Authors Note: So about a week ago I asked for story ideas and I got two from Dianehermans... I really liked this idea and decided to turn it into a story for her... Hope you all like it. :) So I don't have to try to figure out the original dates for the purpose of this story OTH is taking place in 2015.
Summary: Who gets diagnosed with cancer at 17? Brooke Davis that's who... Brooke's life gets thrown a curve ball when a routine doctors appointment comes back with unsettling news... C.A.N.C.E.R. She pushes her boyfriend Lucas Scott away as well as her friends Peyton, Haley and Nathan. Can she learn how to rely on people before its too late?
Disclaimer: I don't own anything OTH related, this story will follow some of the shows original storylines, story concept is Diane's... Storyline changes and everything else is me. :)
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Welcome to the Black Parade
Chapter 1:
Brooke stood up and began to fidget, "I'm not entirely sure what I'm supposed to say. Porter thought this would help with everything that I'm dealing with."
A woman wearing a pink beanie sitting near her turned and said, "We start with our names here honey. Since this is your first time I suggest sharing your diagnosis, when you received it and how you're feeling today."
Brooke let out a deep breath, "Alright, I'm Brooke."
"Hi Brooke," everyone answered, she heard a few welcomes too.
"Three and a half months ago I was diagnosed with Stage 1B1 Cervical Cancer." She continued to pick at her nail polish, she didn't want to cry, "I'm only seventeen and I'm feeling pretty crappy, I never told my boyfriend about my diagnosis because he has a serious heart condition and today I broke up with him. It was getting too hard to keep secrets from him..." She trailed off and sat down. Someone else stood up to share next. Brooke was having trouble focusing because all she wanted to think about how different her life was just four short months ago...
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*Four Months Ago*
Brooke was sitting with her knees to her chest on her front porch reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. She was lost deep in the book she didn't see Lucas walk up the front step, "Hi pretty girl."
Brooke flinched at his voice, "Hey broody." She pushed the book down into the cushion of the white wicker chair and removed her glasses. "Was I supposed to meet you somewhere today?"
Lucas shook his head, "No, I thought I would surprise you." He leaned down to her and gave her a soft kiss, "You should wear the glasses more often, they're incredibly sexy."
Brooke laughed, "These," she shook her head, "You just think so because you are in love with me." Since Brooke gave Lucas her letters and they made love in the rain they had been inseparable. "So what do you want to do this beautiful Saturday?"
Lucas bent down to kiss her again and yanked the book out from under the cushion, "Why were you hiding that you were reading Wuthering Heights? It's an incredible book, do you like it so far?"
Brooke shrugged, "It's alright. It's kind of romantic I guess, I mean Heathcliff and Catherine are pretty much the same person. It was kind of sad when she died though, that made for an interesting read. Heathcliff spiraling into madness." She furrowed her brow for a moment, "To love someone so deeply, it's terribly romantic. Even if he was an asshole."
Lucas smiled and much to Brooke's amazement quoted the passages she was talking about, "He couldn't love her as much in eighty years as I could in a day..." He paused for a second thinking of the other passage, "I cannot life without my life, I cannot live without my soul."
Brooke huffed and folded her arms across her chest, "Now you're just showing off Lucas Eugene Scott."
He laughed pulling her up into him, "Isn't that one of the reasons you love me my dearest Catherine?"
Brooke shook her head, "No Heathcliff I loved you because I wasn't supposed to." Lucas smiled and kissed her again. Lucas groaned when Brooke pulled away, "So what are we doing today? At some point I need to see Peyton, we are going prom dress shopping."
Lucas was confused, "But prom isn't until May Brooke, it's February."
"And," Brooke said sliding on her tennis shoes.
"That's like almost three months away." Lucas was still confused.
"It's a B. Davis, P. Sawyer, thing. You wouldn't understand." Brooke didn't feel like explaining that her and Peyton had made a pact when they were ten that when they were seniors they would go shopping together. Peyton hadn't been as excited as Brooke was but she had been the one to remind the brunette about it a few weeks ago.
