Chapter 19
Look Around You, Drake
Part Four
…Seven in the morning
Mindy Crenshaw sat in the back of the Honda and was busy cutting and pasting
information. She and Josh arrived at Sharp Memorial just as the family although still
very much concerned let the burden's of the night drift off their shoulders and Walter
suggested since the staff advised ("he needs his rest.") they wait for the morning
visiting hours at ten o'clock that they go out to the local diner two blocks away to grab
something to eat. Nobody was really hungry though. Mindy nudged Josh to go along
with his parents and Megan because she wanted to look up something, he was
hesitant at first thinking he should stay with her, but he kissed her on the cheek and
told her he'd order her an orange juice.
Fever
your white blood count is very low after chemo
Neutropenia
Infection
Antibiotics
When foreign substances (like germs) enter your system, something called
cytokines are released which re-set your body's thermostat.
Your body's first response is to tighten up or constrict your blood vessels.
This reduces the amount of heat lost through your skin and raises your
temperature a little.
Actually, a fever is your body's way of protecting itself.
Fevers are good things - in a way.
A natural defense mechanism.
When the infection goes away (with antibiotics), your body no longer needs as
much heat.
You may hear the expression, "Your fever is breaking". You
begin to sweat, so you have to take off all the extra covers and clothes in
order to cool off. Hot - cold.
Mindy felt terrible for Drake. This was quite a lot for anyone to go through she
wondered if she was ever faced with a cancer or some other illness would she be
able to cope as well as he was? Everything was going according to his medical plan
until last night.
Josh told her in the elevator when they took a separate one down than the one his
parents and Megan took.
"Drake was lucky." And that was the only thing he said until they got to the car. The
rest of his communication with his girlfriend came out in tight handholding.
Drake was 'lucky' indeed. Apart from the antibiotics, they might give him some
Tylenol for the fever and body aches and he was hooked up to an IV so he could get
the fluids he needed.
Mindy wiped her eye with her hand. She hoped that she was being a good girlfriend
to Josh. Would a "good girlfriend" be in the car while her worried boyfriend sat in the
diner with his parents and little sister waiting for his sweetheart to join him? She
wanted to email this to Josh (and a copy to herself) so they could put this guide on
A natural defense mechanism.
When the infection goes away (with antibiotics), your body no longer needs as
much heat.
You may hear the expression, "Your fever is breaking". You
begin to sweat, so you have to take off all the extra covers and clothes in
order to cool off. Hot - cold.
Mindy felt terrible for Drake. This was quite a lot for anyone to go through she
wondered if she was ever faced with a cancer or some other illness would she be
able to cope as well as he was? Everything was going according to his medical plan
until last night.
Josh told her in the elevator when they took a separate one down than the one his
parents and Megan took.
"Drake was lucky." And that was the only thing he said until they got to the car. The
rest of his communication with his girlfriend came out in tight handholding.
Drake was 'lucky' indeed. Apart from the antibiotics, they might give him some
Tylenol for the fever and body aches and he was hooked up to an IV so he could get
the fluids he needed.
Mindy wiped her eye with her hand. She hoped that she was being a good girlfriend
to Josh. Would a "good girlfriend" be in the car while her worried boyfriend sat in the
diner with his parents and little sister waiting for his sweetheart to join him? She
their refrigerator.
This was scary stuff that she was afraid would send Josh into orbit. Sure, Drake was
fine now and they all should be grateful for that, but there were a whole host of things
that she was sure that Audrey and Walter did not know about. Even if they were smart
and educated people that didn't matter to Mindy. She had to do something to help
Drake, after all, it was due to his help and shoulders that she and Josh even got back
together.
It was one of the nicest things he had ever done for another person, but Mindy never
told Drake that.
Josh couldn't help but come out of the diner and knock on the right passenger side
window.
"Come in," Mindy said, "I'm sorry this is taking so long."
"What are you doing?"
"Emailing you something to give to your parents. It's from Teens Living With Cancer.
Did you know that Drake should avoid sick people? To watch getting cuts and
bruises? And to wash his hands more than normal?"
Josh smiled as he softly lifted her hand up in the air to kiss it.
"What's that for?"
"You really care about, Drake, don't you? At first I thought you were just supportive
because we're boyfriend and girlfriend, but you really do care. Thanks."
"You're welcome." She hit send and closed the computer.
"Come on, your orange juice is getting cold."
"Isn't it supposed to be cold?"
"It's an expression."
"I don't think I'll tell your Mom and Dad what I was doing. You can print out the chart
later."
"You're awesome." Josh told her as they walked hand in hand to the diner.
It was bugging the red haired waitress with the poker straight long red hair pulled
back into a ponytail and green eyes about the family that was at table nine in the non-
smoking section. There was something familiar about them, but she couldn't place it.
Finally, that dark haired guys girlfriend came to the table. This was the busy breakfast
rush, the wait staff was told to feed everyone quick and get them out of the diner as
soon as possible.
"Who are those people at table nine, Maggie? They look familiar."
Maggie was one of those stereotypical harried older waitresses who turned more
moody and angry over her life choices that led her to still being a waitress at fifty. She
was the one who had to wait on them and four other tables.
"Cathy, I don't have time for this."
"Sorry." She took some dirty dishes off the counter from the departed truck drivers
that only left a one dollar tip for the combined tip jar and put them in the plastic bin.
