Chapter 4
Treatment
The Simpson family enter the General Hospital bright and early for Lisa's first round of treatment; the whole family decided to come in support of Lisa, including Patty and Selma, Ling, Jacqueline and Abe. The adults had at first been angry at Homer and Marge for keeping such devastating news from them, but did accept their reasoning.
The past couple of days had seen numerous people coming to give the family their condolences as well as to wish Lisa good luck; these included Kirk and Luanne, who had also brought Milhouse over to apologise for punching Bart, Reverend Lovejoy and Helen, Chief Wiggum and Sarah, Ned, Rodd and Todd and many others had come to give Lisa their best wishes, which had touched the usually ostracised family.
Many people in the reception are surprised upon spotting Lisa, for her usual starfish hairstyle was gone along with all her hair. Lisa had asked Bart to cut all her hair off like he had done when she was a baby, which he had obliged.
"Lisa Simpson here for her appointment." Marge tells the receptionist.
The receptionist nods and tells the party to wait for the doctor to call Lisa in. It only takes a few minutes for Doctor Hibbert and Doctor Mitchell to approach the group.
"Lisa, Marge, if you'll both follow us, the rest of you, I'm afraid, will have to wait here." Dr Hibbert states to the group.
Before leaving with the two doctors, Lisa hugs each of her family members, who respond with a hug of their own along with a good luck wish.
They walk to a room where Lisa will be prepped for her treatment.
"Okay, first, you'll need to change into this hospital gown; after that, we'll give you your anaesthesia." Dr Hibbert explains handing Marge the gown so she can help Lisa into it.
Marge pulls the curtain around the hospital bed to help Lisa change in private. While Marge is helping Lisa, Dr Hibbert and Dr Mitchell begin prepping themselves for Lisa's treatment. Once Lisa has changed into the hospital gown and Marge pulls back the curtain, both doctors begin to explain to Lisa what they are going to do.
"Okay, Lisa, first off, we will have to knock you out with anaesthesia." Dr Hibbert says, holding up a needle containing the anaesthesia.
"After that, we'll create a small hole in your skull." Dr Mitchell says, indicating the medical drill.
"Through this small hole we'll insert a laser fibre which will also be inserted into your brain tissue, the laser fibre will generate heat which will destroy the cancerous tissue while minimising the damage to the surrounding healthy tissue." Dr Hibbert says gesturing to the laser fibre.
"We'll be using MRI to guide the fibre to ensure accurate placement of the fibre." Dr Mitchell says, pointing to the MRI machine.
"Any questions?" Dr Hibbert asks the two women.
"How long will this take?" Lisa asks in an emotionless voice.
"Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy can last several hours to a full day." Dr Mitchell answers.
"Let's get started, shall we." Dr Hibbert says once he sees that Lisa has no more questions.
(X X X)
Lisa's Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy took several hours to complete, and then Lisa was placed under observation for a few more hours before she was released from the hospital. So it was dark when the family left the hospital; Lisa was instructed by the Doctors to; monitor for any changes in her condition, take medications as prescribed if needed, restrict certain activities such as lifting heavy objects, get plenty of rest and keep all follow-up appointments. The drugs the doctors gave the family for Lisa included; pain medications, anti-inflammatory medications, anticonvulsants and blood thinners.
Upon returning home, Lisa just wanted to go to bed and sleep despite not having eaten all day, but Marge managed to convince her to have a bowl of Tomato Soup, along with a couple of pieces of bread. Lisa was able to eat all the bread but could only finish about a third of the soup, and most of that was from dunking the bread into the soup.
(X X X)
A couple of days later, Marge takes Lisa for her subsequent treatment; this time, it is only the two of them as it is a weekday, so Bart is in school, Homer is at work, and Maggie is being looked after by Abe, Jackie, Patty and Selma. Upon entering the hospital, they see Dr Hibbert and Dr Mitchell waiting in the waiting room.
"Oh good, you're here, and just in time as well." Dr Hibbert says ending with his trade mark chuckle.
"If you'll follow us so we can get started." Dr Mitchell says, gesturing for the two ladies to follow them.
"Now first we'll need to do a pre-treatment evaluation." Dr Hibbert says.