"When are you meeting up with Peyton?" Lucas asked.
Brooke looked at her phone, "In about an hour, why what's up?"
"Awesome, means we have time then."
"Time for what Luke," Brooke asked with a befuddled look.
"This," Lucas said with a devilish grin before he picked her up over his shoulder and headed towards the front door.
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Lucas and Brooke pulled up outside Peyton's house an hour and a half later, "Call me when you're done pretty girl." Lucas leaned over in his seat and gave Brooke a tender kiss before she got out of the car.
"Anything for you broody." She wrinkled her nose when she smiled, she got out of the car and planted a kiss on the window before Lucas pulled away from the curb.
Peyton heard them pull up and came outside, "Brooke I've been texting you for like 45 minutes." She put her hands on her hips, "waiting on you and Luke to finish sexy time was not exactly on my list of things to do today."
Brooke hugged her best friend and planted a wet one on her cheek, "I'm sorry P. Sawyer, if we got you a boyfriend you would understand how difficult it is to tell them no." Brooke slapped the blonde's ass and headed inside.
"Hey I have a boyfriend, he's just in Georgia right now." Peyton frowned thinking of Jake Jageleski and his daughter Jenny and the life she so desperately wanted with them in Savannah.
Brooke grimaced, "He still hasn't made any progress with the egg donor yet?"
"No, Nikki is still fighting for custody." Peyton huffed, "So I have to spend the best time of my life stuck in a long distance relationship."
Brooke's heart ached for her friend, "I think a road trip is in your future , but not today, because today we shop." Brooke clapped her hands repeatedly, "I'm so excited."
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Monday after school Brooke headed out to her car without stopping, she had a doctors appointment across town in like twenty minutes. "Hey Brooke, wait up." Lucas called to her, jogging towards her.
"Not now Luke I can't miss this appointment, my doctor said I had to be there. No canceling, no rescheduling." Brooke had gone to the doctor two weeks ago and had her yearly done and got a new prescription for birth control pills, 'ain't no one got time to recreate a Naley moment' she thought to herself.
"Is everything okay pretty girl?" Lucas looked concerned, "They didn't say what it was about?"
"No, I'm sure it's all totally fine." Brooke put her cheer bag in the trunk and caught a glimpse of Lucas doing his trademark squinty eye.
"Do you want to meet at Karen's after?"
"I know what you're thinking Luke, I'm not pregnant."
Lucas let out a sigh, "Are you sure?"
"Yep," Brooke said as she unlocked her drivers side door.
"I love you pretty girl," Lucas said pressing her against her powder blue Volkswagen bug.
Brooke griped Lucas's neck and kissed him hard, "I love you too boyfriend."
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Brooke ran into the doctors office five minutes late, "I'm sorry I'm late. Can Dr. Conners still see me?"
The receptionist nodded and buzzed her in, "Have a seat in room 2, I'll send a nurse to check all your vitals."
After her vitals were done Brooke waited patiently for the doctor to come in, she heard a light knock on the door. "Miss Davis?"
Dr. Juliet Conners was a tall slender woman with blonde hair and green eyes, Brooke had always wondered why she became a doctor and not a Victoria's Secret model. "Hi Dr. Conners."
"So you're probably wondering why I asked you to come down today Brooke." Dr. Conners looked at her charts, she looked up, "Didn't Lisa tell you that we wanted your parent's here with you today?"
Brooke shook her head, "No, they're in Australia right now I think. Is there something wrong?"
Dr. Conners put down her clipboard, "Brooke, we found an abnormality on your cervix. I would like you to have a biopsy and ultrasound done immediately," she paused "it might be nothing, it could be something, but with your families medical history I want you to get it taken care of right away."
Brooke couldn't breath, 'oh my god I'm having a heart attack' she thought, "OK, lets do the biopsy and ultrasound then. What do we have to do next?"
"Lisa already called in your referral," she handed Brooke a lab slip, "they said they could squeeze you in this afternoon at 4:00."
Brooke wanted to cry, she was kicking herself for not letting Lucas come with her, "What's the worst case scenario Dr. Conners?"
