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"Ouch!" I groaned as I felt a searing pain in the right side of my head. My vision was still blurry and it was taking longer than usual to get it into focus. I felt tired and my body felt drained out. A few minutes later, I realized that I was lying in a hospital bed. That was when I recollected the events from the previous night. But hey! Was it the previous night? I had lost track of time. Wait! Don't I have kids? Where are they? I need them to be with me. Who is looking after them? Somebody get me out of here!
That pretty much exhausted me and I just decided to stay in bed. Anyway, I couldn't move. I realized that I was tied to the bed and various wires were hanging around, all on my body. Was the attack that bad? I remembered being in a similar situation when I was raped, but I did not feel this powerless that time. Oh yaa, my condition. It gave me less than half the energy I previously owned. Just great! Congratulations Brooke Davis! Karma has got you! For something you have no idea what you did.
I decided to stop thinking just then. My head hurt too much. I went back to sleep. Something that I felt thankful for. The next time I woke up, I was a little stunned to see a depressed Haley sitting on a chair beside my bed.
"Haley!" I said weakly.
"Oh my God! You are awake! Hi." She squeaked.
I didn't know how to react. I began bombarding her with questions.
"Where are Jude and Sophie? How long have I been here? Who did this to me and why? How are my kids and when can I get out of here?"
"Hey hey! Slow down Tigger! Jude and Sophia are fine. They are with Lucas. You have been here for almost a week. Brooke, we were so worried! You were unconscious for a whole week. When we asked the doctor, why was it taking so long, he said that he first needed to talk to you. Brooke, you used to have nightmares at night, when the anesthetics used to wear off and you used to cry and yell in your dreams yelling in pain and tossing and turning in the bed. The nurses actually had to tie you down." She was sobbing heavily now. "Was that because of the attacks? Brooke I am so sorry for that. I shouldn't have let you stand there alone. What was I thinking? I am so sorry Brookie! So sorry."
"Haley! Honey come here, come here." I gently cooed as I lifted my hand to motion her to climb onto the bed with me. She did so as I wrapped her into my arms. Even the soft touch of Haley brought near to my chest stung me like bees, but I had to defeat the pain. My best friend need me just then and I was going to be here for her. She cried away as I gently stroked her hair. "This is not your fault Haley. It just had to happen and so it did. I am fine and that is because you managed to come out in time to save me. Last time, the man got the better of me, but you prevented that from happening again. Thank you Hales. I love you."
She rubbed her eyes and sat up. Just then, the doctor walked in and asked Haley if he could have a private word with me. Haley nodded and left the room.
"Hi Brooke! My name is Dr. Greene. I need to talk to you about something. Do you want me to tell you this some other time?"
"This is about my brain cancer, isn't it?" I said shrilly.
The doctor was stunned. "So you know about it?"
"Uh yeah. I got to know it a month ago."
FLASHBACK
One month ago.
I took the day off. Once my kids were dropped off at school, I sat in the white- walled waiting room carelessly flipping through the latest edition of Seventeen. I didn't even feel excited about the fact that they had done a cover on me, as my foot tapped nervously.
It seemed that every time I looked up, I was met by a sympathetic face, all thinking the same. 'Such a young girl waiting for the oncologist, such a shame.'
"Brooke Davis!" the receptionist yelled as she stopped typing to listen to the message sent to her on her pager. I began walking towards the desk with small steps. "The doctor will see you now." The receptionist, an older woman gave me a tender smile and I somehow drew strength from it. With calm and steady steps, I approached the wooden door labelled Oncologist and pushed it.
"Brooke, it is lovely to see you again. Are you ready to talk about your condition?" the doctor, a young man in his early twenties said as he sent a shaking me a warm smile and motioned me to take a seat on the comfortable chairs. He sat across the room.
"From your CT, we have confirmed that you do indeed have a brain tumor. Your specific type is called Medulloblastoma and it is a malignant tumor otherwise known cancerous. It is formed from cells that were poorly developed in your early childhood and is developed in your cerebellum, which is the upper part of your brain. The tumor has a good chance to moving to other parts of your brain and body so it will be better if we act fast. Now that we have located the tumor, we need to get an exact diagnosis so we can find out how big the tumor is. In what position it is in and where exactly in the cerebellum. This is to help us work out how we can reduce it, because this type of tumor is pretty much impossible to remove. However, we can help you and that means that you have to have a biopsy. This is a surgery that involves highly trained radiologists taking a sample of your brain cells or tissue to examine. The operation is, of course, as all are, a risk, but it would help determine your situation." He spoke at continuous length.
