Pagewalker (Library Gate Series Book 1) by H. Duke

Author:H. Duke [Duke, H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jupiter Dog Books
Published: 2018-07-08T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

“We have reason to believe these masses are cancerous…”

April stared at Dr. Applewood. Everything he’d said since he’d presented them with the MRIs showing the phantom-like shadows throughout Gram’s body had sounded like gibberish.

He must have finished his speech, because Gram said, “So what are our options for treatment?”

April forced herself to focus. It felt like trying to read while drunk.

He grimaced. “I have discussed your case with my team, and we do not feel that any of the conventional treatments will be effective at this point.”

Gram looked shocked. “But the chemo was very effective for me.”

Dr. Applewood shook his head. “Unfortunately, the cancer has spread. Somehow, we missed it during your monthly checkups. We’re dealing with a new beast, here.”

“I see.” Gram said. To anyone who didn’t know her, the hard set of her jaw would indicate resoluteness. April could see through that to the fear underneath. “So what do we do now?”

“Go home. The cancer does not seem very aggressive at this point. You still have some good time left. Enjoy it.”

“How much... good time?” Gram asked.

“Months, maybe. After that, we can discuss hospice care options…”

“No.” April said, shaking her head. It was like she had been paralyzed, then suddenly was able to move again. “That’s not acceptable. We can’t just give up.”

Dr. Applewood did not look surprised or angry at her outburst. He said calmly, “In the vast majority of cases like your grandmother’s, the use of chemo and radiation has only diminished quality of life without a significant increase in lifespan.”

“There has to be something we can do. An experimental treatment? Anything!”

“April…” Gram said, a warning tone in her voice.

“That is all our hospital is equipped to provide,” the doctor said.

“Are you telling me that another hospital may be able to help us?” April said. She was willing to grab onto any possibility of hope.

“Our hospital is staffed with some of the finest doctors and specialists in the country,” the doctor said. “But there are private hospitals that have been having limited success with their own methods in cases like your grandmother’s. But…”

“But what?”

“They’re prohibitively expensive.” the doctor said.

“We’ll find a way.”

“Even if you could, they’ve had fifty percent success rates at best.”

“Fifty percent is better than giving up!”

The doctor interlaced his fingers in front of him on the table. “I wish there was something else we could do.”

“Is that all?” Gram asked.

“For now,” the doctor says. “But we’ll schedule a follow-up visit for next week.”

Gram sighed. “Thank you, doctor.”

They walked out into the hallway.

“We need to look into this private hospital as soon as possible,” April said. “We can’t let it get worse.”

“April,” Grandma said, looking tired, “You heard him. We can’t afford it.”

“We’ll find a way,” April said. “We can take a loan out on the house.”

“No. That house is all I have left to leave you. It’s your security after I’m gone. We are not throwing away your future for a chance at… what? An extra year or two in a hospital bed, needles and tubes in every square inch of my body? I don’t think so.

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