chapter 3
Walter enjoyed being a junior ranger. He also loved his mother and father and they loved him very much. Walter was very good child and cared about others. He helped his friends when they needed a hand and was there to listen if they needed it. He was also quick to admit when he did something wrong. He never lied to get out easy he told the truth about what happened and what he did.
As result even though he was punished it wasn't that bad, he was told the punishment would've been worse if he had lied.
Spring had sprung and Walter and his friends were at school. Walter had been feeling bad for a while. He just got a cast off his right arm he broke it and he didn't know how he did it. "Hey Walter do you want to play before class?" David asked.
"Yes it would be fun!" Benjy said.
"L-l-l-lets play!" Betsy said.
"No thanks guys I don't feel so good," Walter said and went inside.
They were sitting inside. "Oh I don't feel so good lately," Walter said.
"Is it your stomach?" Betsy asked.
"No," Walter said.
"How about your throat?" David asked.
"No it's my arm it's really sore, it's stiff, swollen and tender and it feels warm in one area," Walter said. Then place a hand to his forehead. "I think I have fever," he said.
"Maybe you should see the nurse," Benjy suggested.
Walter raised his hand. "May I go to the nurse please?" Walter asked.
"Okay Walter," Ms. Leo said.
Walter headed to the nurse. He went into her office. She took his temperature. "102.4" she said.
"That's high," Walter said.
"I will call your mom and tell her to pick you up," the nurse said.
After that Walter went home. He was laying on the couch. He didn't feel too good the next couple of days and his fever just wouldn't go away. "I think we should take him to the hospital." Buzz said.
"Good idea," Ozma said.
They took Walter to the hospital. There the doctors ran some tests. First they did a blood test, then they took an x-ray, CAT scan and an MRI, then a Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, and a biopsy from a lump they found in his arm.
They waited for the results. The doctor sat them down. "We have the tests results, Walter has Ewing Sarcoma, a type of bone cancer, he needs to start treatment." the doctor said.
Ozma and Buzz held on to Walter and he held on to them. It was so upsetting.
Buzz went home and got a few of Walter's things including his favorite toy which was a plush wolf. Once back at the hospital he gave the wolf to Walter. "Wendy," Walter said hugging the toy.
He was plenty scared. The doctors had been sticking him with needles. Then the next day they put this thing called a CVC line in his chest to give him his chemotherapy. He was going to start it. The doctor told Walter he was going to lose his hair from the treatment. Walter was very upset to say the least. He liked his hair.
He talk to a therapist who explained that in a couple of weeks after treatment his hair would start falling out and how fast it happens is different for everyone and he would even loose his eyebrows and eyelashes. Then after treatments were over when he gets better his hair would grow back sometimes the hair would be different than it previously was like a different color or even wave or curly for those who had straight hair and may grow back straight if the hair was curly or straight. He also told him that many wear wigs and some wear hats or scarves to cover their heads.
Walter felt better after that.
So Walter started his chemotherapy to get better. He learned he got cancer because the cells in his body were made bad and the treatment was going to get rid of the bad cells. He also wondered if something he did wrong caused the cancer.
The doctor told him nothing he did caused the cancer. This sort of thing just happens to people around the galaxy and it even happens to all kinds of animals. So he shouldn't feel it's his fault.
He told the doctor he felt angry, scared, confused, overwhelmed, sad and worried. The doctor told him those feelings are completely fair and normal and it's okay to have those feelings.
Walter had to stay in the hospital for a while.
Meanwhile at school the kids noticed Walter was gone for a while. Then Ms. Leo told them Walter was in the hospital. "Why is Walter in the hospital?" Benjy asked.
"He's sick Benjy," Ms. Leo said.
"Oh," Benjy said.
"His fever must've been really bad," David said.
"It's not just a fever Walter has cancer," Ms. Leo said.
"Cancer?" the class said and started talking all at once.
"But it looks like they caught early and the doctors are working hard to make him better," Ms. Leo said.
"Wh-wh-when is h-h-h-he coming b-b-back to school?" Betsy asked.
"Not for a few more days perhaps weeks." Ms. Leo said.
Walter's friends did not know what to think. After school Benjy saw his cousin Booster. "Walter wasn't in school again and Ms. Leo told us why, he's in the hospital," Benjy said.
"So Walter is sick?" Booster asked.
"Yes and the teacher told us he is sick with cancer," Benjy asked.
"That must be hard to hear your friend is so sick," Booster said.
"It is, I am really angry, and sad," Benjy said.
"That's perfectly okay Walter must be feeling the same way," Booster said.
"He is?" Benjy asked.
"Yes it's hard diagnosis, and he must be feeling pretty alone right now," Booster said.
"Can we go see him in hospital?" Benjy asked.
"That's very thoughtful Benjy," Booster said.
"Can I bring his a get well present?" Benjy asked.
"Yes," Booster asked.
Benjy got Walter a new stuffed cat.
Once at the hospital they headed for Walter's room. They saw Buzz there. "Hey Booster," Buzz said.
"Hi Buzz, Benjy wanted to see Walter," Booster said. Benjy came up to Walter.
"Hey Walter," Benjy said.
"Hi Benjy," Walter said. "I am glad to see you," he said.
"Ms. Leo told us you were in the hospital, I can't believe you have cancer," Benjy said.
"Neither can I," Walter said.
"Is it okay to hug you?" Benjy asked.
"Yes, cancer isn't contagious," Walter said.
"Hang on Benjy wash your hands first, because Walter can easily catch something from you right now," Buzz said.
"Okay," Benjy said and sat the sack down and went to the bathroom and washed his hands. He came out and hugged Walter. He gave Walter the present.
