Sarah's Story

First Chemo

When James wakes at six, he slips in to Sarah's room. He finds them both still sleeping where they are supposed to be. Both of them on their backs holding hands across the small gulf. Smiling, he decides to let them sleep a bit longer and goes downstairs to start coffee.

"I don't want to do this. Do you here me God! I don't want to have to wake my daughter to face this. Yeah, I know that I have to but I don't have to like it! Just be with her, okay?"  He sighs as he starts coffee and makes up the batter for pancakes. He cuts up strawberries adding them in. He heats up the griddle and starts bacon frying.

When everything is done, he places two cups of coffee on tray with cream and sugar and goes upstairs to wake his daughter and his future son-in-law. "Hey y'all, time to get up. I have coffee." At that, Josiah opens his eyes.

"Coffee cool." He goes to sit up and realizes his still holds Sarah's hand. He shrugs his shoulders and grins at Mr. Rose. "Sarah baby wake up. Your daddy brought coffee."

"Huh? Oh okay." He kisses her hand and let's it go. "Good morning daddy."

"Good morning baby girl." She stretches and then sits up on the side of the bed.

"Do I smell your famous pancakes, daddy?"

"Yes and bacon."

"Alright, let's go down and eat. You have to try daddy's famous pancakes." She tells Josiah.

They fill their stomachs and power up with coffee. Sarah then heads back up to change. She had picked out a special outfit for today. Slipping into her standard jeans she adds a t-shirt the group had bought her. It is camouflage with 'fight like a girl's in pink across it. She then places her ribbon pin on. She heads down to find her men dressed. They also wear the ribbon pins.

"Ready baby girl?"

"Almost. Josiah needs to do my hair."

"Huh?"

"Seriously daddy. He is good."

"I have to see this."

Josiah shows him. Brushing it out after removing the original braid. He then quickly re-braids it.

"Okay, how do you know how to do that?"

"My mama showed me how. She said it would come in handy if I have a daughter."

"Makes sense. Okay guys, let's go."

When they get to the center, they are taken right back. It isn't a horrible set-up. A pretty comfortable adjustable chair with a long bench beside it, big enough for several people to sit. The lighting is individual to each area so it can be adjusted for individual comfort. There is the wrap around curtain for privacy.

"Hi Sarah. I am Ann. I will be your nurse today."

"Hi Ann. This is my daddy, James and my boyfriend, Josiah."

"Hi James and Josiah. Real nice to meet you. It is good she has your support." She then focuses on Sarah. "Okay, first thing we do is start an IV. I will tell you everything I am doing before I do it."

"Thanks Ann. We appreciate it." James tells here.

"No problem." She slips the rubber tourniquet on Sarah's arm, searching for a vein. "You have great veins." She cleans the area and then swiftly yet gently, inserts the needle.

"You are a good stick." Sarah tells her.

"Thanks, we now flush it out with saline." The needle full of saline is pushed in. "Now, we start the big stuff"  Sarah looks to Josiah who slides closer and takes her hand. "Okay doll, this is going to burn. I am sorry. It won't last long." She wasn't lying. Sarah gasps as the drugs hit her veins.

"Will I get sick?"

"You shouldn't. Not the first time. It accumulates.

"Oh, well that is good."

"I need to take your vitals." She does and her daddy asks if she is alright. "Vitals are all good." By this time, the burning has stopped and she is now freezing.

"She is shivering." Josiah tells Ann.

"Be right back." She returns with a wonderful warm blanket.

"Oh wow. That is great." Sarah sighs as the warmth surrounds her.

"Good, I will be right there." She points to the desk, a few feet away. She leaves and they settle into wait.

Josiah sits, stroking her hand and talking to her about their friends. Her daddy listens to them but Sarah isn't sure how much he hears. At the end, it wasn't to bad but Sarah knows it will get much worse.