I'm Under lock and key

Chapter 9

I wake up in Michael's arms with dried tears on my cheeks. I look around hopefully, only to realize that my last memories aren't a dream. I really am in the Oncology ward, and I really do have Cancer.

My limbs feel numb as I slowly get up, trying not to wake Michael. Despite my efforts, I wake Michael and he sits up beside me.

"Hey", he says trying to smile," how do you feel?"

"Like I have a lymphatic mass growing in my brain" I say trying to imitate my doctor.

"You know what," Michael says quickly changing the subject," lets go do something."

"After we do a couple more tests" says the doctor as he walks in.

"After they do a couple more tests", Michael agrees grinning.

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They do the tests, and say they are supposed to tell us what kind of Cancer I have. Michael waits for me outside my hospital room.

"Ready?" Michael says as I walk into the hallway.

"Yep" I say and grab his hand," where are we going?"

"Well, here's the thing. There aren't really many, officially, Cancer-patient-safe places around here. So, you have the grueling decision of the hospital cafeteria, or my house." He says grinning.

"You're right", I say trying to keep a straight face,"a very difficult decision indeed. But I think I will have to go with a field trip to the Robinson household."

"It's settled then! Off to my house we go!" He says grinning.

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I walk into Michael's house and brace myself for all the little hands that are sure to entrap me. But, only one set of light hands embrace me this time. I look down to see a little girl, maybe 5, hugging my waist.

"Hi", I say," who are you?"

"I'm Lilly" she replies softly.

Michael shuts the door behind him and takes the blanket covered girl in his arms.

"Where's momma?" he asks Lilly.

"She's in the kitchen" she says.

Michael and I walk into the kitchen with Lilly following behind us.

"Hi Mrs. Robinson" I say as I walk into the kitchen.

She doesn't say anything, only walks over and gives me a big hug. She pulls away and hands me a box.

"The kids made this for you when they heard about you're head" she says.

I open the box and take out a little pillow with the words "Claire is awesome" stitched on the front.

" They kept fighting over what to put on it, so Lilly got to pick" she says.

I look at Lilly with tears welling up in my eyes. She has a very proud look on her face.

" Thank you" I say turning towards Lilly, " It's very nice". The thought of Michael's brothers and sisters making me this makes me realize that this is actually happening.

Just then my phone goes off in my pocket. I answer it and a very worried voice comes through the phone.

"Hello, This is Dr. Snyder. Is Claire there?"

"That's me" I reply

"Good, we need you to come back to the hospital immediately"

"Why?" I ask into the phone, glancing at Michael who is playing with Lucy.

"Your test results are showing something we didn't initially think was there. We really need you to come now." he says.

"Okay. I'll be there soon. Bye." I say and hang up the phone.

Michael looks at me and I say " They have my test results. The doctor said he needs me right away".

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I sit down in a chair and take another pain killer, because the one they gave me this morning is starting to ware off. Michael grabs my hand as the doctor walks in.

"Hello everybody", he says sitting across the table from us," Claire's test results are back, and they have shown us some, um, interesting things".

"Claire's condition wouldn't be good even if she had a non-aggressive form of cancer", he continues," However,that is not the case here . We have discovered that Claire has Glioblastoma."

"Okay," I say nodding," what's that".

"Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive forms of Cancer. We will begin chemotherapy and radiation to slow the growth of the tumor, but you will eventually need to undergo a surgery to remove the tumor"

Have you ever felt like your falling in your dreams, and you wake up and your heart leaps out of your chest? That's how I feel as the doctor starts talking about Glioblastoma survival rates.

"Children with Glioblastoma have a 25% chance of survival, when treated the way we are planning to do to you." He says, "any questions?"

Michael runs his hands through his dark hair the way he always does when he's stressed.

"Um, will I be allowed to leave the hospital?" I ask

"About a week after each round of chemo for at least a few days, yes. And once we perform the surgery, you will have at least a few weeks in recovery" he replies.

Just then a nurse comes in and whispers in his ear, and he looks up at us "I'm sorry,I need to go help another patient. If you have any other questions I will be back soon"

He leaves me stunned in my chair, with Michael still holding onto my hand with a look on his face like he just saw a ghost.

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Hey guys! Sorry I haven't updated in a while, I've been kind of busy. Hope you liked it!😘😷👋