Day 9
"I'll explain the idea and process of my new treatment to you first, in case you want to back out," the doctor explained. "Oh yeah, my name's David."
David. Didn't sound like a Japanese name. Whatever. I listened closely as he explained.
"You will be given an injection from time to time. I have realized that tiny crystals can hold the exact amount of medication needed. They will go into your bloodstream, seek out the affected cells and release the medicine. It is very precise and hopefully very useful. During that time, I encourage you to exercise more, so that your body will be fit enough to fight the leukemia as well. Give the medication some help, you know?"
"Yes, I understand. When will this start?" I asked, liking how the medicine worked. It sounded almost painless. Except for the shots, of course.
"Today, if it is alright with you."
I agreed and the doctor walked into another room, returning with a needle and a bottle of what I assumed was the injection. I rolled up my sleeve and squeezed my eyes shut, hoping that it would help me ignore the fact that something sharp was going into my flesh.
"That's all! Please come back tomorrow, so we can check up on you. Also, if you don't feel well anytime, come here straightaway! Sleep early!" the doctor called after me as I opened the door and left.
"How was it?" Yukimura, who had been standing outside waiting for me asked. I shrugged to show that nothing had really happened. He took my hand and we walked down the blank white hallways to visit Akaya.
Akaya would be returning home today. When we entered the room, we saw him, busy packing up his toys, manga and the big bag of Fuzzy Peaches that we had bought him the day before. After a few minutes, we exited the hospital, Akaya with his little backpack full of stuff.
We decided to go back to Yukimura's and then make plans from there.
"I'm going to teach you tennis!" Yukimura announced after everything was settled. Akaya kept on insisting that he had to go, that he would never survive being left alone, so we bundled him up in a jacket and headed out again.
It was not easy at first. However, Yukimura was patient and pretty soon; I was able to return his hits, provided that they weren't too far away or too fast. After playing for around an hour, I sat down to rest and watched Yukimura practice with Akaya. It was amazing how well they played; a frail- looking teenager and a usually bouncy, carefree and hyper kid.
For a moment, I wondered if the new treatment would work. What would happen if it didn't?