Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Rita sat on the examination table in a gown that was open in the back. Her feet didn’t touch the ground and swung back and forth in place. The door opened and the doctor entered. She’d been Rita’s doctor for fifteen years and they knew each other well. They attended pilates together. At least they had a decade earlier. Rita didn’t make it to pilates classes very often these days.
“So?” Rita asked.
Dr Gilmore had already run every test known to mankind. Surely they’d found what was going on.
With a sigh, the doctor sat in her chair. She swivelled to face Rita who was suddenly very aware of the fact that she was almost naked and seated like a small child with her feet swinging. She pressed both hands to the table, ready to climb down, then the doctor spoke.
“You know how you told me you’ve been having some difficulty swallowing?”
“Right, but it’s not that big a deal. I’m sure I’m just imagining things. It doesn’t happen all the time.”
Dr Gilmore nodded. “I’m afraid there’s a little more to it than that.”
“What is it?” Rita’s heart dropped.
“It seems you’ve got an oesophageal growth.”
“A what now?”
“In your oesophagus. There’s a growth.”
“You think it’s cancer?”
The doctor leaned forward slightly. “Our tests show it is cancerous.”
Rita gasped, held her breath. Cancer? She was too young for this. Only fifty-eight years of age. That was nothing. She had decades left. Surely. This couldn’t be happening.
“We’ll treat it, and we’ll deal with it. Okay?” Dr Gilmore’s eyes were steel. Her voice was soft.
“I thought I only had to worry about my heart. I’m taking the medication, I’m walking more often. I was doing everything right.” Rita stared at the floor. “How could this happen?”
“You didn’t cause this, Rita,” Dr Gilmore replied. “You’re not a smoker. Or a big drinker.”
“I hardly ever have a drink,” Rita agreed.
“It’s not something you did. These things happen. But we’ve gotten pretty good at treating cancer these days. There are plenty of treatment options available, and I’m going to refer you to an incredible oncologist.”
“You won’t treat me?” Rita looked up, tears filling her eyes.
“No, I’ll still be here, and you can consult with me anytime you like. But you need a specialist for this, Rita. That’s not me.”
“Okay.”
“And what I’d like you to do right now is go directly to the hospital and check in. I’ll let them know you’re coming, and I’ll ask the oncologist to meet you there. I want her to go through all your test results and do whatever else she needs to do to put a plan together for your treatment. Okay?”
“What’s the rush?” Rita was puzzled. This wasn’t how doctors normally handled these things. There were waiting lists and appointments.
“I’m concerned about the chest pain you reported. I need to ensure that we’re taking good care of your heart through all of this. It might be fine. It could be a symptom of the growth. Or it might mean there’s something wrong with your heart. But we won’t know without further testing. I’ll also get your cardiologist involved. But it will mean a night in the hospital.”
“Wow.” Rita didn’t know what to say. She was supposed to be hosting a party at the cafe that evening.
“Whatever you’re thinking about, it can wait,” Dr Gilmore stated. “This is your focus now. You need all your energy to get well.”
“You’re right,” Rita replied. “Okay, I’ll drive to the hospital. It’ll be fine. It’s all going to be fine.” She said the words like a mantra, willing them to be true.