Life Is a Gift. Esther Portalatin

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СКАЧАТЬ Are you alright?” “I’m fine, thanks.” As she heard the sound of the machine, she couldn’t help but ask, “Why me? Why did it have to happen to me? I knew so many people with cancer, but I never thought it would happen to me. I’ve done nothing to anyone. I’ve always extended my hand. I’ve always allowed people to walk all over me and never did anything about it. This is what life has to offer, sickness, pain and misery? I just don’t get it.” She finally heard, “All done Ms. Gines. You did great.” She looked at him as if to say, “I didn’t do anything but lay here.” She was taken back into her room, where she waited anxiously for the results to come back. Doctor Lanes walked in and said, “Ms. Gines, I just received the results and this is the story. You have a mass in your right lung, but the good news is that we can shrink it through aggressive chemo. We have to treat it aggressively because we don’t want it to mastastersize. At this point it hasn’t spread and that’s good. I know you’ve been through chemo already, so you know what the side effects are. You know what the course is. I’d like to admit you today and begin treatments tomorrow, if that’s okay.” She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She was in complete shock. “You mean to tell me that I only have one mass? North Central told me I had several masses.” Doctor Lanes assured her by saying, “I don’t know what North Central saw, I can only tell you what we see right here. Let me show you.” As he showed Marisol the films, he explained in detail where the mass was, why aggressive chemo was needed, and that after her treatment they would repeat a CAT scan, to make sure the chemo was working. This news gave Marisol a bit of hope. She could see how Doctor Lanes was compassionate and real. He was a no nonsense type of doctor who wanted the best for his patients. She felt somewhat better about her illness. She wondered if Lillian’s prayers had anything to do with this miracle.

      While Lillian waited in the lobby, Jal called to make sure her mom was okay. “Hi Jal, aren’t you working?” “Yes mom I’m working, but I wanted to make sure you were okay.” “I’m fine. I still don’t have any news. I’m still waiting. I’m praying everything goes well.” “Mom, hold on to your faith. I’m sure everything will be alright. She has cancer, so you know it’s not going to be easy. I wanted to tell you something but I’ll wait till tonight.” “No sweetie, tell me now. Don’t get off the phone yet, I need to talk.” “But I don’t think it’s the time for me to tell you right now.” “Please Jal, stop playing around and just tell me.” “Well ok. Do you remember Thomas Harris? You know the young man that came from New York to purchase some of my clothing line?” “Yes I do. What a nice young man. What about him?” “Well mom, he’s here again and he asked me out on a date tomorrow night. What should I do?” “Let’s see Jal, you liked him from the very first time you saw him, you thought he was a nice young man, you liked how he was professional about his work and you thought he was cute. Sounds like you like him to me, but then again, I may not know anything. Silly girl, it’s a date, not marriage.” “Oh mom, I’m a little nervous about this.” “Rightfully so, but it’s perfectly normal to be nervous. I got nervous every time Michael was around. I’d pretend not to care, but I really did. What I’m trying to say honey is that if you like him, then give it a try. It’s only a date anyway. If you find that you don’t like him then you won’t have to ever go out with him again. Understand?” “Thanks mom. I will.” “Don’t be stubborn like your mama was. I almost lost Michael.” Doctor Lanes walked out to find Lillian talking on her cell phone. “Huh um, Lillian.” She realized Doctor Lanes had called her name and hung up without saying goodbye. “Oh I’m sorry Harry, I was talking to Jal.” “Not a problem. Everything’s done. The CAT scan showed a mass on her right lung. Nothing we haven’t dealt with before. I’m admitting her today so I treating her tomorrow morning. She’ll have one course of aggressive chemo; we’ll retest her and take it from there. We can beat this thing Lillian if she’s determined and if she complies with everything I ask her to do. I know you’ve agreed to be beside her through this entire journey, but I want to warn you that at times it’s going to seem like she won’t make it. It’s going to be rough for her, so I need you to be her coach and keep positive.” Lillian was now reliving the day Michael spoke to her about Shannon. She now knew God was preparing her back then for the people she would be helping in the future. Her heart raced and she felt faint, but she had to get control of her emotions and realize that she had to be a supportive friend to someone she didn’t quite know. There was no way she could turn back now. She found herself saying, “I’ll be a true friend till the end Harry. I will keep positive and I will not let her down. Count on me.” Doctor Lanes smiled and once again said, “You have a huge heart. Michael should be very proud.” He walked away and there remained Lillian, open and willing to do what God would call her to do these next few months.

