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Michelle slowly opened her eyes to see John with another man in a uniform shining a light in her eyes. She looked around and noticed that she was in an ambulance. She looked at John and asked what happen and John held her hand, telling her that they were on their way to the hospital because she fainted down the bleachers. She asked about Janet and John told her that Nancy will be taking her home. She then closed her eyes, and the area became dark again.
She woke up in the hospital. John was sitting next to her staring at her and then he smiled. She weakly smiled back. She then had John call Janet, who was in a panic. Michelle told Janet that she is ok and that she should have drunk more water during the day because she was dehydrated. She told Janet how proud she was of her, and Janet cried. Michelle calmed her down and told her that she will call her once she leaves. They both expressed their love for each other and hung up.
The doctor came in and smiled at the couple. Michelle told the doctor that her side hurt bad, and she wanted to run to the bathroom. Her doctor asked her the pain level on a scale from one to ten, with ten being the worst pain she every felt. She gave the pain an eight. Her worst pain was breaking her leg in a biking accident when she was a teenager. The doctor ordered scans, blood work, and a urine test.
Michelle and John waited a few hours before the doctor came in after getting the test results. The doctor told her that they noticed a large growth in her pancreas, and they will need to perform a biopsy immediately. She agreed to it and could see the concern in John’s eyes. Michelle smiled at him and reassured him that she was fine and not in any pain. She made a joke with John saying it could have been gas from his cooking. They both chuckled.
After a few hours later, Michelle was discharged from the hospital. They said they will send her primary care physician the results in about seven to ten days. Michelle and John then prepared to leave.
One the way home, Michelle noticed John was unusually quiet. Michelle told John that she was fine, and it was nothing. They held each other’s hands. Michelle was in a panic on the inside, but she knew she had to be strong for John and Janet. She knew she would not be sleeping well for the next few days. Any more pain she felt, she tried to keep it quiet and took Tylenol to relieve the symptoms. When they arrived home, she hugged and kissed Janet and Janet returned kisses.
After a week, John and Michelle were sitting in her primary care’s office. Her doctor entered the office and sat at her desk. Michelle could tell from the sad expression from her doctor that it was not good news.
“How are you feeling, Michelle?” her doctor asked.
“Fine thank you,” Michelle said with hope.
“I do not know how to tell you both this, but it is cancer. The tumor is large in the pancreas and unfortunately there is not much that can be done but hope for a miracle. We can try chemotherapy to hopefully slow the process, but it is a long shot,” the doctor said.
“How long?” Michelle asked.
“It is tough to tell. It could be a month or a couple of months. Chemotherapy will give you another month. It might be best to get your affairs in order and we can look into hospice care so you can remain at your home,” the doctor said.
“Thank you. We will do that. I will not go through chemo,” Michelle said as John looked at her with an unhappy expression.
They both left the doctor’s office. Hospice was set up and expected to meet with them the next day. Michelle looked at John on the ride home, who was trying to hold back his tears.
“John, it will be ok,” Michelle said.
“No, it won’t,” John said.
“John, we must be strong for Janet. I will be ok. I am happy with my life. I dedicated my life helping children, I married and wonderful man, and I have a wonderful daughter. What more can I ask for? I will be fine and so will you,” Michelle said as she rubbed John’s cheek. John grabbed her hand and kissed it.
John and Michelle told Janet about the cancer that evening. Janet was terribly upset and hugged Michelle, refusing to let go. The family all cried together as they held each other tightly.