"Surgery." I swallowed as I pictured myself lying on an operation bed in a bright white room as doctors dressed in blue scrubs open up my brain and...
"Yes, it would be a great help to your condition Brooke. All we need is your consent and we can go ahead and book you an appointment for your operation."
"Does it hurt?" I asked stupidly.
"No, you will be given an anesthetic during your surgery and pain medicine afterwards. The pain shouldn't be unbearable. However, there are possible complications you should be aware of before you sign the sheets stating your consent. Of course, a complication is rare, but no procedure is free of risks. Any complication may include bleeding, infections, and swelling of the brain, blood clots, heart attack and damage to the brain such as changes in memory, behavior, thinking or speech. Vision problems, balance problems, seizures, paralysis or weakness. You may also feel dizzy, have strong headaches, and receive signs of infection and fainting spell and nausea. These are all common, but if any of those do occur, you are to see my immediately. You have my phone number on which I am available 24/7.
"Doctor, I have two kids who are only six years old and I am a single mom. How do I look after them with all these complications? They need me right now. I don't think I can do this surgery. It is too risky for my kids." I exclaimed, trying to make sense out of this whole situation. Unable to, though.
"Brooke! The risks will increase if you don't have this surgery. I know it sounds really scary, but you have no other option really. Please Brooke, for your children have this surgery. Although, your record doesn't mention children and you're pretty famous. How didn't I know about this?"
"Umm... I was kind of attacked and raped at the age of seventeen. So I have two six year olds. They're twins. I try to keep them away from the paparazzi so please keep it that way!" I pleaded. This was all just too much to take.
The doctor gave me an understanding look.
"Brooke, I also advise you to call some family here to look after you and your kids. Especially after the surgery. Make sure they share the bedroom with you and are fully aware of your condition. We will also be asking you to fast for about twelve hours before surgery. You will need help then and since this affects your brain, you may forget things, sooner or later, I know this is hard Brooke and I wish I could make it better for you, but I truly can't. This is the bare truth of your situation so please don't panic or stress out. Somebody has to keep reminding you to take the medicines I prescribe. They will help with the side effects." The doctor was astonishingly keeping his calm throughout this discussion.
"I don't have any family. All my family is back in Tree Hill." I said meekly.
"I don't mind if you move there truthfully." He said clapping his hands. "And I do realize that you run a fairly large business from here so if anyone is willing to shift to New York, which is great too."
I just nodded my head. I didn't know what to do. My family thought I was dead. I couldn't possibly show them my face after all these years, especially with Jude and Sophia trailing behind me!
I had a strong exterior. I hadn't cried for too long now. Tears had been my companion for quite some time. And now they were at the enemy border. The dams were sealed. However, the thought of family led to intense flooding of the gates. Dr. Adams was all too aware of what was going to come next. He walked towards me and gave me a gentle hug.
"Don't worry Brooke, it is alright to cry. You are much stronger than most people here. Everything will be alright." He said while gently rubbing my back.
"I think it is time to go home. Jude and Sophia need to meet their family. Their real family. This is going to be the hardest decision of my life. But, if I have only little time left, I need to make sure that they are in good hands." Images of Nathan and Haley, the kids' godparents flashed before my eyes. This was the right thing to do, wasn't it?
"I think that is a good decision Brooke. Don't worry. Everything will be alright."
"Dr. Adams, I do want to move to Tree Hill, but I want to continue treatment with you. So what do I do?"
He smiled to himself as he leaned against his desk. His arms were crossed and his eyes were shut. He was definitely thinking.
"Well, let me tell you something Brooke. My family lives in Tree Hill as well. I have been in New York for a long time now and I haven't seen my parents in a while. Now they are getting old and need to be looked after. You inspired me Brooke. I want to help you. Let me do something, one month later, once all my pending cases are done, I will move to Tree Hill and work at the hospital there. Works well?" He looked up towards the stars as he spoke this. He looked wiser then.
"I couldn't ask you to give up on New York just for me. That would be selfish." I answered quickly.
