Chapter 1
The Diagnosis
The sun rises over the city of Springfield signalling the start of a new day, with residents already waking from their slumber. Such as Springfield Elementary teachers wishing for the building to collapse once and for all, Nuclear Power Plant employees praying that they can get through the day without a near meltdown and of course students of Springfield Elementary who like their teachers are also hoping that the building has collapsed.
However, in a certain house belonging to a certain family, a specific little girl is having a very painful waking up.
Lisa Simpson doesn't know why but for the past few days she's been having headaches, ranging from mild to severe and the headache tablets have only a middling effect on them. However, this morning she is experiencing the most severe headache, so severe that she is actually screaming in pain.
The screaming alerts the rest of the family who rush toward Lisa's room, to find out what is causing the girl to scream.
"Lisa honey what's wrong?" Marge asks barging into the room and seeing her eldest daughter holding her head in pain.
"My head... it hurts." Lisa grounds out through the pain.
Lisa opens her eyes to look at her family and notices that her vision is blurry.
"Why is my vision blurry?" Lisa asks growing concerned.
Lisa's question causes Marge to also start growing concerned.
"I'm sure it's nothing sweetie, but if it'll make you feel better I'll take you to the hospital for a check-up." Homer says trying to comfort Lisa while also thinking. 'And this'll give me a good excuse to skip out on work'
"But what about school?" Lisa asks worried about how missing school could affect her future college applications.
"I'm sorry sweetie but you're in no condition to be attending school at the moment." Marge says consolingly. "Besides with how ahead of your class you are I'm sure that missing a single day won't affect any of your future prospects." Marge states with a hint of pride at Lisa's intelligence.
"Ok." Lisa says dejectedly, since, despite Springfield Elementary's rather abysmal teaching staff, Lisa truly enjoyed school.
Hearing that Lisa was going to be skipping school, the oldest Simpson child Bart Simpson begins mimicking Lisa.
"Oh no I also have a sudden intense headache as well as blurry vision." Bart says rubbing his temple with also squinting his eyes.
Sadly for Bart, his performance was too hammy, plus given his reputation, neither of his parents believed him.
"Nice try boy, but you're going to school." Homer states sternly.
"D'oh!" Bart exclaims disappointed that his attempt at getting out of school failed.
"And I'll be taking Lisa too the hospital so that you can go to work." Marge states.
"D'OH!" Homer exclaims.
(X X X)
Marge and Lisa enter the General Hospital, after having dropped Maggie off at Patty and Selma's and head over to the receptionist's desk.
"Hi what do you need?" The receptionist asks.
"My daughters complaining of severe headaches and blurred vision." Marge explains as calmly as possible.
The receptionist looks at Lisa and notices how the girl is rubbing her temples while also squinting.
"Take a seat and a Doctor should be with you soon." The receptionist says gesturing to the waiting room, before paging Doctor Hibbert.
Marge thanks the receptionist before gently escorting Lisa to the waiting area.
(X X X)
At the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, many of the workers were confused since for once Homer J. Simpson the laziest worker they'd ever encountered, was actually doing his job for once. So Homer's friends Lenny and Carl decide to find out what's wrong with him.
"Hey, Homer what's going on?" Lenny asks casually.
"Huh, what do you mean?" Homer asks confused.
"Well you're actually working for once, you also seem a little distracted." Carl answers taking a sip of coffee.
"Oh well, I guess I've been working to get my mind off something." Homer answers sheepishly.
Carl rolls his eyes at Homer's answer of using work as a distraction.
"Oh really what from?" Lenny asks curiously.
"Well this morning Lisa woke up screaming and holding her head in pain due to some severe headaches, she also said that her vision is blurry." Homer answers missing Lenny and Carl exchanging glances.
"Is this a recent occurrence or...?" Carl asks a hint of worry in his voice.
"Recent in that the past few days Lisa has been taking headache tablets, but this morning was the most severe, and the blurred vision only appeared this morning, but I'm sure she'll be fine right guys?" Homer asks his two friends seeking reassurance.
Both Lenny and Carl look at Homer and see that he is a man currently grasping at straws, searching for a faint glimmer of hope.
