Six months ago...
As Jing Ning stepped into the hospital entrance, an electric current seemed to pass through her body. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Then, a man's voice rang in her ears, "Miss Jing Ning."
She turned and saw a middle-aged man with elegant, fair skin, an intellectual charm, and a handsome face. Dressed in a crisp shirt and black pants, with an expensive diamond tie clip and holding his lab coat, it was her doctor, Mu Chen. Every woman who saw him couldn't help but notice his presence; he looked like a young master from a rich family, not someone who became a doctor for money.
With a smile, she said, "Oh! Doctor Mu Chen, I thought you had already arrived at the hospital, so I came to see you."
"Okay, let's go to my office," he replied.
Once they arrived, he poured her a glass of water and pushed a file towards her. With a sad expression, he said, "Miss Jing Ning, I'm sorry to say, your illness is getting worse. The results show that the blood cancer has progressed. I'm sorry, but you only have five months left in this world." He paused, then continued, "But please don't worry too much. There are some possibilities that you might heal, but it's just my expectation. You need to be hospitalized for some treatments."
Her head began to spin, everything in her mind becoming blurry. She was lost in thoughts, telling herself, "I'm 25 years old. I wish I could get married and have children, but this has just turned into my imagination."
Seeing her silent, he said, "Miss Jing Ning... Miss Jing Ning."
She came back to her senses and said, "Yes?"
"Are you okay?"
"Is there another way, please? I can't be hospitalized because I don't want my family to know about my situation."
"There is no other way, Miss Jing Ning. I think you should go back home and think it through."
She stood up, picking her bag from the desk, and said, "Okay, thank you. I'm leaving."
As Jing Ning left the hospital, her mind was a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts. The weight of the diagnosis pressed heavily on her, and she struggled to process the reality of her situation.
"Five months," she thought, the words echoing in her mind. "How can this be happening? I'm only 25. I had so many dreams, so many plans." She envisioned the life she had hoped for—marriage, children, a future filled with love and happiness. Now, those dreams seemed like distant, unattainable fantasies.
"How do I tell my family?" The thought of their reactions filled her with dread. She didn't want to burden them with her pain, didn't want to see the sorrow in their eyes. "I can't let them know. I have to protect them from this."
Her thoughts shifted to the moments she had cherished, the small joys that had made life beautiful. "Every smile, every laugh, every tear... they all mean so much more now."She resolved to make the most of the time she had left, to find meaning in each day, no matter how fleeting.
"Is there really no other way?"Desperation clawed at her heart. She wanted to believe in miracles, in the possibility of healing. But the doctor's words had been clear, and she knew she had to face the harsh truth.
As she walked away from the hospital, Jing Ning felt a mix of fear, sadness, and a strange sense of determination. **"I won't let this define me. I will live fully, love deeply, and leave behind memories that will last."** With each step, she vowed to embrace the time she had, to find strength in the face of adversity, and to hold on to hope, no matter how fragile it seemed.
Yes, Jing Ning did consider alternative treatments. In her quest to find hope and extend her time, she explored various options beyond conventional medicine:
Jing Ning visited a renowned TCM practitioner who prescribed herbal remedies and acupuncture sessions. She found comfort in the holistic approach, which aimed to balance her body's energies and alleviate some of her symptoms.She consulted with a nutritionist who specialized in cancer care. Together, they developed a diet plan rich in anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting foods. Jing Ning believed that nourishing her body with the right nutrients could support her overall well-being.Jing Ning embraced practices like yoga, meditation, and tai chi. These activities helped her manage stress, improve her mental clarity, and maintain a sense of inner peace. She found that connecting her mind and body brought her a sense of control and empowerment.She explored therapies such as Reiki and energy healing. While she remained open-minded, she approached these treatments with a sense of curiosity rather than expectation, hoping to find any form of relief. Jing Ning joined support groups for cancer patients, where she met others who were exploring alternative treatments. Sharing experiences and learning from others provided her with new perspectives and emotional support.She sought guidance from spiritual healers and holistic practitioners who offered different perspectives on healing and coping with illness. These sessions often provided her with emotional and spiritual comfort.
While Jing Ning remained realistic about her prognosis, these alternative treatments gave her a sense of agency and hope. They allowed her to take an active role in her care, providing her with moments of peace and a deeper connection to her body and spirit. Through these explorations, she found strength and resilience, embracing each day with a renewed sense of purpose.