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Life Choice (Chapter 3)
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“How will we know if this is working?” Alice knew Diane would tell her the truth.
“Her fever will break and her white count will go down.” Diane answered. “I’ll be back in fifteen minutes to check her vitals.”
Alice had never seen Dana this still and it freaked her out.
“Baby, listen to me,” she said. “You can do this.”
Bette walked into the room seven hours later, thanks to Peabody’s private plane and an inexplicably smooth ride from the Santa Monica airport to the hospital. She found Alice doing range of motion exercises on Dana’s legs while maintaining a running narrative of what she was doing. Even though Tina tried to prepare her, she was shocked by what she saw. Dana was on a ventilator, and had been placed on an inflatable mattress that hissed its mission every time it shifted her body to prevent bedsores. She’d lost an alarming amount of weight and her skin was pale, almost translucent. Bette’s famous reserve failed her.
“Oh, God. Dana.” she said involuntarily. “Why didn’t you call me sooner?” She stepped closer to the bed and kissed Dana’s forehead, then moved to hug Alice.
“She didn’t want us to,” Alice said blankly. “Until yesterday it was her decision.”
Bette noticed Irwin Fairbanks glowering at her from the hall.
“What’s his problem?”
“He doesn’t have any control over what’s happening. He’s scared.” Alice understood Irwin better than anyone, but he was beyond comfort.
Dana’s fever broke at four in the morning. Alice knew it before the nurse could check the telemetry because she felt Dana squeeze her hand. It was brief and it was weak, but she felt it. At ten, Dana started to show signs of increased consciousness and they had to sedate her to perform a new scan. At two Dr. Bowman convened another meeting in the family room.
“Dana’s blood work shows continued improvement,” she said. “Barring something unforeseen, I think she’s on her way to a good result.” Alice knew this pattern. Always start with good news.
“And the bad news?” she asked while the Fairbanks and Bette were still giving thanks.
“The scan showed a very small mass on her right lung.” Alice nodded her head and the doctor continued. “I’d like to keep her in a medically induced coma for a few days to give her body a chance to get stronger and then start her on the new chemo protocol. If we see some response in the mass, the plan will be to introduce the second round as soon as she can tolerate it. Then we’d wake her up and get her rehabbed in time for the third round, which would be 4-6 weeks later.”
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AH! I’m so excited! You almost gave me a heart attack after that last chapter. God, I love the bond that Danish has in this story. If only IC would have seen it like it is- Danish are soulmates. Great update, and thanks for not making us wait to long after that last chapter! Please post again soon. I’m completely addicted to this story!
Yay for some good news! If only Season 3 could have been anywhere close to this. Love it, hurry and update again!
DANA LIVES!!! I wasn’t so sure this would be a happy update. I like the fact that you are giving us more of what a cancer patient might experience. Did you do a lot of research? IC had an interesting storyline, but she could have done so much more, even if Dana still eventually had to die.
I’m too kind? You do know your writing is superb?! I’m sure this story will have me crying my eyes out at some point. I’m actually suprised thatI haven’t already. I think the warning you gave us helped. ;) I loved the fact that the gang is hovering aroundDana’s hospital room and Alice has the support she needs. I also like the fact that Dana’s parents (well, her mother) burried the hatchet. I wonder how long that will last. And the sleepyhead- line…priceless. Their love is just undeniable. :)And I agree with you, S3 was a bit drastic (and that’s an understatement), all of them should have had A LOT more happiness in S3.
well, i hope you don’t think my comment was also one of the “misguided” ones. I’m aware that this story will still have drama in it, that’s for sure.I’m glad Dana is ok now.
Wonderful update. I really enjoyed it. I loved how Alice got completely business-like when she had to be. I also loved the “sleepy-head” comment. Classic Alice. I hope that Dana is on the road to recovery, and all goes well. A girl can only take so much crying. I think she’ll bounce back. Probably not back to playing professional tennis or anything, but enough to be healthy and happy. She’s a fighter, and has the unconditional support of Alice and her friends. Great job. I can’t wait to read more.
holy cr*p!!! i just read your last 3 posts back to back. you almost wrecked me. it’s too much to bare & hits too close to home. wow! well done. i hope dana can catch a real break in your story and actually live a long healthy life.
Sorry, that I kinda doubted you in the last chap. You can feel free to throw stuff at me ‘cus I deserve it after reading this update. Anyways, thank God that you updated so quick because this one left off with hope. Btw, loved the sleepy head comment from Al. Sweet update and I’m holding my breath until the next:)
OHHH MY GOD!!! It’s a miracle!!!!! I’m sooo happy! I can’t wait to see what happens next. please let Dana be ok, this was such an emotional chapter and you wrote it so well. Your fortune cookie was right though, I think it’s very true! You’re great!!! Cant wait to read more, post soon!
Phew!.. God what a nightmare situation for Alice to find herself in [ to make THAT choice ]. Heartwrenching and yes i agree with you, not always heartbreaking!! Well thankfully it turned out right and i will look forward to seeing Dana recovering with the help of the lovely Alice. Post soon. Thanks.
Beautifully written – and the way it should have been. Thank you
she’s out of it – thank goodness!
This was so awesome! I loved the last chapter but man was it a tough read. LOL this one was a little nerve racking but ended with a little more hope! Thanks so much for the fast post. I love how you ended it. Such an Alice thing to say. “Welcome back sleepyhead.” Classic, selfless Alice. Keep up the great work!
Pff that was really to close to call! Man I wish IC talked to you before writing the crappy ending that she did. This is so much better, and now on the road te recovery?? Thanks for this quick update…keep um coming.