terminal

Unexpected Transmission

It feels like a crime, an illegal turn of events, when Aviana feels new life

breathed into her lungs; Sitting up gets easier; moving hurts less; and, and -

There is this newness in her bones that makes it feel like she isn't on

death row because cancer had chosen her as one of its victims; It was relief;

Aviana asked to return to school, but her parents remained hesitant, and

they instead invited friends over for playdates - and they slept over too!

Aviana insisted that her prayers were being answered, that she was given

a 'restart' and that maybe she isn't sick anymore; Her parents must have been

telling the doctors, too, because the next appointments had tests upon tests;

which Aviana assured each nurse that she would pass because God had

given her an extra heart to keep living; The hope in her words, and the joy

that infected the ears that heard them, was so intoxicating that everyone -

everyone for just a minute - actually started to believe that this was a gift

from God or some other higher power; The bliss gripped them around their

throats until their lungs were punctured with bad news - Aviana isn't sure

where it came from - but her parents were the ones to sit her down with

tears burning their eyes red, "The cancer is still there," they said softly;

Though it was a depressing fact that she couldn't deny, Aviana said that

she probably just wasn't 'terminal' anymore and that she would like to

try treatment again and see if it makes a difference; Her parents smiled,

but she did have a sneaking suspicion that it was not a serious response;

It reminded of her when her parents told Brynn "We'll think on it," only to

later decline whatever she'd asked for; Aviana just reminded herself that -

the only person that has to believe she is getting better is herself; and so,

Aviana stays the course; She continues to believe that she is getting better -

She has to be, if she's feeling this good; Is there really any other outcome?

After two days of phone calls, Aviana's mom is the one to say that they are

going to meet with some new doctors to discuss her options, but for now

her regular doctor is willing to try another round of chemotherapy and

one round of radiation, just to see if there's any responsiveness, which

Aviana hates that she understands but is happy to hear that she can try;

She spends the next few days preparing her backpack for the long rides

while her parents make arrangements for the upcoming appointments;

Brynn and Lilly don't know that anything is changing, or they don't care,

and it doesn't matter either way because Aviana can't wait to prove to them

that she's right - something is changing in her body to make her stronger;

Aviana is sure of it!