My Personal Remedy

The Changes

2 days after we found out I had cancer Dr.West called my mom and told her I had Acute Myeloid Leukemia, or AML. So my mom called my family and told them we were having a get together at our house in a few days and told everyone to come. My dad left on a business trip the day after we found out I had cancer so we haven't told him what kind it is yet. He comes back the day we are having our get together.

"Mom, I looked up symptoms of AML and I have had symptoms of it for more than a few weeks. We didn't catch it early. I have had these symptoms for several months now. I have been way tired for the longest time, I have had a lot of random nosebleeds and my periods have been almost twice as heavy than normal. These are all symptoms. I have had cancer for at least 4 months now." I told my mom all of this and she just looked very confused and in shock.

"Dr.West told me he wasn't sure how early they caught it but it was still sort of early. He said that depending on how bad it is they might have to keep you in the hospital longer than just a week."

"Wait. You never told me that I have to be in the hospital for a week."

"They are going to give you chemotherapy to see if it helps. If it doesn't they will keep you longer. And since we are moving you will have to fly back and forth with either me or your dad."

"Wow. I have to go tell Grace. I will be back later." And with that I walked out and went to Grace's house.

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"Hey, Ryleigh. She is in her room." Grace's parents say, motioning for me to come in.

"Thank you."

I walked into her room and sat down on her bed and took a deep breath.

"I-." I couldn't even get 2 words out without breaking down and crying."

"What is wrong with you, Ryleigh?"

"I- I have cancer." I said, not even looking at her.

"You are joking right?"

"No. And in 3 days I have to go in the hospital and have chemotherapy for a week to see if just chemo will work. to get rid of it." I say barely getting it all out.

"Oh my gosh. I am so sorry." she says while she is breaking down.

"I'm going to go home and pack. I will talk to you tomorrow maybe." I say, walking out of her room, shutting her door.

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"I just want to go to bed. Can you wake me up at 9 so I can shower and stuff before the get together."

"Yeah. Are you okay?"

"Besides the cancer, yes. Just a little tired."

"I love you."

"I love you too, mom."

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"Wake up, Ryleigh." my mom says at 9:15. 15 minutes late.

"You're late, mom. It is 9:15."

"Sorry."

"I was joking mom. Now move so I can go take a shower." I take my phone and turn on my music as I go to my bathroom. We were having people over in about 3 hours.

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"Hey, Ryleigh Brooke." my grandpa says to me as I walk by.

"Hey, grandpa. How are you doing?"

"I'm well. And you?"

"I- I'm good. I guess."

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"Everyone listen up." my mom yells and suddenly my house becomes silent.

"Ryleigh and I have something to tell everyone." and everyone just kind of looks around.

"Do you want to tell them?"

"Why not. Guys, I- I have cancer. Acute Myeloid Leukemia or AML." all I hear is gasps and people breaking down crying. I suddenly disappear.

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"We've all been looking for you forever." My cousin Skylar says.

"I've been here forever. Haha." I didn't even really laugh.

"We all still love you no matter what, right?" my cousin Kyle says.

"Yeah but I am just having a hard time dealing with all of this." Suddenly I break down crying. Again. Kyle and Skylar just hug me and Skylar starts crying too.

"We know it is hard to deal with. We all understand that too. We all still love you just the same. We will leave you alone and see you later." And with that Skylar and Kyle left my room and went downstairs.

I am really scared to go into the hospital for a week tomorrow afternoon. As long as it could possibly get rid of my cancer I don't really care. I just don't want to die. Not yet, anyway.