Part IV
Into The Belly Of The Beast First Steps"So you two are becoming quite an item?" Charley giggled knowing that her girlfriend had become very enamored with the strong handsome extremely polite Martian warrior.
"Oh Yeah," Venna sighed giving a real life example of those doe-eyes one would see on a love sick anime character.
One would think you were watching two preteens talking about the captain of the local football team with all the tittering and girlish laughter that was flying around Venna's examination room.
"Girl, he is something out of a Harlequin romance novel. Sometimes I feel like putting on one of those, off- the- shoulder, silky, floor length, dresses and stand on a windblown mountaintop hanging longingly from his masculine boot clad leg. Scarlet O'Hara, eat your heart out." Venna threw her hand up in front of her forehead and gave an overly exaggerated womanly sigh.
"You are a real nut case, you know that?" Charley had to laugh out loud.
"Okay enough of the fooling around let's get back to the serious stuff. You know you are going to start chemo tomorrow?" Venna was back to doctor mode.
"I know and I'm ready. I talked to Throttle and the guys about what we could expect.
I have to admit that I'm a little scared, but if it's what will keep me breathing, then I say, bring it on."
"That's my girl. To be honest as far as we know you could be cancer free right now, but this will give us an extra weapon to fight with so that hopefully we can lick this thing once and for all." Venna shook her fist in the air. Letting the dreaded enemy know that it was about do battle with two very determine female challenges who were going to fight every step of the way, by any means needed or necessary.
"Because your cancer was so aggressive we have to use the next to the strongest medicine available, but the recent studies show that this particular medicine has a 80 survival rate. I also have to tell you that most of the side affects can get rough. You will get really tired, it's almost definite that you will loose most if not all of your hair and it's possible that it could make you sick from time to time. We have plenty of medicine to counter act that, but hopefully you will tolerate it with minimal amount of negative reaction. So far, that alien husband of yours, as been something of an unbelievable miracle. I've never seen any man so much in love and so totally supportive. If it ever gets out that this is how all the males are, on the Red Planet, the entire female population of Earth will find their new addresses as Mars 90210." Venna winked.
"Yeah, he is something of a miracle, isn't he? We've read all the material you've given us. We've talked about everything and we even looked up more information on the breast cancer web site. It's just that…well... I'm kind of scared that…well that he…,"
Venna walked over and hugged her concerned friend. Charley let her head rest on the secure shoulder, of the young doctor, who had been the strength for countless women, who had already faced what Charley and Throttle were about to. She knew, only too well, that sometimes the husband wasn't strong enough to stick through all the changes that breast cancer puts a family through.
"Look, Sweetie, I know behind all those gorgeous muscles and that brave warrior facade, is just a man who's scared. Even though he has taken on alien invasions and fought off hideous monsters, this time even with all that strength he can only to sit on the sidelines. You just have to keep letting him know that his love is as important as anything medially we might do. Trust me when you both come to the end of this journey you'll be changed. You'll see things in a whole different light and the love you'll have then will be a brilliant light for you to follow the rest of your life. Never forget what real faith is, the assured expectation of things hoped for though not yet beheld, "
Charley looked up and smiled thankfully, "You are something else you know that? Modo is so fortunate to have you and so am I. When I get on my knees every night I thank the Creator for all the things I have to be grateful for. My wonderful hero from the Milky Way and my trusted friend from good old momma Earth. No matter what the out come of all this, I feel like the most blessed woman ever to have lived
Venna gave Charley an extra big hug, "You keep that attitude, girly girl, and before you know it this will all be just a story to share with your furry little grandchildren."
Again they found themselves at the surge-a-center late in the evening. Vinnie was as fidgety as usual. He was never the most patient of people in any circumstance, but hospitals or any kind of medical facility, made him even more edgy, sadly it was one of the after effects of being in Karbunkles demented care when they had been held prisoners by Lord Stilton during the early part of the war.
This time Throttle was allowed to stay with Charley. It was going to be necessary for Doctor Venellaz to put a small device just under her skin above her left breast. It would have a small tube that would be inserted into a vein in her neck. This would save the veins inher arms from being damaged by the powerful medicine that she would have to have for the next few months.
