A lifetime of hello's and too many goodbyes.

Part 6

It's official, not my family. Part 3 of 3

We went to Cecil's appointment first, Liz will meet us later and bring Manny to his appointment, the doctor explained to us what Cece's condition is, the doctor said they caught it at its early stage, Cece is at stage one.

 He told us the prognosis is also better for those whose pancreatic cancer is diagnosed at an earlier stage, he said he's talked to a cancer specialist, and he thinks bae should start with chemotherapy, but he can tell us more when we see him, unfortunately we won't be able to see him until tomorrow.

Doctor is there anything I can do, maybe change my diet, he said just wait until I see the specialist, he gave me his card, and said he's very good, I told him thanks and we left, James said keep thinking positive that's all we can do. We walked out, we still had sometime before Manny's appointment.

I told James I'm scared, he said all we can do is pray, I told him I'll just focus on Manny, he has to be alright we need him healthy. We went to the car, and we prayed like we never prayed before, we cried too, Liz called and said they're here, I told her just head to the doctor's office we'll be right there, bae kissed me, and we went in the medical building.

When we got into the office, Liz said she checked Manny in, she's going shopping she'll see us at the house, she's sure Manny will be just fine, she left. We were called in the back Manny asked if he were going to get more shots, I told him I don't know, the nurse took his vitals and we stayed with him, she told Manny he's put on three pounds since he was last here that's good, she took the rest of his vitals' and said everything looks good. She took us in the doctor's office, and we sat down and waited.

He came in and Cece was holding on to Manny so tightly, we didn't know what we were about to hear, the doctor came in and said hi to Manny, and could he go with the nurse, she'll let him color while he talks to us, Cece told him it will be alright he did asked would Manny need any more shots, the doctor said not right now, they left.

The doctor went through Manny's chart, he said things look good, Manny's t-cells look good, there up, I said wait most times when I hear doctor's talking about t-cells it's dealing with HIV, the doctor said he thought we knew that Manny is HIV positive, he's also a HIV doctor for kids. I looked at Cece, I told the doctor we didn't know that.

The doctor said since Manny is adopted, we should've known from his medical records, I told him Manny wasn't adopted in the normal way, so we had no idea about him. Doc said the good news is Manny is undetectable, but he needs meds, other than that he's a healthy kid. He'll write up a prescription for his meds, he'll only have to take one pill once a day, he can arrange for his meds to be delivered to the house if we like. I told him thanks do that, he said he has some meds here that Manny can take, just until his meds arrive, he does need to start on them as soon as possible.

Cece asked can Manny go to school, he said sure he can, Manny is a normal kid let him be a kid, Cece said but kids are cruel they'll tease him, the doctor said that's going to be a part of Manny's life we'll have to teach him to be strong, he said he won't need to see Manny for another two months just to see how the meds are doing, he told us just make another appointment at the front desk, he said again let Manny be a kid, we shook his hand and he told us we can pick up the meds at the front desk and we left.

When we got in the hall I just looked up, not only am I having to deal with Cece dealing with cancer, but my baby boy has HIV, Cece took my hand and we got with Manny and his meds, and we left. We didn't go home, we took him to the park and had ice cream, Manny knew something was wrong and asked us is he going to die. Bae looked at me, I said no why would he ask that, Manny said because he's sick and doesn't take medicine for it, he's sorry for being sick.

Manny you know what's going on inside of your body, he said yes, his mother told him he has something called HIV, he was born with it, after his mother died, he couldn't get the medicine, he asked is it really bad now. Cece told him no, he's alright, but now we'll get him his meds and he can go to school when he's ready, Manny said he's sorry he's a sick kid, we made him so happy, I told him he makes us just as happy, and he'll be alright.

Manny, I have to tell you why I was crying, James asked me do I think this is the right time to say anything, I said yes, he should know, see Manny daddy Cecil has medical issues too, he said issues what does that mean, am I HIV positive too. I told him no, but daddy has a form of cancer, but I'll be alright because I have him and daddy James, so don't worry about me, he said let's make a deal I won't worry about him, and he won't worry about me, I said it's a deal, Manny said you too daddy James, bae said okay.

We left and James asked Manny what he wanted to do today, whatever he wants to do we'll do it, his phone rang, he said it's Dyland he forgot he's taking Manny someplace, bae answered his phone, I held Manny's hand, I told him to think about what he wants to do while daddy James is on the phone.

I talked to Dyland and told him what was going on with both of my men, he said oh God no, how's Cece doing. I told him he's going to see a specialist tomorrow, I'm just trying to keep his spirits up, and Manny is okay, I looked at them and told Dyland I'm trying to be strong for both of them, he said he'll watch Manny while we go to Cece's appointment, he's at our house now.

I asked him could he get a cake and ice cream; we're going to have a party just because, bro said he can do that and he'll cry before he sees Manny and Cece, he said he loves me and he'll be there for all of us, is it okay if he tells EJ what's going on, I told him he's family sure tell him. Dyland said he'll have everything set up in the back yard when we get home, I told him thanks I'll see him later and I hung up.

I walked over to where my family is standing, I told Manny uncle Dyland is at the house waiting for him, so we can go home and he can tell us what he wants to do, he said okay, we held his hand and walked to the car, we headed home.

When we got there Dyland told us to go outback, there's something back there for Manny, we walked outside, and there's a pony, EJ put Manny on it and walked him around the back yard, I said thanks bro, he said he'll do anything to make Manny happy. Dyland hugged me and Cece, he said whatever we need he's here for all of us, we're his brothers, and Manny will be taken care of while bae is getting his treatment. Cece thanked him, and he loves him and EJ for making our son so happy.

I just watched Manny, he's so happy, I just pray to God both of them will be alright, Dyland said he can take Manny home with them if we like, Cece said he wants him to be with us, but come and be with Manny tomorrow while we go to his appointment, bro said he'll do that. We all went where EJ and Manny were, Manny said we can ride the pony too, I said I'm glad he said that I have my own horse at the Alexander stables. EJ said that's where the pony will be, oh and it's a gift from his grandfather just for Manny, they didn't tell anyone else about Manny, they just told his grandfather he needed a special gift for a little friend of theirs. We told them it's okay if they tell family what's going on, we need all the support we can get. There's nothing like family in a time like this.