Love after loss

Chapter 4 - The diagnosis

* One year later *

I looked at my husband with concern clearly showing on my face.

“I’m fine Elle, you know I get these chest things a lot”

“No you aren’t. It’s been 2 weeks and this virus has not shifted at all. I’m going to call the doctor”

He started grumbling but was interrupted by an intense coughing fit. I picked up the phone and quickly dialed making an appointment for that day.

“Its just a cold, it’s November for Christ’s sake”

“Well, I will believe it when you show me that medical degree you’ve been hiding”

“You’re a terrible wife” he laughed

“And you’re a baby, Derek” I retorted helping him to his feet.

When we were seated infront of the doctor and explaining his symptoms he didn’t look overly concerned.

“So it’s lasted 2 weeks now? I heard some wheezing on your chest. Could be a chest infection, we’ll prescribe a course of antibiotics”

I looked at Derek full of worry

“He’s been coughing up blood too”

“How much”

Now Derek dropped his cocky demeanour looking worried for the first time 

“A lot. Started as specks here and there but now...” he trailed off looking at me slightly guiltily. He hadn’t told me it had gotten worse.

The doctor noted it down and looked back to us

“Okay Mr Miller. We’ll get some blood work done and schedule an X-ray of your chest ASAP and figure out what’s going on”

A few days later we were seated in the doctors office after Dereks X-ray waiting to talk through the results. The doctor looked up at us with a grave expression on his his face. 

‘Oh god this is bad’ I thought to myself

“Mr Miller, Mrs Miller” he gestured toward another man seated in the room

“This is my colleague Dr Andrews and I’ve invited him in as This is his field and he is more qualified to talk you through the results and answer any questions you may have”

Dr Andrews leaned forward shaking both our hands in greeting.

“I’m sorry to have to tell you this Mr Miller but we found quite a large mass on your lungs..”

“We will need a biopsy to confirm but at this stage we are almost positive you have lung carcinoma...”

My head was swimming, I couldn’t breathe. It felt like the world had stepped on my chest and was trying to crush my very foundations. I grabbed Dereks hand and he squeezed it back hanging on tightly to me as if I was anchoring him in.

The next hour passed in a blur of intense information and questions back and forth. 

“What’s the treatment” I finally managed to choke out. 

“Once the biopsy confirms we can start a round of chemotherapy”

“Will it work” Derek asked

The doctors shared a look that was weary

“We will know more when we start treatment”

I felt a hot tear escape my eye and run down my cheek

“Well then what are we waiting for”