"Oh Brooke! I miss my family too you know. I am tired of this fast pacing city where nobody has time. I think I was just waiting for you to come confirm my belief to go back home. A belief that I have cradled in my heart for a really long time. Trust me, you are doing me a favor Brooke Davis!"
I smiled. He understood. Thank God!
"Is that all I asked?" realizing that It was almost time to pick up the kids from school.
"Yeah. See you in a month. We can go ahead with your surgery then if you like. I think you will be fine till then. Please take care though, and I am always available."
I gave him a smile as I walked out of the room.
END OF FLASHBACK
"Haven't you started treatment Ms. Davis?" Dr. Greene questioned. He looked concerned.
"I start it in about a week. Dr. Adams is taking care of my case. He is moving to Tree Hill in less than a week and I have a scheduled appointment for a biopsy just then." I sounded sure, which made him give me a startled look.
"Well, he is the best oncologist in the country and if he says so, I am sure it is okay. But, I request you to please take care of yourself and eat healthy. Umm, I am sorry about getting too personal, but does your family know? Can I tell the people waiting outside for you how to go about with the care you may require?"
"I think I will be able to handle that. Thank you." I replied shortly. Mood swings were a side effect of the drugs that I was forced to pump into my body every day.
The doctor sighed as he walked out of the room. As soon as he left, a crowd of people gathered around my bed. Everybody was there- Haley, Nathan, Mouth and Millie, Peyton, Jake and Lucas.
I tried to sit up, only to realize that I was still strapped down to the bed. Haley realized my unpleasantness and helped me loosen the ties. Peyton fluffed some pillows and put them behind my hurting back. I gave all of them a weak smile through the bruises that scarred my face.
"Hi guys. I am sorry that I put you'll through all of this."
"Shut up Brooke! We love you too much." Jake answered at lightning speed.
"Wait. Lucas is here. So where is Sophia and... And... ugghh... yaa Jude!"
Was I already forgetting my babies' names! This was so not happening.
"They are with Skills. Don't worry. They both are fine. They keep on insisting that they want to see their mamma." He answered.
"Please don't get them here. I don't want them to see me like this. They are too tiny. They will get scared of me." My bruises were dark and swollen all over. I had them on my face, near my eyes, my arms, legs and all over my body. It was hard for me to watch myself in the mirror then.
"Don't worry Brooke. They are your kids and they love you." Said Nathan.
"Uh hey Brooke. What did that doctor want to talk to you about? Is anything wrong?" Haley asked me. I could hear the concern in her voice.
"Oh it was nothing. He just wanted to ask me whether I knew who did this and whether I was allergic to any kind of medicine."
Haley just nodded.
"When do I get out of here? I have a ton of work to do and I am tired of lying in bed. I have already been here for a week!"
Oh wait. Hold on! I had been here a week. That meant that Dr. Adams was here in Tree Hill. I had to call him and reschedule my surgery.
"Hold on Brooke. You have an assistant to look after your company and work. I will handle everything regarding Clothes over Bro's. You please get better." Answered Millicent.
"The doctor said that they were to keep you here for another day or two, just to make sure your wounds are properly healed." Mouth said. He was the last one to check in with my doctor apparently.
"Let's give you some time to rest. Visiting hours are almost over. Don't you worry about the kids, Brooke. They are fine with me."
Oh Lucas. I said to myself. If only I could tell you how much I needed you, especially to look after my kids. They left the room and dimmed the light. I tried to get out of bed and grab hold of my cell phone. I needed to call Dr. Adams ASAP!
After a couple of rings, I felt blessed to hear his voice.
"Brooke! Are you alright? I came to the hospital today to confirm beginning with them tomorrow when I heard that you were attacked again. Is everything alright?"
"I am fine, thank you. Uhh... I kind of forgot Jude's name today. This is scary doctor! I cannot forget my baby boy! Please do something." There was panic in my voice, eyes and heart. My voice was cracking, my eyes were welling up with tears as my heart thumped in my chest.
"Brooke... I think it is time we do your biopsy and decide the best course for your treatment. And I think it is best for you to tell your friends the truth too. You are going to need help on every step. Trust me Brooke, this path is impossible to walk alone. You need constant help and support from the people you love. Come on Brooke! Stop shielding yourself from your own family. Open up!"
I couldn't talk. I was crying too hard. I just gave him a slight hmm...