"I shouldn't have snapped. That's your crushes family."
What crush? She had several.
"That guy two years behind you at Belleview High."
"Oh, Drake Parker."
She wondered silently how come he wasn't here with his family?
He usually came here with either his brother, sometimes his family, his band, and
sometimes with the skankiest girls that Cathy ever saw when she had to work the
midnight shift. You know the rock and roll hangers on, the ones who wanted to be a
number one groupie.
"I shouldn't say anything, but I overheard the mother talking," Maggie put some paper
orders on the spinning carousel. "I think your 'boyfriend'…"
"He's not my boyfriend."
"Are you going to listen? I think he has cancer. He's at Sharp Mem."
What? He was only seventeen. Only two years younger than she was.
Cathy Gordon waited tables and was thinking about going to San Diego Mesa
College to study Business. She didn't want to be an older and bitter waitress.
How terrible.
"Don't give them a check. Tell them whatever they order is paid for."
"How noble of you. Now if you excuse me, Cathy. Some of us have to work around
here and not get paid for daydreaming."
Drake Parker has cancer? It explained why he she hadn't seen him here in quite
awhile.
His hospital room was probably filled with cards, gifts, flowers, and notes from all of
his lusting female admirers. Cathy hoped that at least knowing that how much people
cared about him had to be just what he needed to get better.
Ten o'clockDrake's eyes were closed but he was not sleeping. He was scared before, but now
he really was frightened. Like when you are four years old and think that the
Boogeyman is going to get you in your sleep. When he woke up a few years ago he
thought he was in Heaven. Then he thought if he were in Heaven he wouldn't be holed
up in a hospital bed. Would he?
Drake hated being at the mercy of others and having to be poked, prodded, and just
generally fucking bothered. He knew his family was here because he heard them
walking in trying to be quiet and if he didn't hear that, he would have still known by his
mother's perfume which was Avon's soft musk. Even if she didn't spray it on the scent
stayed on her clothes.
"Drake," Audrey moved the hair from his face. "We're here, Sweetie."
"Maybe, we should let him rest?" Walter suggested, although it was good to see him.
Megan knew he was pretending sleep and since she was the one standing by the
end of the bed, she proceeded to tickle his foot from under the covers.
"H-ey."
"I knew you weren't sleeping."
Josh thought that was clever as he and Mindy continued their hand holding odyssey
by the window.
"Drake," Audrey hugged him and kissed him on the cheek, "You gave us quite a
scare last night. Thank God you're okay."
More kisses.
I still have cancer.
And I'm in a hospital bed waiting for my white blood count to improve while the
hospital makes me their lab rat boy.
Next was Walter's turn, but he just gave him the short hug and shoulder squeeze.
"You'll be home in no time, son."
"I hate to cut this short, but I'm really tired." Well, it was partly true and at least not an
outright lie. He loved his family and was appreciative that they cared about him, but
he still wanted to be alone and hoped that they got that.
"Okay, we'll come back at seven o'clock," Audrey got one more kiss to the forehead
in, he was still a little warm, but not as hot as he was earlier. "Love you."
"Love you too. Megan, come here for a minute."
"What?"
"Will you glue a part of my body to something or pour syrup on me?"
"We'll see." She was surprised at herself for giving him a kiss and a hug.
"How are you feeling, Drake?" Mindy asked holding a bag from Smart Aid
"Just great, Creature."
"Drake!" Josh reprimanded
"Josh, that's what we do. Right, Frankenstein?"
"Here," Mindy handed Drake the small plastic bag, "I'll leave you and Josh to talk for
awhile. See you later, Godzilla."
"Bye Creature from the Black Lagoon."
Josh playfully rolled his eyes. If this pretend bickering back and forth with his girlfriend
gave Drake a spark to keep continuing who was he to judge?
"I won't stay long. Mom asked me to get some stuff for you. Do you want to surf the
net now?"
"No. I really want to sleep."
"Okay, I leave it in the backpack. I'll put your PJ's in the closet. And put your magaz---"
"Josh?"
"Yeah."
"Just do it. Thanks."
"Sorry. I'll bring you your mouthwash when I come back at seven."
"Josh!"
"Yes, Drake?"
"Just do it."
Unbeknownst to either of them when he was busy taking the items for Drake out of
his backpack the lavender envelope from Emme fell on the floor by the window.
"What did Mindy buy you? She wouldn't let me go in the drug store with her after we
ate breakfast."
Why did the Creature buy me a present?
"A toothbrush." And it was the soft nylon bristle kind that he needed too.
Drake put the toothbrush back in the Smart-Aid bag on the end table and tried to
stretch out his legs. He hated having to be hooked up to an IV.
If he was getting better from the infection maybe they'd remove it today?
"That was nice of her. Well, I know you want to sleep, bro."
"What gave you your first clue?"
He knew he had a terrible bedside manner at times, but he couldn't help it.
"Sorry, Drake. You know that I love you."
"I know." Drake replied before starting to fall asleep.
Josh made sure he was tucked in. He couldn't help being overprotective and maybe
a general nuisance. He loved that guy.
"Sleep well, brother, sleep well." Josh kissed him on the cheek before leaving the
room.
"Thank God! I thought he'd never leave." Drake said with closed eyes in the empty
room finally able to fall asleep now that the 'mean man' was gone.
Author's Note: To be continued…
Information from teenslivingwithcancer dot org