"I don't want to scare you Brooke, it is more than likely that the biopsy and ultrasound will turn up nothing."
Brooke slid off the doctors table and all she could hear was the crinkling of the paper underneath her. "How long for the results?"
Dr. Conners opened the door, "Lisa will set you up an appointment, I want you back in this office Friday afternoon. I know you're a cheerleader and there's a game Friday night, but I need to see you on Friday." Brooke made it all the way to her car before she broke down and started sobbing.
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Brooke wasn't sure how she made it home in the daze she was in, she was pulled from her thoughts by a knock at her door, "Hey, missed you tonight." Lucas smiled closing the door behind him, "bad news at your appointment?"
Brooke didn't want to scare him, "No, the brand of pill I use is being recalled. She wanted to write me a new prescription. I have to go back on Friday for some blood work."
Lucas sat next to her on the bed, "Why didn't you come to the cafe then?"
Brooke rolled closer to him, "I have a terrible headache," she hated lying to him, but there was no reason for them both to be worked up over nothing.
Lucas laid down next to her and kissed her temple, "There, that should make it better." He put his arms around her and rubbed her back, "How about I stay with you tonight and we just cuddle?"
Brooke started to cry, "That would be wonderful Luke."
"Brooke why are you crying?" Lucas asked, worried about the brunette nuzzled into his chest.
"I just wish everyday could be like this," she said wiping away the tears.
"Who says it can't?"
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Friday afternoon Brooke walked into Dr. Conners' office, Lisa buzzed her right back, "Room 3 today."
Brooke was so fidgety she had made her thumb nail bleed. "Alone again?" Dr. Conners said with a smile.
'Smiles are good,' Brooke thought. "What can I say I have bad parents."
Dr. Conners rolled her chair towards Brooke and took her hand, "Brooke the biopsy came back positive for cancerous cells and the ultrasound confirmed there is a 6 millimeter growth on your cervix. I had Lisa get you a referral to an Oncologist, I am recommending you contact him before you leave this office. He has several offices and he's only in Tree Hill one day a week."
Brooke sighed, "Let me guess that one day is today." She felt numb, she didn't even feel up to asking any questions.
Dr. Conners said, "Do you have any questions for me Brooke?"
Brooke wiped a few tears from her cheek, "Can you answer any questions about the cancer?"
"After you meet with Dr. Bryant I will be available anytime. We are going to be working through your diagnosis together." Dr. Conners handed her a referral form, "Is there anything else I can get you Brooke?"
Brooke was scared for the first time in her entire life, "Can you wait with me while I call?"
"Absolutely," Dr. Conners smiled and grabbed her hand. Brooke called Dr. Bryant's office and was able to make an appointment at 4:30. 'The game starts at 6' Brooke thought to herself, 'how am I going to explain this to everyone?'
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At ten minutes to 6 Brooke zoomed into the Tree Hill High parking lot. She grabbed her pom poms and ran to the gym. Haley was waiting outside, "Where have you been?"
"I got a flat tire," Brooke lied again. 'First Lucas, now Haley,' she thought, hoping she didn't make it a regular thing.
"Rachel was ordering everyone around like she was head bitch or something," Haley laughed, "Glad you're here tigger."
Mouth McFadden was announcing the Ravens when Brooke and Haley hurried into the gym. Brooke shook her pom poms, "Let's go Ravens." She knew focusing on the game was going to be tough..
*Flashback*
"So Miss Davis, do you have any questions for me?"
'Why did they all keep asking her that?' She thought to herself, Brooke didn't feel comfortable in Dr. Bryant's office, he was sitting behind an over-sized mahogany desk and he had hardly looked up from her charts, "Ummm what stage is it? What are my chances for survival?"
"It's stage 1B1, the survival rate is approximately 85%." He said very methodically with a monotone voice.
"And what are my treatment options?"
"Radiation and cisplatin based chemotherapy. I would like to do the treatments together. In extreme cases a full hysterectomy is necessary."
