Chapter 88
The days went by too quickly. Despite the opinions of all my doctors, I went ahead with the radiation treatment. Nick and I weren’t that ready to give up. We cried, we laughed, and we found strength in each other that we didn’t know existed. Everyone was so wonderful to us, helping us out with Katie. The boys always fought over who got to talk Katie for the day or who was going to hold her. Although they loved every minute they were around her, there was always strain on everyone.
It had been a week since I had been told. I was feeling okay, despite the fact that my life was being cut so short. It was such an odd feeling to know that there was this tumor inside my head that was killing me, yet, I didn’t feel anything more than a nagging headache and fatigue.
“Nick?” I asked as I talked into the phone.
“Heather? Is everything alright?” he said into his cell.
“I am so tired, and I’m hungry.” I said as I started to cough uncontrollably. “What time do you think you will be home? I was going to pull a casserole out of the freezer and put it in the oven. Is that okay with you?” I asked, feeling exhausted.
“That sounds good, I will be home in about an hour. We just finished the recordings, and we are working on the album name. And then I will leave here. Umm, Heather, are you sure you are okay? That cough doesn’t sound too good” he asked. “I want you just lie down and relax until I get home. Dr. Sigapeli says to get plenty of rest.” Nick ordered.
“Yes, sir, I know.” I said as the coughing started again. “Oh, before I forget, your mom and dad called and said that Angel and Aaron wanted to stop by. So, I said they could come for dinner if they didn’t mind a casserole. Why don’t you pick up some chocolate ice cream and stuff for them, so they can have dessert? And could you pick up some cough syrup for me?” I persuaded him.
“That sounds good. Just when they get there, have them call me. That’s if I am not home of course. I want to tell them something. I love you hon. I will talk to you in a while, okay?” Nick answered.
“See you in a little while. I love you too. Bye bye.” I said and then hung up.
*** *** ***
“How is Heather’s radiation treatment going?” Brian asked.
“Umm, there has been no change, but we are hoping for the best. Her worst problem is the fatigue and the headaches. There is nothing they can do. They gave her pain killers, and stuff, but we have a problem. She is so tired and all that sometimes she can’t get up out of bed. And, well, being immobile like that, and just after having major surgery, they are afraid of her getting pneumonia. If that happens, it will be very difficult to fight. Her poor body is worn out and frail, and all the treatments they are giving her is weakening her immune system.” Nick answered.
The four others just looked at him. “Nick, my God…to think that you two are going through this. How do you cope with it?” Kevin asked.
“We just do. We live each day like there will be no tomorrow, we hope for the best, and we enjoy what we have. What else can we do?” he answered softly. “Who would have ever thought that the little note I put in the liner notes of the Millennium cd would have so much meaning. Heather has tried to follow that simple phrase. Do you know what she even had made?” Nick asked, but it was much more of a statement.
“No? What” Howie asked.
“She had a friend of hers paint a picture of the ocean and the beach. And on the bottom, in very fancy handwriting, she has written, ‘Live life to the fullest, for the future is scarce.’ She keeps it right on the dresser next to the bed, so that she can see it all the times.” he answered.
The five of them sat around, amazed at how much life was changing for them. Their album was running behind schedule, Brian and Leighanne were getting married in about 3 weeks, and well, Katie was always around. The only saving grace to the whole problem was that the fans, of all people, were the most understanding around.
“Did you read the fan letter I put up on the bulletin board in the hallway?” AJ asked.
“No, what did it say?” Nick asked.
“Well, this young girl, who just lost her mother to the same disease Heather has, wrote in to give her love and support you and Katie. And then she wrote, and I quote, ‘Dear Nick, AJ, Brian, Kevin, and Howie. I know that your lives are turned upside down and things aren’t going the best for you. But please know in your hearts that I love you all very much, and I am praying for you all. Take your time, your fans will still be here when everything gets better. May God be with you all…and I know in my heart that the angels are watching over you…because my mom is one of them.’” AJ said as he wiped a salty tear from his eye.
“She deserves something for that. I think I will write her a letter and send her something. That was too kind.” Nick said softly. “Did she include a mailing address?”
