Chapter 1: may the odds be ever in your favor
There are so many things running through my head at the moment. It's all so hard to comprehend that it almost seems unreal. What am I supposed to say to the ghouls? "oh yeah by the way, turns out I have cancer". Yeah that's a great idea. Okay, sarcasm isn't going to solve anything. I'm scared, I don't know whether or not I'm going to live through this. With the right treatment and a family like mine, the odds are in my favor. There's still that chance though, and the very thought of it makes my leaves tremble. I hear a knocking sound on the door and realize that I've been curled up on this bed for more than a hour.
" You okay Venus?" asked Robecca cracking the door open. I nod. It's not very convincing. There are tears streaming down my face and I'm not making an attempt to hide them. Our daughter Rose, is standing behind her with a concerned look on her face.
"Venus what's wrong" Robecca asked, walking into he room and sitting beside me on the bed. Rose is still in the doorway wondering whether it's a good idea to get involved or not. She's almost 10 year old, old enough to have at least a general idea of what cancer is.
" It's okay Rosebud" I say gesturing her to come over. Rosebud, it's my little nickname for her. She comes over and I put my arm around her. She has curly black hair similar to her mother's, (don't ask me how that happened because I don't know) and pretty blue eyes like mine. I lift my head up away from her and see that Robecca's getting a little worried.
"Venus please tell me what's wrong" she begged.
" Well um… I uh… got those test results back from the doctor and… um…" I said nervously, tears streaming down my face. No, I did not think I had cancer at that point in time, but it proved to be a good idea because had I not gotten checked, who knows how low my chances of survival would've dropped.
" Come on spit it out! Now that you've said that I'm even more worried" she said franticly.
" Well um… I have cancer" I finally blurt out. I'm crying even harder now. The initial reaction is shock, then Rose is quietly sobbing in my shirt. Robecca put's her hand on my shoulder and tries to be comforting.
" Everything's going to be alright Venus," She says.
" I'm scared" I tell her.
" You're going to be fine. I'm not going to let this this take you from me" She's crying now too. I can't stand seeing both of them cry. Mother Nature I love you but you're a real jerk sometimes.