Nicolas Winters is now thirty years old and has been cancer free for over twenty years. He has since finished school and a successful writer of children's books while doing photography on the side to keep busy.
His favorite is here once again as Chr...
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I wake up and instantly look down to Natalie. My arms are still around her, holding her close to me as her head lays on my shoulder still sleeping soundly.
"Good morning. Sorry to wake you but it is time for me to hook this up and start the first round of chemo." A nurse whispers.
Now I know why I woke up. With a nod of my head, I move to where she can access the port and begin the treatment, all while still holding Natalie in one arm.
"Do you want me to wake her? That way she can move over to the couch and you be more comfortable."
"No don't. I am more than comfortable holding her against me while she gets sleep she has needed." I whisper back.
"It is sweet the love you both share for each other. Everyone at the nurses station has been in back and forth to try and help her too through everything since she has never left for any length of time." The nurse smiles and talks softly while starting the pump.
"I will be in to check on you periodically but if you need anything press the nurse button." She smile before leaving quietly.
I turn the television up just a couple notches so it is quietly playing again. Seeing the nurse placed a throw up bag and a couple containers of apple juice on the table, along with some candies.
One thing I remember well is the awful taste chemo can put in my mouth and how much I hate apple juice. Prior to being sick as a child I used to love apple jucie but since the cancer as a child I couldn't stand the juice and hadn't touched it in years until today.
"You know that apple juice isn't the enemy Nicolas." Natalie's voice sounds lightly by my ear startling me not knowing she had woke up.
"Just might be." I huff.
"Drink the juice, Nicolas. It will help with your strength during the treatment and replenish your body with vitamins and some sugars you will be needing." She smiles softly when I move to finally look at her and not that container.
"Not unless it gets thrown up in a bit." I grimace.
Nothing worse then that juice going down but it's coming up body heat temperature.
"Don't be a like that little man. You know you need it." Mama appears from behind the curtain with Dad.
If I could guess I probably look like a pouting child. Not that I care in the least that crap is disgusting but guess there are other juices worse than apple. With a look of disdain, I finally grab the stupid container and open the metal foil on it to start slowly drinking it.
"You should have woke me up." Natalie hums as she gets out of bed.
Now I could really pout like some toddler. "I happen to like the fact you were sleeping against me and again sharing your warmth."
She laughs lightly and nods. "Best sleep in a little while."
"Good come back over here." I pat the bed holding the blanket up with one hand, while the other hand holds this juice crap.
"Your parents are here." She shakes her head while rummaging through a bag I noticed last night in the corner.
"So?" I raise an eyebrow.
Mama and Dad snicker the entire time. Seems like they are enjoying the little playful banter between us but I'm also serious about enjoying having her close. Natalie grabs her bag of hygiene and walks to the bathroom, I had noticed that when she walked over to the bag she took the one folder off the table with her that holds our marriage certificate. Something I agree with her and just keeping to ourselves for now and we may tell our families soon but for now we will let it be.
"How are you feeling this morning, Buddy?" Dad walks over and sits in the chair close to the bed.
"Not to bad this morning." I tilt my head back and forth not thinking of my response because I am just being honest. Now later on today may be different depending on how this treatment hits but from what I can tell it is a pretty strong dose of the chemo with the paperwork I had to sign and agree too.
"Anything you need tell us." Dad looks at me and I nod.
Natalie walks out of the bathroom area and Dad tells her the exact same. I try not to laugh at her startled face and wide eyes like she is getting scolded but she is quick to agree too.
We all sit and talk lightly but Mama didn't get to stay long before she was off to start her shift.
"How is Eve?" I ask looking over to Dad since he is still in the chair and I had been looking at Natalie on the opposite side of me from Dad.
"She is okay. At the shop today we couldn't get clients rescheduled and Tony was over booked, but she told me to come and would take it today since I had the other day. Duke is watching Hinsel since is he off today and tonight."
I end up napping on and off as the treatment runs through. Nausea creeps up and makes me wish that apple juice doesn't come up. Although my mind goes to another Christmas wish I already have this time of the year and it isn't even my birthday yet, but it is to see Christmas this year and many years after. Maybe Natalie and I could have our ceremony to celebrate being married and renewing our vows around the holiday season as a one year anniversary of being together, as long as she is wanting that.
The nurse slips in and administers a medicine through my IV for nausea and it makes the room spin slightly. Once the room seems to stop spinning, I can't help how tired I start to feel and Natalie gently coaxs me to sleep as her hand makes patterns on my arm, while her and Dad talk lightly.
I know when Dr. Moore comes in and removes the chemo while whispering I have responded well to it today. My vitals had stayed stable and it makes me happy at least the first round is over and done for.
"He can eat anything he may want for dinner but for lunch, this is some jello to start and make sure he won't vomit it. If he does tell the nurses and we will do a lighter dinner tray instead." Dr. Moore tells Natalie and Dad before leaving, since I haven't tried to move much with the exhaustion. Just needing to keep my eyes close and rest, I done peeked my eyes open so I know I am not in the weird in between stage of sleep and being able to hear.
Not knowing how much time has passed, a whisper shout wakes me up completely.
Opening my eyes, I see Natalie pushed behind my Dad with tears in her eyes and his hand holding her behind him. Never once have I seen my Angel coward down behind someone but she is now.
My ears finally seem to catch up and I can hear my Dad cursing at the room cleaning guy.
A/N--- Hey Hey Guys!!!
How is everyone enjoying the book so far?
Curious to see what may be going on with the cleaning guy?
Thank you to everyone reading! Hope you enjoy!
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