Katherine and Gabriel have known each other for 71 days.

ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

Gabriel's kiss lingered. "Definitely not. I'm where I want to be. My concern is I may not know how to help."

"Just being here's enough. That you're excellent at."

He checked his watch. "I'd better get home. I'll come by in the morning to get Jordan." He paused. "I'll be here around my usual lunch time and take you for your infusion. I think Sarah's coming too. Mom and Dad will be available to get the boys from school." He stood and offered his hand to help her up. After they walked to the door, another kiss followed. "Good night."

TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 49

Monday Gabriel stood at the kitchen door and watched Katherine sitting on the back porch, before he said, "Sarah said you were out here. Are you enjoying the beautiful day?"

Katherine turned. "I'm thinking about how fast life changes, and the little control we have over it."

He leaned over, kissed her, and then sat. "True."

Sarah brought out a tray with lunch. "Katherine, you should eat before we leave."

"Mom, you didn't need to go to this much trouble."

She put her hand on Gabriel's shoulder and teased, "Yes, I did. I have firsthand knowledge of this man's appetite."

"Guilty as charged." Gabriel glanced at Katherine. "Are you joining me?"

"I'm not hungry."

Sarah frowned, as her eyes met Gabriel's, she turned and then went inside.

Gabriel held Katherine's hand. "You need to keep up your strength."

"I know, but I have a nervous stomach. I'm not sure anything would stay down."

"Understood." Gabriel pushed his plate aside.

"Please eat. I know you're hungry."

"I'll wait." He glanced at his watch. "We need to leave in a few minutes anyway."

Katherine stood. "I'll finish getting ready."

Gabriel watched her go inside.

Sarah returned. "Please eat something. I'm sure she'll be a while." After Gabriel took a bite, she continued, "She's frightened."

"We all are." He took another bite. "I'll give her a few minutes."

After sitting, Sarah said, "Katherine will be angry with me for saying this but you need to know." She took a drink of tea. "My daughter never discussed her marriage, but we knew things weren't right. She closed all communication. Bob went there on more-than-one occasion to bring her and the boys home. I'm afraid she'll close us out again."

Putting his hand over Sarah's, he said, "I'm going to do my best to keep her from it. She needs our support."

Getting up Sarah hugged Gabriel. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to her. She was back to her old self again; now this."

He kissed her cheek. "Thank you for saying it." He glanced inside the house. "I guess I'll see if she's ready."

"Sure you don't want to eat more?"

Gabriel chuckled. "As tempting as it is, I'm sure." He stood in front of Katherine's bedroom door for a few moments and took a deep breath before knocking. "You about ready?" When she didn't answer, he leaned his head against the door. She's crying. Now what? He glanced at Sarah, who motioned for him to enter. "Katherine, I hope it's okay but I'm coming in."

As he spoke, the door opened. "Thank you." He studied her face. "You look like you could use a hug." He opened his arms and waited. Once she accepted the hug, he kissed her forehead. "Is there any way I can make this easier?"

"No," she whispered.

"I'm here." After she nodded, he continued, "Ready?"

"Not really, but I don't have a choice." She swallowed. "Let's go." She reached over, grabbed a jacket, and her purse.

*****
Inside the hospital, Katherine stood at the counter of the oncology department. As she waited, she glanced at Gabriel and Sarah.

Sarah grabbed Gabriel's hand and whispered, "She's nervous."

He grinned at her hand holding his. "So's her mom." He took his free hand and covered hers. "I'll see what I can do." He walked up and slipped his arm around Katherine's waist.

She leaned into him. "I have to have blood work before anything happens." When his eyes widened, she added, "Before each infusion, they'll check my red and white blood cells along with the platelets. They're checking for the obvious, anemia, low white blood cells; infection. Low platelets; bruising and or bleeding. This is going to be brutal, isn't it?"

"Yes, but you're stronger. Just remember cancer can't conquer your spirit."