“Yes, she sure did, and a picture. They are both up on the board with the letter.” AJ replied.
After a few more minutes of discussion, none of it pertaining to the album’s name, Nick said he had to get going, and left. The four others departed as well to go home to their sweethearts.
On the way out the door, Howie stopped AJ. “Hey, man, what is this I hear about a pretty young girl named Brianna?”
“Oh, well, if you want to meet her, she will be at my house tonight. I met her two weeks ago, at the mall. She is so sweet and well, beautiful. Long brown hair, chocolate brown eyes, and a sweet little smile. I fell for her the minute I saw her.” AJ bragged.
“Well, I think it is time you make her known to all of us. Since when did you start keeping secrets from your best friend?” Howie asked with a laugh.
“Since he went to Europe and didn’t invite me along!” AJ punched at him, laughing.
“Well, me and Kat didn’t want you there. You wouldn’t have been able to stand us…I mean, being all romantic and stuff.” Howie bragged as they walked out to their cars.
“Yeah, well, just wait til you see Brianna, she’ll knock your socks off.” AJ exclaimed.
“I don’t need my socks knocked off, I already did, when I first met Kat.” Howie shot back.
The two of them laughed and the drove off towards their homes.
*** *** ***
Angel and Aaron had arrived, and I immediately had them call Nick. I didn’t know what he wanted, but he sounded serious.
“Yes sir. Uh huh, yup…okay….Yes. I said YES! Yeah, she is coughing really bad, Nick. I am worried about her.” Angel whispered in the phone. “Okay…yes, sir…yes, sir. Okay, see you in a few. Bye.” I heard Angel say.
“Angel honey, what did Nick want?” I asked her.
“He wanted me to make sure that Aaron doesn’t give you a hard time. He says were to be on our best behavior, and help you out any way we can. And if we didn’t, he would tie us up by our toenails in the bathroom…” she giggled.
“OH did he??!! Well, I will just have to have a chat with him about how he treats my niece and nephew.” I smiled.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” Angel asked.
“Well, you could go and get Aaron and ask him to set the table. I just put the casserole in the oven, so, it should be ready by the time Nick gets home. He is bringing you some ice cream for dessert. So, as long as you eat everything, then you can have some dessert. Now, if you would mind getting the table ready, I am going to lay down for a bit. I am a bit out of breath. All this coughing is really wearing me down. When your brother comes home, will you tell him I am laying down?”
“Sure Heather. Are you taking Katie back there with you, or do you want me and Aaron to watch her?” Angel asked politely.
“I will take her. She needs to take her nap anyway.” I said.
I put Katie Lynne down to sleep for a bit, and then went to lay down myself. I felt a bit tired, and out of breath, and didn’t understand why. The radiation treatments didn’t hurt at all, but I was finding that my fatigue kept me from being up and around much anymore. What scared me was the I could develop pneumonia if I caught even the littlest sinus cold or allergy attack.
I had to lie down, and there was nothing more I could do. I didn’t feel any better, and to be honest, I was tired of trying all the treatments. Dr. Sigapeli told me that there was no improvement on the tumor. It was actually getting larger, and my time was running out. The treatments were more likely damaging the good cells in my brain, and that was why I was so tired. Then to top it off, the tumor was not allowing the artery to my brain to pass enough oxygen to keep me vivid and alert.
I soon fell asleep, and didn’t wake up until I felt a kiss on my cheek.
“Nick, is that you?” I asked as I stirred.
“Yes honey, are you okay? Angel said you looked kinda tired and pale. Is there anything I can get for you? Dinner will be ready soon. I just checked on it?” he said sweetly.
“Could I just get a glass of water and the cough syrup?” I said and then laid back down.
Nick soon returned with a glass of water, and he helped me sit up. “Heather, you don’t look good. Here, it says to take two teaspoons of this syrup.” he said.
“Gee thanks. I knew that I was looking pretty crummy, but gosh.” I said as I sat there. “And this damn wig is making me itch. I wish I could take it off.” I said.
“You can. The kids won’t mind. Trust me. They won’t be uncomfortable. And, you shouldn’t be either.” he said.
