The Heart Matters by Verna Hargrove

Author:Verna Hargrove [Hargrove, Verna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rain Press
Published: 2024-01-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

“The pain in my leg is intensifying each day,” Carl bemoaned.

“We really need to notify your doctor,” Mary insisted, placing her hand on his forehead to check for a fever. “I’m just so tired of doctors,” he replied wearily.

“I understand, but we have to let him know what is going on and see what he advises.”

Throughout the night, Carl moaned and groaned, leaving Mary concerned.

The next morning, Mary noticed his restless night. “It sounded like you had a rough night.”

“I didn’t sleep a wink.”

“It’s definitely time to see your doctor,” Mary asserted.

“Oh, Mary,” Carl groaned. “That will be so hard.”

“I’ll be by your side every step of the way.” She clasped his hand. “Let me make breakfast. Then I’ll call your doctor to see when we can go see him.”

She brewed coffee, scrambled eggs, and made toast. Mary devoured her food while Carl pushed his food around on his plate.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m just not hungry.”

“Carl, you have to eat. You’re losing too much weight,” Mary squeezed his hand. “I want to get a second opinion from a doctor today. Okay?”

When Mary called the doctor, she was told there was no one waiting. “If you come now, we can get Carl right in.” At the doctor’s office, Mary accompanied him into the examining room. He described his pain as aching and throbbing. “I’ve been too ill to even do small chores around the house.”

The doctor said, “That doesn’t sound like you at all, Mr. Mauldin. My nurse will draw some blood for various tests. I’ll see you back here in a week with the results.”

Back home, Carl rested while he waited to be called back. Carl’s bones ached so much. Mary found him in his chair, moaning. He said that he had stabbing, excruciating pain now in his leg. “I’m so sorry,” said Mary. She got the red liniment out of the bathroom cabinet and rubbed it on his leg. After a short while, he said, “I can’t bear to have my leg touched. You can’t rub it anymore.”

They went back to the doctor the next day and were given the worst news. “Your white blood count is low. It looks like you have bone cancer. That is what is wrong with your leg.”

“You won’t have to remove it, will you?” Carl asked.

“No, sometimes cancer in the bone weakens the bone to such a degree that it leads to breaking the bone elsewhere. We will use radiation and put you on a healthy diet,” the doctor explained.

Weeks passed, and Carl only got worse. When he found it difficult to breathe, he was given a chest x-ray. The cancer had moved into his lungs. “We need a better doctor.” Mary made arrangements with her sisters-in-law to watch the children. She called the Mayo Clinic in Chicago. The assistant on the phone said, “Whatever kind of cancer you have, we will treat it.” “Thank you,” Mary said. “Whether it is most common or most rare, we will help you. Our experienced experts work as a team to care for your needs.

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