AN: in this story Craig is Randy and Sharon's kid and Stan's twin. I have been reading stories that have that lately and I like it. Kids are 9. Also, this is a bit of an AU nothing from the series happened unless explicitly stated. Expect medical terms. Final thing: all but 2 of my stories have been discontinued for the time being.
Chapter 1: it's just the flu, it's just the flu, it's just the flu.
"Well it seems like it's just a virus Mrs. Marsh. It should clear up in a few days. However if he isn't feeling better in a week bring him back in." The doctor told Sharon Marsh who had brought her son Craig to the doctor because he had had a bit of a fever (100.7 F), body aches, fatigue, tiredness and lack of appetite.
"Can we do anything for him?" Sharon asked.
"Keep him home from school until he has been fever free for at least 24 hours. Some ibuprofen should help him with the body aches and bring the fever." Doctor Graham, the Marshes pediatrician said.
Once they got home Craig went to his room to try to take a nap and Sharon called her husband.
" I don't think that it's 'just a virus' he seems to get sick a lot lately and you know Craig, he doesn't tell us he isn't feeling good unless it is really bothering him. Something's up." She told her husband after telling him about the doctor's appointment.
"I think your right Sharon, let's just wait and see what happens by next week." Randy nervously replied.
" I agree" And with that she hung up and went to check on her ill son.
"Do you want anything to eat?"
Craig looked up at her with fever clouded eyes.
"No mom" Craig said in a tired weak voice that showed just how sick he was.
" Honey you've barely eaten since Saturday, I would be willing to make you anything you want." Sharon said almost begging her son to eat.
"I don't want anything right now mom"
Sharon gave her son a worried look "ok… don't forget Stan is bringing your school work home, I don't want you to fall behind" And as she said this she left her son's room and he fell asleep.
Not much happened that day, nor the day after that, nor the day after that. Soon a week had passed and Craig had not improved. So they made the appointment with Doctor Graham.
Later that day
"Craig?" a young nurse called. Craig with some help from his mother walked over to the nurse .
"Right this way" the nurse said pointing to a scale. "ok… 64.8 lbs. can I get your height?" Craig stepped over. "mkay, 54"." The nurse lead them to a room and took his temperature and blood pressure. "The doctor should be in shortly"
"Hello Mrs. Marsh, Craig" Dr. Graham said as he entered the room a few minutes later. "I'm sorry your not feeling better." Doctor Graham told Craig. "Right now I'm just going to do a basic exam" he explained. That was one of the many things the Marsh's loved about him, the fact that he explained everything to them. "hmm" he looked at Sharon, "his lymph nodes are swollen" He told her as he felt Craig's throat and the back of his neck.
" what does that mean" Sharon asked.
"Well it means there is something wrong, you see in a healthy person you can't feel the lymph nodes, the fact that I can feel them tells me that something is wrong" the doctor explained. "Craig could you please take your shirt off, I check your spleen." Craig did as he was told.
"Craig where did you get these bruises? They look new." Dr. Graham asked.
Craig shrugged , " I dunno, I haven't really had the energy to do to much so I haven't left my room much" he told the doctor.
"Hmm…" the doctor mumbled deep in thought " Well taking everything in to account is think we should order some blood work. It probably isn't something too serious but you know better safe than sorry."
About an hour after Craig and Sharon were led out of Dr. Graham's office and were sat in a different room Craig's name was called. He and his mother were led to another room where a nurse took two vials of his blood.
"Dr. Graham should have the results back to you in about a week" the nurse who drew the blood told the two.
Two days later Monday rolled around and Sharon forced Craig to go to school that day because his fever had gone down a bit and she didn't want him missing anymore school.
"Good bye!" She told her 3 kids as she dropped them off at school. " Try to make it through the day" She told Craig who was the last to get out of the car.
Craig pulled threw the week and soon the Dr. called back, With bad news.
"I'm afraid it seems we found something wrong with the blood work. His cells seem over crowded and underdeveloped" The Doctor explained.
"What does it mean?" Sharon asked, panic clear in her voice as she listened to the doctor.
"well, I don't want to assume anything yet and I wish to run some more tests, but it might mean, well, cancer." Doctor Graham said in a somber voice as he broke the news to Sharon.
"No! no! Oh God please no!" She cried in to the phone.
"Well Mrs. Marsh I would like to get a few more tests done, I would like Craig to be scheduled for: a spinal tap, a bone marrow biopsy and some x rays. How would Monday, September 25 at 4 for the x rays and the 1st of October at 4am for the other two work for you?"
"I think that will work fine that you" Sharon said still shocked at the potential diagnosis.
So what did you think? I need a beta if anyone is interested. This is for sure something I will update if I know if people are reading;) and possibly even if not:D More Family stuff in next chapter
This is Theecooter signing off until later.
