Chapter 4-dedicated to Manda, Jane and Jinx. Thanks for the feedback guys! You rock.
"Ok Miss Parrish. We've contacted St David's Hospital and it appears that your test results have come in."
"And?" Bev stood holding Jo's hand.
"It's not good. I'm afraid that you are showing the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer."
Jo buried her head in Bev's shoulder and started crying.
"Is it too late for treatment?" Bev asked, concern showing on her face.
"We won't know until we've done some more tests. But I've scheduled you for an ultrasound this afternoon and after that we'll know if the cancer is at an advanced stage."
"And what about her uterus? Will she still be able to have children?"
"Well the risk is very high, and it all depends on how big the tumour is. If the cancer has spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes then they will have to be removed."
"Oh god!" Jo cried. "No."
"Ah here's Dr Tai now. He's an expert radiologist."
"God afternoon Miss Parrish, Mrs Parrish. My name's Dr Tai I'm here to do your ultrasound. If you could please follow me and we'll get it over and done with. Mrs Parrish, if you'd like to come with us too."
"Ok." Bev nodded.
"Ok so this may be a little cold…" Jo was lying in yet another hospital bed wearing a blue gown and her middle was exposed.
"Ok." She nodded and closed her eyes as Dr Tai spread the Gel over her bare skin.
"That tickles." Jo squirmed a little as he ran the machine over her.
"Sorry." He smiled at her. "Ok Miss Parrish. I've got good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?"
"Bad news." Jo replied.
"Well the bad news is that you definitely have a tumour in your left ovary. The good news is that's all it appears to be. There are no signs that the tumour has spread to any other parts of your body, which means if the surgery goes well, and we remove the tumour then there is still a chance of you being able to bear children."
"Oh thank god." Bev cried. "So when can you operate?"
"Well we don't actually have to operate as such. Because the tumour is small we will do a procedure called laparoscopy."
"What's that?'
"Well a tiny incision is made in the abdomen and a camera type instrument is inserted through it." He explained showing where the incision would be made.
"What does that do?"
"It allows the doctor to look more closely at the tumour to determine whether it is benign or malignant. Then once the tests are done they'll operate and remove the tumour. Then all that's left is the chemotherapy."
"So what happens if the tumour spreads before then?"
"Well it looks as though the tumour isn't going to spread. I cant male any promises or anything but I'm pretty sure that you'll be fine. All that will have to be removed is your left ovary. The rest will stay in tact. We'll do some tests to make sure that the cancer hasn't spread but you will be fine." He smiled.
"Thanks Doctor." Bev smiled at him.
"No problem. I'll leave you to get changed back and once you're done give me a holler and I'll book you in for a laparoscopy."
"Ok." Jo smiled at him and got off the bed. After he left the room she started getting dressed again.
"See Jo I told you everything would be fine. You're going to get through this."
"Thanks Mum."
"It's okay. Like I said I've been through this. I know what its like."
"I really couldn't do this if I didn't have you. Thankyou so much Mum."
"It's okay sweetie. You're my one and only daughter and I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you. I'll be with you every step of the way and whatever happens we'll always love you Jo."
"What do you mean whatever happens?"
"Never mind. It's nothing to worry about. Come on we need to get you home so you can rest." She led Jo out of the room to where Dr Tai was waiting.
"Alright Jo. It looks like they can fit you in on Tuesday the 5th, at 4.00 pm. how does that sound?"
"Thanks Dr Tai."
"No problem. I have to go, I've got another appointment, but I'll see you on the 5th."
"Ok. Thanks again, bye."
"PJ?" Jeff cried when he opened the door. "What are you doing here?"
"I uh…came to see Jo. Is she in?"
"She's actually at the hospital with Bev. You can wait if you like."
"The hospital? What's wrong?"
"I think she was just getting a few tests done. Did you want to come in? It's freezing out here."
"Yeah thanks." Jeff led PJ into the living room where an open fire was lit.
"Have a seat." PJ and Jeff sat down. "So PJ how's life been treating you?"
"Ah…not so bad I guess. Look did Jo tell you that were not…together anymore?"
"I didn't know you were together in the first place." Jeff laughed. "But thanks for letting me know…and as long as you didn't break her heart or get her pregnant I'm fine with you not being together." He smiled.
