Back In the World
Ch. 11
Scared, Frightened, Terrified, Petrified, Horrified, Afraid
"If the worst can happen it will, Pierces theory of medicine"
--
The doctor straightened his posture and continued.
"We didn't catch it in time...it seems to have spread." He said simply. There never was a right way to give this kind of news .
Pierces heart felt like it had broken in two. His eyes cried out for comfort but he wasn't getting any. This can't be happening, can it?
"It...uh...how?" He muttered back, again wiping his forehead with his newly acquired handkerchief.
"Well it started in her breast, seems to be very common in women her age...and if it had been diagnosed earlier it could have been contained, but unfortunately it wasn't. The cancer cells have already begun to spread through the blood stream."
"You couldn't diagnose it sooner?" He said almost angry.
"No sir, she came in too late, I'm sorry."
"Please." He put his hand up. "I don't need your apology....where is my wife?"
Just then Jennifer emerged from a room down the hall and the two started to walk towards one another. They stopped abruptly as they met face to face.
"The doctor said...he...it..." His body wouldn't let him finish as he tried to catch his breath and swallow hard.
Jennifer knew and embraced her husband quickly. "It'll be alright."
'Why do people always say that?' he thought. He gave her one final squeeze then proceeded to kiss her forehead. "I'm sorry this happened Jen..."
"What? It's not your fault...it's no ones fault..." She replied.
He lifted the handkerchief to wipe her tears and nodded in agreement.
"So what's next?" He shrugged, taking her hand heading back down the hall towards the doctor.
**
-------
Bullets ricocheted off of everything. They shot through trees, brush and worst of all, other soldiers. It was Vietnam.
--------
Dear Mom and Dad,
I hope you're not worrying too much. I'll be okay. We got a great CO. He really knows his stuff.
I've been real close with this other draftee, his name is Jake, he's from Arkansas. He's eighteen too. Anyway, we talk about everything. Especially how back we want to be back home. Kinda like you and BJ did Dad... It's been pretty rough, but me and Jake been watching out for each other. That's what ya gotta do around here...all of us watching each others backs, while at the same time trying to keep yourself alive.
It's funny how close you can get to people in such a short time. But I guess that's a positive of a war, I think. But Jake has a sweetheart back home, they're gonna get married as soon as he gets back and graduates. Cool huh?
But enough about him, I'm doing pretty well. Heck, I know Dad is gonna see right through this...
It is horrible here. A nightmare. And I'm scared every time I take a breath. I'm scared for my buddies, for myself, even for the enemy. I wish I could have mom hold me and rock me to sleep like she'd do when I got sick. But I'm not giving up on getting back home, so don't you either. There are rumors that it will be over soon; I should be home before you know it.
I hope things are going good at work Dad, and Mom I hope you are having a blast, having the house all to yourself. Decorating and stuff. Well, gotta go... we're moving out...
Hope this letter finds you okay,
Don't worry and I love you,
Your son,
Blake
END CHAPTER 11
AN: As I continue, please excuse any mistakes medical wise. Feel free to point it out though, politely of course. : )
I don't know what exactly they had in the 70's regarding therapy for cancer etc. So I'm just going to go with the flow, best I can. K 'nuff of that...Onward and upward to Ch. 12...Please review, it helps me, help you.
Ch. 11
Scared, Frightened, Terrified, Petrified, Horrified, Afraid
"If the worst can happen it will, Pierces theory of medicine"
--
The doctor straightened his posture and continued.
"We didn't catch it in time...it seems to have spread." He said simply. There never was a right way to give this kind of news .
Pierces heart felt like it had broken in two. His eyes cried out for comfort but he wasn't getting any. This can't be happening, can it?
"It...uh...how?" He muttered back, again wiping his forehead with his newly acquired handkerchief.
"Well it started in her breast, seems to be very common in women her age...and if it had been diagnosed earlier it could have been contained, but unfortunately it wasn't. The cancer cells have already begun to spread through the blood stream."
"You couldn't diagnose it sooner?" He said almost angry.
"No sir, she came in too late, I'm sorry."
"Please." He put his hand up. "I don't need your apology....where is my wife?"
Just then Jennifer emerged from a room down the hall and the two started to walk towards one another. They stopped abruptly as they met face to face.
"The doctor said...he...it..." His body wouldn't let him finish as he tried to catch his breath and swallow hard.
Jennifer knew and embraced her husband quickly. "It'll be alright."
'Why do people always say that?' he thought. He gave her one final squeeze then proceeded to kiss her forehead. "I'm sorry this happened Jen..."
"What? It's not your fault...it's no ones fault..." She replied.
He lifted the handkerchief to wipe her tears and nodded in agreement.
"So what's next?" He shrugged, taking her hand heading back down the hall towards the doctor.
**
-------
Bullets ricocheted off of everything. They shot through trees, brush and worst of all, other soldiers. It was Vietnam.
--------
Dear Mom and Dad,
I hope you're not worrying too much. I'll be okay. We got a great CO. He really knows his stuff.
I've been real close with this other draftee, his name is Jake, he's from Arkansas. He's eighteen too. Anyway, we talk about everything. Especially how back we want to be back home. Kinda like you and BJ did Dad... It's been pretty rough, but me and Jake been watching out for each other. That's what ya gotta do around here...all of us watching each others backs, while at the same time trying to keep yourself alive.
It's funny how close you can get to people in such a short time. But I guess that's a positive of a war, I think. But Jake has a sweetheart back home, they're gonna get married as soon as he gets back and graduates. Cool huh?
But enough about him, I'm doing pretty well. Heck, I know Dad is gonna see right through this...
It is horrible here. A nightmare. And I'm scared every time I take a breath. I'm scared for my buddies, for myself, even for the enemy. I wish I could have mom hold me and rock me to sleep like she'd do when I got sick. But I'm not giving up on getting back home, so don't you either. There are rumors that it will be over soon; I should be home before you know it.
I hope things are going good at work Dad, and Mom I hope you are having a blast, having the house all to yourself. Decorating and stuff. Well, gotta go... we're moving out...
Hope this letter finds you okay,
Don't worry and I love you,
Your son,
Blake
END CHAPTER 11
AN: As I continue, please excuse any mistakes medical wise. Feel free to point it out though, politely of course. : )
I don't know what exactly they had in the 70's regarding therapy for cancer etc. So I'm just going to go with the flow, best I can. K 'nuff of that...Onward and upward to Ch. 12...Please review, it helps me, help you.