[AN: Zianzia is pronounced Zee-on-zee-ah]
Hospital Adventures:
A New Haircut:
Erica was at the nurses' station when Pony and Zizi walked up. She smiled up at Zizi and asked who her new friend was.
"This is Ponyboy; he's new to the ward. I have the prefect wig for him and was wondering if you'd be able to cut it to his hair length. And then we need to shave his head so he doesn't get sad when the chemo makes his hair start to fall out."
"Is this what you want Ponyboy?"
"I don't want to have to tell my brothers that I've started to lose my hair when it happens. This way, it's just easier and they won't have to comfort me when it does eventually start to fall out."
"Well then, let me get this wig on your head and see how short you want it. I can be away from the desk for a little while. I'm Erica; I'll be yours and Zizi's main nurse while you are here. The other nurses take care of the younger kids as well as the older patients. We do have some adults here, but we mostly take care of kids."
"If this is a Children's Hospital, why do you have adults here too?"
"This is the ward where they stay during their treatments. Other hospitals don't have an entire floor dedicated to those that have cancer so we are the 'go to' hospital whenever someone is diagnosed with cancer."
"Oh, so that's why the specialist wanted me here immediately."
"That and he wanted to get you set up with Chemo immediately. It's better to attack cancer head on than it is to let it mature before attacking it. The sooner we attack the cancer with Chemo treatments, the sooner and quicker the chances of remission. And remission is the ultimate goal."
"How long do you have to be in remission to be considered cured?"
"At the moment, its ten years, but who knows, in the future it could get down to as little as five years."
"You mean, if I fall out of remission in the next ten years, I'll be back at the hospital?"
"Yes, that's normally what it means unless you become an outpatient and then you can come to the clinic downstairs for treatments."
"Oh, hey that wig sure looks good on my head right now. Are you sure you want to give it to me Zizi?"
"My grandparents will just get me a new one. They know how much I like my wigs. They can even get you some wigs too, if you tell me what your other favorite colors are, I can get them to bring you some as well. And no need to pay them back, it will be my gift to you."
"Shall we shave your head now Ponyboy?" Erica asked as she removed the wig and set it aside. Zizi picked up the hair that had been cut off the wig and put it into a plastic bag. What she had in mind for the useless hair, Pony didn't know but he turned his attention back to the mirror.
"Let's do it. I don't want to wake up in a few weeks to see my hair on the pillows."
"Alright, sit still, no need to cut you while I work. But we can still talk, if you want."
"Sounds good to me."
"So, Ponyboy, what are your hobbies? I mean what do you like to do on your time off from school?"
"Well I'm a good writer and I like to read. I also like going to the cinema with my friend Two-Bit. And I hang out with my brothers."
"So it's just you and your brothers then?"
"Yes, our parents died a few years ago in a train accident. The car stalled on some tracks and they couldn't get out in time. The train hit them and we had to say goodbye. My older brother Darry got custody of me and my older brother Sodapop."
"Yes, I've seen your brothers around while they visited this past weekend. Your older brother is quite handsome. There, you are all done. How do you like your new haircut?"
"My head feels smooth. And it's cold to the touch."
"You can wear either the wig or a beanie while on the floor and getting your treatments. Now, I'm going to let Zizi show you around as I need to get back to my desk. I'll see you for dinner."
"Alright, thanks Erica for helping Pony and I."
"No problem, now go exploring."
"Come on Pony, I want to show you my favorite spot on the whole floor."
And with that, the two new friends were off down the hall. Zizi had picked up her plastic bag and Ponyboy had put the wig on. He'd have to ask Darry to bring some beanies with him the next time the family came to visit. For now, he just followed Zizi throughout the halls of the ward.
The Library:
Zizi showed Pony to the library and then into the secret room. She explained that her grandfather had paid for the game room and library to be built and he'd put in the secret room just in case something major happened at the hospital that entailed kids to hide for long periods of time with their nurses. He was always cautious of leaving her at the hospital by herself. Pony was amazed at all the books that had been brought in just for the kids on the Ward. He understood why it was Zizi's favorite spot on the whole Ward because it would soon become his favorite spot as well. He would have to show Darry and Soda the library the next time they came to visit, if he was up for it.
THIS CHAPTER IS NOT FINISHED. JUST NEEDED TO POST AN UPDATE!