A/N: Here's the next chapter! It's long, but it covers a lot. It'll cover Donna's decision to disclose what's going on to the public, and the day of her surgery, with some surprise appearances. Hope you enjoy, please read and review!

Chapter 9: Statements and Surgery

When Donna arrived at the office after dropping Josh off at home and Abby off at school following her doctor's appointment, she had to compose herself. After all, most of her staff didn't know yet, and Donna didn't want her dissolution into tears to be the impetus behind revealing the news.

But before Donna could get up to her office suite, she was met in the lobby of the Rayburn Building by Annabeth. Tears in her eyes, she wrapped Donna up in the biggest hug. It didn't matter that she was a good ten inches shorter than Donna, all she had wanted to do from the moment she received the devastating phone call that her best friend had cancer was to hug her tight.

"Thanks, Annabeth," Donna told her, hugging her back. "I needed that."

They pulled apart, and Annabeth squeezed Donna's upper arms. "How are you holding up?"

"I-it's-I have no idea," Donna admitted. "It's still fresh."

"I get that," Annabeth said as they walked toward the elevators. "You tell the kids yet?"

"Yeah, we told them last night. Abby actually came to the appointment with us this morning."

"Really? How are they taking it?"

"Not great."

"They'll come around," Annabeth reassured her. "Have you decided what, if anything, you're gonna tell the staff?"

"The truth. I think I at least owe them that, right?"

"What about the public?"

Donna paused as they walked into her office, saying cordial hellos to everyone as she and Annabeth walked into her office. She had been thinking long and hard about that since the previous evening, and she had come to a conclusion. "I want to make a statement."

"What?" Annabeth replied, taken aback slightly. "Are you sure?"

"Annabeth, I know I'm opening myself up to all kinds of scrutiny, but this is important to me. If one life is saved by me talking about my experience with early detection and self-exams, then going public will have been worth it."

Annabeth nodded quickly. "Yeah, I'd say for sure that that's a good idea. As long as you're sure?" At Donna's nod, she continued, "Now, what did the doctor say? Does he want to operate?"

"Yes. A lumpectomy on Tuesday."

"This Tuesday? Isn't that a little soon?"

"He had a cancellation. Besides, I want to get this over with."

"You realize we'll need to put out a statement by Monday, if you want it out pre-surgery? Should we wait until after?"

"No, I want to get this out there as soon as possible. All it takes is one tabloid photographer to get a shot of me leaving the hospital, and it's goodbye to any way of us controlling the story."

"You're right. But we need to tell the staff first."

"Yes." She paused, contemplating. "Let's get core staff in here first, and let them tell the interns themselves."

"Molly too?"

"Yeah." Donna waited, perched on her desk, as Annabeth said something to the staff. After a minute, Ryan, Cole, Leila, Molly, Jamie, and Brett wandered into the inner office.

"Congresswoman? Is everything all right?" Leila asked as they all sat in the seating area of the office, scattered.

"Hey, guys. Um, this is hard to tell you. But I want to be honest with you." Donna took a breath. "Yesterday, I was diagnosed with breast cancer."

At first, the room was dead silent. Then, they began reacting. Ryan looked bewildered at the news his longtime boss had just given him. Cole and Brett exchanged shocked looks, Leila gasped, Jamie's eyes widened, and Molly began to cry.

Cole raised his hand. "Is it...advanced?"

"No, they caught it early," Donna explained. "I met with the oncologist this morning, and he said the tumor is still very small. There's a good chance I won't even need chemo."

"But you might?" Jamie asked.

"It depends on what they find when they biopsy my lymph nodes. They'll do that when I go in for surgery."

"When's the surgery?" Leila immediately asked.

"Tuesday."

"Isn't that a little soon?" Ryan wondered.

"Yes, but that's just how it worked out. Listen, I want to get a statement out to teh press as soon as possible, preferably before my surgery on Tuesday, so that we can control the narrative. And this is where you all come in."

Everyone nodded. Leila sensed what was coming before everyone else chimed in. "You need us to write a statement and put it out on Monday?"

"Preferably Monday, yes."

