Beauty in Everything

Chapter 5

Chapter 5 beauty in everything

^December 9th 2016^

"Treatment for a teen, withalveolar rhabdomyosarcoma is based on the size and stage of thetumor, where the tumor is located in the body, and whether or not thetumor has spread to other parts of the body. So we will need to getsome scans done, find out exactly how big this tumor is, how far it'sspread, and see what our treatment options are." Dr. M explainedto Blanche, who was now the only one listening as Pearl sat, staringinto space. Blanche could feel the tears falling down her face butshe refused to acknowledge them.

"We should get an MRI of thethigh and surrounding area, get an idea of just how big this tumoris, and discuss the surgical options" Dr M said then looked upto see the blank stares she was receiving.

"I am so sorry Pearl...."She said with a sad look on her face. Then she turned to Blanche andhanded her a card with her phone number and information on it saying,"you call me and let me know when you want to schedule theappointments, but the sooner the better, we should try to get aheadof this while we can."

Blanche nodded taking the card,standing, putting her coat back on and walking to Pearls side.

Pearl looked up briefly when hermother walked to stand in front of her, hands outstretched. Thatseemed to snap her out of it, she stood up quickly, looking past hermother at the doctor.

"You can fix it right? You cantreat it and I can keep dancing? This is my whole life! This - thiscan't be the end of that..." She nearly shouted.

"We will do everything we canfor you Pearl."

"Well let's just do it now,the MRI or whatever, so we can figure it out and I can go to schooltomorrow."

Blanche looked at her daughterstunned, then back to the Doctor.

"I could make some calls andsee if I can't get the machines open in a few minutes, it may take alittle while" she said as she picked up her phone.

"We will just step outsidethen" Blanche said, practically dragging Pearl into the hall.

"I-" she stated but Pearljust shook her head.

"I'm gonna be fine mom,they're gonna see that it's not that big, they'll take it out andI'll dance again by spring season." She stayed so sure ofherself.

Blanche just nodded, "did youwant to call Rose, or... anyone?"

"No. Not until I know what'sgoing on, no need to freak anyone else out..." She closed hereyes and took a few deep breaths to calm her frazzled nerves. I'mgonna be fine.

X

Pearl sat in the MRI machine forwhat seemed like hours to her, they took scans of her right thigh andthe surrounding areas. They told her a bunch of medical things thatshe did not understand.

They waited back in Dr. M's officewhile she looked at the scans and came to her conclusion.

"I've looked the scans over"She said as she walked in with the scans in her hand and put them upon the board, pointing to a white blob that was spread up the insideof her thigh around to the outer hip area.

"This is your tumor," shesaid, and Pearls mouth hung open.

"It's-its huge," Blanchesaid, dumbfound.

"It is quite large yes, nowit's in a very dangerous position here," she said pointing,"it's not touching now, but it very close to your femoralartery, so surgery would be very risky..."