Judy laid in the bed as a million thoughts ran through her head. Not only her life, but the lives of her family had changed in the past half hour. No one had ever really been sick before, but not the most catastrophic of diseases had attacked her system.

"Chandler I know this is hard on all of us, but Monica needs you to be strong." Ross said as he stomped out the cigarette.

"He was up there and he was holding her hand." Chandler said as put another cigarette to his lips. "Is it so hard for people to grasp the idea that I can take care of Monica now?" he yelled.

"Chandler , Richard has known our families for a long time. He is just trying to give his support." Rachel said as she stroked his back.

"She is my wife. How you would feel if Emily or Mona came back to give comfort to Ross right now?" Chandler said as he lit the cigarette.

"I guess it would upset me." Rachel admitted.

"Well it upsets me greatly. That's why I am smoking right now." Chandler said. "Any way where are you two off to?"

"Well Emma is spending the night at Carol's , so we are going to spend a little time together." Ross said as he put his arm around Rachel again.

"Hey well at least someone is getting some tonight, Lord knows I won't after I read her the riot act about that Big Tree." Chandler said.

"Take it easy on her , she is going through a lot ." said Ross. "Remember she is my sister after all."

"I would never do anything to hurt her." Chandler said. "I love that woman more than life itself."

"Then tell her Chandler, she needs to hear that now more than ever."Rachel said. "You are my sweet and funny friend , I love you."

They both disappeared into the night and their car.

Chandler stomped out his cigarette and turned around. Monica was right behind him.

"How is she?" he asked concerned.

"They won't know until the morning. Chandler, why were you smoking?" Monica asked.

"I guess it's just how concerned I am for your mother." he lied.

"I am going to lose her, I don't want to lose you too." Monica sobbed into his chest.

"You're not gonna lose me Mon. Not for a long time." he whispered. "Let's go home." he smiled and they walked toward the Porsche.

Early the next day, the doctor was making his rounds. A nurse came in at five am to take a vial of blood. Jack arrived so he could talk to the doctor when he did rounds. Around eight, people were starting to drift in the hospital room.

Monica sat on the chair by the bed as the doctor was looking through Judy's file. Chandler stood by her side as he held her hand.

Rachel leaned against the wall as her husband had his arm around her.

"Well what 's the verdict?" asked Jack.

"It is metastasizing very rapidly. Just what I was afraid of. We are going to have to start you immediately on a protocol that will slow down the growth of the white blood cells." the doctor said.

"In English," said Chandler frustrated. "Only one of us in this room has a Phd."

"The cancer is taking over Judy's system and spreading very fast . We are going to have to start chemo today. Nurse prepare the Lumen catheter , I will do the procedure following lunch." Dr. Hayes said.

"What procedure?" asked Ross.

"We are going to insert surgically a main line into Judy's vein where we will not have to consistently poke her for chemo, blood tests, or intravenous feedings of any kind." Dr. Hayes pointed where the line would go in her shoulder. "The ports are where the medicine can be injected in her body. It is a common procedure that we do with cancer patients of this kind."

"Will it hurt?" Judy asked.

"Just a small twinge with the local and that is it." Dr. Hayes smiled. "See you later Judy." he said as he walked out the door.

"Oh God Mom, I 've got a lecture at eleven and Rach still has to be at work. " Ross said as he looked at his watch. "Come on , I'll drop you off at work." he said to Rachel. He walked over to the bed and kissed his mother's cheek. "You're gonna beat this." he whispered and then disappeared out the door.

Ross walked over to the elevator and slumped over. Rachel could see the tears falling from his eyes. Here was this grown man , married and with kids , completely devastated.

Rachel couldn't stand what this was doing to Ross. She knew he would break.

"Honey, I think you should take a leave of absence from work. It would do you a world of good to not have to worry about school right now." Rachel said as they got in the elevator.

"You mean a sabbatical?" Ross asked. "Yeah I suppose I could do that. I would like to be able to spend more time with Mom and maybe even work on that book I was writing."

"You deserve a break honey." Rachel said as she ran her hands up and down his back.

"I'll do it. Now let's go over to Carol's and get Emma. " Ross said as they headed for the front door.

thanks for all the great reviews...i am a fan of er ..but unfortunately the procedures were from real life..