Monday, November 3, 2007: After a fruitful conversation with Luis, Carson feels a new sense of self. He has a better sense of what it means to support a loved one who is sick, managing his own well-being, and establishing boundaries. He is taking today off from school to be with Athena at her follow-up appointment with Dr. June. On his way to Athena's house, he grabs a warm beverage for both of them: a hot herbal tea for Athena, and coffee for himself. Athena comments on Carson's coffee habits.
"At the rate you are drinking coffee, opening a cafe might suit you well. I can take care of the customer service while you source the beans from around the world. We can hire Hector on as a baker, and have Luis manage payroll."
Luis works as an Accountant and prides himself on his budgeting skills. Hector teaches workshops that use drama and art to help individuals manage their mental health. Hector prides himself on his interpersonal skills. The two men complement each other as a couple.
"Don't forget, your siblings can help with entertainment and your parents with advertising. Since we are getting my parents involved with our cafe fantasy, we should include your family as well."
He drinks from his coffee and smirks at Athena. The two of them are walking to the Seattle University campus: don't worry, Carson reached out to his professor stating he is taking the day off from classes for a family emergency. Plus, his professors are chill and would not care if they caught their stare student walking around campus on his day off from classes.
"And what would we call our cafe, Carson? The Family Joint? Two Leaves and One Bean?"
"The name Caffeine on Point sounds nice to me. After all, our specialty would be coffee imported from around the globe and roasted in-house."
Carson and Athena share a laugh: Athena is the more sarcastic partner, but, Carson can match her any day. After his revelations from Sunday, Carson is feeling extra playful today. Athena grounds their conversation with a question.
"How was your visit with Luis yesterday?"
She sips from her tea and adjusts the hat on her head.
"Informative and fruitful. We discussed mental health, vulnerability, and coping mechanisms. I shared with my father how I am not the best when it comes to emotional vulnerability and how you are able to pick up on this."
Athena smiles at Carson's revelation. Carson continues with his answer.
"We also discussed the benefits of journaling."
Athena stops mid-way through her next sip of tea. She has kept journals in the past and recently started journaling again. Carson notices her thoughts and asks her to share.
"What is going through your mind, Athena? Another sarcastic jab over me taking up journaling?"
"Not a sarcastic jab, a thought. I used to journal a lot as a kid and have started journaling recently: I have not established a routine yet, and write when I feel compelled to do so."
"What compels you to write?"
"When I am feeling really emotional and about to burst. For example, after you went to see Luis yesterday, I took a day trip to downtown Seattle. I felt great and happy when I left my house. After arriving at Pike Place Market and taking in the sites for thirty minutes, the energy from my body started draining and I felt sudden anger."
"What triggered the anger and how did the anger manifest?"
Athena finishes her tea and holds on to the empty cup. She takes a few seconds before answering Carson's question.
"The anger itself was brief, it lasted for five minutes tops. My face grew warm, I wanted to cry but did not, and I had thoughts of 'why is this happening to me'. I am not sure what triggered the anger."
Athena continues verbalizing her thoughts as she sits next to Carson on a bench. They have made it campus and are killing time before Athena's appointment.
"Going back to journaling, after the anger subsided, I walked back to my house. On my walk, I did some processing on what happened to me at Pike Place Market. Once I made it home, I wrote down my thought process onto a piece of paper and tucked the paper into a kitchen drawer."
Carson finishes his coffee and holds the empty cup in both his hands. He noodles over what Athena has shared and looks at his watch. Since Swedish Medical Center is right across the street from the Seattle University campus, there is not a rush to get to the appointment.
Athena looks off into the distance: she is staring at the Ignition Chapel. The stained glass windows shine a rainbow of light onto the choir practicing outside. She turns her gaze a few feet to the right and catches a red cardinal taking off from a tree branch.
Time stands still between Carson and Athena. The two of them sharing a moment without words: a moment of peace. Athena asks what time it is and decides they should get a move-on. After all, being late is not something Athena enjoys.
