"Miss Clementine, why am I having to deal with cancer?" I ask her meekly.
"Hun, we all have trials and troubles. Sometimes other's have it worse, but in reality no one has it worse than other's. Someone's trials compared to another's trials may appear to be worse, but it's not really worse. In some peoples mind a death of a loved one is equivalent to a break up." She tells me this nonchalantly.
I sat there looking at her quizzically, and thought about the vast impact of her statement. I contemplated asking her if I could sleep, but then I realized that it is almost time for physical therapy,
***Fifteen minutes later***
"Knock knock sweetie, it's the mean old nurse." My favorite nurse Ms. Jaclyn says sarcastically.
"What must you do to me Count Stabula...amputation, beheading, or even worse-a shot?" I muffle laughter in an attempt to be serious.
Soon she explained to me that she needs to take me to a special room, and a nice doctor will do a test. I have to get a spinal tap done, and i was told that it will hurt. Miss Clementine brought me a letter that she found that Dylan had wrote to me.
Dear Baby girl.
I have spent several days attempting to determine how to ask you this. I know most guys take their girl friends out on romantic dates, and eat together. Then the guys drives her home, and with her father's prior approval, gets down on one knee and proposes. Well, there are several things wrong with that in our situation: 1-We are 11,000 miles apart, and I can't leave school. 2-You are in the hospital fighting a very debilitating cancer that may cost you your life, ultimately. 3-You don't have a dad for me to ask his blessing, so I asked you case worker. The state of Tennessee granted the request. So, here is a very special poem for you:
My Mother
My mother always said to me:
"Son, find yourself a girl who's nice and mild who'll stay at home with my grandchild. Once you've found her, hold her tight and thank your lucky stars at night!"
Now I love my mom (I cross my heart) but man, her girl's a boring sort.
To stay at home all day and night and wait upon her Mr. Right?
No thanks, not her- at least for me I want a girl who wants to see the world with me, and more besides! A girl who's brave and never hides her energy and passion.
In short- you love me, and I love you. While you're a wonderful girlfriend- (it's true) Let's make the plunge! There's none else I want, for life's wild ride, than you beside me as my awesome bride!
~Author Unknown~
Baby I really hope that you'll say yes. My mother has the ring, ask her for it and you shall receive it. I love you so much.
I squealed with excitement after I read his letter, and was bubbling with excitement. I didn't know the letter was there, it had been in my drawer for no telling how long.
"Miss Clementine! Miss Clementine! He proposed...your son, he proposed." I chirped excitedly.
She smiled at me, and said she'd meet me up in the procedure room after she visited with Dylan.
***2 hours later***
"Alright sweetie, I need to insert an iv okay?" The nurse stated more than asked.
I had already been injected with a relaxant, so I really didn't care what she did. I felt a sharp sting followed by a quick pang of shooting pain as the lengthy needle was threaded up my vein. I murmured words of discomfort. I soon was greeted by Miss Clementine and felt her warm hand enclose mine.
"Hun, these nice nurses are going to turn you over onto your side okay." I heard a faint voice say in a twisted up way.
That's all I remember, until I woke up. Miss Clementine says I smiled the whole time, and laughed through the pain. I smiled at her when I opened my eyes, and attempted to talk. My throat throbbed and hurt when I tried to speak.
"Hun, don't talk! You have a tube in your throat that's helping you breathe. You almost stopped breathing during the procedure, so you're stuck with this tube for a few hours." Miss Clementine remarked sullenly.
I didn't like how the tube felt in my mouth because I could barely swallow, and it made me feel like I was choking on it every time I attempted to swallow. I felt so miserable, but tried to mask that by pretending to be tired.
"Sweetie, how are you feeling this afternoon?" A nurse inquired.
I look at her and rolled my eyes, how am I supposed to answer her I wonder.
"Not trying to be rude ma'am, but she can't answer you." Miss Clementine stated bluntly.