"That means," Annabeth spoke up." that you work on it today, we punch it up over the weekend if we have to, and it goes to press first thing Monday. Got it?"

"Got it." They all chimed.

"You got it, Congresswoman," Leila said softly.

Cole gave her a thumbs-up. "You don't have to worry about the office until you come back."

"Thanks," Donna said, grinning. "Okay. Back to work."

Everyone nodded and left, but not before everyone gave her a hug or a hand pump of support. Eventually, only Donna, Annabeth, Ryan, and Molly remained.

"If there's anything I can do, boss…" Ryan said, before hugging Donna tightly.

"Thanks, Ryan," Donna replied. "Um...just clear my schedule for the next week, and be ready to take things off at a moment's notice."

"Yes, ma'am." Ryan went to cancel the week ahead, and Donna stepped up to Molly. "Molly, are you okay, honey?"

Molly nodded. "I guess. Hey, do my parents know yet?"

"No, I still need to talk to them."

"I'll keep it quiet until then."

"Are you sure? I hate to ask so much of you, but…"

"Don't worry about it. It's not my news to tell. But if you need anything…"

"Not right now, thank you," Donna said, before hugging the college student.

Molly smiled witheringly at Donna before leaving the office.

Annabeth handed her some literature she would need for the day, before heading out herself. Donna sighed and looked at the papers in her hands. She would need to do some work, but before that happened, she had a phone call she needed to make. She picked up the phone and tapped out a DC number.

…

"Congresswoman Lyman for Vice-President Wyatt."

"Please hold." After a few minutes of holding music, she heard, "Donna? Is that you?"

"Yes, Madam Vice President," Donna replied. "How are you, ma'am?"

"Very well, thank you. I don't think I've gotten the chance to fully congratulate you since you were sworn in."

"Thank you."

"Is this a social call, or am I needed for a cause of some sort?"

"Actually, neither. Andy, I have some news."

"What's going on?"

"I have breast cancer."

Andy gasped. "Oh, Donna. Oh, my God."

"I'm okay. I mean, I met with the oncologist, and he says that we caught it early. I'll only need surgery, and they'll check to see if my lymph nodes have cancer to determine if I need radiation or chemo."

"A mastectomy?"

"Lumpectomy. He says there's no need to be aggressive yet."

"Okay. Does Molly know?"

"Yes. I told my staff this morning."

"I can call Toby and Huck if that would be easier."

"Yes, it would, actually. Thank you."

"When's the surgery?"

"Tuesday."

"Okay. I'll be praying for you."

"Thanks, Andy."

"Call me later, okay?"

"I will. 'Bye."

"'Bye."

…

Meanwhile, Josh was making a phone call of his own. It was a risk, given it was only 7:00 am on the West Coast, but he needed to tell one of his best friends.

"Hello?"

"Hey, CJ."

"Joshua, mi amor! Haven't heard from you in a while? How's the family? How's the new Congresswoman?"

"We're good. But I do have something I need to tell you."

"Oh? What's going on?"

"Um...Donna's...um…"

"Josh?" CJ's voice was suddenly full of concern.

"Donna...Donna has cancer."

"What?" CJ whispered.

Josh sighed. "Don't make me say it again."

"What kind of cancer?"

"Breast cancer."

"Oh, Josh. I'm so sorry." CJ sighed. "Did they at least catch it early?"

"Yeah. Lumpectomy on Tuesday."

"I'll be there," CJ promised.

"CJ, that's really not necessary-"

"Josh." CJ cut him off. "You're not gonna go through this alone."

"Okay," Josh said. "I'll see you next week, I guess."

"Count on it, pal of mine. And Josh?"

"Yeah?"

"Donna's tough. She's gonna survive this. And she's gonna be around for a long time, I know she will."

"You think so?"

"I know so." CJ sounded determined. "Do me a favor and have Donna call me when she gets home from work, will you?"

"Absolutely."

"Keep strong, Josh."

"I will."

And that night, Josh and Donna placed a call to the President and First Lady of the United States. Though Sam and Ainsley were concerned and upset, they offered what limited support they could and promised that Donna wouldn't be alone in this.

