A/N: Uggggh! I totally suck. So, I rewrote that last section of Chapter 2 because I slipped up and forgot to include an event that was in the plan from the get go. If you don't wish to go back and read it here's a little summary of it. April meets with her AML specialist with Leo, tells doctor she has an appointment with a fertility specialist afterward and will call her that evening to schedule her chemo once she's got some more information.
Not a huge change but I started to write chapter 3 without it and I just couldn't. I think I got so excited about all the feedback I've gotten on this story that I rushed through it without thinking much. I promise I'll try to do better.
Thanks again to everyone who has favorited, followed, or reviewed the story. I'm glad you're enjoying it.
I met Beth in the lobby of the fertility clinic and hugged her. "Thank you so much for being her. It means a lot to me. I'm so thankful to have your support, especially when I know my mom doesn't support this decision."
"I think you're doing what's best for you and I'm proud of you for that. Now let's go get this over with so you don't have a panic attack. Where were you last night? I tried to get ahold of you and you wouldn't pick up."
"Sorry, Dominic and I broke up and I ended up staying at Leo's last night. My mom went crazy and took out my mattress and covered every soft surface in plastic and I just lost it. I couldn't handle it and I just left."
"Okay, I take it all back. Maybe you do take risks in relationships seeing as you already found a replacement for Dominic," she teased.
"It is so not like that. Well, not really. He just gets it. He knows how to have fun even though he's dying. He makes me smile. I appreciate all of that."
"Hey, I didn't say you were a bad person. There's no need to get defensive. Now, let's go see if we can put some baby making stuff on hold for you," she said with a laugh as she grabbed my hand.
I was really starting to hate doctor's offices but I suppose I should be getting used to them since it'll be a while before I'm not seeing them with regularity. I was so relieved when the nurse called my name.
The doctor was already in her office when I arrived. "Hi, April. What brings you into my office today?"
"Well, I recently found out I have leukemia and that chemotherapy could make me infertile so I wanted to explore some other options."
"First off, I'd like to say I'm sorry for your diagnosis. You're so young. I'd also like to say that I'm glad you're taking it seriously. I've had many patients who wish they would have taken just an extra week or so to explore their options before jumping into chemo. The option I think would suit you best would be embryo freezing. In that procedure we would remove eggs from you and fertilize them in a test tube with the sperm of a partner or a donor. If you do not know who you would like to be the father we can also store them unfertilized.
"That sounds like exactly what I need. I do not have a partner so for now I'd rather just store them unfertilized. How long would it take do you think?"
"Based off of all the answers you've provided we should be able to harvest them in 10 days. With the procedure and recuperation time I don't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to begin chemotherapy in two weeks. Obviously, you would want to clear that with your oncologist to make sure it's okay that you wait that long but if you can we can get this procedure done for you."
"Is any of this covered by insurance and if now how much am I looking at?"
"Insurance companies do not cover this procedure so it'll be $5,000 out of pocket."
"Wow, okay. Well, I want to do this so I'm just going to talk it over with my doctor and I'll figure the financial aspects out."
"Okay, here's my card, just give my office a call to set up your appointment and I should see you in about 10 days."
"Thank you so much for all of your help, I truly appreciate it."
"I look forward to working with you."
Beth was waiting for me in the waiting room when I came out. "You want to go home with me?" I asked her. "I may need a support buddy for when I tell my family about my decision."
"Absolutely. I'm behind you 100%."
"How bad do you think it's going to be when I tell them?"
"I don't know. They could surprise you. I think it's just taking your mom some time to adapt to the fact that you're sick and though you may still be her baby in her mind, you're an adult and you have to make decisions you can live with."
"Yeah, I hope you're right. I hate fighting with her. I just really want to get past all this. Any ideas on coming up with $5,000 to pay for this?"
"We'll figure it out. Worse comes to worse we can be prostitutes for a week to cover it," she said with a smile.
"Thanks for always being the one making me laugh, Beth. I'm not sure what I'd do with you.
I timed it so we'd get home about ten minutes after I wanted everyone to meet me there so they'd all be together.
When I entered the house they were all gathered like they were for my "intervention" and it left a bad taste I my mouth. I asked them all to take a seat and I started what I needed to say.
"I know you may not all agree with my decisions regarding my health but I want to keep you in the loop. I met with my oncologist today as well as my fertility specialist. I'm going ahead with the embryo freezing. Because of where I am I shouldn't need too many hormones and they'll be able to collect them in about 10 days. I've been given the all clear to start chemo in 2 weeks and I've already made all the arrangements. Despite what you may think I do care about my health and wellness but I also care about what my future will look like when I go into remission. I've made my decision, I just really need you all to respect and support it."
When I finished my mom stood up and wrapped her arms around me. "I'm sorry I was so hard on you and went overboard. I just don't know what to do for you and I want to do everything I can for you."
"I know you do mom. I'm okay with changing up my room and stuff but I at least want to pick the stuff out. If you're free we can go shopping tomorrow."
"That sounds wonderful."
"Today has been exhausting and I am actually hungry for some Italian food so I was wondering if you'd all be interested in going out for food tonight?"
"I think that sounds perfect," my mom replied.
