Andy was holding on to his wife's hand, they were sitting in the waiting room of the women's clinic.
"This place is packed." Andy whispered.
"Of course it is. She's the number one doctor in the east coast." Mandy whispered back. This doctor was so hard to see, most of her patients were high profile or very wealthy. Her waiting list was miles long. Mandy hoped Alex's letter helped her get in as her patient.
"Ivy Glenn?" The doctor called out.
"It's been hours." Andy complained.
"Of course, we're walk-ins." She had a doctor in Atlanta, but wanted to get another's opinions. They were only here for the day, they had a early flight home in the morning. Their kids were back in Atlanta being watched over by Andy's mom who flew in from Sweet Valley. It was dark when Mandy's name was called.
"Mandy Jenkins?" She and Andy get up, they were exhausted from waiting all day. Mandy was the last patient. "Follow me." The nurse tells them.
Andy wanted to stay with his wife, he knew how frightened Mandy was. When the doctor walked in, he saw Mandy sitting up straight.
"I apologize for the delay, it's always busy around here." Dr Valerie Berger says walking in with Mandy's chart. "I got Alex's letter, is she your doctor?"
"No. We knew each other in high school, I left Sweet Valley to attend Tuffs for medical school. I'm a pediatrician."
"Really? I attended Vanderbilt after Sweet Valley U. How's Alex?"
Andy didn't interrupt as the two women chatted, Mandy was nervous as it is. After they broke the ice, Dr Berger opens up Mandy's chart.
"You had mild case of lymphoma when you were twelve?"
"Yes, it was caught early, I was incredibly lucky." Mandy hated thinking about that time. Thank god Jessica saved her life. "I completed a few rounds of chemo and had regular checkups over the years. This lump, it's recent."
"I'll have to examine your breast, plus do a chest exam." Dr Berger examines Mandy's chest. "Hmm.'' She checks her torso as well, she wanted to see there was any other problems. Dr Berger takes her hands away and writes something down.
"Give it to me straight. My husband and I are medical professionals."
"I want you to get surgery as soon as possible. This lump, it isn't the only one I found. Let's just hope your childhood cancer isn't coming back as well. I can recommend you to a specialist in Atlanta, she's a oncologist that treats both adolescent and adult patients."
Mandy's face was blank, but Andy could see the fear in her eyes. Andy knew how important her career was, but she needed to take care of herself first.
"Thanks Val." Dr Berger smiles at them both.
"If you wish to see me, I'll make you a priority whenever you are in New York." When she left, Andy immediately goes up to his wife who was shaking.
"You can beat this. I know you. You caught it early, maybe that lump is just benign." Andy tries to tell her.
"Let's hope so." Mandy wasn't the praying type, but she asked God to take mercy on her. "I hope you don't mind me bald." It took years to grow out her hair, she was the only doctor at the hospital that had super long hair.
"You're beautiful no matter what." Both hold each other not saying anything else.