Chapter One: Just a Typical Day
(Jessica's POV)
It seems like just yesterday that Chris and I brought Dylan home from the hospital, and now he is sixteen years old. This is something that is hard to fathom. I wish that my little boy-who is now taller than me- would stay little forever.
The great thing is, we still have three other children. Shortly after having Dylan-two years to be exact-we had another child, Hunter Reed Danforth (but we refer to him as Reed). Then about four years later we had another child, Benjamin Parker Danforth. Finally, six years ago, we finished off our family with a little girl, which we named Alyssa Grace Danforth. Our lives are full of happiness and joy. I'm so happy that have four great children, and one in Heaven.
Chris is also doing well, he's still teaching at East High, something that he truly loves doing. He also coaches basketball, and is over the drama program. I also am doing well. In addition to being a pediatric oncologist, I also work at the University of Albuquerque as a researcher. Every year I take on a few students and help them to conduct cancer research. This program at the university has gone very well and I am happy to be a part of it.
On the downside, our lives are extremely busy and all of us go in different directions. Today, is not any different. Today, I have a regular load of patients, then have to go to U of A, then will be able to come home around seven. Chris, also has a busy day. He has to teach classes and then has basketball practice and will get home around 5:30.
"Oh, good, I'm glad you are in here," I say to my oldest son Dylan. "I hate to do this to you, but you are going to have to pick up your brothers and sister from school today."
"Seriously?" Dylan asks in a disgusted tone.
"Dyl, I have an extremely busy day and so does your dad, there's nothing else we can do," I say. "I'm sorry. Besides, you're the one that wanted to get your driver's license right away."
"I know, but I thought that once I got my license I would be able to do whatever I want," he says.
"Hey, I get it," I say. "Contrary to belief, I was a teenager once too. I also had three younger brothers, so guess who often got stuck dragging them around? Me. I hated it, but it gave me more time to spend with them, so that's always a plus."
"I guess," he says with a sigh.
"Thank you," I say.
"I don't have to take them to school though, do I?" he asks.
"No, I'm going to take Aly and Ben to school, and your dad is going to take Reed to school," I say.
"Good," he says. "I guess it won't be so bad."
"Please remember to pick them up," I say. "I don't want one of your siblings to get stranded at school or something."
"I won't," he says.
"Thank you," I say. I then pour myself a cup of coffee. After a few minutes, Alyssa, Ben, and Reed walk into the room.
"Mom, can you do my hair?" Alyssa asks.
"Sure," I say. "I'm not the best at doing hair though."
"Nor is daddy," she says. I laugh a little bit and start fixing her hair. After a few minutes, I am finished with her hair. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, baby," I say. We all talk for a few minutes, and finally Chris comes Beninto the kitchen. "Good morning," I say.
"Good morning," he says. I then pour him a cup of coffee. "Thank you."
"No problem," I say.
"Dad, we need to get going so that I'm not late for school," Reed says.
"Reed, I get that you hate being late for things, but it only takes seven minutes to get to your school. We have plenty of time," Chris says as he drinks his cup of coffee.
"Ok, I just freak out if I'm late," Reed says. I completely understand. I have always been like that. Chris on the other hand would rather get somewhere on time. Fortunately, Chris does not have to be at work until 8, since his school starts at 8:30, while Reed has to be at school at 7:55. Conversations like this happen most mornings. If it weren't that Reed's school was the opposite direction from work, I would have been happy to take Reed to school.
"I know, so does your mom," Chris says as he pours himself a bowl of cereal. I then look at my watch and see that it is 7:40. It takes about twelve minutes to get to Ben's school, and Aly's school is just across the street. While they don't have to be at school until 8:10, I like to make sure we leave a little bit early in case the traffic is bad.
"Alright, Ben and Aly, go brush your teeth and we need to head out," I say.
"Why can't we wait a few more minutes?" Ben asks.
"Because we need to get going," I say. Ben is a lot like Chris, so I have to make sure that we leave extra early, otherwise we would actually be late.
"Fine," Ben says. He then leaves to get his stuff together and Aly follows quickly behind him. Sometimes, there is a struggle to get the kids ready and out the door in the morning, but luckily, today was not a struggle.
After I finally get Ben and Aly to school, I head on to work. When I arrive, there are already a bunch of people in the waiting room. I have a feeling today is going to be a busy day. I then walk over to the receptionist.
"What does today look like?" I ask. Morgan then pulls up the appointments on the computer and goes to my specific ones (I work with a network of doctors).
"It looks like you are pretty busy until about five o'clock," she says. "Then you have a meeting with Chelsea, the girl from U of A at five thirty."
"Ok, perfect," I say. "Thank you so much for helping me keep track of everything."
"It's no problem at all Dr. Danforth," she says with a smile.
"Have a great day, Morgan," I say.
"You too, Dr. Danforth," she says. She then goes back to working on the computer. I then go to my office and put my stuff away. I then make myself a cup of coffee. As soon as it finishes brewing, I hear a knock on the door.
"Come in," I say. Parker, one of the nurses walks in.
"Dr. Danforth, you have a patient ready to see you in room three," he says.
"Ok, I'll be right there," I say. "Do you have the file?"
"Oh, yeah," he says. "I'm sorry, I forgot." He then hands me the file.
"No worries," I say. He then leaves. I quickly glance through the file and then walk on to room three. As much as I want to drink my coffee, I don't want to keep a patient waiting.
The rest of the day goes by quickly. Before I know it, it is time for my meeting. After a few minutes, a girl walks into my office.
"You must be Chelsea Daniels," I say. "I'm Dr. Danforth, it's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you as well," Chelsea says as we shake hands.
"Please, take a seat," I say as I sit down at my desk. Chelsea then follows. "I'm really excited about getting to work with you."
"I am too," she says.
"I looked over your transcript and I must say, I'm very impressed," I say. "Your grades are impeccable."
"Thank you," she says. "I work hard."
"I can tell," I say. "So, let's first talk about your schedule. What days work best for you and are you wanting to complete the research project in a semester or in the year?"
"I was thinking primarily on Tuesdays and Thursdays around 2," she says. "Also, I was hoping to get to work with you for the whole year and potentially in grad school as well if possible."
"Ok, those days will work, but so that we can get more time in, could we also add Wednesday?" I ask. "I would prefer not to be in the lab late at night, since I have four kids and a husband."
"Wednesday will work," she says. "But it would have to be earlier in the day, like 10 o'clock."
"That will work just fine," I say. "I'll make sure to clear my schedule to work best for you."
"Thank you, so much," she says.
"It's no problem at all," I say. "Oh, I almost forgot, what type of research are you wanting to do? You didn't specify on your application."
"i was hoping to do stem cell research, but am open to something else if you have a preference," she says.
"I'm good with stem cell research," I say. "I will make sure we have the supplies we need for next week."
"Sounds good," she says. "Do I need to bring anything?"
"Definitely bring something to take notes with, and if you have a lab coat bring that, if not I should be able to find an extra one," I say.
"I will bring those things," she says.
"Alright, well unless you have any other questions, I think that we are all set to start on Tuesday," I say.
"See you then," she says. "Thank you for meeting with me today."
"I look forward to meeting with you next week," I say.
"Thank you," she says. She then heads out. It feels good to be working with students to find cures for cancer. Not only is it a great experience for the students, but it is rewarding for me as well-I get to do something I love and help others while doing it. Over the past few years, I have had eight students work under me and we have done many research projects.