Much to his chagrin Teddy ended up getting held up at his job. What should have been a simple repair became much more complicated and it wasn't the type of thing he could just leave until morning. He still had some work left to do the following day but at least it was safe for him to leave the site. Still, it was four thirty when he was pulling away. The hospital was forty-five minutes away and visiting hours ended at seven. He wanted Tina and Gene to at least get a short visit. Bob wouldn't say anything, but Teddy could tell they were facing a long stay.
At the Belcher's apartment Tina received Teddy's text that he was going to be late, and it would be best if Gene and her were ready when he arrived. Knowing it would be around eight before they got home. Tina wanted Gene to at least have something in his stomach. She knew she needed to eat too but her stomach was all tied up in knots. She hated thinking about how sick Louise was. It wasn't the healthiest meal in the world, but she heated up a few fish sticks for Gene and tossed some carrot sticks on the plate when they were done. The Tartar sauce in the fridge was bad but she found some ranch for the carrots. Teddy arrived, she tossed the carrot sticks into a sandwich bag and grabbed the two fish sticks he hadn't eaten. She worked on them while they walked downstairs to Teddy's waiting truck. Gene buckled up in the back but suddenly Tina thought of something. She excused herself, raced upstairs tossing the half-eaten fish stick in the trash and washing her hands. Before stepping into Louise's room. She climbed up on the bed and grabbed Kuchi Kopi from where he sat on Louise's pillow. She held him close as she ran back downstairs.
Louise was out of surgery and in recovery. They would have the results in a few days. They would get the results of the MRI later on. Officially the results were ready, but Doctor Fling wanted to have a more senior doctor review the results and to get the preliminary biopsy results, before giving any official news. For now, all they could do was wait for Louise to come to. The surgery was more complicated than anticipated. Because they had to biopsy different spots in Louise's brain, but at least her vitals were as good as they could be. She was just so weak from what Bob knew was cancer. The door opened and Teddy entered with Tina and Gene.
"How is she?" Teddy asked.
"Weak" Bob replied.
"Why is she sleeping?" Gene asked.
"She's had two tests where they had to put her under. They were spaced out because this was an emergency and they had to work her in." Bob explained.
"When is she going to be home?" Tina asked.
"We don't know Tina. It depends on what the tests show but it's going to be a while." Bob replied.
"You can still talk to her. She's just sleeping, and it will be good for here to hear familiar voices." Teddy assured.
"He's right." Bob agreed.
"Hey Louise, I brought you Kuchi Kopi. I know you don't like not having him. It's weird without you. You need to get better fast and come home." Tina said placing the nightlight on the bed beside Louise.
"Hi Louise, I hope you get better soon. I miss you." Gene said.
Louise heard everything her siblings said. They didn't say the word cancer once. She wondered if Bob and Linda had even bothered to tell them. She wondered what they were afraid of. It's not like just not saying the word would automatically cure her. They didn't have the results back yet, but Louise knew. Jessica's grandfather had died of lung cancer last year. Jessica talked about it once. Just once, but her symptoms were the same. She knew she was screwed.
Teddy, Tina, and Gene only got to visit for about half an hour. Before Dr. Fling returned wanting to discuss the MRI. They hated to cut the visit short, but Teddy still had to work in the morning and the kids had school. Tina had given Gene that meal, but it hardly counted as dinner. They excused themselves and left Bob and Linda to hear the results privately. Louise was finally starting to come around. Which made leaving even harder. They followed Dr. Fling back to his office. This time there was a young female doctor standing behind the desk as well. The gold ribbon pinned to her coat made Bob sick to his stomach. Linda had calmed but continued to whimper slightly.
"As you know after the abnormal X-Ray, we opted to run a full body MRI and a PET scan. Both tests confirmed our concerns. The tumor is growing out of Louise's right lung. It is the size of an adult male's fist and has attached to her heart. The scans also showed lesions on Louise's left lung and in her brain. The preliminary biopsy results also came back abnormal. Although we won't have the official results for several days." Dr. Fling explained.
"So, she has lung cancer?" Bob asked.
"I am afraid so." The female doctor replied apologetically.
"So, what do we do?" Linda asked.
"I am Dr. Rivera from oncology. I will be handling Louise's case. Treatment will depend on the official diagnosis. Unfortunately, due to the size and location of the tumor. Surgical removal is not an option. As of now we plan to treat with radiation and if the biopsy results are correct chemotherapy. When we have the official results. We will be able to tell you more about other treatment options, trials, and prognosis. We will get her into treatment as soon as we can after the results are confirmed." Dr. Rivera explained.