"Sure Homer she'll be ok." Lenny says reassuring his friend.
"Yeah what he said." Carl responds.
"Aw, thanks guys." Homer says genuinely touched by his friend's reassurance.
(X X X)
The students of Springfield Elementary's 4th-year class were confused, Bart Simpson the notorious class clown and prankster was rather subdued, he didn't even try any theatrics to get out of a pop quiz that their new teacher Rayshelle Peyton sprung on them. It wasn't just the students but the teacher Rayshelle who was also taken aback by Bart's current behaviour, wary that he might be attempting a very elaborate prank, but also concerned since the boy seemed worried about something.
"Alright pencils down." Rayshelle says once the quiz's allotted time has passed.
Each of the students does as she says, the bell then rings signalling the beginning of recess. As each of the students cheer before practically sprinting out of the classroom, Rayshelle notes that Bart has remained behind and is staring out the window.
"Bart?" Rayshelle gently prods.
"Uh, what?" Bart responds looking around the classroom confused at the empty desks.
"It's time for recess." Rayshelle says her concern for her troublesome student growing.
"Oh sorry I was distracted." Bart says still sounding like he was miles away.
"Want to talk about it?" Rayshelle gently asks.
"Uh, I don't want to bother you." Bart says trying to avoid talking about Lisa, as he hated revealing his sweet side.
Before Rayshelle can press Bart on the issue, the classroom door swings open and Milhouse Van Houten barges in.
"HEY BART WHERE'S LISA, I CAN'T FIND HER ANYWHERE." Milhouse shouts out panicked.
Since Milhouse missed the bus today he wasn't aware that Lisa wasn't in school today.
"Lisa's at the hospital Milhouse." Bart says trying and failing to sound non-challant.
"WHAT WHY!?" Milhouse shouts his panic rising.
"She's just got a severe headache, she probably tired her brain out from all the thinking she does, and just needs a few days rest." Bart says again trying not to sound concerned but Rayshelle can see through his facade, sadly Milhouse is oblivious to Bart's act and genuinely believes that he doesn't care that his little sister is in the hospital. But he's used to Bart's callousness in regards to Lisa, so he bides his tongue.
"Now let's go play before recess is over." Bart says running out of the classroom to get to the playground.
Rayshelle watches Milhouse follow after Bart at a more subdued pace.
(X X X)
Lisa stares dead ahead at Dr Hibbert only vaguely aware of her mother's hands on her shoulders squeezing hard.
"Could you please repeat that Doctor?" Marge asks hoping that she had misheard him.
"I'm sorry Mrs Simpson, Lisa but the tests are conclusive, I'm afraid that Lisa has a brain tumour." Dr Hibbert says in a very serious voice.
Lisa didn't have much hope that she had heard wrong, but still hearing the news the second time increased the panic and fear she is experiencing. Marge is no better as she is currently reduced to a stuttering mess her mind is currently in shambles.
"I'm afraid there's more bad news, the type of tumour you have is called Glioblastoma a highly aggressive form of cancer, also I'm afraid that due to the location of the tumour I'm afraid that it is inoperable." Dr Hibbert states gravely.
With each piece of information, Lisa feels a great deal of hopelessness wash over her.
"But there must be something you can do!" Marge exclaims panic and fear lacing her voice.
"There are still treatments available Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy and Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy." Dr Hibbert says with a reassuring tone, which does raise Lisa's and Marge's hope.
Dr Hibbert then takes out a pamphlet detailing all the necessary information on Glioblastoma, including symptoms, treatments, and how to counteract or reduce the severity of the symptoms.
Marge thanks the Doctor before gently guiding Lisa out of the hospital and towards her car, once the pair enter Marge's car Lisa begins weeping uncontrollably, so Marge comforts her daughter with a hug and lets Lisa cry on her shoulder, while she rubs her back in a soothing way.
"It's going to be ok sweetie, you'll get through this." Marge says soothingly.
Lisa is unable to respond being too choked up with varying emotions and tears. It takes a full thirty minutes for Lisa to calm down and get her emotions under control. Once she has Marge starts the car up and drives off to Springfield Elementary to both inform them about Lisa's condition, and to also pick Bart up.
(Chapter Ends)