"You wouldn't worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.
-Eleanor Roosevelt.
Natasha POV
I sat in the waiting room running fingers through my hair I desperately needed to know what was going on.
"Miss Valenti?" A doctor said.
I stand up hastily with Natalie and Massimo at my tail.
"That's me. What's happening to my aunt?" I asked.
"I'm Doctor Julian. Your aunt had just another fall." He said.
"Another?" I asked.
"Ma'am I clearly see that you are unaware of your aunt's state." He said. He then looked at Natalie and Massimo.
"Can you give up a minute?" He said.
"Sure. We will be in the lobby." Natalie said giving me a hug.
Leading the way towards the office, taking a seat he closed the door.
"So where should I start?" He asked.
"From the beginning obviously," I said impatiently.
"So a few months ago your aunt came to the hospital for some checkup. Soon she discovers that she had Chondrosarcoma." He said.
"Chondrosarcoma?" I asked.
"Yes Chondrosarcoma, is a type of sarcoma that affects the bones and joints." Dr. J said.
"Is it curable?" I asked.
"Well, it is rare cancer that accounts for about 20% of bone tumors." He said. "and is diagnosed in approximately 600 patients each year in the United States."
"Is that little bit of information suppose to make me feel better?" I ask.
"Sorry. Unfortunately, treatment depends on the location of the disease and the aggressiveness of the tumors." He said.
"So where can I get treatment? I ask in an urgent search for good news.
"Well because chondrosarcomas are rare, they are treated at specialist hospitals with Sarcoma Centers." He said searching his desk. "Here in the hospital, we are moving her too. She's actually leaving now if you want to join."
"Thank you, Doctor," I said shaking his hand. I wasn't going to cry now not until they tell me it's terminal.
"Are you ok? What happened?" Natalie asked wrapping her arms around me
"I'll tell you at the other hospital," I said then gave her the address.
I sat next to my aunt in the ambulance. Her pale skin was paler and her warm hands were ice cold. I closed my eyes trying to imagine her in a warm and happy stage before this dead mood.
"Don't worry she'll get treatment." The nurse said.
The ride to the other hospital was quiet. Rushing her into her private room the doctor insisted on speaking to me.
"Have a seat please." He said.
"No just lay it out on me," I said.
"Ok. So your aunt's trauma has spread through her legs. Surgery is the main form of treatment for chondrosarcoma. Musculoskeletal tumor specialists or orthopedic oncologists are usually chosen to treat chondrosarcoma, unless it is located in the skull, spine, or chest cavity, in which case, a neurosurgeon or thoracic surgeon experienced with sarcomas is chosen but that's not your case.
Since it affected her legs only so far often a limb-sparing operation can be performed, but in some cases amputation is unavoidable." He said handing me a box of tissue.
Only then did I realize I was leaking.
"We did give those options to your aunt but she refused." He said.
"Who wouldn't you need to get your legs chopped off," I said.
"So unlike other primary bone cancers that mainly affect children and adolescents, chondrosarcoma can present at any age. But at your aunt's age, I think treatment is way overdue." He said.
"So what do you suggest?" I asked.
"Well, we have two options. So there are two kinds of hemipelvectomy - internal and external. External hemipelvectomy - is the removal of that half of the pelvis with the amputation of the leg. It is also called the hindquarter amputation."
"Is there any other option than the cutting off of her leg?" I enquired
"Well that's where Internal hemipelvectomy comes in this is the removal of that half of the pelvis, but the leg is left intact." He said.
"So why haven't you done anything so far?" I asked, glad to hear another option.
"Complete surgical ablation is the most effective treatment, but sometimes this is difficult also pricing clashes." He said.
I finally sat down thinking about this.
"Why hasn't my aunt awaken?" I ask.
"Well the since it affected her leg it caused her to lose her balance and knock her head on the corner of the bathroom counter," he said.
"And how do you know that?" I ask.
"The bump that is forming on the side of her head confirms that." He said.
"Thank you, sir. I will get back to you on my decision." I said then dismissed myself.
This was a lot to take in and tell Massimo and Natalie.
"I'm so so sorry Natasha," Natalie said.
"No, I feel guilty. While I was away with Lorenzo my aunt the last family I knew, was dying and I wasn't aware of it. I was too busy having fun and I didn't even bother checking up on her." I said my voice breaking.
"Natasha don't blame yourself she didn't tell you so how would you be aware of it?" Massimo said.
"I should have paid more attention. And it would be my fault if I can't pay for her treatment." I cried.
My head was spinning how can this happen. Thinking about it that's why she took a break from work and wanted me out of the house certain days. And there I was crying over my boss who fired me.
How could I have been so self-centered? So...
Caring? Alert?
Caring? Are you nuts?
You didn't know that was happening but now that you do you are making an effort to make it right.
I sat down and thought about it. I was going to do anything to get that treatment. But where was I suppose to get that money? I don't have a job.
"I could give some money. I mean it wouldn't be any bother." Massimo said.
"No Massimo that would be a lot to ask," I say.
"Natasha I don't take no for answer," Natalie said.
"Ma'am your aunt has awakened." A nurse said interrupting my argument.
"You," I say pointing at Massimo, "keep your mouth shut towards Lorenzo he has no right to know,"
"Um. That's might be a little late for that." He mumbled
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Hey guys this was a lot of information to take in that why I kept it short.
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