How My World Changed Forever...Again

Finding Out

*a week-ish-later*
Katie's [Donnelly] POV
Today's the day. The rounds of chemo and radiation have concluded (I will definitely be back on both) and we are going to the hospital for scans of my brain. The brain cancer most likely will not be gone. However, if the tumor is larger than it was, they have to go in for surgery. There is a slight, vey slight, slim to none, chance that the brain cancer may be in partial remission. That would mean that it appears to be gone, but that is only while I've been on all the drugs. I definitely still have leukemia. However, today we also find out how successful the bone marrow transplant was.
"Katie Elizabeth! Let's go!" my mom calls from the kitchen.
I hop from my bed, to my wheel chair all on one foot because I still don't have good movement in one leg.
We pull into John Hopkins, and my mom comes around to the passenger side to help me into my chair. "I can do it," I say as she's trying to lift me.
"I know," she says. I can tell she has tears in the back of her throat.
"God, mom, stop crying. It's just a chair."
"I know. I just like to help you."
I let her push me through the parking lot, into the waiting room, into the elevator, and down the hall to where we need to be.
     First is the MRI for my brain.
     We are dismissed without results (obviously!  The scans have to be reviewed!)
     Next is the blood work and bone marrow tests.  I really used to hate them, but I've gotten used to it.  Blood work is easy though.
     After the easy stuff is out of the way, I am positioned laying down on a table.  My hip has been numbed and they are about to poke me with the needle-syringe-thingy.  I wince in pain.  "Everything okay?" The doctor asks me.
     "Yep!  Just fine!" I hiss, slightly sarcastically.
     After a morning of tests, my mom and I have to sit around.  I have to wear a mask, and I hate it.  It makes me stand out.  Makes people afraid of me when really, I should be afraid of them.

Colleen's POV
     Today's the day.  Today is the freaking day.  Erik and I get to find out the gender of the baby, then of course tell the whole family because, obviously!
     I want Rachel to be there with me because she's my sister and she really is my best friend.  However, that leaves no one to watch Hayley.  I make the decision that she'll just go with us because what's te big deal anyway?  Erik is fine with it and he agrees.  This doesn't really need to be a "special moment" between us.
     I've talked to Katie because I didn't feel it was appropriate to just take a child who isn't mine to my medical appointments.  She was perfectly fine with it, so now I just have to talk to Hayley. 
     "So Hayley," I say as I'm doing her hair, "would you like to go to the doctor with us today to find out the gender of the baby?"
     She nearly jumps off the bed.  "Yes!  Yes!  A million times yes!"
     "Okay, I'm glad," I say smiling.

Rachel's POV
     We pull up to Colleen's ob/gyn, Erik driving, Colleen next to him, and Hayley and I in the back. As we walk into the office, my hand in Hayley's even though she's old enough to walk by herself, I am flooded with the horrible memories of going to the gyno. Well, I haven't had a traumatic experience I just don't like it. Does anyone really? I let go of Hayley, guide her to be in front of Colleen and Erik so I can still see her, and move to beside Colleen. I say, pretty quietly, "god I hate this place!" Laughing.
"I know girl! Same!"
"Is your ob a girl or a guy?" I ask.
"It depends. I usually see a guy, today he's not here. I am seeing the woman who is also very nice. Hopefully, the guy will deliver though. Just cause he's been around me the most."
     "You don't see a guy gyno do you?!" I ask, shocked.
     "No!  Are you crazy?  Props to them, and props to girls who are comfortable enough for that, but that's not for me.  Being pregnant is different."
     As we get close to the front desk, I say, "here Hails, let's go sit down," guiding her by her back while Colleen and Erik check in.