From a medical standpoint there was not a lot more they could do for Louise. At least not until they knew the diagnosis and treatment path. Louise was discharged on oxygen, but she was able to come home. There were a few things that Bob and Linda had to learn about managing Louise's care, so she was not officially released until Tuesday morning. They were told that if she had any more issues or if her settings had to be increased, she would have to be readmitted, but they were grateful for any time at home. Louise was asleep when they were discharged. She had been asleep more of the time she was hospitalized, they were told that was actually a good thing. She needed sleep to fight the tumor. Her body was doing it's best to keep the beast at bay until treatment could begin.
Tina returned to school on Tuesday. She actually slept less than she did on Sunday night but going to school beat sitting around the apartment worrying. Especially now that Louise was due to come home. Tina desperately wanted to see her sister but knew Louise would absolutely hate having Tina worry over her. Taking a deep breath, she walked through the front doors of Wagstaff, shuddering at the memory of Louise gasping for air on the steps, just a few days earlier. Gene faked a smile as he ran off to hang out with Alex and Courtney. He acted like he was OK, but Tina noticed the pain and fear in his eyes.
"Tina! Where were you yesterday?" Susmita called.
"I just didn't feel good." Tina lied.
"T-Bird! How is Louise?" Zeke cried.
"She's fine." Tina lied again.
"Is she home? I know she was in the hospital. I was so worried yesterday. I kept pestering Ms. Labonz until she told me." Rudy questioned.
"Mom and dad are bringing her home right now." Tina replied.
"What's going on with her? I hope it's not too serious." Zeke wondered.
"Is it asthma? Because she didn't want me to say anything, but she collapsed against the lockers on the way to lunch on Friday. I had to give her my inhaler." Rudy confessed.
"I don't know Rudy. They ran a bunch of tests yesterday, but mom and dad would not say what they were." Tina explained.
It took a full week to get the test results. They came in three days before Thanksgiving. Normally Bob would be putting his turkey in the brine right about then. He hadn't even done the shopping yet. Louise felt best when they were sitting on the couch watching "Hawk and Chick" together. Bob didn't have the heart to leave her to go shopping for a meal she probably wouldn't be able to eat. She had so much mucus and so little energy. She could only manage one small meal per day. Everything had to be so bland. It killed Bob to see his child in that state. What was harder was trying to shield Tina and Gene from how sick their sister was. Louise actually had energy when the call came in. She was sitting up cheering for her heroes and acting as if she hadn't seen this movie a hundred times. Bob was so focused on her he didn't even notice that the phone had rung. Until several minutes later when Linda stepped out of the kitchen with a grave expression on her face.
"That was Dr. Rivera. Louise's test results are in. They need us back at the hospital ASAP." Linda announced.
Everything from there after happened in a blur. Louise could only make it about halfway down the stairs before Bob had to pick her up and carry her to the waiting car. Linda drove the trio to the hospital. While Bob texted Teddy to let him know they may be admitted again and asking if he could watch the kids. Next, he called the school and told them to inform Tina and Gene that the rest of the family may not be home when they got home from school. Dr. Rivera was waiting when the Belcher's arrived at the hospital. They were immediately led through an endless hallway filled with bald children attached to the endless tubes and wires. They passed a woman holding a baby who was clearly less than a year old with an NG tube in its nose a port sticking out of its chest. Bob managed to swallow the bile down, but Linda had to race to the bathroom. She emerged a moment later and followed Bob and Dr. Rivera back to her office. Louise's scans were displayed behind the doctor and a stack of pamphlets sat on her desk.
"Mr. and Mrs. Belcher, Louise I am sorry to say this, but the biopsy has confirmed cancer." Dr. Rivera apologized.
"No!" Linda cried.
"Oh My God." Bob whimpered.
"OK so I have cancer. What I get chemo and lose my hair. Hey at least I get a Make a Wish deal out of it." Louise said trying desperately to hide her fear.
"If you chose to see it as that good for you." Dr. Rivera replied.
"What kind of cancer is it?" Bob asked.
"Louise has a rare form of pediatric cancer called "Pleuropulmonary Blastoma Type Three" this form of cancer is most typically diagnosed in children younger than seven. It is very rare in older children and teenagers." Dr. Rivera explained.