Katherine nodded and mouthed, "Thank you." She laid her head against his chest.

*****
After completing the labs, they returned to the waiting room until an oncology nurse called them back. Once Carol called them and they went to her office, she immediately placed an adhesive containing numbing medicine over her venous access port. "This will help since today's the first time we've accessed it. It can sting. The more often it's used the less it stings, but we'll numb it each time, just in case." As she took Katherine's vitals, she explained, "I'll be your nurse through the entire process and anytime, day or night," she handed her card to Katherine, "call with any concerns or problems."

Katherine handed it to Gabriel. "Please hold this for me."

He accepted it.

Carol teased, "Your weight's good. I wish you had a few extra pounds. Most people lose weight with this process. You don't have any extra to lose."

Gabriel chuckled. "I've mentioned you didn't have ten extra pounds hiding anywhere."

Hot pink crept across Katherine's cheeks.

As they walked into the infusion room, Carol pointed to a hanging bell. "After your last treatment, you'll ring that bell."

Katherine stared at the bell and exhaled.

Gabriel's hand patted her arm. "You'll make it."

She glanced at him and nodded.

Carol adjusted some plastic tubing. "Katherine, please unbutton the first few buttons of your blouse so I can prep the port." As she waited, she said, "Phase one will last eight weeks. First we'll infuse Adriamycin." She held up the bag. "As you can see it's bright red. Your urine will have a red tinge to it for a few days. When this bag's finished, we'll start the Cytoxian. The entire process will take about two hours. Both of these cause hair loss, fatigue, and nausea. I'm sure Dr. Emil prescribed an anti-nausea pill."

Nodding Katherine said, "He did. I took it a few hours ago. I understand I take another one tonight and tomorrow morning."

"That's right." Carol checked the infusion line. "It's working. Sit back and relax." She pointed to the TV and handed Gabriel the remote control. "In case you want to watch something. I'll be by to check on you."

Katherine's eyes met Sarah's and then Gabriel's. "There's no way I can relax."

*****
A few hours later they arrived home. Katherine attempted to go straight to her room, but Gabriel and Sarah convinced her to sit on the couch and wait for the boys. Gabriel held her hand. "The boys are worried. They need to see you're all right. Mom and Dad are picking up Jeremy and Joel. When Joshua finishes with practice, I'll get him. Bill will bring Jordan home after practice."



~~~~~
I've tried to explain Katherine's first chemo infusion the best as I could and express the emotion. When it got time for me to leave the house to go to the hospital, to be honest, I refused to go. My husband, Brian informed me that I didn't have that choice that I was going to fight the cancer. These two drugs were the same as my first go round of chemo. I did have third one also infused, but it was an experimental drug, so I am not discussing it in the story. One day I was having a pity party over my hair loss.  My son, Steven, he was a senior in high school, said, "Mom, I'd rather have you bald than dead."  He reminded me of what was really important.   I will be happy to answer any questions that I can.
~~~~~


CHARACTERS:

Katherine Riley: age 33 - widowed: husband died 6 months ago. She moved to Texas from NYC with her four sons. She teaches high school math and also coaches girls cross country.

Daisy: Katherine's yellow Labrador

Gabriel Hudson: High School football coach and former NFL defensive lineman

Reggie: a very large English Mastiff

Jeremy: Katherine's six year old son. He's in first grade.

Jordan: Katherine's fifteen year old son. He's a sophomore.

Joshua Katherine's thirteen year old son. He's in 8th grade

Joel Katherine's eleven year old son. He's in 6th grade.

Paul Edwards: High School principal and Gabriel's friend.

Angie Brooks Math teacher and Katherine's friend.

Rebecca and Harold Hudson Gabriel's parents

Sarah and Bob Beck Katherine's parents, Bob is deceased

Bill Brooks Assistant football coach, Gabriel's friend, and Angie's husband.

Harold Hudson Gabriel's dad and football announcer.

Troy Elder Lawyer and friend of Gabriel from his pro-football days