10
Ianto's fingers were tingling again and the camera was heavy so he let it drop to his chest as he opened and closed his fist.
Owen had already explained to him that this was called Neuropathy. The nerves damaged by the chemo were now complaining and this was not uncommon.
It had started as pins and needles in his fingertips and toes, like cramping at night and now it was spreading. Now his hands were hurting and he pulled his gloves on to hide their shaking.
Bloody Cancer.
Gone but not forgotten.
Ianto sighed and stretched his back as he watched Walter crouch for a better angle as Babbit held Ton up to a bauble, Ton's smile caught on film.
Ianto watched Jack as he pulled Stephen against him and kissed his hair, still yelling at Walter to get a shot of the star on top.
Ianto had read the literature, knew his constipation and jaw pain was also a side effect to his battle and he accepted them with as much grace as he could. He was relieved that he had not suffered the loss of sensation or balance some did, to have difficulty walking or being clumsy around the babies would have been unacceptable.
Owen has told him that symptoms can start when you begin chemotherapy or after treatment. Symptoms can improve over time, but it may take up to a year or more. A year seemed like so long but Ianto knew he should be grateful for every buzz or spike of pain as it was his body telling him that it had won.
It had fought the good fight and although it was worn, it was not beaten.
Jack noticed his hands rubbing together and walked over, "Cold baby?"
"Pins and needles" Ianto said softly and Ton reached up for his coat.
"Pin Noodles?" he asked innocently.
"Remember when your leg went to sleep and then got all bitey?" Ianto said and Ton cooed with wide eyes.
"We call that pins and needles" Ianto explained and Ton seemed to consider this as Babbit screamed in the distance.
"His tree is still standing" Jack said as they approached the Harkness-Jones tree.
It had been the first year that the lovely coupe had accepted them as part of the village and as such they got their own tree to decorate. Ianto was sure that they hadn't expected Babbit's dedication or Walter and Stephen's ability to take orders from the wee Napoleon.
The tree was a masterpiece, the Lillo and Stitch scene shoved on top the best part, according to Bethy and the kids were all proud of their tree, complete with several small torches that they were now turning on.
Ianto clapped with everyone else as the tree lit up and Babbit looked proud enough to explode as Walter declared it the best one yet!
Stephen had noticed Ianto's gloves and moved over to take one of his hands, rubbing it gently as they watched Babbit and Bethy do some weird victory dance.
Walter took the other one and Ianto soon felt his fingers warming under their loving touch.
God, he was so blessed.
Jack was furtively watching and decided to ask Owen about it, knowing Ianto wouldn't mind. There were no more secrets between them now and Jack sat in on as many consultations as he could.
Ianto was still so tired and Owen had warned that it would take Ianto's body a long time to recover from its beating.
Still, those headaches persisted and it hadn't just been a simple faint the other day in the office while yelling at John.
Jack felt they were missing something and also felt he had a right to feel overly anxious.
This was Ianto.