Chapter 2
When the World Changed Its Colors
…before the events in Chapter 1
He was supposed to be born under a lucky star, but Drake Parker chalked that up to
another lie parents told their children such as tales regarding the Santa Claus and
the Tooth Fairy.
It was just a little pain in his shoulder, which he figured had to be from playing the
guitar.
It certainly wasn't from overloading his backpack with his schoolbooks. The pain
went from a general annoyance much like the old lady down the block who would
always rub it and predict the rain even if it wasn't mentioned in Walter's weathercast
to what felt like a slight sprain. That's when Audrey made the doctor's appointment.
Drake and Megan were both patients of Dr. William O'Malley from the time they
were born. He was a friendly doctor the kind of gentleman who had he been in
practice in the 1880's would have accepted a farm hen as a payment for services
rendered, quite the difference from the materialistic plastic surgeon Jeff Glazer who
lived across the street from the Nichols-Parker house. Drake was inwardly
concerned when his friendly pediatrician wanted to talk to him and Audrey in his
office. Whenever a conversation starts with, "Please, why don't you sit down?" you
know the hammer is about to drop.
"What's wrong with my son?" Audrey couldn't wait for the bad news to be revealed. It
was obvious there was something wrong because Dr. O'Malley would always chat
with the parents outside in the corridor and it was light and airy conversation like
talking to your neighbors on the front porch over a glass of Old Country Time
Lemonade.
"mother." Was all Drake could say.
He spent his whole life keeping most of his feelings inward; Drake was not about to
go against the grain now.
All Drake heard was bits and pieces.
orthopedic oncologist
Dr. Jennings (she's the best)
Sharp Memorial Hospital
There is a chance it might be osteosarcoma
If so—Biopsy to see if there are any cancer cells present
"There's a chance that my son has c-cancer?" Audrey started to cry as she held her
son's hand who was trying with all of his power to block it all out. But they weren't
letting him.
The proximal humerus (the part of the upper arm bone close to the shoulder) is
the second most common location for osteosarcoma (about 10 percent).
The kind doctor with the round face and salt and pepper hair handed Drake a
brochure.
Osteosarcoma is a cancer that begins in your bone forming cells. It is the most
common type of tumor in the group of bone cancers called osteogenic sarcomas.
Drake wanted to rip the brochure in half and throw the pieces of the paper in the air
like confetti. Instead he just folded it and put it in his back jeans pocket.
About 5 of all teens with cancer are diagnosed with osteosarcoma. It is associated
with rapid growth, so it is rarely seen in kids before puberty. Osteosarcoma affects
more guys (usually between ages 15-19) than girls (usually between ages 10-14)
Everything that was spoken referred to him, but Drake had nothing to say to neither
his doctor nor his mother he just wanted to get this day over with.
"You're certainly being very brave." Audrey said on the way home.
Drake knew he was going to have to reply to this one.
"I'm fine."
"I don't want you to worry, son. If there is a tumor it might not even be malignant."
Audrey was making a point to not break down. Drake never did like seeing females
cry.
"Do we have to talk about this?"
"No. Not right at this second. Would you like to stop for something to eat?"
"Not really."
Audrey made a mental note to call Dr. Kay Jennings office as soon as they returned
home and even though she was not saying a word, Drake knew she was thinking
about the situation.
"Mom, don't tell anyone, okay? Not Dad, Josh, or Megan. It might be nothing and it'd
be wrong to have them all worry."
"Drake, we can't keep this from the rest of the family."
Don't I get a say?
"Whatever. Just don't expect me to be there when you do."
He didn't mean to sound abrupt, but he couldn't deal with everyone swarming
around him. Pity…well-wishes…what was the fucking difference?
Audrey didn't want to argue with her son as this was a lot for all of them to digest.
This couldn't be happening.
Osteosarcoma?
That's just a 'fancy' word meaning that you were going to die.
There is no way that I can have cancer.
I'm Drake Parker.
Notes: Information from teenslivingwithcancer dot org
Changed the title of Chapter 1 to "Love".