      Part 3

      Two weeks later, while Skye sat in her Health class listening to Mrs. Brown discussing drugs and tobacco, Isaac, a senior who seemed to be repeating the class for the second time, was the class clown. Skye completely understood why he would be repeating the class, he didn’t take anything seriously. Mrs. Brown had enough of him and had asked him to leave and go see the Dean. For sure he was in trouble. She thought of how, back home, none of this would be happen in the classroom. Everyone had to pay attention and do well despite the many interruptions. It dawned on her how many teenagers took school for granted. She asked to use the bathroom to get a break from the chaos in class. While walking in the hall she saw Sarah. “Hey, aren’t you supposed to be in class?” “Who cares about class Skye? My dad can buy all these teachers. I can decide not to attend school for a year and still pass all my classes.” “Wow, well that’s not too wise. How could your dad buy the teachers? What do you mean?” “Hello!!! Skye, you’re really naïve. You know, like pay them off.” Skye shook her head in disbelief. “Oh, that would definitely be bad for you though.” “Really? Why?” Skye looked at Sarah as if to say “duh.” How are you going to get a job if you don’t know anything? In the real world Sarah you need skills, you need knowledge. Money isn’t going to buy your way through everything in life.” “Oh well, it sure as hell has gotten me this far.” “I can’t continue listening to this Sarah. I have to get back to class. I thought I needed a break from class, but this is worse.” “Weren’t you going to the bathroom?” “No, I just needed a break from Health class, but now I need a break from you. I don’t know which is worse.” “What do you mean?” “Sarah, you’re 17 years old, you never attend your classes, you care about nothing, you have no friends, you roam the halls all day and all you do is complain? What are you complaining about?” “You don’t know my life, and you sure as hell don’t know me. That’s the problem Skye, everyone judges me.” “I’m not judging you Sarah, if you haven’t noticed, I’m your only friend. I deal with your mess every day. I don’t mind helping you, but come on do something for yourself.” Sarah disregarded what Skye said and asked, “Can I come over today Skye?” “I have lots of homework. Two tests to study for and one project to finish. Some of us attend class and learn.” Skye noticed the look on Sarah’s face and softened her heart. “Yeah you can come over, but bring your books. Maybe you can study too.” “Yeah, okay. But I don’t see the point.” Skye ignored her last comment as it was brainless and absurd. She couldn’t wait for the school day to end so she could go home and call Casey, her best friend. During lunch, Sarah managed to find Skye, who seemed to be hiding. She wished she could become invisible, but Sarah saw her. “Skye, do you mind if I sit here?” “Nope! Go right ahead.” “Are you going to start treating me like the rest of them?” “Of course not Sarah, but you’re too old to act like you’re ten. You don’t want to have to depend on “daddy”, for the rest of your life. There’s going to come a time when you’re going to want to be independent, do things, explore things, and that’s not going to happen as long as you have “daddy” running your life.” Sarah listened intently as Skye spoke. She realized that Skye was a true friend. She sat and said, “I don’t want to depend on my dad for the rest of my life, but he tells me all the time that I don’t have to worry about school. My uncle, whom I hate with a passion, lives with us. He tells me I don’t need a profession because we are very wealthy and can live off of our money. He does nothing and lives off my dad’s money. He’s always drunk.” Skye didn’t realize how bad Sarah’s situation was at home. СКАЧАТЬ