Belong (Seven Year Itch #3)(64)

“I’m not familiar with your wife’s family history, and she wasn’t very clear about it either. I’m sorry to have to inform you that we’ve discovered a very serious condition. While being treated for a pregnancy, we discovered some abnormalities with her blood work. After doing a through exam, it was found that she was never with child. This is very common when dealing with choriocarcinoma.”

“I’m sorry. Did you say carcinoma?”

“Choriocarcinoma,” he corrected.

I knew from years of living with my grandfather while he was ill and seeing the oncologist that was a form of cancer. “Wait a minute. She came in because she was bleeding. We must be talking about the wrong patient. My wife is healthy. She’s in her early thirties. There’s nothing wrong with her.”

“Sir, I understand how it would appear that way, but I can assure you we’ve done the necessary preliminary tests. We’re not yet sure of the extent, or if the cancer had spread, but once the oncologist sees her we’ll know more about how to treat it.”

I kept shaking my head. This was unbelievable. “What about the pregnancy? Are you saying she was never pregnant?”

“It’s a common side effect of the choriocarcinoma. It produces a false positive result because the body naturally produces and extra amount of the human growth hormone.”

“When will she see the oncologist? I want a second opinion. My family doctor operates out of Hopkins. I’ll make some calls and see if he’s available to look at her test results.”

“Sir, you’re welcome to a second opinion. As a doctor I encourage it. I realize this is a lot to take in. Until we know more I won’t be able to make a decision regarding treatment or alternative procedures.”

I nodded and shook his hand. “Thank you for taking the time to see me.”

“Before I leave you, I want you to know choriocarcinoma is a curable form of cancer. As long as we’ve caught it early enough we’ll be able to treat it with chemotherapy.”

I was too shocked to come up with anything else to ask him. I knew as soon as he was gone I’d have a ton, but I was struggling to keep it together while he was in my presence.

I could feel my phone vibrating in my pocket, but refused to pull it out to answer. This was unbelievable. I never would have seen this coming, and now I didn’t know what I was supposed to do.

After the talk, I made my way back into the hospital room to wait until she woke up and could talk to me. I knew she’d be upset, and all of a sudden nothing else mattered except making sure she was comfortable. I’d been through this with my mother, then my grandfather, and now my wife. Cancer was the devil, and no matter how hard I tried to stay away from the disease, it kept showing it’s ugly face.

Veronica started to come around shortly after I sat down. Her eyes fluttered open, finding mine. "Hey."

I stood and rushed to her bedside, not knowing what I needed to say. "Are you in pain?"

She immediately began to cry. "There was never a baby, Chad. They said I have a form of cancer that produces the pregnancy hormones. How is this happening to me after everything I've been through?"

I took her hand, fighting the urge to get emotional with her. I may not have wanted to be married to Veronica, but I certainly wouldn't wish this on her. "You'll get through this. The doctor said it's treatable."

“Harper,” she asked. “Where is she? She must be freaking out, Chad. She was so frightened. Have you seen her? Have you called?”

I understood she was changing the subject so I’d stop talking about it. If I were her I’d want to know everything about the condition, but I understood some people handle bad news in their own ways. “I came straight here. I’m sure she’s fine, but I’ll go call her if that’s what you want?”

At first she seemed like it was exactly what she wanted, until I started to walk away. She caught my hand at the last minute. “Wait. Can you call from here? I don’t want you to leave.”

“Regardless whether I call home or not, I’m staying here with you. We’re going to get this handled, and you’ll be back to your normal self before you know it, fighting me and giving me hell.”

She tried to smile, but new tears wouldn’t allow it. “What if I get bad news? I don’t know anything about this condition. Look it up on your phone.”

“I think it’s best if we wait for the diagnosis from the oncologist. You and I both know the internet makes everyone a hypochondriac.”

“I don’t want to die, Chad.” Her lips trembled as she said it.

I leaned over the bed and kissed her forehead. “You’re not going to die. Don’t talk like that. We’ve got a little girl who needs us.”

“It could happen. You know better than anyone how precious life can be.”

“Please don’t talk like your life is over. I’m here, and I’m not leaving your side. We’ll get through this as a family, like we’ve been doing for years.”

“Were you with her last night, Chad?” Her question wasn’t out of line, especially since it was the truth. “Did you fly all the way out there to see Rachel? Is that why you couldn’t be here with me sooner?”

I looked down at my hands, regrettably wishing there was something I could say to explain my actions. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here with you.”