Bette and Tina have been waiting for hours now in Staceys office for the results from the scan. Exhausted from last night Tina had fallen asleep resting her head against Bettes chest. Bette with her arms wrapped tightly around her wifes body finally drifted off to when she could no long fight to keep her eyes open.

There was a knock at the door that woke them. Stacey walked in with Dr. Morrison. They took their seats across from Bette.

Stacey started first. Dr. Morrison and his team have read and they believe.. Stacey couldnt finish.

Dr. Morrison: Ms. Porter we believe you have what is called Glioblastoma. Its a malignant tumor of the central nervous system, usually occurring in the cerebrum of adults……

Bette hasnt heard nor understood a single word he said past We believe you have. Stacey stops the doctor and asks if he could give her a moment with Bette and Tina. Dr. Morrison nodded his head and stepped out.

Stacey: Bette I know this is hitting you like a ton of bricks. I know its hitting both of you. Unfortunately because of the type of tumor it is, we have to act fast. So I need you both to try to pull yourselves together. I need to explain what this means.

Tina is speechless. All she can do is cry. Bette is trying to comprehend what Stacey is saying.

Bette: How bad is this? (the only words she could get out)

Stacey: I wont lie to you Bette. To either of you. Its very bad. But with radiation therapy in addition to surgery it has been shown to prolong survival in patients with GBMs compared to surgery alone.

Tina: Survival rate. What does that mean? Is Bette going to die?

Stacey: Bette, Tina. These tumors grow very rapidly. Frequently at a rate of 10% of their volume per week. The average survival of patients harboring these tumors is 37 – 50 weeks following diagnosis with treatment and only 17 weeks after diagnosis without treatment. About half of the patients diagnosed with these tumors had low grade which could have been curable had they been found in time.

Bette: Are you telling me that you found it in time? Or that you didnt?

Stacey: We did not. (Tears falling down her cheeks despite trying to be strong for her friends.)

Tina: Wait this cant be happening Stacey. Shes been under treatment with chemo for so long. How was this missed? (Getting angry at Stacey)

Bette: Tina calm down baby. Its not Staceys fault. I wouldnt be here to begin with if it wasnt for her. So dont get mad at her honey. This isnt her fault.

Tina: I’m sorry Stacey. I just dont understand how this could happen.

Stacey: Tina, Bette to be honest I dont know either. I am just as shocked and upset as you are. I dont know how this was missed. Its never happen before.

Bette: What happens next? I mean what if I decide to have the treatment. What will it do to me.

Tina: What do you if. Youre going to have it.

Bette: I know baby. I’m just trying to break this down in my mind.

Stacey: Basically Bette, this is the type that affects the CNS. You will have neurological symptoms that result from astrocytoma development.

Bette: Stacey, English please.

Stacey: You will start to suffer anything from altered mental status, cognitive impairment, headaches, visual disturbances, motor impairment, seizures, sensory anomalies, or ataxia. Which means An inability to coordinate muscular movements that is symptomatic of some nervous disorders.

Bette: (jumping to her feet) Stacey enough. Stop I need a minute. This is all happening so fast. I mean your telling me theres no cure. So I’m going to die. Then you tell me I am not going to be able to take care of myself or my family. That I’m. I’m going to end up like my kids in diapers. All that and in the end I die. No I dont believe this. I wont believe this.

Tina is becoming hysterical. Stacey has to get a nurse in to assist in sedating her. Stacey is also trying to keep Bette calm. Bettes attitude is becoming all business like in a way. Stacey can tell she is shutting down. Bettes only concern at the moment is Tina.

Stacey: Bette I am going to drive you and Tina home. No arguments.

Helping Tina to Staceys car the sedation is taking affect. Tina is much calmer now. Once they arrive home Bette and Stacey help Tina to bed. Shell sleep a few hours Stacey told Bette. But shell be ok. She was just in shock from the news.

Bette checks on the twins as Kit and Stacey wait in the living room. Now Stacey helps Bette break the news to her sister. Kit becomes just as upset as Tina but is able to calm down as Bette holds her in her arms. Stacey is dying inside having had to tell her dear friends. She excuses herself to the bathroom and finally lets it all out. Muffling the sound with a towel. Regaining her composure Stacey rejoins them in the living room.

Bette: Stacey, I dont now what to do. If I have the treatment it might give me 30-50 weeks. If I dont I have 17 weeks. My question is what (taking a deep breath) What type of quality of life am I going to have doing the treatment?

Stacey: Bette, you will have to have another surgery first. Then is it going to get worse before it gets better or it could be like your chemo was. Youll be tired more than you were and you will need help more than you did before.

