CASCADING

TIME OF DAY CHAPTER 7

"So what you are actually saying, is that there is something wrong with my uterus, and there is a possibility of me never having children? Is that what you are saying?" June asked a sequence of questions as tears flowed down her cheeks.

"I am sorry, but, yes. In layman's terms the results show that your womb is weak and having fibroids doesn't help increase your chances of fertility." Dr. Oneal explained. "Medically what is happening is, these non-cancerous tumors in the uterine wall like the ones here," She held up the ultrasound image for June to see. " these are uterine fibroids and can cause infertility by blocking the fallopian tubes or stopping a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. "

June's hands shook as she held the paper image. Her mind was filled with thoughts of never having that someone who shared her looks or personality. Someone to never call her mommy of her own flesh and blood.

"But that's not all," Dr. Oneal pulled out her prescription book and started writing.

"Wait, what? There's more?" She felt her heart pounding.

"Your cholesterol and blood pressure levels are way too high; high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease.

High blood pressure and cholesterol? June was on the verge of crumbling.

"I know it's a lot, so that is why I am advising you to making an effort to changing out some bad habits that contribute to these factors."

June was helpless to receiving the information; she placed her head on the table, her body felt limp. Dr. Oneal reached forward and held her hand.

"Come now, it's not the end of the world," She spoke calmly to June. "We can runs some more test and look at changing up your lifestyle. Ok?" June nodded, but it was more of a reflex action to what Dr. Oneal was suggesting. She felt like she was having an outer body experience where everything she was looking at didn't make sense.

Her voice cracked as she tried to speak. "Wh...what kind of tests? Would it involve surgery?"

"That might be a possibility in rectifying the issue of infertility, since we may need to remove any blockage to your tubes. This definitely can be the cause to all the abdominal pain you are experiencing. How have you been feeling lately?"

"Well to be honest yesterday I had an episode. I can't say whether it was my menstruation or anxiety but I wasn't feeling well and my stomach ached so much, I thought I was going to pass out." She fiddled with a piece of paper on Dr. Oneal's desk and barely made any eye contact.

"Ok, so here's a prescription and a list of foods to eat and take this also. It will come in handy." Dr. Oneal gave June her itinerary of Do's and Don'ts. "

"What's this?" June opened an envelope among the papers that Dr. Oneal gave her.

"That's a gift."

"Gym membership gift card?"

"Yup. The secret to better health is diet, exercise, oh and here," She pulled another envelope from the draw.

June took out the card inside and read the label. "Premium Spa?"

"Consider it an early birthday gift." She smiled at June warmly. She had made a promise to Marva June's mother to help look out for her, so remembering things like birthdays was common.

"Thank you, I...I don't know what to say." June looked over the papers in her hand.

"Well after this kind of news you could do with a comforting activity. Should I write you a note for time off from work?"