I was finally free. Free from the control of parents, nurses and doctors. A mere nine months ago, Dr. Simmonds came into my room and told me that the results were back, and that I was better, no, that I was "in remission". No more chemo, or experimental drugs, just me. "But Carly, you will have to go for a blood test every two months, so we can catch it if it comes back." One blood test? Just one blood test every two months? That didn't seem too bad to me.
I was finally able to be just Carly, not cancer girl anymore. The first thing I did was choose from the Universities I had gotten into. I chose Ottawa; it was about as far as I could get from Windsor, while still staying in Ontario (because out of province fees are just ridiculous). I, of course, had to find a new doctor there, but Dr. Simmonds had recommended me to an old friend from medical school. Before I know it I was going for my first test with Dr. Rodgers.
I finally started to live my life. I actually went to class, instead of the teacher recording the lecture for me so I could watch it in the Hospital. I always worked harder than other kids; probably because you can only watch so many cartoons and sitcoms before they all seem the same.
I made friends, and got a boyfriend, who didn't know about the cancer, and who didn't judge me. It was so different than my old life, and I loved it. But when I went for my third blood test with Dr. Rodgers, everything changed. All it took was that one itty-bitty blood test for everything I had worked so hard for to be snatched away from me.
The cancer was back.