I thought about it for a moment, and then pulled the wig off. It felt good to just be myself and not worry about hiding things. I went over to the mirror in the bathroom and stared at myself for a few moments. I picked up the baby brush and gently bushed the tiny hairs left on my head. I washed my face and then looked back towards Nick who was grinning from ear to ear.
“What are you grinning at?” I asked, feeling shy.
“You. You know what? You are the most beautiful woman in the world. I am so glad that I get this time with you.” he said sweetly.
“Trust me, Cindy Crawford looks way better than me. Especially in a bathing suit.” I said with a smile.
“But, I have you…and that is all that matters. Plus, you have the sexiest man in the world…and Cindy Crawford doesn’t!” he laughed.
“Oh…is that it??!! Well, are you ready to go and eat dinner? Angel is probably trying her hardest to get Aaron to the table.” I said.
*** *** ***
“Guys, are you ready for dinner?” Nick yelled out on the back porch to Aaron and Angel.
“Yup!!” they both yelled and then came running in the room. They stopped dead in their tracks when they looked at me sitting at the table.
“Heather!! Where’s you hair??!!” Aaron yelled.
“Aaron! That was rude! You sit down and don’t ever do that again.” Nick yelled.
“It’s okay honey. It really is. Aaron sweetie, the medicine that the doctors gave me to help get rid of my cancer, made all my hair fall out. All I have are these tiny little hairs that are growing back.” I said, coughing again. “I hope it doesn’t embarrass you.” I said confidently.
“No, you just look different. But it’s cool Heather. Really!” Angel said. All Aaron could do was stare. Angel would just smack him in the arm every time he did.
The dinner went well, and Nick treated them to huge bowls of ice cream. The rest of the evening was spent watching Star Wars Phantom Menace. When the movie was over, Aaron and Angel asked if they could stay the night. We figured that since it was so late anyway, and the kids didn’t have school, it would be a good idea. Nick showed them to the guest rooms and they went to bed. Nick knew that they would be up extra early and would probably want to go surfing out back.
*** *** ***
the next morning…
“NICK!! Have you seen the waves out there??!! WE gotta go surfing. Can me and Angel use the boards in the garage?? PLEASE!!” Aaron said, jumping down on the foot of the bed.
“Yes, but just hurry and get outta here. Heather is trying to sleep…and so is Katie Lynne. If you wake her up, I am sending you home.” Nick said groggily.
Aaron and Angel ran out the back door and had fun in the surf as Nick and I slept. Nick would roll over and check on me, but grew concerned when he couldn’t wake me.
“Heather honey, wake up. It’s past 9:00 am. Come on. Heather?” Nick kept asking.
After several attempts, he had no success. He jumped up and ran out to get Aaron and Angel. “Kids, get in here. Hurry!” he hollered down the beach.
The kids came running in and listened to Nick. “Angel, call mom and tell her and dad that I am taking Heather to the hospital. Aaron, help me get her out to the car. Hurry!” he said, trying to stay calm.
“Heather, please honey, wake up.” he said, shaking me gently.
I tried to open my eyes, but felt so weak. “Nick, help me…I can’t breathe very well.” I said weakly.
“I’m taking you to the hospital. Aaron, help me please. Angel, get Katie Lynne!” Nick yelled.
Nick carried me to the truck, and then put Katie in her car seat. Angel and Aaron jumped in the car and we sped off towards the hospital. The whole way, Aaron and Angel kept talking to me, trying to keep me awake. Nick never panicked. He just did what he had to do to get us there safely.
Once we arrived at the emergency room, Nick ran around to my side of the car. He lifted me out and carried me gently.
“Help me please! My wife can’t breathe. She was coughing a lot last night, and I had a hard time waking her up this morning. She is a patient of Dr. Sigapeli. She has cancer…and just had major surgery a few weeks ago.” Nick said nervously. “Please, help her!”
The nurses got me on a gurney and wheeled me into a trauma room. I didn’t remember much except them putting an oxygen mask on my face. Then I felt a prick in my arm. What was happening to me?
“Mr. Carter, you need to wait outside until we get her stable again. Don’t worry…it will be okay.”
For some reason, Nick knew in his heart that is wasn’t going to be alright.
He knew that he would need to start calling family.