Grace Valley 02 - Just Over the Mountain by Robyn Carr

Author:Robyn Carr
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-01-29T06:16:04.333421+00:00

Everyone knew how really bad it was the day she went into the hospital. The cancer she‘d been diagnosed with months earlier had spread. Justine‘s immune system had been under attack and weakened long before she collapsed. And, of course, there was no pregnancy.

When all the test results were complete and the extent of the disease confirmed, Justine, Sam, her sisters and her father had made the decision—she did not want to prolong the pain. There was a Do Not Resuscitate order in place on her medical chart.

John took the call at Jessie‘s desk, learned the facts and repeated them to June. ―It‘s really just a matter of saying goodbye,‖ he said.

―Does Dr. Worth say how long?‖ June asked.

―A few days, a few weeks,‖ he said with a shrug. ―She‘s in very bad shape.‖

―Well then,‖ June said. ―I‘ll go tonight and—‖

―This is just stupid!‖ Jessie snapped. ―Why was she so stupid? I don‘t know if I can be a doctor if people are going to waste good medicine and sign a damn death certificate!‖

John dropped an arm about her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. ―There are several things you need to think about right now,‖ he said patiently. ―One is, Justine might not have made it even with treatment. Another thing is, there are often no symptoms until ovarian cancer is advanced, so undetected and untreated, she might not have had even the last few months. But finally, Jessie, what you have to know is that each patient is allowed the dignity to decide for herself, for himself, what kind of life they want to have, be it short or long, be it filled with the struggle to survive or the peace of letting go. We‘re only here to help, not to remove choice.‖

―First, do no harm,‖ June said.

Jessie let a tear drop. ―Well, it really sucks.‖

―Doesn‘t it just,‖ John said, hugging her.

Pretty soon Susan and June joined their hug and the four of them stood embraced in the center of the office for a long time.

Miles away in Rockport, near the ocean, on the third floor of the hospital, Justine‘s family took turns sitting vigil at her side. Sam left her rarely, though her father and sisters pleaded with him to take breaks. Justine drifted in and out of consciousness, due to the weakness of her body and the high doses of morphine used to dull the pain.

On that Friday evening, June, John and Elmer all dropped by, patted her hand, wished her well and embraced those who would mourn her. On Saturday a few people from Grace Valley stopped by, reminding Sam and the family that they were not really alone. And although the doctor would not have guessed it would happen so soon, she passed on Sunday, just a few days after being admitted to the hospital. Some would find it shockingly fast, others would give thanks that she did not suffer long.

Justine had requested that her ashes be scattered from the rocky coast out over

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