"What's the prognosis?" Bob asked wiping away a tear.
"The type Louise has usually has a fifty to seventy percent survival rate, but the disease has already progressed to stage four. Additional tumors were found in Louise's liver and brain. We won't know anything for certain until we see how she responds to treatment. I am sorry." Dr. Rivera explained.
"No! You are lying! My baby doesn't have cancer. She can't she just can't!" Linda cried.
"Daddy" Louise sniffed grabbing his hand.
"You will beat this, Louise. I will make sure of that. No matter what it takes." Bob vowed, though he had some serious doubts.
They wanted to admit Louise right away. She would begin chemo and radiation the next day. It killed Bob and Linda to leave her, but they needed to collect clothes and supplies for what would be a long stay. They knew they could always as Teddy, but they had a far more painful task at hand. Telling their friends and family that Louise was sick. They had decided to break the news in one sweep. Bob called his dad and Linda called Gayle. Bob told Teddy to make sure Tina and Gene were home and requested he go get Mort. They would call Gloria and Al on speaker phone once everybody had gathered. Bob would email the school and they would proceed from there.
Two hours later the Belcher and Generao families had gathered in Bob and Linda's living room. Along with Mort and Teddy. Linda called her parents and put them on speaker. Linda got sick again after calling her parents. She had been getting sick a lot since Louise was first hospitalized. Bob tried to ignore his fears, but it was in vain.
{FLASHBACK}{FLASHBACK}{FLASHBACK}{FLASHBACK}{FLASHBACK}{FLASHBACK}{FLASHBACK}{FLASHBACK}{FLASHBACK}{FLASHBACK}{FLASHBACK}
Bob Belcher sat on his couch for the first time in most of a week. He had just got back to Henry's house, when his dad called. Apparently, there was news about his mom, and he needed to get home right away. Bob ran home bursting with delight. He was sure the news would be that his mom was just fine. There was no cancer and whatever had caused her bleeding was cured. She would be home with him, and things would go back to the way they were. He sat on the couch and waited. Until his dad entered the room. He looked around for his mom, but she did not follow. OK maybe she was still sick and lying down.
"Bobby. Your mom has stage four ovarian cancer. They are going to try chemo. Something about giving her more time, but she is going to die." Big Bob announced before taking a swig of bourbon. Big Bob never drank during the day. Bob just sat on the couch tears falling down his cheeks. While Big Bob polished off the bottle.
{End Flashback} {End Flashback} {End Flashback} {End Flashback} {End Flashback} {End Flashback} {End Flashback} {End Flashback} {End Flashback}
Bob took a moment to compose himself. Looking around the living room. Linda stood shakily beside him. Teddy and Mort sat on the couch with Tina and Gene between them. Big Bob was in the pink chair by the window. Gloria and Al kept asking who was there and saying hello over and over again. Bob didn't want to come across as cold as his father had all those years ago, but damn this was going to be hard.
"As you know we had to rush Louise to the hospital last Sunday. She had started coughing up blood. They ran tests last week and we just got the official diagnosis today. Louise has a rare form of lung cancer called "Pleuropulmonary Blastoma Type Three."" Bob explained.
"What?" Al cried.
"Louise has cancer." Gloria whispered uncharacteristically quietly.
"Oh my God! Not Louise! Not cancer! Oh God! No!" Teddy cried.
"But she is going to be OK, right?" Tina asked.
"Yeah, I mean they are going to make her better. That's what hospitals are for. Isn't it?" Gene questioned.
"It usually has a fifty to seventy percent cure rate, but it has advanced." Linda spoke.
"Well, the good news is they have made great strides with childhood cancer. Not as good as they could but I see a lot less cases than I did when I first started." Mort explained nervously.
Everybody else talked amongst themselves sharing in the shock and grief. Big Bob just sat alone in the pink chair trying to catch his breath after absorbing the news. Tears were flowing down his cheeks, and he cursed God for letting "it" happen again. He managed to choke out the name Lily. Followed by the name Louise. Linda noticed his grief and quietly approached him.
"Are you OK, Pop-Pop?" Linda asked.
"This is going to be so hard on Bobby. He's going to relive his mom's illness. I failed so hard when he was a kid. I let my own grief get in the way and it nearly destroyed him. Take care of him better than I did. Make sure he doesn't make the same mistakes with Tina and Gene that I made with him." Big Bob said through tears.