I chuckle, “I wish it were that easy.”

“Well, you start taken better care of yourself, eh? And if you don’t, I’ll be there.” With that she starts to walk towards the elevator.

I throw a wave her way, “Bye Bette.”

I walk to a nearby trashcan, throwing my rubbish away. Making my way down the long hallway. You know, I walk down this hallway at least ten times a day and it just seems to get longer with every trip.

I let out a deep sigh, preparing myself to enter Dana’s room. I have to be strong for her even though I’m scared shitless.

I see her lying in the hospital bed. She looks so small and insignificant. Her head is covered by a scarf, and there is oxygen being feed into her nose through a plastic tube. She has various IV’s running into her body. All of that and nothing is helping.

I walk to her bedside, talking her hand into my own, “Hey baby, how are you feeling?”

She smiles, squeezing my hand and that is what keeps me going. Everything I have gone through in the past few months make sense. My whole world makes sense when Dana is in it.

“Let’s go hit a couple balls. Did you bring my racket because I’m sure we could make a makeshift court out in that hallway,” she jokes.

I smile, “Whoa there killer, I don’t think you’re quite to that point yet.” I take a seat on her bed.  “So what did the doc have to say?”

I feel her spirits and mood change. “Nothing just the normal bullshit.”

“Hmmreally. The normal bullshit never usually takes almost an hour to spew.”

“Yeah, well I guess ***** just keeps getting better and better then.” She turns her head to look out her window.

“Hey,” I grab her hand, “What’s wrong babe? What did the doctor say?”

She looks down, “Well you know how the treatmentsuhstopped working.”

I try to calm her nerves, cupping my hand under her chin, “Baby, yes”

I see small tears for in the corners of her eyes, “Wellhe says I’m coming down to my last options nowandwell the only way to prevent the spread is to get rid of the source.”