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Authors: Becky Lyn Rickman
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something?”
“I wish it were that simple actually. You had some internal bleeding. It seems you have an ulcer and have had for some time. Were you aware of it? I don't find any reference to it in your medical records. I don't find much at all, actually.
“No, I wasn't aware, but I'm not surprised. It's been quite a ride so far, my life.”
“Well, we were able to stop it, but when we were working on that, we ran into something else. We found some cancer.”
“Cancer? Why? How? Where?”
“In your lungs, I’m afraid. Are you a smoker?”
“Oh, goodness, no! I smoked when I was a kid, but not in over 30 years.”
“I’m so sorry. I wish I had better news for you. We will need to talk about a treatment plan.”
“I’m not sure that I want one. I am not a big proponent of aggressive treatments that generally render you more damaged than they do you good.”
“I understand, but I must tell you that this is a very aggressive cancer and you are in stage three. Unless we do something, you could go very quickly. Do you have family?”
“I have more family than you could ever possibly have conceived of, if you'll pardon the pun. They have lives of their own now. I have 10 grandchildren so far.”
“Husband?”
“No husband. Two ex-husbands. We really don’t need to bring that up, do we?”
“I understand, but a brood like that, I would think you would want to be around for the kids? What exactly is going on here? I don’t mean to pry, and you certainly have the right to choose, but I just can’t imagine not trying to stick around for my family.”
“I know I must sound so selfish to you. I’m sure this is difficult to understand. It’s just that I have done a great job of raising them and they are all so self-sufficient and to be perfectly honest with you, I’m worn out. Life has been more of a chore lately than a joy.”
“You need someone to talk to. I’m going to schedule you with a friend of mine. He is a great listener.”
“Translation: head doctor. I’m not nuts. There are many who chose not to take heroic measures. This is all very new to me. Ten minutes ago, I didn’t know I was even sick. Why don’t you just give me a few days to absorb all of this and process through it? Then I’ll make a decision.”
“I get the feeling, Miss Austen, that you are dismissing me. Don’t you have any questions for me before I go?”
“How long?”
“As I said, this is very aggressive. The fact that it got to Stage 3 without you really knowing anything about it tells me that. I would give you six months to a year without treatment—longer with.”
“How will I go?”
“That is hard to determine. This type of cancer can metastasize, but right now it is isolated. You will become increasingly weak, have difficulty swallowing and eating. You will be tired. Eventually your body will just give out.”
“And pain? Will there be a lot of pain?”
“I wish I could tell you that there won’t, but that would be misleading you. Yes, there will be pain.”
“What are my chances with treatment?”
“There is a slim chance that treatment will be effective, but a chance nonetheless. Please speak with Dr. Bentley before you make any decisions. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“I want to go home. Can you make that happen? I have cats that haven’t eaten in three days.”
“Your cats are fine. We found a note with you that said they would be cared for. I actually would like for you to stay for just a couple of day more so that we can give you some more IV fluids and get your strength back up. I could have Dr. Bentley come see you this afternoon. Will you speak with him?”
“Fine. I will speak with him, but ultimately this is my decision.”
“Agreed. Please understand that whatever you decide, I will partner with you to make you as comfortable as possible.”
“Thank you, Dr. Thomas. May I rest now?”
“I think that would be a great idea. Please don’t hesitate to
“I wish it were that simple actually. You had some internal bleeding. It seems you have an ulcer and have had for some time. Were you aware of it? I don't find any reference to it in your medical records. I don't find much at all, actually.
“No, I wasn't aware, but I'm not surprised. It's been quite a ride so far, my life.”
“Well, we were able to stop it, but when we were working on that, we ran into something else. We found some cancer.”
“Cancer? Why? How? Where?”
“In your lungs, I’m afraid. Are you a smoker?”
“Oh, goodness, no! I smoked when I was a kid, but not in over 30 years.”
“I’m so sorry. I wish I had better news for you. We will need to talk about a treatment plan.”
“I’m not sure that I want one. I am not a big proponent of aggressive treatments that generally render you more damaged than they do you good.”
“I understand, but I must tell you that this is a very aggressive cancer and you are in stage three. Unless we do something, you could go very quickly. Do you have family?”
“I have more family than you could ever possibly have conceived of, if you'll pardon the pun. They have lives of their own now. I have 10 grandchildren so far.”
“Husband?”
“No husband. Two ex-husbands. We really don’t need to bring that up, do we?”
“I understand, but a brood like that, I would think you would want to be around for the kids? What exactly is going on here? I don’t mean to pry, and you certainly have the right to choose, but I just can’t imagine not trying to stick around for my family.”
“I know I must sound so selfish to you. I’m sure this is difficult to understand. It’s just that I have done a great job of raising them and they are all so self-sufficient and to be perfectly honest with you, I’m worn out. Life has been more of a chore lately than a joy.”
“You need someone to talk to. I’m going to schedule you with a friend of mine. He is a great listener.”
“Translation: head doctor. I’m not nuts. There are many who chose not to take heroic measures. This is all very new to me. Ten minutes ago, I didn’t know I was even sick. Why don’t you just give me a few days to absorb all of this and process through it? Then I’ll make a decision.”
“I get the feeling, Miss Austen, that you are dismissing me. Don’t you have any questions for me before I go?”
“How long?”
“As I said, this is very aggressive. The fact that it got to Stage 3 without you really knowing anything about it tells me that. I would give you six months to a year without treatment—longer with.”
“How will I go?”
“That is hard to determine. This type of cancer can metastasize, but right now it is isolated. You will become increasingly weak, have difficulty swallowing and eating. You will be tired. Eventually your body will just give out.”
“And pain? Will there be a lot of pain?”
“I wish I could tell you that there won’t, but that would be misleading you. Yes, there will be pain.”
“What are my chances with treatment?”
“There is a slim chance that treatment will be effective, but a chance nonetheless. Please speak with Dr. Bentley before you make any decisions. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“I want to go home. Can you make that happen? I have cats that haven’t eaten in three days.”
“Your cats are fine. We found a note with you that said they would be cared for. I actually would like for you to stay for just a couple of day more so that we can give you some more IV fluids and get your strength back up. I could have Dr. Bentley come see you this afternoon. Will you speak with him?”
“Fine. I will speak with him, but ultimately this is my decision.”
“Agreed. Please understand that whatever you decide, I will partner with you to make you as comfortable as possible.”
“Thank you, Dr. Thomas. May I rest now?”
“I think that would be a great idea. Please don’t hesitate to
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