"Hey Awsten!" The nurse smiled. "I'm Dallon," He rolled in a metal tray which had a few bags and needles on it. "How you feeling today, bud?" He smiled at the terrified boy.
"G-Good," Awsten whispered, watching Dallon hook the saline onto the iv stand. "Y-you?"
"I'm alright. A little tired, but that's alright," he looked up at Awsten and smiled. "Alright buddy. I'm gonna do a quick body check and then I'll put the iv in alright? Can you get undressed and get in this gown for me? I have to go and get some wipes."
Awsten nodded, fear spreading through his body at a rapid rate. He watched Dallon leave the room and shut the door. He climbed out of bed and pulled his -Geoff's - shirt off, pulling the blue gown over the top. He could barely breathe. He shrugged his jeans and shoes off, leaving his socks on as he got back into bed to wait for Dallon.
Dallon knocked on the door gently. "You all dressed, Awsten?"
"U-uh huh-"
Dallon came into the room and shut the door behind him. "Can you stand up bud?"
Awsten nodded hesitantly.
Dallon smiled and pulled on clean gloves, gently pressing Awstens neck and behind his ears. He checked Awstens arms and chest, his stomach and left out his genitals because the boy looked like he was about to cry and he felt terrible. "You check them, alright? If you find a lump I'll check over it."
Awsten nodded, shoving his hands down his boxers and checking. "J-Just the same one Jack checked the other day." Awsten went back and laid in his bed.
"Alright, that should be fine. You're all good," he sighed and pulled up a stool from under Awstens bed, pressing the lever to make it taller. He unlocked the wheels and rolled to Awstens bed, holding the small packet of cleaning wipes. "Can I have your arm?" Dallon asked, trying to make Awsten feel a little more comfortable. But the boy was also hysterical and getting worse by the minute. "It's okay Awsten," he took the boys pale arm, gently prodding the vein. "I know it's scary buddy, and I understand you're anxious about it. But it will be okay," he took the wipe, cleaning the area gently. "You're going to be okay."
"I-I'm scared!" Awsten whimpered.
"I know buddy," Dallon pulled his tray over and picked up a blue, pink and white tourniquet. He slipped it over Awstens arm and tightened it. "You're okay," Dallon said softly. "Deep breaths."
"I'm taking deep breaths!" Awsten snapped. He was almost hyperventilating.
"It's okay," Dallon picked up the cannula needle, unwrapping it from the paper packaging. He threw it into a little bin attached to his tray and took Awstens arm. "Can you make a fist, buddy?"
Awsten nodded, making a weak fist.
"Good job. Ready? One, two, three," He pressed the needle with about half an inch left out, then slid the plastic cannula into the vein in the middle of his forearm. He taped it down with surgical tape and pushed the needle in the rest of the way. "All done. You ready for the next part?"
Awsten shook his head. "I-I wanna go home now-" He whimpered.
"Awsten, it's okay," his mom took ahold of the hand without the cannula. "Deep breaths. Go ahead, Dallon."
Dallon nodded and took the IV tube. He inserted it into the cannula, which didn't hurt at all, then clipped it in place gently. He took the end of the tube and cleaned it off. He picked up the bag with the saline solution in it and hooked it onto the IV stand. He went to connect the tube, interrupted by a loud shriek from Awsten.
"No!" He gasped. "No, no, I don't want chemo! I don't want it!" He started to sob, trying to pull out the cannula. "I don't want it!"
"Hey, hey-" Dallon took Awstens hands gently. "Deep breaths,"
Awsten shook his head, tears running down his face. "I don't want it, I don't-" He gasped. "Please please please!"
"Awsten, this isn't even the chemo. This is saline fluid. Salty water. It's to flush anything bad out of your body. It's not the chemo, okay?" Dallon said gently. Once he thought that Awsten had calmed down, he hooked the tube up to the saline solution bag, then unclipped the stopper. The liquid flowed through the tube into Awstens arm. "You did so well, Awsten. Want a sticker?"
Awsten nodded, still crying. He liked stickers. He reached out and took the sticker sheet, taking one of the blue dinosaurs off and sticking it to his gown. "I-I'm sorry.." he whispered. "Jus' scared."
"I know buddy," Dallon said. "It'll get easier eventually, I promise. I'll come back in half an hour and change you to chemo," Dallon smiled and got up, sliding the chair back under the bed. "Sit tight Awsten. You've got a long wait ahead of you."
