Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 136 - Coffee and a Singing Sword

Greg and Susan stepped from the shadows of the pediatrician's office out into the bright sunshine. The doctor's news weighed heavy on their minds.

"What would you like to do, Susan?" Greg asked.

"I don't know. I can understand why some parents might choose to do whatever is necessary to gain just one more day with their child. However ..." Her voice trailed away.

"However, you are not certain that is the right thing to do," Greg recognized.

"No, I'm not. Are you?" Susan wondered.

Greg stood motionless for a time, thinking, trying to decide how best to respond.

"I don't know either," he said finally. "I know life is precious. I know it is worth fighting for. But if the cancer is as wide spread as Dr. Bowers seems to think it is, Melody may not have much time, no matter what we do."

"That was my thinking too. I would rather she enjoy the time she has left as much as possible rather than submitting her to more medical tests and painful treatment that ultimately won't help her or make her spend the time she has left in hospitals," Susan said.

Greg cocked his head thoughtfully. "The cancer sounds advanced enough that if we were to seek treatment for it, would she spend the rest of her days in hospitals?"

"She might," Susan said. "Dr. Bowers didn't really say if he thinks it's in the final stages."

"He may not know until he examines her," Greg said.

"Probably," Susan agreed.

"Susan ... how could the doctors not know this was developing?" Greg asked.

"Because ... lymphoma is sometimes a silent killer," Susan answered.

"I heard Dr. Bowers use that term too. What does it mean?" Greg asked.

"It means those who have it, don't typically have the sort of symptoms one associates with someone who is sick. Patients often don't have symptoms much more telling than frequent colds or swollen lymph nodes. We've been so focused on the health of Melody's heart, liver, and lungs, symptoms as mild as this can easily slip under the radar," Susan said.

"But Dr. Lin must have suspected what it was. She took the samples from Melody while she was still under anesthesia," Greg remarked.

"I'm glad she did. Greg, should we go somewhere to talk about this? Rather than standing out on the front walk?"

"Shouldn't we go home?" Greg questioned.

"Not yet. I don't want anyone to overhear us talking. I don't know what to tell them, not yet," Susan said.

"I am glad Dr. Bowers offered to meet with us again after he examines her," Greg said.

Susan nodded. "How about a walk on the beach?"

"I am not dressed for it," Greg said.

"Neither am I. Okay then, is there a park somewhere we could go to talk about it? I'd suggest going out for a meal, but we've already had breakfast and it's too early for lunch," Susan lamented.

"We could go out for coffee," Greg said.

"At Starbucks?" Susan wondered.

"Is Matt working today?" Greg replied.

"I don't remember. I can't keep track of his schedule half the time."

"If you do not wish to be overheard, perhaps we should go to a Starbucks where Matt does not work," Greg suggested.