Remember When by EmKay Connor

Author:EmKay Connor [Connor, EmKay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-30T00:00:00+00:00

6

32 Weeks

“Thank you for meeting with us again.” Jules glanced over at her husband, who gave a nod of encouragement.

“Of course.” Dr. Navi stacked his hands on the patient folder in the center of his desk. “Have you had any additional seizures? Are the headaches worsening?”

“No. The…the…from the drugstore—” She looked at Ben for help and he whispered, “Medication.”

“The medication seems to be working.” She looked at the list of questions she and Ben had assembled after her session with Marisol and their “discussion.” “I was in shock after hearing the diagnosis and needed some time to get my head around the implications.” She grimaced at the unintended pun.

“Perfectly understandable.” Dr. Navi waited for her to continue.

“I need to understand what’s happening to my body,” Jules said. “Everything. What is happening and what could happen. Right now, and after you remove the tumor. I need to prepare for the worst and…”

“…and hope for the best,” she and Ben said in unison.

“Mrs. Rosner, there are no guarantees in medicine, especially when it applies to an organ as delicate as the brain.” Dr. Navi’s serious expression softened. “But in your case, I’m optimistic. Although we weren’t able to complete an MRI with contrast for a detailed visual on your tumor because of the pregnancy, I’m certain it’s an astrocytoma. They are aggressive, but relatively slow-growing. I’ve been in contact with Dr. Kettner, and we’d like to get you to at least thirty-six weeks. How far along are you?”

Jules’ mind went blank. She stared down at her rounded belly, searching her brain for a number.

“Thirty-two weeks and three days,” Ben supplied.

“Thirty-eight would be ideal, but this is a time-sensitive situation.” Dr. Navi seemed oblivious to her memory lapse. “I’ll monitor you via twice-monthly neurological evaluations, and Dr. Kettner will monitor the baby.”

“Wait.” Ben laid a small tape recorder on the corner of the desk. “Can I record this so Jules can play it back…if she forgets what you said?”

Dr. Navi frowned, then nodded. “Please understand this is subject to change. What I outline here is based on what we know today. Any change in your condition or the pregnancy may require a different course of action.”

“Understood.” Ben clicked on the recorder. “If everything goes according to plan?”

“You’ll deliver via C-section, and then we’ll schedule an MRI with contrast,” Dr. Navi spoke as if discussing something minor, like filling a cavity. It both irked and comforted Jules. “Then surgery. With luck, we’ll be able to remove the entire tumor. The usual protocol includes radiation and/or chemotherapy. Sometimes medication is required, which may preclude nursing although you could pump milk and freeze it or reach out to a breast milk bank if that’s a concern for you.

“After the craniotomy, you may experience mild pain, fatigue, and headaches. A postoperative MRI will be performed to ascertain if the entire tumor was removed. If not, additional surgery may be required. There can be ongoing complications such as memory loss, forgetfulness, balance and motor-skill issues, and headaches. You

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