Charley wasn't put completely under, just made relaxed enough to be comfortable while the procedure was taking place. Throttle sat back in the far corner, but watched closely at every movement made by the doctor.
Charley's slightly crocked, goofy, smile and jumbled speech filled with, "I wuv you furry wurry and small air kisses, directed toward Throttle, gave a comical feel to the other wise serious moment. Within 45 to 50 minutes, the small plastic port-a-cath, was secured in place and she was moved into the recovery room. Before too long the anesetic began to wear off and it was time for her to receive her first dose of chemotherapy. Venna tested the port-a-cath making sure that fluid would moved smoothly through it and that Charley felt no pain. Then she hung the first bag of medicine. To everyone's relief it flowed into her body very easily with no reaction at all and before long Charley was on her way home with all the instruction on what to do if any reaction where to come later on that night.
Throttle drove the truck with Vinnie and Modo following close behind and they made it to the garage with still no problems until the vehicle stopped and Charley attempted to get out. A low moan got Throttle's immediate attention and he was around at her side, his arms firmly encircling her waist.
"B….a…t…h….room," Charley whispered as she turned whiter then Vinnie's fur.
Throttle picked her up and bolted to the bathroom nearest their bedroom. Even with the door closed the sounds of Charley's violent reaction to the cancer-fighting drug could be clearly heard.
Vinnie stood motionless gripping his handlebars with a lost helpless look on his face. Charley was family, closer then a sister and for all his he-man posturing, his heart ached and his tears were a hairs breath from falling.
Modo was just as devasted, not able to stop what Charley had to deal with, but he did go to the phone to call Venna and see what they should be doing, if anything, to help.
"Yeah I remember… the small white ones…. and if that don't help… then the pink ones and if nothing else they will put her to sleep until hopefully it passes… I understand. Vin and I are going to hang out here for the night…. That sounds great… I'll be waitin' for ya."
"So what'd she say?" Vinnie asked anxiously
Modo didn't take time to answer. He went to the truck and picked up the small white bag Venna had given to Throttle. Dashing to the kitchen he grabbed a glass of warm water and went up the stairs with Vinnie right behind him. Tapping on the bathroom door got Throttle to open it just wide enough for Modo to see Charley kneeling over the toilet hugging the bowl for balance.
"Venna said these will help and if they don't stop it right away, then give her the pink ones they will help her get some sleep."
"Thanks, bro. You know…."
"You ain't gotta say it. We're your bros, its no more than what we should do. We plan on crashing down on the couch and Venna will be stopping by after she is finished at the hospital." His large gray flesh hand held onto Throttle shacking forearm. A grateful smile was directed to both his dear bros and he closed the door to get back to his ailing wife.
After three frightening hours a ring at the side garage door got Modo to stand and stretch before going to see who it was. He glanced over at the couched and saw that Vinnie had fallen into a deep sleep. The disappointed pout he worn, because he wasn't allowed to even see, Charley, still covered his face.
His heart began to beat a bit faster when her saw Venna's outline on the worn out shade. Opening the door he couldn't stop the big toothy grin that revealed how much he cared for her. She was just so kind, caring and not to mentionextraordinarilybeautiful. He prayedsomehowthe impossible might happen,that her feelingsfor himcould bethe same.
He helped her off with her coat, "What's been happening? Did the medicine help any?" She asked looking around the room wondering where Charley was.
"They are upstairs. She's been quiet for about an hour, so I guess the medicine did what it was suppose to do." His head pointed in the direction of the stairs that lead to the upper living area.
"Can I go up and see her."
"I'm sure Throttle is waitin' for ya." Modo took the lead and she followed up the stairs.
Getting to the bedroom Modo again tapped lightly. He could hear the sound of Throttle getting off the bed and his barefoot steps coming closer to the door. It opened and the stress of what was happening to Charley was clearly showing on his face.
"Can I come in and give her a quick look see. I won't wake her."
"Sure it would make me feel a lot better if you did."