…

On Monday morning, all the CNN talking heads were discussing a statement that had gone out to the press that very morning:

From Congresswoman Donnatella Lyman (D-MD):

On Thursday, January 10, following a routine self-examination, I became one of the 268,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year. It was a shocking diagnosis, and one with which I felt betrayed by my body. However, I was very fortunate that my cancer was discovered early. Tomorrow, January 15, I will undergo a lumpectomy to rid my body of this cancer and may have subsequent radiation and/or chemotherapy treatments. I hope that these treatments will be instrumental in sending me into remission and that I will stay in remission.

I come forward today to be transparent. I believe in always being honest and truthful with my constituents, and I believe that my constituents should be reassured that this is simply a bump in the road, and I will return to full power in Congress as soon as I am able after my surgery.

I also come forward with this message: I strongly urge women to be screened. Don't put off mammograms, or routine self-exams. These simple tests, though inconvenient at times, may save your life one day.

In a ranch-style house in Houston, Helen Santos froze in shock when she heard who they were talking about. Her first response was, Why in the world didn't they call me?

Because they had other things to worry about, she reasoned. They had enough on their plates without telling everyone in their social circle.

Still, she wanted to try and reach out, let Donna know she was thinking of her before her surgery. When Donna didn't answer her home or work phone, she left a message on their home machine.

"Donna? It's Helen. I just saw the news. Don't worry-I'm not upset. You guys have had a lot on your plate the last few days without worrying if everyone heard from you instead of the news. I guess I just wanted to say this: I'll be praying for you. And I'm gonna come see you as soon as you're back on your feet. Okay, I'll talk to you soon, bye."

The message was one of many on Josh and Donna's answering machine when they came downstairs on the morning of Donna's surgery. Donna's eyes widened as she listened to the message.

"I can't believe I forgot to call Helen!" She gasped.

"She gets it, honey. We couldn't remember everyone." Josh said, attempting to reassure her.

"I know, but…"

"Honey, it's fine," Josh told her firmly, hugging her. Deep down, he knew this wasn't about forgetting to call Houston. This was Donna trying to worry about everything except her upcoming surgery. "You're gonna be fine."

"Yeah," Donna said, tears welling in her eyes as she clung to Josh.

"Mom?" Anna said as she came down the stairs. Abby was right behind her. "Are you guys leaving?"

"Pretty soon, yeah," Josh explained. "Doctor wants us at the hospital by 6."

"Okay, well…" Anna threw her arms around her mother. "I love you. I hope it goes okay."

"Thanks, sweetie," Donna said. "Don't worry too much, okay? I'm gonna be fine. Dad'll bring you guys up tonight, okay?"

"Okay." Abby agreed as she hugged her.

"Donna, let's go." Josh urged gently. "We don't want to hit rush hour traffic."

"Okay, you're right," Donna replied, kissing both girls as she followed Josh out the door.

The next two hours were a flurry of pre-op. In what seemed like no time at all, the nurse came back into the room with the anesthesiologist.

"We'll be taking her to the OR now." The nurse said to Josh, clipping on the pulse ox monitor and placing the covers securely around Donna's waist. She then unlocked the bed and began to wheel it down the hall. Josh walked alongside the bed, holding onto Donna's hand.

When they arrived at the OR doors, Josh leaned down and kissed her, failing at his attempt to keep the tears stemming from his eyes from spilling down his cheeks.

"I love you." He said quietly, stroking her hair. "I'll see you when you wake up."

"I love you too," Donna replied, smiling through her own tears.

Then, Josh stood and watched as they wheeled his wife the rest of the way to the OR.

…

An hour later, Annabeth, Ryan, and Josh were waiting patiently for the surgery to be over. Just then, to Josh's great surprise, CJ walked in.

"CJ?" Josh asked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"I told you I wasn't gonna let you go through this alone." She told him.

"But how-"

"I flew in last night. Donna told me what time the surgery was when I talked to her Friday."

Josh smiled at her. "Thanks for coming."

