Andy is told some of the situation at least.

"I can only imagine how hard all this must be for you to take in and process Andy." Doctor Rudkin told the patient. "I have been a Doctor for twenty years and I thought I was aware of the cutting edge of modern surgey and when I was informed Doctor Hausmann had performed a successful transplant I did not believe it possible. I reached out to the countries leading neurosurgeons phrasing it as a hypothetical scenario and not a single one imagined it was possible."

This had been touched upon during our meetings with the hospital lawyers during the last few days. Doctor Hausmann was so far ahead in his research and surgery it was impossible to replace him without putting Andy at **** risk. No other surgeon even understood the **** he had developed to stop Rosanna's body rejecting Andy's cerebellum. Those **** were of course not approved for use on humans, but lawyers for the hospital and numerous state and federal agencies were caught in a catch twenty two that meant bringing charges against Doctor Hausmann would mean prosecuting a surgeon whose crime had directly and undeniably saved a human life and bring the whole matter out into the open. This would cause a national debate and bring a media circus down upon everyone involved. The answer, for now at least had been the agreement binding everyone involved including Doctor Hausmann to silence.

"The situation is complicated, very complicated." Doctor Rudkin explained to my husband. "Until we can get rulings from very likely the US supreme court on this which may well require redefining where a life ends I am afraid that legally you are deceased and Rosanna alive."

"What? That makes no sense, I AM Andy Johansson." My husband protested.

"I don't doubt that for a moment Andy." Doctor Rudkins voice and nerves were beginning to sound a little frayed as she had to explasin the legal can of worms the transplant had opened. "But the brain is an organ, so as the law stands Rosanna survived because an organ was transplanted into her. If a heart or kidneys are transplanted into a patient that patient does not inherit the donor's identity. Until the law is redefined and an exception made for a cerebral transplant you are legally recognised as being Rosanna Rodriguez."

I already had several days to come to grips with this and the myriad of complications that it lead to. The distress and impact for Andy was far, far worse. Legally for the foreseeable future I was now a widow and no longer married to Andy. Rosanna, being eighteen was of course no longer considered a minor, at least not as far as parental rights were concerned. However Rosanna had not yet graduated high school at the time of her **** and Andy's previous qualifications were now meaningless. Andy would certainly want to sit his finals, graduate and then get higher education so he could return to teaching. This would mean at least until Andy, as Rosanna graduated it would be less complicated if he lived with Rosanna's parents. I had very mixed emotions about this, relief and guilt that I felt relieved. I felt I should want my husband to return to the home we had made together, but how could I view a girl more than ten years younger than I was as still being my husband?

Andy had fallen silent, she looked up at me from the bed and now looked so small and ****. I **** a weak smile on my lips, but it was no surprise that it did not seem to reassure her.

"My apologies, but I am afraid I am going to need to cut the visit for the next of kin short." Doctor Rudkin said sympathetically, directing the comment to both myself and the Rodriguez couple. "We have quite a lengthy series of tests to run to determine Andy's control of motor functions and senses."

Mr Rodriguez translated this to his wife, apparently her grasp of English was not complete. The woman seemed very **** to leave and her husband was **** to pry her fingers from Andy's hand and lead her from the room. I hesitated, once more feeling guilt that I felt relief at being moved out of the room and escape the awkwardness I felt towards Andy.

"Suzy, sweetheart?" Andy was looking imploringly at me and I knew instinctively he was wishing I would object and remain with him. There was clearly a conversation he wished to have in private, but I was frankly scared and unable to have that conversation right now. I moved closer, knowing I should at least give some comfort to her before I left. I gave her a quick peck with my lips on her cheek and a pat upon her shoulder. She was visibly disappointed. I had never before felt embaressment about displaying affection towards Andy in front of others and the fact that I had kissed her cheek quickly rather than a longer kiss upon her lips upset her.

"I will visit as soon as the Doctors allow it, I promise." I turned to leave, grimacing that I could not bring myself to use a term of endearment to this stranger who had been my husband.