How Long Can You Hold Your Breath? Chapter 8; Coco's Journey

by Larry Puls @larrypulsauthor

Ovarian Caner; Chances of Survival

She looked in the mirror. A reflection from the baldness. To her, an ugly reminder of a journey. A picture that told the story, five weeks from surgery, three weeks from chemotherapy, and two months from perfect health. Why me?

At least now, her pain had resolved. She could walk and eat again. But she still battled sadness. It was hard to be upbeat. The chemotherapy suite still flashed too clearly in her mind. She would be back there in two very short days. Is it already that time again? It was… And it was time to be strong, and a time to be resilient. Closing her eyes, she took a moment to pray. And then without looking back, she placed on her wig and turned to go.

Do They Really Put That in Your Belly?; Chapter 6; Coco's Journey

By Larry Puls @larrypulsauthor

Chemotherapy, Ovarian Cancer

The cavernous room was intimidating. She wanted to run away, but couldn't realistically escape. This was that place and that day she had been dreading. And her confidence was unquestionably wavering from her vivid imagination.

Coco stood there considering the day—and the room in front of her—the chemotherapy suite. She wished she was anywhere but here. Inhaling deeply, she thought, you can do this. Panning the room, she forced enough resolve to tiptoe back towards her designated spot for the day. As she trekked across the room, she wondered about what the next eight hours would hold—and about what her chemotherapy experience would be like. There was that word again—chemotherapy. What would it be like? She couldn’t recall many of the side effects that her doctor had mentioned—except one. Abdominal pain. How bad will it be?