"These will involve tests and evaluations to determine your overall health and ensure that you can tolerate the treatment." Dr Mitchell explains.
"These will include blood, imaging, and other diagnostic tests." Dr Hibbert finishes.
"If you are deemed able to tolerate the treatment then we'll begin your chemotherapy." Dr Mitchell states
"We'll give you Temozolomide, a chemotherapy drug taken orally as a capsule." Dr Hibbert explains.
"After that, we'll begin radiation therapy." Dr Mitchell says.
"We'll be using external beam radiation therapy." Dr Hibbert states.
"This will involve directing a beam of radiation from a machine outside the body towards the cancer cells." Dr Mitchell explains.
"What if Lisa is deemed unable to tolerate the treatment?" Marge asks, slightly frantic.
"Marge, if Lisa is deemed unable to undergo concurrent chemotherapy, our medical team will work with her and you to determine the best alternative treatment options. This may include other types of chemotherapy and radiation therapy." Dr Hibbert answers with an assuring tone.
"Or even clinical trials which are research studies that involve testing new treatments or approaches to care, targeted therapies which involve drugs that are designed to target specific proteins or genes that are involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells, and immunotherapy which is a type of treatment that helps to boost the body's immune system to fight cancer." Dr Mitchell says offering other alternate treatments.
Eventually, the group arrives at the room where Lisa's pre-treatment evaluation is to occur. Fortunately, after undergoing all of the blood tests, imaging tests, and other diagnostic tests. Lisa is deemed able to tolerate the concurrent chemotherapy.
(X X X)
At Springfield Elementary school, the second and fourth years have recess, and Bart currently surrounds himself with various kids close to Lisa, including Janey, Ralph, Milhouse and Nelson.
"Any updates, Bart?" Milhouse asks eagerly for news.
"No, not yet." Bart answers, keeping his focus on his phone.
"Why not?" Milhouse asks.
"Cell phones are turned off in hospitals." Bart answers, having been in the hospital enough times to know that.
A ping from Bart's phone indicates that a new message has been sent.
"Lisa has just begun her chemotherapy." Bart says, reading the message.
"They've only just started?" Nelson asks confused.
"Lousy hospital making Lisa wait." Milhouse quietly mutters.
"They probably had to do a Pre-treatment evaluation." Martin Prince says as he approaches the group, having overheard their conversation.
"How would you know?" Nelson asks Martin cracking his knuckles.
"I read up on Gliblastoma to help you understand the various treatments Lisa will be going through." Martin answers fearfully.
"Thanks, Martin." Bart says, genuinely touched by the intelligent boy's thoughtfulness.
"Yeah, thanks I guess." Nelson says, deciding to back off Martin, who sighs in relief.
"Well, what do we have here?" The voice of Principle Skinner asks.
All the children look to where Principle Skinner's voice comes from. Upon looking at the figure of the stern Principle, many of the gathered kids become fearful that they are about to get into trouble.
"I was just keeping them updated on Lisa's treatment." Bart says nonchalantly.
"Oh well, in that case, none of you is in trouble. However, I suggest you all go and play before heading back to class." Principle Skinner says.
The kids reluctantly agree and head off to the jungle gym.
"Hey, Bart, thanks for offering to keep us updated on Lisa's treatment." Janey says to Bart
"No problem Janey." Bart responds.
(X X X)
At the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, Homer, Lenny and Carl are in the breakroom; however, instead of stuffing his face with doughnuts like usual, Homer is focusing on his cell phone.
"Hey, Homer, why are you focusing on your phone instead of stuffing your face with doughnuts?" Lenny asks.
"Lisa's at the hospital undergoing more treatment, so I'm waiting for updates from Marge." Homer answers, not taking his eyes off his phone.
"Oh yeah, so what's she undergoing today?" Carl asks.
"I think concurrent chemotherapy. She's already undergone chemotherapy, and is now waiting for radiation." Homer answers.
A ping from Homer's phone indicates that he has a new message.
"They're starting her radiation therapy now." Homer says, reading Marge's message.
An alarm then sounds, indicating that break time is over.
"Well, back to work." Homer says, getting up and leaving the room.
"He didn't touch a single doughnut." Lenny says in shock.
"He must really be worried about Lisa." Carl says, equally shocked.