Tumors on the wall

4

It's almost 8 am, they arrived at the hospital and went to Addison's office to get an update on the results off the test they took yesterday

"There's some good and bad news Meredith"

"Shoot" Meredith said

"Well.. It's stage 2 of breast cancer so we could save your own breast so we don't need to do a reconstruction. But.. you'll need chemo and radiation. We won't be able to take out the full lump and we found some metastasis in your left armpit.. I know this is a lot to take but you'll be fine Meredith, you're a fighter" Addison supported both of them

"When would you start?"

"Well I would love to have in the OR in 2 days, and you need to stay 4 days for your recovery and then I would like to start with chemo and later radiation.. I would suggest chemo once every once a week and 5 days a week radiation but we'll start after 4 times of chemo"

"Okay" Derek said

Meredith couldn't answer, she was too numb.

"Bailey will assist on your surgery, and I'll be your doctor the full treatment if that's okay"

"Yes" Meredith said

"Maybe you can go home, take some rest, enjoy your kids and maybe tell the people around you"

"Thanks Addison" Derek said

"No problem guys, call me if you have any question!"

"Thanks" Meredith said before leaving the room

"Can we pick up the kids? I need some time with them, and.. and we should tell them" Meredith said

"Of course, and we should tell Alex. Do you want to do it?"

"Fine, just take the kids in the car while I'll tell him they need to hear it on a normal way"

"I love you" Derek said

"I love you too"

Derek grabbed Meredith's hand and they drove to Alex's house

Derek was setting the kids in their car while Meredith told Alex the bad news inside.. she started crying and Alex comforted her.. Once she wiped away her tears, she stepped in the car and they drove home

"I'm gonna make dinner" Derek said.. he also needed some time to let the news sink in

His Meredith had cancer

His wife

The mother of his kids

The wife he would spend the rest of his life with

They have 3 little kids

She can't be sick

This is a dream

A bad one

But no

This is real

This cancer thing is their new life

Chemo

Radiation

Hospital's 

But not as a doctor

But as a patient

After dinner

"Der.. We need to talk to the kids separately.. Ellis won't understand and Bailey knows cancer but I.. I don't think he'll understand what's going to happen. Zola is old enough she knows what it is.. She'll be the toughest one"

"Maybe first talk to Zola? We can bring Bailey and Ellis to bed and then talk to her"

"Sounds good"

"Ellie, Bailey time for bed" Derek said

"Let's brush your teeth and dad will put you in bed"

"Mommy?" Ellis asked

"Yes Ellie belle?"

"Story?" 

"Zozo, do you want to watch some tv? I'm gonna put Ellis in bed and read a story while dad puts Bailey in bed"

"Okay mom" Zola answered

"She's getting so big" Derek whispered in Meredith's ear

Meredith nodded but she's so distracted. In a few minutes she'll break their happy family, their happiness will be ripped apart.

Derek and Zola were sitting in the couch while he was waiting for Meredith to come home to start one of their hardest conversations ever in their life.

"I'm back, she didn't want to sleep" Meredith said with no emotion

"Zozo, mom and dad need to talk with you"

Zola looked concerned

"Mom went to the hospital to get checked but the doctors noticed a lump" He started

"They discovered I have breast cancer Zozo.."

"Mommy? But? Why?"

"Well, Addison is gonna treat me, I'll be fine but.." She couldn't finish

"Mom will need a surgery and afterwards chemo and radiation Zozo.." Derek filled in

"When do you need the surgery?" Zola asked

"In 2 days.." Meredith said

"Mom will stay 4 days in the hospital to recover they will go in and cut out the lump." Derek explained

"After the surgery I'll need chemo once a week so I'll be sick sometimes"

"Does that mean your hair will fall out?"

Meredith and Derek didn't think about this.. but their daughter was right.. she's gonna be bald. Derek didn't mind as long as his wife will be healthy again but Meredith loves her hair.

"Yes" Meredith said

"But you're beautiful" Zola said to comfort her mom

"I love you Zozo"

"I love you too mom!"

Zola had a few other questions and they explained everything to her

"We still need to tell Bailey and Ellis, we'll tell them tomorrow" Meredith said