Mary
I squeezed Rachel’s hand as Dr. Sweet went over her Cat-scan results. He explained that cancer is staged according to how far it’s spread.
“You have early Stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma.”
Rachel’s chin wobbled and I could tell she was trying not to cry. “Will I die?”
When I heard Rachel’s question I felt like someone had grabbed my heart and was yanking it out of my chest.
“Let’s take one step at a time,” Dr. Sweet said. “Your cancer doctors will discuss treatment options and your prognosis. But I’d say, based on what I know, you have a very good chance of being cured.”
I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath until I released it in one big burst after hearing Rachel had a good chance of being cured.
“How sick will the treatments make me?” she asked.
Dr. Sweet looked at me and then at Rachel. “The doctors will choose a treatment plan with the lowest risk of possible side effects. Do you have help at home?”
“Rachel and Piper are moving in with me,” I said. “I’ll take care of both of them.”
Dr. Sweet nodded. “A good support network is essential. And Rachel, if there is anything I can do, please call.”
The next few days were a blur. I hired movers and painters and checked in with Ralph to make sure we were continuing to make progress on our case. I stopped volunteering, except for the NICU. I wanted to continue that if I could, but Rachel and Piper had become my top priorities.
I’d promised Piper I’d take her shopping for new bedroom furniture and she found something she loved at the first store we went to. As soon as she saw the white bed with the pink canopy I knew we wouldn’t have to go anywhere else. It was just what I had in mind and she loved it just as much as I knew she would.
Piper had lain on the bed. “This is a princess bed.”
I smiled and looked at the clerk. “I’ll take the entire bedroom suite.”
“Do you like the comforter and accessories, Piper?”
Piper slid off the bed. “What’s accessories?”
“Accessories are things that go with the bed.” I pointed to the lamp. “Like the lamp and bookends on the bookshelf.”
Piper opened her arms and turned in a circle. “I love it all.”
“Then I’ll take all of the accessories,” I told the clerk.
“What about the bedding, Piper?” I walked over and patted the comforter and pointed to the bed skirt.”
Piper nodded.
“So, everything you see here you like, right?”
“Right!”
“Then I’ll take it all and please order me the bedding and have it shipped to the house.”
“Of course, Mrs. McAlaster,” the clerk said. “Will there be anything else?”
“Not right now. But I might be back another day.”
I wanted to buy Rachel new furniture as well, although she had refused. But maybe I could talk her into it.