On Me (Matt Sturniolo)

3.

Four weeks in, I was now four sessions into my chemotherapy, and it was safe to say I was getting used to the needles, pricking, pill taking, throwing up at awkward times and having both Rachel and Josh at my beck and call.

Some days I found it funny, and I would take advantage of it, but then on my bad days....i was horrible.

I was horrible to be around, I was known to just sob and throw myself on the couch or bed and I was known to lash out.

It wasn't nice for them to see me throwing up, shaking violently because of my body fighting against the cancer and how I really became so sick some days, I just slept all day.

Work was great, and on my bad days, they tried to compensate me by giving it to me as a holiday so I wouldn't lose money, but then I realised I could go on the sick permanently.

I decided to accept my sick note from Doctor Henry and fully focus on myself and getting better.

I woke up at eight thirty, saw Josh off for work and he told me he had soccer practice afterwards so he wouldn't be home till later, so I had every intention of staying in bed all day, watching Netflix.

The only thing that wasn't part of my plan was Rachel, who turned up at ten in the morning, knocking on my door. I let her in and we spent the morning and early afternoon in bed.

We watched a lot of stuff,we caught up on AHS, we watched the new Dumbo movie before we switched to YouTube and we ended up watching The Sturniolo Triplets.

To be fair, it was a good video and it was crazy to see their lives, seeing how three normal guys went from normal lives to being known by six million people. I wasn't a fan, but Rachel was obsessed with them.

I found her obsession funny.

Anyway, I could barely talk. I had my obsessions too. I loved anything to do with ancient Egypt, Doctor Who, Marvel, DC comics, rocks bands, books, you name it.

I was 100% a nerd and I loved it.

Rachel and I balanced each other out perfectly. She was a girly girl and I was a bit of both...I could hang out in my jeans, sweaters and converse, but I could dress up too if I wanted to.

The only thing that made me girlie, was my hair. It was my pride and joy, and it was the only thing I took care of religiously.

"What do you want to do today?" Rachel asked as the video finished up.

"I think we've had enough of the triplets for today"

"You can never have too much. Shauna"

I hummed.

"So what do you want to do today?" She asked again and I shrugged. "How about we go out? It's been a long time since we did"

"I don't want to go anywhere" I sighed as Rachel rolled her eyes. "What?"

"You have to get out and do something"

"I know...just not today"

"Why not?"

"Because I want to stay in bed, watch crap TV and eat" I mumbled, turning the TV off. "Something tells me you're not going to let me do that, are you?"

"Nope" she smiled at me. "Come on, let's get out. Have you checked your bills? Have you paid off your monthly outgoings yet?"

"No.." I mumbled, rolling my eyes. "Bills are the last thing on my mind"

"That settles it. You get dressed and I will deal with what needs paying off. It'll be nice to get some air, maybe dinner? My treat" she smiled and even though I couldn't peel myself from the bed, I couldn't help but find her enlightening.