at 1300." He added parenthetically, "Normal blood sugar readings are between 80 and 120." The doctor paused for questions, looking expectantly at each face in the group. The doctor continued, as if reciting a report to a gathering of medical professionals. "The resulting pressure on his brain has likely resulted in brain damage, although we can't yet determine the extent. We've put him in a medically induced coma and we are trying to relieve the pressure on his brain." Macy's father looked away, his face the color of ashes. Her mother had tears streaming down her face. The doctor, unsure what to make of Macy's silence, and feeling more uncomfortable by the minute, continued at a somewhat faster pace. "What I'm saying is that your baby is very, very sick. He is diabetic, which was responsible for the blood sugar spike and we have him on an insulin drip to lower his blood sugar. I'm afraid...um... I'm afraid that his prognosis is not good. There are a lot of unknowns... Major organs are likely affected." When Macy remained silent, the doctor looked to her parents for help, but they were not going to be the ones to tell their daughter that her baby was dying. Finally, he asked, "Do you have any questions?" Macy's demeanor changed in an instant. The faraway look disappea