Brooke was about to speak when there was a knock at the door, "Dr. Bryant, Dr. Conners is here, she would like to sit in on this appointment."
"Send her in Becca," he looked up, "Dr. Conners what do I owe this visit?"
"Brooke is one of my patients, her parents are currently out of town, I wanted to sit in on the appointment in case she had any need for support."
Brooke knew what she was witnessing could get Juliet's medical license revoked. She gave an approving nod and Dr. Bryant continued, "Alright where were we, yes in some cases a hysterectomy is needed."
Brooke's heart was about to pound out of her chest, Dr. Conners spoke, "Brooke you should consider getting your eggs harvested and froozen as a precation. Radiation therapy can cause infertility."
"How do they do that?"
"It's a simple procedure really after the hormone treatments, cryo storage can be very expensive though Miss Davis." Dr. Bryant answered. "Most insurances don't cover it."
Brooke really wanted to just punch him in the face, he had a terrible bedside manner. "Money isn't an issue Dr. Bryant," Brooke pulled out a Black American Express card her parents left for emergencies and waved it at him. "How long does egg harvesting and freezing take?"
"Approximately 2 weeks. If you would like to explore that option I would recommend doing it quickly. I would like to start treatments as soon as possible."
*End Flashback*
"Brooke? Where did you go just now?" Haley asked.
"Nowhere, I have a headache. I took something, I still can't shake it." Brooke thought if she looked down at Haley's burgeoning stomach she would throw herself to the ground and fold up into the fetal position. The possibility of never experiencing pregnancy was almost too much for Brooke to bear.
"Lucas said you had a headache on Monday night too." Peyton asked walking up to the conversation, "Are you getting sick B, you don't look well."
Brooke's lips were numb, 'no I have cancer' she said to herself, "I'll take some vitamin C when I get home tonight, sleep it off." Neither of her friends looked convinced, "I'm fine, I swear."
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Brooke drove home alone after the game. She sat on her bed and dumped out the contents of her handbag. Pamphlets on cervical cancer, egg harvesting, cancer support groups and everything in between stared up at her taunting her. On the way home she had purchased a journal, Juliet said it would help. Brooke picked up the brochures and put them in a box making sure they were in a place Lucas would never think to look, she didn't want to look at any of that right now. She laid down on her bed and opened the journal.
Dear Clementine: February 13
Welcome to the Black Parade... Clementine you ask? Well I don't want to call you cancer. I can't tell Lucas what's going on, with his HCM I'm afraid telling him his girlfriend has cancer and can't have children, like ever, would be too much for his already fragile heart to take. I can't tell Nathan and Haley because of the baby... Oh babies. Knowing that I've spent my short sexual life doing everything I can to prevent a pregnancy seems really bittersweet at this point. Thinking about the couple of times I was late and terrified Lucas wouldn't be excited...
Oh well that doesn't matter, I can't tell Peyton. Telling her best friend in the entire world has cancer less than three months since she lost her birth mother to cancer seems in poor taste.
Moving on... So today Friday the 13th my life changed. I found out I had cancer. According to Dr. (Monotone) Bryant I have an 85% chance of survival. That means I have a 15% chance of drying a slow and agonizing death... Alone... Maybe I should get a cat?
I have an appointment at Cryo-Babies on the 18th. According to the booklets I'm special. As a cancer patient I get to jump to the front of the line. Yay me, I guess. So I get to endure two weeks of hormone injections to stimulate my ovaries. Doesn't that just sound great?
Not much else to say right now. Juliet did say I should find someone to confide in, because when treatments start I'm going to need someone to pick me up after sessions... So who will I lean on?
B
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Lucas crawled into bed with Brooke, he smelled like a brewery. "Missed you tonight pretty girl." He wrapped his arms around her small form. He started kissing her shoulder blade.
She really wasn't in the mood she thought, but she wasn't sure what would be allowed during treatments so she rolled over to face him and kissed him hard on the mouth, "I missed you too."
Lucas deepened the kiss and brought his hand down to Brooke's stomach and pulled up the bottom of her camisole. He started rubbing her breasts, "Do I need to grab a condom," he asked in between kisses to her neck.
