One day at a time. (Part 2 of the story of Joanne and Paul. Now complete!)

Chapter 28 - June 27th 2002

Paul arrived at the hospital and made his way to Joanne's room. She was sat up, already awake, dressed in a theatre gown. She gave him a worried half smile as he came in.

"How are you?" he asked, kissing her softly.

"Scared." she admitted, "and the consultant should be here soon."

Paul nodded and pulled up a chair next to her bed. They chatted quietly as they half watched the breakfast news on TV.

"I've rung Grace and James. I've told them I'll be in touch as soon as you've gone down and then as soon as you're back."

"Thanks Paul." Joanne said gratefully. Suddenly she took his hand. He turned to face her, surprised.

"Ok JO?"

"Paul, will you promise me something?"

"Of course. Anything Joanne my love."

"Paul. If anything happens to me then..."

"Nothing's going to happen Jo..."

"Paul please, hear me out! If anything happens to me, will you help Grace and James? Help them do whatever needs to be done. I've made sure my Will and all other important paperwork are in the top drawer of my desk and..."

"Jo!"

Joanne wiped away the tears. "I need to know Paul. Grace and James, I know they're adults but they've not got anyone but me now. I need to know there's someone there for them if they need it. Please?"

"I promise you Joanne that if that highly unlikely situation arises, then I will give them whatever support I can. Now, stop talking like that. You'll be fine. You know you will."

Before Joanne could reply, there was a knock on the door and two men entered. "Mrs Johnson."

Joanne looked up and smiled. "This is Dr McSween, Paul. Doctor, this is Paul, my next of kin."

After greeting each other, the doctor turned his attention to Joanne. "This is my colleague, Dr Smithson. He's our aneasthetist. He'll be asking you a few questions before inserting a few lines we may need during the procedure. Do you have any questions before that?"

Joanne looked to Paul. He shook his head. "I have one, " she asked quietly, "How long will I need to be in theatre for? Just so Paul can let my children know."

"The usual time is around an hour," the doctor explained, "However, it can be longer. As I was just about to explain Mrs Johnson, you are aware that we will be testing the tissue we remove today?"

Joanne nodded.

"The test will be completed whilst you remain in theatre. That is because if we find a positive growth then it gives up the option of removing any other affected tissue at the same time. If you are happy for us to proceed that way?"

"Could that include the whole breast?" Her voice was shaky, fearful.

"In very rare cases Mrs Johnson, yes. But to be honest, the size of your growth means that is highly unlikely in your case, should it turn out to be cancer. The most common course of action is to see if there is evidence that the growth could have spread, then remove any surrounding tissue. We usually remove the lymph nodes too, as again this is a common way for the cancer to spread."

Joanne nodded.

"Is there anything else Mrs Johnson?"

Joanne shook her head. "No. Thank you."

She watched in silence as the second doctor took her blood pressure and other details. She answered his questions then let him insert three lines for theatre. He gave her a small injection and told her she would begin to start to feel sleepy.

"Paul!" She called in panic, her fear mounting. She felt him take her hand.

"I'm here Jo love. I'm here and you're safe."

She turned to look at him. "I love you Mr McCartney. I love you so much."

Paul smiled. Her words were beginning to slur as the drugs began to take effect. He leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. "I love you Joanne Johnson. I'll be sat right here waiting for you. OK?"

Jo returned the smile as her eyes began to close. The porter took her bed and Paul watched as the woman he loved was taken away to theatre. As promised, Paul wandered out into the car park and called James and Grace. He also had a quick call to his own daughter Mary. He was touched by how concerned his children were about Joanne. He looked impatiently at his watch. There was still over 40 minutes left before she would be back to him. Eventually, aware that he was being recognised, he slipped away and returned to Joanne's room to wait for her.

It was an hour and a half later that a still drowsy Joanne was returned from theatre. She was attached to a drip and Paul could see a large dressing over part of her left breast.

"Mrs Johnson is still very drowsy," the nurse had informed him, "She will sleep for some time yet. Please call if she awakes or is in pain."

Nodding, Paul sat down next to her bed. He looked at her sleeping form and longed to hold her. He was so relieved she was back with him. He sent a quick text to James and Grace, telling them she was now back from theatre but still sleeping. He promised to call as soon as she was awake. It was several hours later that Jo began to stir. She awoke. Paul noticed she seemed disorientated and was groaning with pain. Immediately he pressed the call button. A nurse checked over Jo and showed her how to use the pain relief drip machine she was attached to. Within a few minutes, pain relief despatched, she was much more relaxed,alert and comfortable. Suddenly she saw him.

"Hi." she whispered, her throat dry and hoarse.

Paul handed her a sip of water and helped her to drink it. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore." Jo smiled. "But glad to see you! What about you?"

He smiled. It was so typically Joanne. Concerned about others despite having been through surgery herself. "I'm OK. Pleased you're back. I've told Grace and James too."

"Thanks."

Joanne closed her eyes and dozed for a while. Paul sat and held her hand. Their peace ended as there was a knock on the door. Dr McSween, the consultant who had spoken to Joanne earlier, came into the room.

"Mrs Johnson, how are you feeling?"

Jo gave a sleepy smile. "Sore but OK."

"You have adequate pain relief?"

She nodded. She looked at him curiously. "You've got the results haven't you?" she asked suddenly.

The Doctor nodded and sat down on the side of her bed. "Are you happy for me to talk with Mr Mccartney present?"

Joanne nodded. She looked at Paul, she was now wide eyed and afraid! Seeing this, Paul took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"Well Mrs Johnson, I'm pleased to be able to tell you thay we were able to remove the small tumour from your left breast relatively easily. It was only small and had not yet embedded itself too deeply into the breast tissue. The standards tests were carried out immediately afterwards Mrs Johnson." He paused before continuing. "However, I'm afraid it wasn't a harmless cyst as we expected.  I have to tell you that your tumour was cancerous. I want to assure you that although examination of the tumour showed that what we removed was complete, we still removed additional surrounding tissue and your lymph nodes as a precaution. I am certain we have removed all traces of the diseased tissue. We will be following up your surgery with a course of chemotherapy to ensure there are no cancerous cells left."

Joanne stared at the doctor, stunned. Her mind was in a whirl. CANCER?

The Doctor gave her a reassuring pat on her arm. "I know that this is a shock Mrs Johnson. And that this has given you a lot to take in. I will leave you now to absorb this news. Please understand Mrs Johnson that I will be available for the rest of the day to talk to you, as are our specialist nurses here on the ward. Please do not hesitate to call for anyone should the need arise."

Joanne nodded numbly. The doctor excused himself and then left the room.