Chapter Forty-Two

Good morning, Dr. Kreake,” said Jenny, as he walked into her hospital room.

“I’m just making my morning rounds before going back to the office.”

“You sure must have long days.”

“Yes, just ask my wife. She thinks I’m a stranger half the time.”

“Well, we certainly don’t want that. Family should be first, you know.”

“Yes, I know. So, how are you? You seem to be in good spirits.”

“Well, it all depends on you, doctor. What’s the scoop?”

“Well, two other specialists looked at the X-rays and they too feel that we should remove the tumour as soon as possible and have a biopsy done. I have you booked in for surgery at 2:30, this afternoon.”

“You were serious, yesterday, weren’t you?”

“Yes, Jenny. The sooner we get that thing out of there the better. And once we do, we will know for sure what we are dealing with. Are you okay with all this?”

“To be honest, I’m scared as a rabbit about to be ripped open by a wolf.”

“I assure you, we are not wolves, but I can appreciate your analogy. Surgery is scary, but if it’s any consolation, the surgeon who will operate is the best in Saskatchewan. In fact, he travels to Toronto several times a year and does surgery there, as well. He uses some different techniques which have produced incredible healing results. He is training other doctors with his new procedures. You are in very capable hands, Jenny.”

“That does make me feel better.”

“Would you like a sedative to keep you relaxed?”

“No, I’m fine. It’s begun to sink in, now, and I feel a little more prepared than I was, yesterday. I must have been some concern for you.”

“A little, I must admit. You are the first patient to have a fainting spell in my office.”

Jenny giggled.

“Well, Jenny, I better finish my rounds. I will see you later this evening after your operation.”

“My gosh, you do have a long day. You really don’t have to, you know.”

“I know, Jenny, but I am concerned about you and I wouldn’t be able to relax at home if I didn’t see you first, and make sure you are okay.”

Unbidden tears pooled in her eyes. “Dr. Kreake that’s the nicest thing anyone has said to me in a long time. Thank you.”

Dr. Kreake patted Jenny’s hand. “Try to have a little rest, everything will be just fine. See you, tonight.”

“Marjorie? Marjorie Hamilton.” A kind, sing-songy voice reached through the grogginess.

“Marjorie, you’re in the recovery room, I’m, Elsie, the nurse on duty.”

It took a few seconds for Jenny’s eyes to open and for her to orient herself.

Elsie moved closer to Jenny’s bedside. “You’re okay, Marjorie. You’re in the hospital recovery room.”

“What…what did you say…?”

“You’re out of surgery, Marjorie. You’re in the recovery room.”

Jenny raised her arm to put it under her head until pain from the incision stabbed at her side.

“Oow!”

“Does it hurt, Marjorie?”

“Yes, it’s very sore.”

“Just a minute and I will increase the medication in this IV, you will soon feel better. Try to stay awake, now. Would you like some water?”

“Yes, please. My mouth feels so dry.”

Elsie reached for a glass of water that had a flexible straw. She adjusted the straw and inserted it into Jenny’s mouth.

“Oh, that feels and tastes so good. So, how did the operation go?”

“You will have to ask the, doctor. I don’t have any details. I just know that you experienced no complications associated with the procedure, at all.”

“What time is it, Elsie?”

“It’s 15 minutes to six. Your operation took one hour and thirty minutes. And you have been in the recovery room for just over an hour and a half.”

“I see,” said Jenny.

“We will keep you on fluids for another hour or so and then maybe you might feel like a piece of toast and hot soup.”

“That sounds nice. Surprisingly, I do feel hungry.”

“That’s common after coming out of surgery. But we will wait until you are well awake. How are you feeling, now, is the medication taking effect?”

“I think so.” Jenny tried to raise her arm cautiously and was surprised that she could almost raise it to the back of her head. “Yes, yes. Much better.”

“That’s good. Well, you just relax while I see how John over here is doing.” Jenny tried to look over towards him, but couldn’t raise her head high enough.

Fifteen minutes later, Dr. Kreake walked in.

“Well, how is Jenny doing?”

Jenny turned her head towards the door. “Oh, hi, Dr. Kreake. I’m awake.”

“That’s good. They will move you out of here very shortly and back into your room.”

“Well, how did the operation go, doctor? Do you know what they found?”

“Yes, they found a tumour, all right, the size of a large lemon.”

“Oh dear, no wonder I was in pain. Was it malignant?” Jenny asked nervously, looking directly into Dr. Kreake’s eyes.

“We are not sure.”

Jenny knew from his tone that that wasn’t quite the truth.

“The tumour was sent to the lab. We should know, tomorrow.”

“You’re not keeping anything secret from me, are you?”

“Well, Jenny, we feel the tumour was malignant, but the lab will confirm our diagnosis.”

“Thank you, Doctor, I feel better knowing, than having to wait another day. But, I’ll tell you one thing, I’m a heck of a fighter. It won’t be easy for that disease to take me down. I’m already expecting a miracle.”

“That’s the spirit, Jenny. A positive attitude is very important. We have some very good medication these days.”

“Will I need chemotherapy and radiation?”

“I don’t know just yet, Jenny, the next day or so will determine what treatment will be best. There are different forms of cancer and each requires a different approach. And really, Jenny, we are putting the cart before the horse. Let’s see where we are with all this. The nurse will take you to your room in a few minutes, try to get some rest and I will see you, tomorrow.”

“Thank you so much for coming.”

“You’re welcome, Jenny, take care.”

As he walked out the door, Jenny blurted out, “And thank your wife, too!”

Once again Dr. Kreake didn’t look back. He just waved a hand into the air then disappeared down the hall.

Elsie overheard the conversation and came over to comfort Jenny.

“So, now I have cancer. I just hate that word. What else can possibly happen to me?”

Jenny turned her eyes towards the ceiling, “Lord, I feel more like Job every day. I so wish mom were here, but then, I suppose you are, aren’t you?”

Jenny didn’t know if she was talking to Elsie or to God. But Elsie didn’t discourage her.

Jenny thought about her guardian angel, and the card her mom had sent to her the day after she died…

“Your guardian angel will watch over you and protect you.”

And suddenly Jenny also remembered another angel. She reached up to her chest with her right hand and clutched the pewter angel. Henry had requested that she wear it always as a memory of his love and that it would always protect her. And she had kept her promise to him. She lifted the angel at the end of the chain and read the inscription:

‘Watch Over My Beloved.’

“Yes, I will have no fear. Besides my own guardian angel I have two other angels watching over me and both are from my first loves.”

Elsie watched the metal angel glisten in Jenny’s fingers and smiled. She was glad she had put the necklace back around her neck after the surgery. “What a lovely thought to have coming out of an anaesthetic.”

Jenny kissed the angel and brought her hand back down to her chest. The angel gave off soothing, healing warmth, almost as if her beloved sun were in the room. A peace washed over her as the residual traces of the anaesthetic lulled her back to sleep.

Or, was it her guardian angel, cradling her tenderly in her arms, preparing her dear sweet Jenny for what was yet to come?