Once inside the waiting area of Dr. June's office, Athena signs her name on a clipboard and hands over her insurance card. This routine will become all too familiar, she thinks, as she walks over to Carson. She reads a magazine while waiting for her name to be called.
"I wonder how long we will have to wait? There are quite a few people in the waiting area."
"My guess is thirty minutes, Athena. Want to place a bet? Whoever loses pays the winner with food."
"You have a deal. I am placing my bet on ten minutes."
The two lovebirds shake hands and are escorted to the back within twenty minutes. They will have to decide at a later time who won and lost the bet. Once inside the exam room, Carson pulls a chair next to the exam table. Athena stares at the wall in front of her. Dr. June nocks on the door and comes in. She greets Athena and Carson.
"Welcome back Athena, and who are you, young man? The last person I met was an older gentleman name, Hector."
"I am Hector's son, Carson. It is nice to meet you, Dr. June."
Carson and Dr. June shake hands. Dr. June pulls up a computer on the opposite side of the exam table: Carson is on the right side of the table, Dr. June on the left side of the table. She opens up Athena's health record and starts talking with the couple.
"How was your weekend and have you given any thought to my note, Athena?"
Athena speaks for both herself and Carson.
"Our weekend was restful: we had a date day and I spent some time in downtown Seattle. I have not given much thought to your note other than courses of treatment. You said if we start treatment right away, we may have a favorable outcome."
Dr. June can sense the questions in Athena's tone: "How aggressive will treatment be?", "What are treatment options?", and "How severe is my cancer?"
"I am sensing a few questions in your tone, Athena. I don't want to make assumptions and keep you in the dark."
Athena asks the questions Dr. June had suspected. She gives Athena a reassuring smile and addresses each question individually.
"We categorize cancer in stages: Stage 0 to stage 4. With stage 0 cancer, a patient has an elevated white blood cell count and lacks other physical symptoms. With stage 4 cancer, a patient has elevated white blood cell count, a low platelet count, anemia, an enlarged liver and lymph nodes. Since you have anemia, physical symptoms, and an elevated white blood cell count, I classify you with stage 2 leukemia."
Athena and Carson are holding hands: comforting each other and taking in everything Dr. June is telling them. Dr. June continue talking.
"There are several types of treatment available: chemotherapy, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant. A bone marrow transplant may be necessary down the road. I would like to start a course of chemotherapy if you are on board, Athena."
"Athena, honey, Dr. June is talking with you."
Athena has zoned out from the amount of information coming at her. She closes her eyes and shakes her head. Bringing herself back into the present. She addresses Dr. June directly.
"How often will need chemotherapy? What literature do you recommend I read to understand what I am getting into?"
There is a hint of hysteria in Athena's voice. Dr. June excuses herself from the exam room to gather literature for Athena. Carson rubs Athena's hand to comfort her.
"Carson, thank you but stop rubbing my hand. I am not angry, I am trying to absorb a lot of information right now."
Dr. June returns within five minutes and hands Athena two pamphlets: one regarding chemotherapy, the other regarding coping mechanisms during chemotherapy treatment. Athena briefly looks over the pamphlet and has some reservations about chemotherapy. From her Pharmacology and Human Anatomy classes, she has a textbook understanding regarding the side effects of chemotherapy.
At the conclusion of the appointment, Dr. June and Athena settle on a date for Athena's first round of chemotherapy. The date is set for December 5, 2007: if an earlier date becomes available, Dr. June will contact Athena. Carson and Athena leave the exam room and wave goodbye to front-desk staff on their way out of the office. Carson tries to lighten the mood with a little joke.
"Since neither of us accurately guessed how long we would wait for the exam to start, how about we call a draw? We can have lunch at my place or yours."
"I think my cooking skills are better than your cooking skills. We can have lunch at my place."
Athena and Carson leave Swedish Medical Center feeling light-hearted and uncertain.