"No," Brooke purred, "I have wanted you all day."
Lucas smiled before removing his shirt. Brooke gripped his arms, smiling at the kangi tattoo on his arm. She arched into him, he buried his head in her neck. "I know the feeling pretty girl."
Brooke didn't want to feel numb anymore, and everywhere Lucas touched was burning. She pulled him down on top of her and grabbed his back, "I need you Luke." That was the confirmation Lucas needed to continue, he nibbled at her neck and squeezed her breasts till she panted his name. She could feel her arousal spreading with each kiss. Lucas opened her legs and entered her. He let out a sigh as he began thrusting inside her. Brooke was already close, she began to tremble underneath him. Lucas quickened his pace and they climaxed together. Lucas rolled over next to Brooke, they were both out of breath.
Lucas pulled Brooke into him and kissed her forehead, "I love you pretty girl, it's just you and me." Brooke felt calm for the first time all week, her body relaxed in Lucas's arms as they both drifted off to sleep.
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Clementine: March 3
Today was egg harvest day. And let me just tell you I have never been so happy for something to be over in my life. The hormones caused some nasty mood swings, I am amazed 'we' still have a boyfriend. We couldn't have sex while I was doing the injections. Telling Lucas no sex tonight for two straight week was pure torture. That lack of release on both our parts only caused the fights to get more intense. We're going out tomorrow night I think rewards are a must...
No one of any importance noticed there was anything wrong which is incredible. Either I'm a good liar or my friends just have too much going on in their own lives to worry about mine. Several times I thought I was just going to blurt out I have cancer in front of the entire school. Rachel saw my bruised hips and started a rumor that Lucas and I are into recreating 50 shades of grey level torture. A rumor about the sex YOU ARE NOT having sucks. When he asked about the marks I told him the bruises happened during cheer practice...
I almost told him everything last night... I hate lying to him Clem... But I know with college apps and Karen's pregnancy being upgraded to high risk territory I didn't want to add to it... Maybe next week I'll tell him...
B
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Clementine why are you mine? March 7
According to Dr. Monotone the first week of chemo-radiation is the worst... Lucky me... Lucas will be in Durham with Nathan and Haley touring the Duke campus. And is going to Savannah to surprise her boyfriend. At the behest of Juliet I arranged for a cancer handler. Someone that works in the hospital that will come sit with me and then bring me home after my appointment. Sounds like a boring job being around sick people all day.
Tonight is my last night to feel cancer free... I read up on the side effects... The internet is not really our friend. Chemo can cause kidney and nerve damage, hearing loss, nausea and vomiting... There's a few others, but these are the ones that affect the most people... So to celebrate my last day of freedom we're going to a bonfire tonight where I plan on getting wasted... Then tomorrow I'm going to spend my day making love to Lucas like my life depended on it... Mostly because who knows when I'm going to be horny again which is something they don't know. Juliet said my body will tell me when I'm ready. So you hear that Clem? It's going to probably be a LONG couple of months.
B
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Lucas pulled up to the house at 7 on the dot, Brooke was waiting for him on the porch, he whistled when he saw her, "Remind me again why we're going to this bonfire again?" He hugged her and planted a big kiss on her lips.
Brooke looked down at her outfit of blue jeans and a tight tank top and spun for Lucas, "I wanted to celebrate you guys going to Duke."
"We're just touring the campus Brooke," Lucas grabbed her hand and started pulling her towards the red door that led into her house.
Brooke giggled, "We won't stay long broody I promise."
Lucas dropped his head, "But pretty girl I have needs. You have needs," he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her collar bone.
Brooke wiggled out of his grasp, "In the car Lucas Scott or no farewell party afterwards," she opened the passenger door and slid inside, "So whats it going to be?"
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Brooke sat in the waiting room at the Cancer Center, she arranged for a cancer supporter to meet her today. Juliet said she couldn't leave the hospital without someone there to bring her home. "Brooke?" she looked up to see a dark haired man looking her direction.
"Yes," Brooke felt like she had seen him before, but she wasn't sure where.
