LesFan

Lesbian Fan Social Network

    Fan Fiction

    This story has been set to a rating of PG-13. Age verification is required to proceed.

    Age Verification

    I am years of age as of today, November 11, 2026

    Enter your current age into the field provide above. Stories with a rating of R or NC-17 may contain material not suitable for children. LesFan requires that all individuals wishing to read these stories confirm they are of at least 17 years of age. LesFan uses the MPAA rating labeling system for all stories.

    LesFan will also make a best attempt to filter profane words in stories that are not rated R or NC-17 unless the individual confirms they are of at least 17 years of age.

    LesFan uses the following rating scale for stories.






    Submit

    The Burden of Control – Chapter 15

    Story written on February 13, 2006 by tibette99.
     Login to add story to favorites
     Login to add author to favorites
    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)
    You need to be a registered member to rate this post.     Loading ... Loading ...
    Genre(s):
    Rating:
    fanfiction(s):
    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:
    I’m really not comfortable in a therapy group setting.

    Dr.
    Whitmore: It’s really not like that at all.
    You don’t have to speak if you don’t want to. Most of the people who attend take comfort in
    knowing that there are other people who understand what they’re going through.

    Bette:
    I’llI’m really not sure that’s ‘me’, but I’ll think about it.

    Dr.
    Whitmore: That’s all I ask. (pauses) Well if you’ll excuse me, I have to make
    my rounds. (to Bette) I’m sorry that we
    had to meet under these circumstances.
    But I promise to do everything possible to treat your leukemia quickly
    and efficiently.

    Dr. Whitmore rises and
    extends her hand to Bette once more.
    Bette shakes her hand and then stands. She glanced down at her watch.
    Ten minutes left to get back to work and a twenty minute drive ahead of
    her. Good thing she told     Franklin that she was
    out looking at ‘potential work’ for the midseason show.

    Bette:
    Thank you Dr. Whitmore.

    Dr. Whitmore leaves and
    Bette turns to Dr. Harris.

    Dr.
    Harris: I know we talked though a lot and I’m sure it’s difficult to take it
    all in right now. Do you have any
    questions about anything we’ve discussed? Or any questions that we haven’t
    covered?

    Bette hesitates a moment.

    Bette:
    Just onewhat are my chances?

    Dr.
    Harris: That’s the most difficult question to answer. Percentages are nothing
    more than a base average. Following a stem cell transplant, patients have a
    mortality rate between 35-50%, depending on how many relapses occur.

    Bette:
    Those aren’t very good odds.

    Dr.
    Harris: They aren’t. When dealing with this specific form of Leukemia, there is
    a golden period. Relapse after four to five years of remission is rare. We can’t guarantee that it won’t come back,
    but your odds are exponentially better after that time that you will be cancer
    free.

    Bette:
    (dismayed) Four years is a long time.
    (pauses) Thank you for your candor…I had done research and found some
    positive percentages as well as some negative.
    Yours lies right in between, but I guess the middle isn’t the worse
    place to be. (pauses) I’ll be sure to call the department to schedule my
    admission.

    Dr.
    Harris: I’ll hopefully see you next week then. Take care Bette, and remember
    what I said about support.

    Bette:
    I will.

    Bette shakes Dr. Harris’
    hand and leaves. On the way back to the
    CAC, Bette cannot help but think back to the conversation she just had. The
    terminology, the percentages, the optionsthey all brought their own complexity
    and confusion to Bette’s already overwhelmed mind frame.


    Her life was about to change.

    Again.

    And the more she thought
    about the possible outcomes, the more unsettled she became.

    Page 6 of 6« First‹ Previous456
    «
    FF Main Page
    »

    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.

    Leave a Reply