Modo excused himself and went back down the stairs to wait for Venna. She walked in and sat on the bed putting her medical bag on the floor. She very gently checked Charley's vital signs and saw that she was doing just fine though she looked very pale and worn-out. Venna pushed the dampened chestnut hair back from Charley's sweaty forehead then smiled up at Throttle. "
"How you takin' all this, ET?" So many times all the attention is focused on the woman that the supportive partner is all but forgotten. Venna was going to make darn sure that it wasn't going to be the case this time.
Throttle walked over and sat down next to Venna. His hand caressed his wife's shoulder before he pulled the cover higher up around her neck.
"I'm hangin,' but I'm not the one who matters. She's takin all the heavy blows. I was afraid she was going to suffocate. It kept comin' and comin' so fast, that she couldn't even get a breath. I was shakin' all over, but I remembered the breathing technique you showed us and it worked. Got her to calm down and me too. I thought I was ready for it all, but I guess until you actually go through the real thing, you just don't know how bad it really is." Throttle didn't try to hide the fact that he was terrified.
He stood and walked over to the corner trying to gather some kind of composure. They had too long a way to go, for him to lose it this early in the game. Charley was going to need him strong and focused but he felt like he was falling down a long spinning tunnel.
Venna walked over to him and took his hand pulling him into the bathroom closing the door behind them. Sitting him down on the closed lid of the toilet. She took his field specs off and looked him directly in the eyes.
"If you are going to be any good for Charley then you are going to have to realize your own limitation. You haven't slept in the past 48 hours. I know you haven't eaten one mouth full of food evenbefore Charley came to the hospital. Iunderstand you are tough and have probably been through times when you've gone a lot longer without those things, but this is a different kind of fight. For her to make it, you have to take care of yourself. Let Modo and Vinnie help. They need to be a part of taking care of Charley they love her too.
"But she's my wife…my respons….," Venna put her hand over his mouth and stopped his excuses before he could finish saying them.
"She belongs just as muchto Vinnie and Modo. You don't have the right to rob them of the opportunity to show how much they love her. Like I heardVinnie say once, she's your bro even if she is a babe," Venna playfully nudged his shoulder with her elbow.
He placed his hands on top of Venna's and relaxed his face into her cradling fingers, looking into her wise beyond her years, sparkling, gray, eyes, "You are an amazing woman, Doctor Venna Williams. My bro sure hit the jackpot when you walked into his life. Give me about another hour with my lady and then I'll let Vinnie come and sit with her.
"That sounds like a good plan. I'll be here for a while so I'll see you later." She pecked his cheek and walked backed down the stairs.
True to his word Throttle came down to see Venna resting her head, on a pillow,in Modo's lap. They were sitting on the comfy, old, over-stuffed, blue, couch in far corner of the garage. Vinnie had awaken and sat with his arms folded staring at the TV.
"Is there anything left to chow down on or did you guys eat us outta house and home again?"
"Venna ordered some pizzas. They may need to be reheated but there is plenty left." Modo whispered indicating that everyone needed to keep it quiet. Venna had worked the past 72 hours non-stop and he was guarding her rest time like a pit bull.
Throttle nodded and head for the kitchen but stopped just behind Vinnie grabbing his neck giving him a little shack." Do you mind goin' up and sittin' with Charley girl for a few? I'm done in and I just have to put something in my face before I completely pass out from hunger."
Though he tried to act like it was no big deal the way he bound up the stairs showed other wise.
Modo shook his head, "He really needed for you to let him do that."
"Don't give me any of the credit on calling that one. Your girl there suggested it." Throttle confessed.
"Well, I'm not so sure she thinks of herself as mine, but it sounds like something she would pick up on."
Without raising her head from the comfy spot she was cuddled in, Venna confirmed what Modo only dreamed was true.
"She would be honored, to be known as his girl. So now that we have that established would you two, intergalactic travelers, be so kind as to give a lady a little more quiet and let her finish napping with my man." She leaned up and kissed Modo's cheek then got readjusted and fell back to sleep.
Modo sat still in shock and Throttle walked into the kitchen chuckling uncontrollably.
To be continued….