"How much longer do you think it'll be?" CJ asked as they sat down again.

"The doctor said it's a pretty quick surgery-about an hour and a half-so we should hear something pretty soon."

"When will they know about the lymph nodes?" Donna had told her about this part of the procedure while they were on the phone.

"Um...a few hours? Tonight at the latest."

"Okay."

Dr. Phillips came in at that point, removing his mask and cap as he walked in. "Mr. Lyman?"

"Yes?" Josh said, standing up.

Dr. Phillips indicated the others. "Are they with you?"

"Yes. Should we speak privately?"

Dr. Phillips nodded towards the hall. Josh told the others he'd be back, then followed him out.

"Donna's out of surgery, and it went pretty well." Dr. Phillips said as soon as they were alone.

Josh breathed a sigh of relief, but he could tell there was a 'but' coming.

"But?"

The doctor sighed. "We had to remove a little more tissue than we planned, but we're pretty sure we got it all."

"Enough to qualify it as a mastectomy?"

"Well, I wouldn't go that far. It was just a little more extensive than we first anticipated."

"But you got it all?"

"Everything that was in the breast, yes."

"What about the lymph node biopsy?"

"Still waiting on those results. She'll be in Recovery in a few minutes if you'd like to see her. Your friends will have to wait around a while, but…"

"No, no, that's OK," Josh said. "Thank you so much."

"The nurse will take you into the recovery unit whenever you're ready."

"Thank you." Josh walked back into the waiting room and shared the good news with his friends, whose expressions of relief were enough to comfort Josh.

…

Five minutes later, he followed the nurse to Donna's bed in the recovery room. He tenderly stroked her hair, and it was enough to make her stir and smile unconsciously at his touch.

She opened her eyes slightly. "Hey."

"Hey. How do you feel?"

"Tired. A little nauseous. But I'm not in any pain."

"That's good. CJ's here."

That got a grin. "Really?"

"Yeah. And Annabeth and Ryan. They all send their love."

"That's really nice of them." She closed her eyes briefly and shifted. "Did you talk to the doctor?"

"Yeah, I did."

"Did everything go as planned?"

"For the most part. He said they had to take a little more from the breast than they planned, but it wasn't too extensive."

"That's good. What about the-"

"The results aren't back yet."

Donna nodded, her eyes drooping as she grew more and more tired.

Josh kissed her forehead. "Get some sleep. Close your eyes."

"Love you." She muttered as sleep overtook her.

"Love you too," Josh replied.

That evening, Donna was out of recovery and was more awake and ready for visitors. Shortly after 5, there was a knock on her hospital room door, and CJ, Annabeth, and the kids entered.

"Hey, guys!" Donna said, hugging all four kids as gently as possible, with her right arm still stiff and sore from the lymph node removal.

"We picked these up for you, Mom," Leo said, handing her the flowers.

"They're beautiful," Donna replied. "Thank you, baby."

As she was greeting CJ and thanking her for coming all this way, the doctor knocked on the door.

"Well, lot of visitors tonight! I assume these are your other kids?"

"Yes, Abby you met, and this is Anna, Matty, and Leo."

"Nice to meet you, kids." Dr. Phillips said, shaking their hands. "How are you feeling, Donna?"

"Okay. My arm's sore, but other than that, I'm not having much pain."

"That's good. Um, I do have your biopsy results for you."

"And?"

He looked nervously. "Perhaps we should speak in private."

"Just tell us," Josh spoke up.

"Well, unfortunately, your lymph nodes did come back positive for cancer."

Donna sighed. "So, chemo?"

"I'm afraid so." He said. "In the morning, we'll talk about some of the options you have for drugs, as well the meds we can prescribe to make the symptoms a little easier on you."

"Okay. How many rounds do you think?"

"Well, it depends on what route you decide to take."

Donna nodded numbly.

Josh kissed her forehead. "It's gonna be fine." He told her. It wasn't what they wanted to hear, but they would get through it.

A/N: So, surgery's over, but not her treatment. The next chapter will cover her first treatment, and her first days home, with a special guest. Hope you liked this chapter, let me know what you thought!