The Dental Student

V e i n t i o c h o

2 8

Willow's POV (earlier)

I woke up feeling groggy and hearing a beeping noise in the background.

I slowly open my eyes to see a doctor looking at my chart and Noah holding my hand while he was looking at his phone.

I squeezed his hand and he immediately put down his phone and looked at me.

"Hey beautiful, how ya feeling?" Noah asked me as he placed a kiss on my hand.

"Tired and groggy." I responded as I looked to the doctor that started to check my vitals.

"What happened?" 

"Let's wait till the Chief gets here." The doctor answered as they walked out my room.

"I was so worried about you Willow, I love you so much." Noah said as he leaned over and gave me a sad but passionate kiss.

"I love you too." I spoke before he pulled away. 

"Your phone has been going off like crazy, so you might want to check that." Noah suggested, giving me my phone.

I looked at my phone to see multiple messages from my family group chat, mainly my mom, my brother, sister, and other random aunts and uncles.

I guess my family is hosting a family reunion party tomorrow at 12, but obviously I can't make it if I'm going to be in this hospital. 

I go to text my mom about how I'm in the hospital and that I won't be able to make it tomorrow, until the Chief walks in, looking emotional, this can't be good.

"How are you feeling?" He asked me with a fake smile.

"Um, okay, a little groggy I guess, but do you know what happened." I looked at him, worried as to what his response will be.

I watched the Chief hesitate before he spoke up again.

"You're groggy because we sedated you after you coded. But we did a full body CT scan and head MRI while you were under. And I would brace yourself for the future....because you have cancer."

I have cancer.

What?

He can't be serious.

This can't be happening.

I'm just trying to become a dentist.

Why didn't he discover this before.

"I'd like to run a few tests. And then we could discuss which path you want to take." The Chief asked disrupting me from my spiral.

"I have to tell my family, and I have a family reunion tomorrow. Can I just come back for an appointment another day, or something. I just, I need to think about this before I make any decisions." I asked the Chief, looking down and thinking.

"Uh, yeah of course. But I want to do it soon, so Monday, perhaps." He suggested in which I just nodded.

"How far along and what kind?" I mumbled out.

"It looks like stage 2 brain tumor that spread to cancerous lesions around your heart, which contributed to your weakened heart. The tests will make the diagnosis more specific. I'll make you an appointment with myself and my Head Oncologist on Monday. And if you're okay, you can be discharged in a few hours." The Chief said as he walked out of my room.

I looked at Noah with tears in my eyes, I can't believe all of this.

"I'll be here through everything, Willow, my sweet tooth." Noah said to comfort and he leaned against me.

I pulled out my phone and found my mom's contact.

After 2 rings she finally picked up.

"Hello?"

"Mom, I have cancer." I said, through my tears.