"Thanks," Walter said. "But I am mostly just happy that one of my best friends is here to see me, that is what I care about," he said.
"I am happy to come here and keep you company," Benjy said. He saw the drip. "What is that?" he asked.
"That is a drip, it goes into this CVC line," Walter said moving the hospital shirt. "It is how I get my chemotherapy," he said.
"Chemotherapy?" Benjy asked.
"It's medicine to help me get better," Walter said. "It kills the cancer cells," he said.
"Does it hurt?" Benjy asked.
"No," Walter said. "But it makes me sick to my stomach and it will make my hair fall out," he said. "I also get radiation therapy that's where they use x-ray like waves to kill the cancer cells, it doesn't hurt, but I feel pretty week afterwards." he said. "I also get blood transfusions," he said.
"Why?" Benjy asked.
"Because the chemotherapy and the radiation zap away my red blood cells and production of them and it makes me feel tired, the blood transfusion gives me more red bloods so I can feel better," Walter answered.
"Are you going to be okay?" Benjy asked.
"Yes," Walter said.
Then David and Betsy came in with their folks. "Hell David, and Betsy," Walter said. "I am feeling much better and happier seeing my best friends here" he said.
"We came to see you," David said.
Betsy nodded and handed him a drawing pad with some crayons. "Thanks I have been wanting to draw." Walter said.
"Walter Ms. Leo told us you have Cancer," David said.
"Yes, Ewing Sarcoma it's in my bones, that is why I broke my arm without hurting it, my bones have cancer in them," Walter said.
"Are you going to die?" David asked.
"David!" Betsy and Benjy said.
"It's okay I asked the doctor the same thing," Walter said. "The doctor said treatment for cancer has gotten better, with the Chemotherapy, Radiation, blood transfusions, and maybe a surgery will help me get better," he said. "I will tell you this I am determined to get better," he said.
"Glad to hear it," Benjy said.
"Okay we better go and let Walter rest," Booster said.
A few days later Walter left the hospital and noticed his hair was falling out, he found lots of it on his pillow and in his brush. Then a couple of days later his hair was gone. He was expecting it but still upset.
Buzz brought something for Walter. It was a star command beanie hat. "Thanks daddy," Walter said and put it on. "It's just what I needed," he said. The next day Walter was going to school.
He walked to the front steps of the school. "Walter you're here," David said.
"Yes," Walter said.
"How are you?" Betsy asked.
"I'm okay, but I lost all my hair and I have to wear a hat, but I am feeling good today and the doctor said I am doing well," Walter said.
"That's great Walter," Benjy said.
Walter was sitting in class. Rodney was sitting behind Walter. "Ms. Leo isn't there a rule about not wearing hats in school and I don't think Walter is an exception," Rodney said.
"I don't think it will be a good idea to take my hat off," Walter said.
"Who cares rules are rules you should know being Lightyear's son," Rodney said taking off Walter's hat revealing Walter's bald head. Rodney started to laugh. "Look everyone Walter's bald!" he said.
"Give it back," Walter said snatching his hat back and put it on he looked so upset.
"Rodney come here," Ms. Leo said.
Rodney came up to her. "That wasn't nice Rodney," Ms. Leo said.
"But he has no hair," Rodney said.
"We all know that, but it's because of the medicine Walter has been getting to treat his cancer, so be nice, how would you feel if you were in Walter's place?" Ms. Leo said. "If I see you take his hat off again or tease him again you are going to the principals office got it?" she said.
"Yes Ms. Leo," Rodney said.
"Good," Ms. Leo said.
Rodney sat behind Walter again. Walter was still very upset. Then he saw Rodney holding his head and grimacing. "Are you okay?" Walter asked.
"Why do you care, ow," Rodney said.
"Because you look like you don't feel too well," Walter said.
"I don't my head has been hurting a lot, and I have been getting dizzy, and I am so dizzy right now I think I am about to pass out." Rodney said.
Walter raised his hand. "Yes Walter?" Ms. Leo said.
"Rodney has a really bad headache and he say's he feels so dizzy he might pass out," Walter said.
Ms. Leo went over to Rodney and looked at him. "You don't look so good," she said.
"I feel terrible," Rodney said.
Rodney left school after that. A couple of days later Walter went to the hospital for one of his treatments and saw Rodney there. "Rodney why are you here?" Walter asked.
"I have Medulloblastoma, there is cancer in my brain," Rodney said.
"Yikes," Walter said.
"I am getting Chemotherapy and Radiation and it's all so scary," Rodney said.
"I know," Walter said.
"I am going to lose my hair and I am not happy about it," Rodney said. "What will my friends say?" he asked.
"They won't say anything if they are real friends," Walter said.
Rodney was getting a chemo treatment at the moment and Walter was getting his. "This is not fun," Rodney said.
"I know it's not," Walter said. "But it will help us get better," he said.
"I hope so, because I am really scared," Rodney said.
"It's normal," Walter said.
"Do you think I got this because I have been bullying others?" Rodney asked.
"No, nothing you did wrong caused the cancer," Walter said. "Misbehaving does not cause cancer," he said.
"Okay," Rodney said.
The two of them got to know each other over the treatments. Soon Rodney started to wear a cap to school. His friends noticed and pulled of his hat and teased him called him Baldy Rodney. Rodney was so embarrassed. Luckily Walter and his friends stood up for him.
"Those are not real friends Rodney," David said.
"How come you are nice to me after I had been so mean?" Rodney asked.
"Sometimes to have a friend you need to be a friend," Benjy said.
"I like that, let's start over," Rodney said.
"We would like that very much," Walter said.
To be continued.