#212 RECYCLED                          (Original air date:   01/08/98)
 

Written by:	Danna Doyle & Debbie Smith
Directed by:	Terrence O'Hara
Produced by:	Martha Williamson, Jon Andersen, E.F. Wallengren & R.J. Visciglia, Jr.

Guest Cast:

Evelyn Hooper	Elizatbeth Wilson
Oliver Hooper	Fritx Weaver
Dr. Gormly	Donna Lowre

 

The Greenes travel to Barberton, Idaho to visit Evelyn Hooper, a dear friend of Hattie. Hattie is shocked to find that Evelyn, a former dancer, is wheelchair- bound and suffering from bone cancer. Oliver, Evelyn's husband, tells Hattie that Evelyn is in great pain and has asked him to help her end her life. Hattie struggles with the news and Evelyn's deteriorating condition. Russell and Nathaniel find Claire collapsed inside the trailer and she is rushed to the hospital. Nathaniel decides to enter a recycling contest to win a computer for his Aunt Claire. Meanwhile, Dinah pays an unexpected visit to Evelyn's house and finds her disoriented, babbling incoherently. She sees pills scattered nearby and calls 911. Oliver stands vigil while the doctors try to assess Evelyn's condition who remains on life support. Blinded by his own pain, Oliver blames Hattie, figuring that she had something to do with this, particularly since she knew where he kept the morphine stashed. Hattie denies any complicity, but tries her best to remain supportive. Eventually, Hattie convinces Oliver that Evelyn wouldn't want to continue like this, somewhere between life and death. Dr. Gormly (Claire's doctor) notifies Russell that Claire has a ruptured ovarian cyst and that it will have to removed surgically. Oliver finds Russell in the hospital where he prays for his wife and their unborn child. Russell offers his support to Oliver. Oliver decides to honor Evelyn's wishes and take her off life support. He apologizes to Hattie and asks her to be with him. The Greene family receives the good news that Claire's surgery was successful and the baby is safe. Nathaniel and Josh present Claire with a brand new laptop computer.