Chapter 10
The next morning each was silent during breakfast, each again lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Jed spoke. "I need to know everything."
"What? What do you mean? I have told you everything."
"Not everything."
Abbey shook her head. "What are you talking about? Do you have some questions that I haven't answered?"
"Yeah. I want details. I want to know what I'm facing and the possible scenarios that could occur."
Abbey's breath caught. She was dreading this conversation and had hoped it would never be brought up. 'But leave it to my brainy husband who wants to know everything.'
She sighed and put down her coffee cup. "Everything?"
"Yes. EVERYTHING Abbey! I have to know what I'm facing if it turns out to be cancer."
"Calm down, Jed. I'll tell you everything." Abbey took a deep breath and began the textbook recitation. "There are several stages to colon cancer. The best stage is Stage 1-S where there is no invasion of the internal tissues, no metastasis or spread, and no lymph node involvement. The next stages have varying degrees of invasion into the internal tissues, an increasing number of positive lymph nodes and definitive evidence of spread. The higher the stage number, the worse the cancer is. Until the surgeon gets into the colon, and then processes the tissue removed, an accurate diagnosis cannot be provided."
"How long before the doctors have a diagnosis?"
"A preliminary diagnosis can be done during surgery but it takes a day or two for the final results to come back."
"When would I receive chemo?"
"If the cancer is Stage 2 or higher."
Jed paused, thoughtfully processing the information. "What do you think? Should I take the chemo?"
"Jed, we don't know anything for now. Dr. Paulter hasn't called us yet. Don't you think you're jumping the gun?"
"No. I have to be mentally prepared for him calling and saying I need surgery. I don't want to wake up after surgery and not know what I'm dealing with. You know, I have to get things right in my own mind before I face such a prospect."
"You don't even know its cancer. Maybe it isn't. You shouldn't worry unnecessarily."
"Do you think I'm worrying unnecessarily? Do you think it's not cancer?"
There was an uncomfortable silence as Abbey pondered her response. Finally, in a whisper, she spoke. "I think its cancer."
The fear she had expressed last night returned. Jed looked at Abbey and slid his hand across the table to grasp hers. "It'll be alright, hon. I'll be fine."
Abbey nodded, willing herself not to cry in front of him. "Of course it will be. It'll be just fine."
The phone rang, breaking the tension in the room. Both knew instantly that their questions were about to be answered.