Notes: This goes back a bit to about a week before and then catches back up to present. Thanks to: http://www.marrow.org/MEDICAL/aml.html#symptoms for all it's information on AML. Thank you for all the reviews. I feel blessed. And I love Lurlene McDaniels too. I got hooked on her books in 5th grade. I claim a couple of characters in here: Tori and her family, and Dr. Thompson. Tori and her family will be a bit later.

Dawn's Diagnosis

"Hey Dawn are you okay?" Maggie asked me after Gym that day. I was trying to stop a cut from bleeding on my knee after taking a dive in volleyball.

"Yeah. I just can't get this cut to stop bleeding." I looked down at my knee again. The Band-Aid I had put there was already bright red. I sighed and put another Band-Aid over it. Thank goodness there was only one more class left today. I didn't have much planned except I did promise to go with Carol to Dr. Thompson and help her with Gracie. Which reminds me. "Maggie can you tell the others I can't make the meeting? I'm going with Carol when she takes Gracie to the doctor."

"Sure no problem."

We walked out of the gym. I headed for history and she headed for Spanish. I noticed my knee was still bleeding. Maybe I should mention that to the doctor when I see her. I mean it's sort of not normal for it to bleed that long right? It wasn't that big of a scratch.

After school Carol picked me up which I was glad of. I don't know why but I just haven't been feeling well lately. I wonder if it's mono. When Mal had it she said she felt run down and caught colds easily and stuff. That's how I feel.

When we arrived at the doctor I let Gracie be examined before saying anything.

"Doctor Thompson can I ask you a question?"

"Sure Dawn."

"Can you like test me for mono or something?"

She chuckled. "Why do you want to be tested for that?"

"My friend had it and she said she felt tired all the time and caught colds and stuff easily and that's how I feel. And I cut my knee during gym and it bled for a long time."

She stopped chuckling. "What else Dawn?"

"I have bruises I can't explain."

"Dawn I'd like to test you for a few things if that's all right with you Mrs. Schafer. This could be as simple as mono or it could be worse. But we'll never know unless we test. Or it could be nothing at all"

"Sure. Better safe then sorry." Carol said.

So they drew blood. And then she gave me some antibiotics and told me that they should know by Monday. It was Wednesday. Oh and to stay in bed until then. Fun.

The ride home was quiet except Gracie's constant cooing. "You want to call your mom when you get home and tell her?" Carol asked.

"No. It's probably just mono." I saw worry etch across Carol's face but she didn't say anything.

"I'm sure it is honey." She said patting my hand.

The next few days were boring. I was tired but wasn't tired enough to lie around all day. By Monday I was stir crazy but luckily that was when the call came.

Sharon answered it. I was in the kitchen working on some homework.

"Hello? Hello Dr. Thompson. No her father's at work. You got the results. Oh I see. Now? Well I'll have to call Jack so he can meet us there. I'll call and let you know when we'll be there. Thank you."

"What?" I asked when she hung up.

"Honey your tests came back and she wants to talk to us about it right away. I'm calling your father so he can meet us there."

I knew one thing. It was most likely not mono.

***

When we arrived at Dr. Thompson's office dad was waiting outside of the door. "Don't worry Sunshine. I'm sure it's nothing."

I hoped so.

When we entered her office we saw that there was an older man with her. "Please have a seat." She said indicating the seats across from her desk. I sat between Dad and Carol who both held my hand. "Dawn the blood test came back showing that there are too many white blood cells and not enough red ones. And considering all of your other symptoms we have been able to diagnose you. You have acute myelogenous leukemia."

"Are you sure?" Dad asked. "I mean Dawn hasn't been sick."

"Yes we are sure. I've checked several times to be sure."

"So what happens now?" Carol asked. I was still in disbelief.

"We'd like her to go to the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles right away. So she can begin treatment right away. The sooner she starts chemotherapy the better." Dr. Thompson said.

I was in so much shock. I thought it was mono. I had no idea it was leukemia. What would happen to me? Sunni's mother died from throat cancer. I don't want to die.

Please God. I don't want to die.