The office of Dr Goh was unlike the usual office we see which are mostly modern looking, pristine white and filled with the smell of antiseptic. His exuded warmth and friendliness. Mostly decorated in earth-tone and furnished with wooden furniture. Looked inviting and relaxing at the same time.
"Please be seated Mrs. Chua."
" Thank you, Dr. Goh"
He waited patiently until Mrs. Goh had made herself comfortable before speaking.
"I am afraid I have some bad news regarding your daughter, Mrs.Chua" He began. "After she was admitted, initially I thought that she was just being over-worked. However, when I heard her friend told me that she has been nose-bled frequently lately. I decided to do a few blood test to confirm my suspicion." He said somberly.
"What happened to her Dr. Goh." Mrs. Chua waited for the news anxiously. Trying to prepare herself mentally to receive whatever news that the doctor was going to tell her.
"She has Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia . This is the most common type of leukemia in young children. It affect her imune system and she has abnormal white-blood-cell count and needed immediate treatment and donor in order to safe her."
"What!!!!!" Mrs. Chua felt like she had been struck by a thunderstorm and her whole body lost its strength and she felt a sudden rush of dizziness.
How can this happened?? She kept on asking herself.
How can my precious baby get this kind of disease...
This was surreal to her.
"I know it was hard to accept, however, Leukemia can be cured if we can find a donor in time to treat her. That's why I asked that young lady to call you so that we can discussed when and how to treat her. Since acute Leukemia can be save if we have timely treatment."
"Leukemia is blood-cancer right Dr. Goh?" Mrs. Chua asked in trembling voice.
"I am afraid so. But we need to keep out hopes us for the patient Mrs. Chua. Please don't get discouraged by this. Many people survived Leukemia."
"How can she get this disease??? She is still a teenager. She is supposed to be in pink of health instead of having such deadly disease." Mrs. Chua started to lose her calm.
"Please Maam, you need to stay calm. Do you think you can inform most of your immediate family member to come and have blood test to check for donor compatibility. The sooner it's done, the better. If we have somebody compatible then we can start to have bone-marrow transplant and chemotheraphy."
"Yes.... Yessss.... Dr. I'll inform my husband as soon as possible and all our immediate family member." Mrs. Chua replied finally out of her daze.
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I couldn't break down in front of my baby or she's going to lose all hope.
Mrs. Chua tried her best to smile despite the heartache she was feeling.
How should I break the news to her??? She kept thinking over and over again.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chua and a few members of Chua family was on their way to S country.
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That afternoon, Joyce, Jayden and Sherly came to the hospital to cheer Lily up.
"Good Afternoon Mrs. Chua" they all greeted her and then went to Lily to chat with her.
When Lily fell asleep, they planned to leave the hospital. Mrs. Chua called the three of them.
" Are you going home right now?"
"Yes, Mrs. Chua." the three replied.
"Can I speak with the three of you for a while?"
The three of them looked at each other and said, "Sure!"
"Let's speak in front. Don't disturb Lily's rest."
They all went outside and looked at Mrs. Chua. Wondering what happened that made Mrs.Chua so serious.
"I went to see Dr. Goh this morning." Mrs.Chua began.
"Oh Yes! How is Lily Mrs.Chua?" Joyce immediately asked her.
" She..... Sheee...." Mrs. Chua sighed and slowly her tears fell down ceaselessly...
"What happened Mrs.Chua? Please tell us. We'll do our best to help Lily." Joyce quickly hugged her and carressed her back soothingly.
"The doctor said that Liky has Leukemia and that we need to find a matching bone-marrow donor as soon as possible..." Mrs. Chua choked out the sentence in betwern her sobs and cries...
"Nooooo...!!!!" Joyce could only said one word and stared at Mrs.Chua. Unable to believe and understand what she had just said.
"Is Dr.Goh totally sure about this??" Sherly asked in disbelief. "Perhaps the doctor made a mistake in his diagnosis."
"He had done several blood test in order to confirm Lily's condition. I don't think he would make such a huge mistake." Mrs.Chua replied tiredly.
"Then Let's all have our blood test and see if we can match Lily's blood and be a bone-marrow donor." Sherly suggested resolutely.
"Yes! Yes! Let's do just that..." Joyce replied almost instantly. "You'll do the test too right?" She looked at Jayden pleadingly...
Looking at her distressed and tear-strewn face, of course naturally Jayden could not refuse her first ever request from him. The first time the girl he loved has pleaded for his help, thus needless to say, he nodded his head.
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After the shocking news, Sherly went to have her blood tested. Both Joyce and Jayden went to the garden to wait for their turn.
"All will be fine, Joyce." Jayden tried to console Joyce.
"She will recover. There are so many people who have recovered from Leukemia before. I am sure Lily will be able to find a match too."
Seeing Jayden's confidence in this matter, somehow Joyce felt a glimmer of hope. Yes, as long as there's hope for Lily she shouldn't cry as if Lily's disease is a sure death. She then looked at Jayden and laid her head on his shoulder.
Jayden's heart was beating faster and faster when she suddenly laid her head on his shoulder without warning. His whole body turned warm and it spreaded from his shoulder to his whole body.
"Thank You" She whispered...
With that, he smiled a peaceful smile. They both looked at the garden view full of patients and their families taking a stroll on that beautiful afternoon. Both stayed in that position for a period of time. Savoring the sweetness of their closeness. Enjoying the support for each other. Relishing the peace of being with each other.
However, this budding romance was not destined to bloom.