Janice was eager to hear all the details about my morning with Gabriel and the doctor, though I felt that she was more interested in the Gabriel part. She was very supportive and empathetic about the situation and declared she was going to move back and take care of me after my surgery.
“No Janice, I’ll be fine!” I assured her. Remi told her several times that he was going to take care of me during my surgery and although it took a bit of time for him to convince Janice, she finally conceded that I was in good hands.
“You better take good care of my girl,” she glared at him. She was a good foot shorter than Remi but that didn’t stop her from asserting her dominance with him. Remi smiled down at her and nodded.
“Yes ma’am” he said bowing slightly.
“Now you two love birds run along, Aunty Janice has some dishes to do '' she said, shooing us out of t
Remi drove me to work for my first week at the diner where I learnt everything Sally had to teach me. She was eager for me to be on my own so that she could migrate to Florida for the winter. We had discussed my impending surgery and she had assured me that someone would take over for my two weeks of convalescence.I enjoyed living with Remi because like everything else in our relationship it was easy and simple. He was uncomplicated and doted on me. Before starting his job in Newfoundland he worked at his dad’s shop as a mechanic. I had met his parents and immediately adored them. They were very supportive of their son and incredibly sweet with me. I was sad when he left in September but I also had a nagging feeling of relief that filled me. Remi had lent me his truck to travel to and from work while he was gone and added me to his TV, internet and electricity account as a shared user so that I could contact them if I needed to.On
Remi and I were at the hospital for 7 as I had been instructed by the preadmission nurse over the phone. I was fasting and quickly developing a headache from the lack of caffeine in my system. As a show of solidarity, Remi was also fasting and going without his coffee. The nurse weighed and measured me then instructed me to change into a hospital gown before proceeding with a pre-op questionnaire. She ran some blood work, installed an IV into my left hand, brought me a warm blanket and told me that the doctor and anesthesiologist would be in to see me before wheeling me over to surgery.Doctor Helm knocked on the door and introduced himself to Remi. Before turning his attention to me.“How are you feeling this morning, Miss Saunders?” he asked politely.“Nervous”“I can imagine, but rest assured you are in good hands. Did you have any questions for me this morning?”
I returned to Remi’s apartment and took stock of the place. I would most likely be able to move all of my things out in one trip. I did not own any furniture, electronics, blankets, or any household goods, all I had was clothes, a few toiletries, my phone and the plant Gabriel had bought me. I didn’t particularly want to move back to Manitoba and besides, I would need to wait for my biopsy results before I could make up a decision about leaving New Brunswick. I laid in bed cuddling up to a pillow that smelt like Remi and fell into an exhausted dream filled sleep. I did not feel rested when I woke up but decided that I should start looking for an apartment and a car the same day.There was not a whole lot of choice when it came to furnished apartments but in the end I contacted an elderly lady who was renting a room in her house. It would be appropriate lodgings for me as I had very little to bring along. Her house was also close to Sally&
Janice and her boyfriend were picking me up from the airport. Though Sam was a very nice good looking guy he was also very intimidating. His sharp dark eyes were always watching and analyzing the surroundings. I understood that he was a private investigator, but it made me wary to be around him. It was only when we were at Janice’s apartment that he seemed to let his guard down and became warm and open, especially when Janice was around. I totally understood why she was into him. He was the typical tall, dark and handsome guy women sought out.“How long have you two been together now?” I asked when he left to get food for supper.“About a year, but we’ve known each other since we were kids,” she said with a smile.“Does he live here with you?” I asked, curious about their living arrangements.“Oh no!” she laughed. “Sam is far too independent
Dr. Helm sat close to me, his knee touching mine in a comforting way. He took my hand between his and looked at me with an expression of sympathy."I'm afraid I have some bad news," he began. My heart leapt into my throat and I could hear it beating in my ears. "Unfortunately the mass we removed last January was in fact cancerous. You have what is called a differentiated thyroid cancer of the papillary carcinoma variety. The good news is that the tumor was completely encapsulated, which means it most likely didn’t spread. But because we took half of the thyroid out, we need to make sure we didn’t disturb another encapsulation and increase the risk of the cancer spreading. It's unlikely, but I'd rather be safe than sorry, right?" He gave me a small smile as I nodded, unable to say anything. "Honestly, if you were to choose cancer this is the one you would want to choose. The five year survival rate is excellent and most people only need minimal
I woke up to dull rumbling pains in my stomach. I hadn't eaten all day and I suddenly felt dizzy and light headed. I rummaged through my bag looking for a night gown to slip into before heading out of the room. Gabriel was sitting on the couch with the TV on mute, he was absentmindedly watching while strumming his guitar. I watched him, smiling, then he began singing in a deep melodious voice that sent chills down my spine."Ain't no sunshine when she's goneit's not warm when she's awayAin't no sunshine when she's goneAnd she's always gone to longAnytime she goes awayWonder this time where she's goneWonder if she's gone to stayain't no sunshine when she's goneAnd this house just ain't no homeAnytime she goes awayAin't no sunshine when she's gone, gone awayAnd this house just ain't no home
After being cared for by Gabriel for two weeks, the two of us became a little stir crazy. He suggested we start going for walks every night, and drove me around to various little hikes that were suited for my level of activity. The walks we took probably helped increase my activity tolerance but that nagging voice at the back of my head made me dwell on the breathlessness I was feeling. I worried incessantly that my thyroid hormones were below normal levels and I obsessed about whether the cancer had spread elsewhere.Finally, Gabriel brought me to see his family doctor who ran a series of blood work on me and checked to see my levels of thyroid stimulating hormone. Everything was normal but she prescribed some medication to help with my anxiety. Gabriel had a few questions he wanted to ask the doctor and the two of them dismissed me into the waiting room.I picked up an old Canadian Living magazine from the coffee table that was set up in a corner
After spending a long weekend away we returned to Gabriel’s house where I planned on gathering my things and going to my rented room for a few days before starting work again.A black Toyota corolla was parked in Gabriel’s driveway when we arrived and I felt Gabriel tense next to me. Unsure who the car belonged to, I felt it safest not to question him for the time being. As usual he helped me down from the truck and placed me gently on the ground before kissing me. He made two trips to bring all of the bags inside. Chrissy was standing in the living room when entered and I felt the tension leave my body momentarily. I hadn’t asked Gabriel how far along she was but I assumed she was in her third trimester, judging by her basketball sized belly. I had never given pregnancy much thought but seeing Chrissy in all her pregnancy glory got me to thinking about it.“I’ve been trying to reach you all weekend!” sh