"Oh that's good." PJ breathed a sigh of relief. "So Jeff how's the business going?"
"It has its ups and it's downs. But we're doing okay. No major dramas. How about you? How's work?"
"It's been a bit boring since Jo left two days ago. Without her there things are really quiet."
"Not to worry. She'll be up on her feet and back to work in no time."
"So what exactly is wrong with her?"
"I don't know. Bev wouldn't tell me. All she said was Jo had to have some tests and an ultrasound done. Apart from that…I've got no clue. Women…always leaving us in the dark.'
"Yeah." PJ smiled. He couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with Jo.
"PJ. You in there mate?" Jeff asked with a laugh.
"Sorry Jeff. I was just thinking."
"About Jo?"
"Yes…No…I don't know." He put his head in his hands and sighed. "I've screwed everything up Jeff. I've screwed everything up and she hates me for it."
"I'm sure she doesn't hate you? She's just going through a rough patch at the moment…I'm sure once all the mess is over you guys can sort it out."
"It's complicated. I did something that I don't think she'll ever forgive me for…and I regret it every single day that I think about it. I'm constantly asking myself why I did it, and why I keep hurting her. And I just can't think of any answers. I want to tell her how I feel. I want to tell her how much I love her, and how I want her to be with me for the rest of my life. I guess I'm just afraid that if I tell her how I really feel…I'll lose her like I lost Maggie."
"Okay…well I'm not quite sure what to say to that. Maybe if you told her how you feel she might be able to forgive you for whatever it was that you did. And believe me when I say it had better be a bloody good apology. These Parrish women tend to hold a hell of a grudge." Jeff laughed.
"Oh trust me it is going to be one hell of an apology. But I might need your help for it."
"Ok. What did you have in mind?"
"Mum I'm fine. Stop fussing." Jo complained. Bev insisted on pushing Jo in a wheelchair and not letting her walk.
"I'll fuss as much as I want. You're my only daughter and I don't know what I would do without you."
"Mum I'm not going to die. I'll be fine."
"I know. But I can't help but to think the worst…" Bev almost started crying.
"Mum shut up. I'll be ok." Jo rolled her eyes. She got out of the wheelchair and hugged Bev.
"It's going to be okay. The doctor said it was going to be fine." Jo couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?"
"Well about 2 hours ago I was the one fretting and you were comforting me." Jo smiled.
"Oh." Bev sighed. "I'm sorry. You're the one that should be crying not me." She wiped a tear away.
"Mum. I'm not going to cry. I'll be fine. Like you said I just have to stay strong. Now. How about we go home and get something to eat?"
"Sounds great." Bev smiled. "Now go on. Get back into the chair."
"Yes Mum." Jo did as she was told, but couldn't help but smile.
"Ok so you go and lay down and I'll put some tea on."
"Ok Mum." Jo rolled her eyes as Bev fussed over her. She slowly made her way to the bedroom she used to sleep in when she was younger. It was still the same as it was when she had left as a teenager. There were posters of teenage celebrities all over the walls; her cupboards were covered in photos of her and her high school friends and pictures of her graduation. She sat at the end of the bed and looked around. She smiled to herself and lay back on the bed. She closed her eyes and was almost asleep when there was a knock at the door.
"Jo?" Nick asked poking his head through the gap at the door.
"Nicky!' Jo sat up and smiled when she saw him
"Hey, don't get up." He walked in. "Mum told me what happened. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. You didn't have to come all the way down here for me."
"Jo you're my little sister, of course I did. Remember what I promised before I left for Melbourne?"
"That no matter what happens we'll always be there for each other."
"And we will be. And right now it's my turn to be here for you." Nick sat on the bed beside her. "Now where's my hug?"
Jo smiled and rapped her arms around him.
"So…how about I take you out to dinner? Just the two of us."
"I don't know Nick. I'm kind of tired."
"Come on. It'll be like old times. Just the two of us hanging out, how does fish and chips by the beach sound?"
"Perfect. Just let me grab my jacket." Nick stood and helped her up. She grabbed her jacket and the two of them left the room.
What does PJ have planned for Jo? Will her operation be a success? Review and you'll find out.
Jess