"My name is Chase Adams I'll be your supporter this week." Chase took a seat next to her.
Brooke nodded and went back to her magazine. "Brooke Davis?" The nurse called, "We're ready to bring you back now." Brooke and Chase walked to room 1. "We'll be with you in just a few minutes."
Brooke sat in the club chair and Chase took his seat across the room, "I'm not supposed to do this, but I'm sorry."
Brooke looked up and smiled, "Thanks." She still couldn't place his face, "Do we know each other?"
Chase laughed, "We have had at least one class together since grade school." He got up and extended his hand to her, "I know I said this already but, Chase Adams."
Brooke shook his hand, "I'm sorry Chase, I didn't recognize you. As you can see I have a lot going on."
Chase returned to his seat, "I'm not supposed to do this either but why isn't Lucas here? Or one of the cheerleaders?"
Brooke's face reddened, "I haven't told them yet."
Chase let out a whistle, "What are you waiting for?"
Brooke shrugged, "I don't know. They aren't really my friends, they're my family and they have a lot on their own plates right now." She picked at her finger nails, "And Lucas has a heart condition and a bit of a worry problem. I decided this cancer business was too much for him to know about."
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Clementine: March 14
I had intended on writing after my first treatment but seeing someone who could potentially blow my cover kind of threw me for a loop. Are you ready for this one... Chase Adams. The skaterboard toting clean teen also volunteers at the hospital. I guess not having sex clears a lot of time in ones social calendar. More on him later.
So treatments started on March 9 and according to Chase I get ring the bell June 5. MY LAST DAY! Juliet said I should write about my treatments to keep a log for reference for cancer relapses. Doesn't that just sound fun? So Dr. Monotone wanted to start an aggressive treatment regimen to avoid the hysterectomy. I appreciated that, because even if my eggs get fried after call the radiation if I get to keep my lady business I could still get pregnant through IVF. One shining beacon of light in the middle of all this darkness is something right? So I get to go the hospital and receive an IV dose of the chemo drugs then sit for 4 hours till I can get radiated. The radiation part is over quickly. Afterwards I was incredibly dizzy, hence the handler.
So that brings us back to Chase... Maybe I could confide in him through this ordeal? He doesn't know me, or my friends and he has prior experience with cancer patients. We'll see what the future holds, if I just sacked up and told Lucas I wouldn't need someone I barely know taking me to appointments.
B
P.S. Three rounds of Chemo and Seven rounds of Radiation will make Brooke Davis a cancer free girl...
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Brooke closed her notebook then reopened it and flipped to the back cover and wrote:
Treatment Schedule
Round One: Chemo/Radiation 3/9 - 3/13
*One Week Off*
Round Two: Radiation Only 3/23 - 3/27
*One Week Off*
Round Three: Radiation Only 4/6 - 4/10
*One Week Off*
Round Four: Chemo/Radiation 4/20 - 4/24
*One Week Off*
Round Five: Radiation Only 5/4 - 5/8
*One Week Off*
Round Six: Radiation Only 5/18 - 5/22
*One Week Off*
Round Seven: Chemo/Radiation 6/1 - 6/5 (Ring the fucking bell)
She crossed out week one and closed her notebook again, "One week down." She flopped herself down on her bed, "A lifetime more to go." She was startled by the knock on the door. She opened the door, "Lucas Scott you lied to me."
Lucas smiled a sly smile, "What are you talking about pretty girl?
"You said you weren't going to home till tomorrow." Brooke shrugged, "Oh well I guess I'll have to just call and cancel my hot date tonight."
Lucas nodded, "Yeah you should probably do that because I'm home now," Lucas pulled her in for a kiss, "And I don't like to share."
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Coming up: Brooke starts to feel the side effects of her treatments and lying to everyone she loves.
Please read and review! Let me know what are are thinking. I'm sure I got some of the cancer stuff wrong, I did some research to make this story acurate.
And thank you to Diane! I loved your outline, hopefully I can make this story everything you wanted it to be. :)
See you next chapter!
Krystal