Hold On I Still Need You (ON HOLD)

-Challenges-

Sophie's POV: 

I am cherishing these special moments with all my heart as they bring me great joy. I am thankful for the progress in my treatment, and Elwin and Alden are happy with the results so far. However, we still have a journey ahead before we are fully in the clear.

This unexpected turn of events has been a true blessing. The new treatment has given me more time than I had anticipated. Initially, I only had five months left, but now I have almost nine months, which has filled me with hope. However, I am aware that these special moments are fleeting.

Lately, I've been waking up with persistent headaches. Initially, I thought it might be due to dehydration or stress from schoolwork. However, the fatigue soon set in, a profound weariness that even ample sleep couldn't alleviate. I noticed my hands trembling slightly when I tried to grasp objects. I attributed these symptoms to mere nerves.

Despite my increasing list of symptoms, I was determined to stick to my regular routine. I brushed off the signs, attributing them to fatigue from the busy schedule and excitement in my life. One day, during my English class, my vision suddenly blurred. I dismissed it as eye strain from staring at my computer screen all day.

One afternoon, my friend Biana noticed the dark circles under my eyes and the way I winced when I thought no one was looking. "Sophie are you okay?" she asked, concern etched on her face. I forced a smile and waved her off, convincing myself it was just anxiety, even though I felt a strange tightness in my chest.

"I'm fine, just tired," I replied, trying to sound convincing. At school, Keefe started to notice things. One morning, he stopped by my locker and gently whispered, "Sophie, are you alright? Is there something going on that I don't know about?" His tone was laced with concern.

I shook my head and said, "I'm fine, really," I insisted, even as doubt gnawed at me. The days went on, and it became progressively harder to ignore the signs. The symptoms were no longer just whispers; they were shouting for my attention. Despite my best efforts to downplay them, the people who cared about me could see that something was seriously wrong.

One night, around 2 a.m., I woke up with a terrible pain in my body, a sensation I hadn't experienced in a long time. This made me realize that something might be wrong. Edaline and Grady quickly came to my aid upon hearing my screams. They administered my usual medicine to alleviate the pain and held me in their arms, trying to soothe me gently.

This experience was emotionally draining for me. My old disease symptoms resurfaced strongly, despite thinking that the treatment was working well. It's a reminder not to get too hopeful about these things. The positive feelings I had during the good times seemed to be disappearing.

I didn't go to school that day. The pain returned in the morning, but it was less intense. Edaline stayed home from work to take care of me. She set up a cozy spot for me on the couch in the living room. I watched my favorite shows, took naps, and shed many tears.

Keefe came over after school and brought the homework I missed for the day. "How are you holding up, Foster?" he asked with concern. "I'm in pain, and all my older symptoms are returning," I replied, my voice trembling as I tried to hold back tears. He gently took my hand, silently conveying his wish to alleviate my suffering.

Edaline came into the room to give me my medication, as I was due for another dose. After taking it, she sat down with me. "Sophie, I think we should consult with Elwin or Alden about this," she said gently, her features etched with worry. I nodded, realizing I couldn't continue this way. The pain was too much, and I didn't want to suffer anymore. Keefe gave my hand a gentle squeeze, reassuring me that he wouldn't leave my side.

The next day, Keefe, Edaline, Grady, and I entered the hospital. I felt my nerves escalating. When the nurse called my name, we all proceeded to the room where Elwin welcomed us with a warm smile, though his eyes betrayed his concern.

"What brings you in, Sophie?" Elwin asked curiously, facing me. I explained my headaches, fatigue, and intense pain. Elwin ordered blood work, which Keefe helped distract me during. Waiting for the results, I felt anxious, worried things might not go as planned.

The clinical scent and the sound of medical devices made me even more anxious. Dr. Elwin came back with the test results, his face grave but trying to offer some comfort. "Sophie, your condition has worsened. The treatment we gave you is no longer effective, and the disease is now fighting back," Elwin said.

Elwin expressed his concern, "We may not have as much time as we originally predicted." His words hit me hard, and I felt the happiness drain away. Keefe, sensing my distress, reached out and held my hand, his own nervousness evident. The fear of what might come next was overwhelming.

"We will keep a close eye on you and continue to fight for the cure you need," Elwin assured me. "We will adjust your treatment plan and stick with what has been working."

After Elwin finished explaining everything and outlining the possible next steps, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions. I felt relieved to finally have a diagnosis, fearful of the severity of my condition, and a deep sense of urgency to address it. Dr. Elwin's clear plan and empathetic approach provided me with the courage needed to confront the challenging journey ahead.

After the appointment ended, I walked out of the waiting room with Keefe by my side, his arm offering silent reassurance that I wasn't alone. The drive home was filled with a sense of sadness, making it difficult for me to find a reason to be happy. Learning that things were taking a turn for the worse instead of improving only added to my distress.

Keefe and I returned home and sat on my bed. He held me in his arms and comforted me as I cried, occasionally planting gentle kisses on my head. His hand soothingly rubbed my back while he hummed a sweet lullaby. After a while, Edaline entered with some Mallowmelt, offering a comforting treat to lift my spirits.

This was the best it has ever tasted. "I'm here, Foster. My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm," he whispered.

"And I will hold you close to my heart, now and forevermore." Taking a few deep breaths, I knew that I needed to take this one step at a time and face this challenge ahead. But for now, I am going to just enjoy this sweet moment with Keefe.

The days that followed were a mix of highs and lows. Some days, the pain was manageable, and I could almost forget the looming shadow of my illness. On those days, Keefe and I would take walks in the garden, the vibrant colors of the flowers and the gentle rustling of the leaves providing a soothing backdrop to our conversations. We talked about everything and nothing, finding solace in each other's presence.

Other days were harder. The pain would flare up, and I would be confined to my bed, the weight of my condition pressing down on me. Keefe never left my side, his unwavering support a constant source of strength. He would read to me, his voice a comforting melody that helped distract me from the pain. Sometimes, he would bring his sketchbook and draw, his artistic talent capturing the beauty of the world outside my window.

One evening, as the sun set and painted the sky in hues of pink and orange, Keefe turned to me with a determined look in his eyes. "Sophie, I know this is hard, but I believe in you. You're the strongest person I know, and we're going to get through this together," he said, his voice filled with conviction.

His words filled me with a renewed sense of hope. I realized that while the journey ahead was uncertain, I wasn't alone. I had Keefe, Edaline, Grady, and all my friends by my side, supporting me every step of the way. And that gave me the strength to keep fighting.

As the days turned into weeks, I continued to cherish the moments of joy and love that filled my life. Each smile, each laugh, each tender touch was a reminder of the beauty that still existed, even in the face of adversity. And through it all, I held on to hope, knowing that as long as I had the people I loved by my side, I could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

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"Driving a nightmare I can't escape from."

Keep Being Cool

-KotLC183