Kit: Baby sis you have all of us. Well be her to help you. And Tina with the babies.

Bette: I’m sorry I’m not making any sense. I just cant think straight. What I am trying to What I need to understand the difference. If I have it. I mean since there is no cure only delay. Lets say I dont have the treatment. Will I be stronger to take care of my family with the time I have left. Do that make any sense?

Stacey: Bette, I think I know what you are asking. Your saying you understand you are going to die and have accepted it. Right?

Bette: Right. Like I have a choose.

Stacey: You want to know what will give you more quality time with your wife and family without being tired and having systems from the treatment. Right?

Bette: Right.

Stacey: Then my answer is no treatment. But you will die sooner. Given the chance with treatment Bette you could live so much longer.

Bette: Thank you Stacey. Thats what I need to know. I think now I need to discuss this with Tina. When we make a decision Ill let you know.

One week later Bette is having the surgery.

Stacey was to emotionally involved as their friend to do the surgery. She was able to observe and one Bette was out of surgery she spoke with the surgeon. What she heard from the surgeon had Stacey in shock. She had to compose herself before she could go out and tell them the news.

Bette was moved to recovery for a while then in ICU so she can be monitored around the clock. Stacey has some really bad news and she was so afraid to tell Bettes family about. Dr. Morrison and Dr. Lewis walked out in to the waiting area with Stacey. Knowing how hard this was going to be. Stacey took everyone in to a private room. Once everyone was seated Stacey took a deep breath.

Stacey: Bette is out of surgery and everything went great. Actually better than we expected. She is in recovery now and then ICU so we can monitor her around the clock as a precaution. Now the bad news.

Tina: (a look of horror) BAD NEWS?! Stacey what in gods name could be worse?

Stacey: Tina, Kit. I am afraid there was a mistake. (Now getting angry) A huge mistake.

Shane: What kind of ***** mistake Stacey?

Stacey: (glaring at Dr. Morrison and Dr. Lewis) Apparently the brain scan was wrong. When the surgeon began surgery he couldnt find anything wrong. Bette is ok. Shes going to be ok Tina. She not going to die. They made a mistake. NO they fucked up royal!!!

Both Doctors got up and left as a barrage of questions, shouting and screaming came at them from everyone. Tina and Stacey trying to calm everyone down so Tina could get some more answers. In the mean time Dr. Morrison had called security to have them all removed.

Security arrived and were about to escort everyone out when Whit walked in dressed in full uniform. Stacey called Whit on her cell knowing this could get ugly.

Bettes family had every right in the world to be angry. ***** even Stacey was pissed to no end. Whit spoke with Security and advised them that this was her family. Head of Security arrived after Whit had called him. They were good friends.

Being on the force so long you tend to make a lot of friends. She explained that everything was going to be ok. Most importantly that it would not be a good idea to piss her off at the moment after finding out how badly the hospital fucked up. How they would hate for it all to hit the papers tomorrow morning. So Security left.

After everything settled down all Tina wanted to do was go see Bette. So Stacey and Tina left to go to ICU. Kit and the gang would wait there until they got back. Hopefully giving them time to calm down.

Tina and Stacey entered Bettes room. So was still very groggy but awake. Tina leaned down and kissed her wife. No long able to hold the tears back.

Tina: Bette, youre going to be ok baby. Everything is going to be fine.

Bette: Hey baby. Gosh you look great.

Tina: I look horrible, but thank you. (Kissing Bette again)

Stacey: Bette, theres something I have to tell. I’m not sure how you are going to take this, but you Youve got to remain calm.

Bette: Stacey what could you possibly say to me that would freak me out more than telling me I’m gonna die.

Stacey: Bette, you not dying. The fucked up. Messed up interpreting your brain scan.

Bette: Youre shitting me?! OK I’m on heavy drugged and I am dreaming. Wake up Porter. This isnt a funny dream

Tina is standing there looking at Bette crying so hard with happy tears she cant speak. All she can do is shake her head yes, its true.

Stacey: Bette I am so sorry. The surgeon found their mistake. He stopped immediately when he realized Morrison and Lewis had fucked up. Youre still going to be in ICU for a day and them moved to a room tomorrow. Technically you still had surgery. So the surgeon wants to keep an eye on you. OK.

Bette: Stacey I want you to listen to me and listen to me good. Are you listening?

Stacey: Yes Bette. I’m listening.

Bette: No one. And I mean no one is to touch me but you. I want out of this hospital before they do kill me. I dont care what you have to do but I am going home tomorrow.

Stacey: OK Bette. I understand. Ill take care of it.

Bette: Now I dont mean to be rude but I would really like some time alone with my wife. Its seems we have a future to plan after all.