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    The Burden of Control – Chapter 15

    Story written on February 13, 2006 by tibette99.
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    49 votes, average: 3.06 out of 549 votes, average: 3.06 out of 549 votes, average: 3.06 out of 549 votes, average: 3.06 out of 549 votes, average: 3.06 out of 5 (49 votes, average: 3.06 out of 5)
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    Character(s): N/A
    Number of Comments: 23
    Words: 5504
    Story Shortlink: https://lesfan.com/?p=59567
    Author Notes:

    The oncologist talks shop to Bette

    Bette:
    Complicated names.

    Dr.
    Harris: Complicated drugs.

    Dr.
    Whitmore: Afterwards we’ll take a marrow sample to determine if another dose is
    warranted. You should expect your stay at the hospital to range anywhere from
    14-30 days

    Bette:
    Stay? II can’t. (pauses) I have work

    Dr
    Harris: Bette, believe me when I say that the last place you’re going to want
    to be is at work. A hospital stay is
    important for this phase of treatment because your body is going to undergo a
    significant amount of stress do to the potency of the medications. Not only are
    the drugs going to attack the cancer cells, but they’re also going to attack
    all rapidly dividing cells throughout your body.

    Bette:
    (shakes her head) I can’t be out for
    weeks. It’s just not possible.

    Dr.
    Whitmore: Putting this treatment off any longer is ‘just not possible’. I know
    that right now, you’re not feeling as badly as you had a few weeks ago. But if you continue to let the leukemia run
    its course, I can assure you that you’ll be feeling the effects sooner rather
    than later. And I can guarantee you’ll be in the hospital a longer period of
    time.

    Bette:
    I…I would have to give them notice. But I still don’t know if I’ll be allowed
    that much time off.

    Dr.
    Harris: (sighs) I can’t keep you in the hospital, Bette. The reality of the situation depends on how
    your body reacts to the treatment. As
    I’ve told you, everybody reacts differently.
    Some people have a bad reaction and have no choice but to remain in the
    hospital and others leave after a week or so with little difficulty.

    Bette:
    (brightens) So there’s a chance that
    I might be able to go home early?

    Dr.
    Whitmore: Yes. But I want you to understand that many of the side effects
    associated with chemotherapy therapy don’t occur until after the treatment has
    stopped. You may be feeling well enough
    to leave the hospital, but once you’re home you may experience the effects of
    the drugs.

    Bette:
    Such as?

    Dr.
    Whitmore: Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, and loss of
    appetite. There are drugs administered
    to prevent chemo associated nausea, but their level of effectiveness varies
    from person to person. Anemia is common
    and can cause fatigue, dizziness and shortness of breath. Low white blood cell counts can lower
    resistance to infections, which is why we need you to stay in the hospital for
    the beginning of the treatment and why we ask you to try to avoid crowded
    public places while you recover at home.

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    Comments

    2. You right this story so very well, Bette’s confusion is just the start. I don’t know if she should tell Tina, they aren’t together, and in the very near future Tina is going to be able to figure things out. I know this story is in very capable hands, I look forward to reading more. It makes S3 all the more bearable with Fan Fic. Thanks sooooooo much….

    3. You’ve written this with such honesty and candor that its realism spotlighted the difficulties faced by people suffering from such a horrible disease. Bette was overwhelmed by all of the information and the doctors’ frankness, but Bette’s the type of person who rather just know the facts so she can deal with it face on. I’m not sure whether or not she will tell Tina. Given the percentages of recovery and remission, she probably won’t tell Tina thinking that it wouldn’t be fair to her or the baby. However, I hope that she does…you need a strong support system. The gang, Kit, Tina, and the baby would be a wonderful support system…let’s hope Bette does too. Thanks for taking the time to continue with this amazing story. I appreciate your research efforts in trying to keep it real in terms of the hows, whys…thanks again.

    4. I BELIEVE IF T & B ARE CONNECTED AS WE’D LIKE TO BELIEVE, THAT T WOULD INTERPRET THOSE DREAMS AND KNOW INTUITIVELY THAT SOMETHINGS NOT RIGHT WIITH BETTE…AND SHE’LL DO HER DAMNEDEST TO FIND OUT WHATS GOING ON!!!!!!!!! UPDATE SOON, THIS STORY WAS MISSED!!!

    8. I think you balanced all the medical/technical info with the dialogue really well. I didn’t feel overwhelmed by the medical stuff at all as a reader. I look forward to your next chapter. It’s amazing to see how much time and effort you put into this. I’m enjoying the story. I hope it gives you all the comfort and enjoyment that you expected in writing it. (TMerlin)

    13. Thank you for continuing. Many have family / friends facing illness. I have a friend who has cancer. An extremely rare kind. The truth of the matter is that there is only so much a person can take physically. The fight may be valiant but the body will eventually succumb. I’m not sure how you’ve altered your story. I hope you’re not changing it just to have a happy ending. Please continue. Thanks.

    14. I identify with Bette’s character. If I were sick, I would be very selective about who I tell. I would not tell Tina with whom my relationship is now completely different. Unless I really, really, really have to. Esp. since she is pregnant. Thanks

    15. Thanks so much for the update. I’ve been following this story from the begining. Cancer is a horrible disease for anyone and a lot of people die from it. However, we must also remember there are many people who overcome it and live healthy lives again. With all the new advances in medicine everyday it is possible. Bette will need her family and friends more then ever now….please don’t let her pull away from them. Tina has to find out soon!

    16. Wow…i did not realize what a cancer patient can go through. Exceprional job of breaking down the medical jargon. I hope Bette opens herself up to the people around her including Tina. Looking forward to your next post.

    17. glad your back and it was a great chapter i followed it pretty good–bette has to tell tina 1st and then the gang does’t change things between t and b but she needs to know because of their past love for each other—-i’m still watching each week s3–but at least i don’t let the tears fall;; fanfic storys that share their love are the best but i keep some hope that ic is playing with us–great job post soon

    18. Bette needs to talk with her big sister Kit. I’m not sure who Kit will lean on. Tina chose to leave Bette and isn’t even sure she wants her in her life or the baby’s. Tina should find out about Bette by a chance encounter after Bette starts to show signs of her illness or reaction to the drugs. Bette doesn’t owe her and Tina has moved out of that partner role so she really has not responsibility to be there for Bette. If you have that many chapter ready, let them rip, thanks. :-)

    19. This is a very difficult story to read at times, becuase of the nature of cancer. It takes way too many people’s lives each year and it does not matter how young or old one is. I hope that Tina tells Bette about the baby even before she finds out how sick Bette is. Maybe that will help Bette to fight with all of her might to continue to live. Thank you for this heart wrenching story.

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