Chapter 198
738 Words
Doctor Hal Fife looked up as Emma and Dean came into his office. He studied Emma’s face and he felt relieved when he saw that she looked happy and calm.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hi,” Hal replied. “Come and talk to me.”
“I wanted to say that I’m sorry for how I behaved the last time that I was here,” Emma said as she sat down. “I honestly can’t explain why I said the things that I did.”
“Oh, Emma. No need to apologize.” Hal leaned back. “Everyone’s reaction to the news of remission is different and despite what you’d think, most people don’t jump up and dance. Tears and shock are much more common, and I also see lots of disbelief. One man actually accused me of lying to him, said that I was in on it with his family to make him feel better. It’s a huge adjustment to have to make, and it can take some time.”
“Well, I’m pretty damn happy now,” Emma said.
“Yes, I can see that.” Hal glanced at Dean. “How are you doing?”
“Great.” He ran his hands through his scruffy blond hair. “This is what I’ve dreamed of for as long as I’ve known Emma.”
“OK, so.” Hal smiled. “Questions?”
“Millions,” Emma said. “But I guess the main one is, what do we do now?”
Hal nodded. “I need to see you once a month, at least for the time being. Before each appointment, you need to do the full run of tests: blood, bone marrow, everything. I’ll check them over, and discuss anything I find when we meet.”
“OK.”
“If nothing unusual happens after a year, we can start to do our follow-up once every three months, but never less often than that. You’ll get tested and see me regularly until you’re clear for four years.”
“Four?” Dean said. “I thought that three years of remission was enough for a person to be declared cured.”
“Not in this case,” Hal said. “Your leukemia was so aggressive, Emma, and it progressed so rapidly, that if it were to recur, I think we’d be surprised at how quickly it moved. That’s why I need to see you monthly for now and then we extend your remission period before we call all clear. If anything happens, we need to get ahead of it, no time to waste.”
“What should we be looking for?” Dean asked. “If it were to recur, what signs would Emma show?”
“It would present itself the way it did the first time, right in the beginning.” Hal turned to Emma. “Fatigue, dizziness, bad bruising, nausea, vomiting. If any of these things happen, you get back to me right away. I don’t care if a bad flu is going around Denver and everyone is puking their guts up – if you throw up, you see me, and stat. You understand me?”
“Yes.”
Hal opened his hands. “And that’s it, at least from my side. You’re a healthy young woman, Emma, so go out and live your life. Be happy. OK?”
She smiled at him, and he knew that she was finally ready to do what he said. “OK.” She got to her feet and when he held out his hand to her, she shook her head. “No way. The man who saved my life gets a hug.”
“I’d love that,” Hal said.
Dean watched as Emma and her doctor hugged tightly for a few seconds, then they stepped back.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “For everything.”
Hal held her shoulders gently for a little while longer, and smiled.
“I don’t get lots of success stories, Emma,” he said quietly. “By the time people get to me, it’s usually pretty bad. Mostly, it’s almost hopeless. Thank you for living – it gives me some strength to go on and help the next frightened person who walks through that door.”
“You’re welcome,” she said, tears in her eyes. “You have no idea how welcome you are.”
- Writer
