(Nate P.O.V)
Nervous anticipation gnawed at my insides as Arabella and I walked into the sleek and modern medical building. The polished floors reflected the sterile glow of fluorescent lights, creating an atmosphere that made me feel like an intruder in unknown territory. Today, we would undergo a series of tests to determine the stage of penile cancer I was facing.
Arabella’s warm grip on mine offered comfort as we approached the reception desk. The receptionist welcomed us with a gentle smile and directed us to a private room where the tests would be conducted. Each step felt like a heavy thud in my chest, reminding me of the weight of uncertainty that hung over us.
Once inside the room, a friendly nurse named Emily greeted us. She had a calming presence that eased some of my anxiety. “Good morning, Nate,” Emily said warmly. “I’m Emily, and I’ll be assisting you throughout the tests today. Dr Matthew will join us shortly. Please make yourself comfortable.”
Comfortable? Easier said than done. I settled onto the examination table, trying my best to relax while Arabella sat beside me, her unwavering support a reassuring presence. It was hard not to let the fear of the unknown take over, but I held on, determined to face whatever lay ahead.
Dr Matthew, the oncologist, entered the room with a confident stride. He exuded competence and compassion, which instantly put me at ease. “Hello, Nate. Arabella,” he greeted us with a reassuring smile. “Let’s begin the tests to better understand your condition.”
Taking a deep breath, I nodded, trying to muster some semblance of composure. Arabella gave my hand a gentle squeeze, her eyes full of unwavering support. As Dr Matthews explained the process, I could feel the knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach.
He instructed me to lie back, and I did so, trying to ignore the white ceiling tiles as I focused on Arabella’s reassuring gaze. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions, and I could barely process the weight of the moment.
Dr Matthews began the examination, his gloved hands moving with gentle precision. As his fingers explored the affected area, I felt a mix of physical discomfort and emotional vulnerability. Each touch seemed to magnify the reality of my situation, reminding me that cancer had invaded my body.
“Tell me if anything feels uncomfortable or painful, Nate,” Dr Matthew said, his voice a soothing presence amid my turmoil.
I nodded, trying to be as cooperative as possible. Arabella’s steady presence gave me strength, and I took comfort in the fact that she was by my side through every step of this daunting process.
The examination seemed to last both an eternity and a fleeting moment. Dr Matthews was thorough yet considerate, his expertise evident in every movement. I closed my eyes, trying to will away the discomfort and the fear that threatened to consume me.
After what felt like an eternity, the physical examination was complete. Next came a series of blood tests to assess my overall health and detect any abnormalities. As the nurse drew the blood, I focused on the ceiling tiles, trying to distract myself from the needle.
"It's done," the nurse said taking the needle out from my arm and storing my blood in the tube.
"I will call you when the results were out, until then I would advise you to relax and be at home if possible," Doctor Matthew said to me. We thank him and walk out of the building. Arabella grabs my hand and walks towards the passenger door, and I look at her confused. Before I can open my mouth to ask her, she said.
"You must be tired after going through the examination. So, just rest in the car and let me drive us home," she said with a smile on her face.
"Thank you so much, Arabella. I am grateful to have you by my side in the darkest days of my life." I said as tears filled my eyes.
Both Arabella was quite surprised to see how emotional I felt today. I’m generally someone who keeps a level head and doesn’t display many emotions, whether in my personal or professional life.
But today was different; something seemed to have stirred within me. I guess it’s not entirely unexpected given the whirlwind of emotions I’ve been through recently. Arabella just squeeze my hand lightly and helped me get inside the car and walks towards the driver's seat.
"From now on it would be better that I drive you here and back home from today onwards until you get better, right?" Arabella asks starting the engine of the car. I nodded my head as yes too tired to answer her questions.
"How about you take leave from work and relax at home and spend some quality time at home until you complete your treatment and completed recover from cancer?" she ask and look at me and I thought about it for some time.
"It was a long journey. It would take a long time time to fully recover from the cancer. Besides, even after completing the treatment I still have to come here for occasional checkups to make sure that it didn't come back. So, it's not possible for me to stay away from work for such a long time," I said getting comfortable in my seat and closing my eyes.
"Then how about you take breaks from form from work when your treatment starts and work from before and after your treatment, until you fully recover. Let Elliot handle the small tasks while you handle the main work, like important meetings," Arabella suggested, I give it some thought and don't know when fall asleep in the car.
After some time I feel someone shaking me, I wake up to see myself in the car and Arabella hovering over me.
"We are here," Arabella said smiling at me. I nodded my head and remove the seat belt and gets out of the car.
"I will call you when the dinner is ready, until then you can get refreshed and fall asleep after having dinner," Arabella said, I nodded my head and walks towards my room.
I decided to call my best friend, Elliot, and share everything that had happened over these past few days, including my current situation. Elliot and I were incredibly close, and we rarely hid anything from each other. He already knew about my struggle with fertility, my desire to have my own children and start a family, and how I had been visiting a fertility doctor to find answers.
As I opened up to Elliot, I didn’t need to explain much; he quickly grasped the gravity of my situation. From my own battle with cancer to the recent tests I underwent, he understood the challenges I was facing. Elliot, being the supportive friend he always was, reassured me to take some rest and leave everything in his capable hands.
“You don’t need to worry about a thing,” Elliot said. “I’ve got your back, Nate. We’ll get through this together.” His words brought me some comfort amidst the turmoil.
He insisted on staying updated with my treatment progress, so I promised to keep him informed. After disconnecting the call, I grab my clothes from the wardrobe and walk inside the washroom to take a quick shower.
As the hot water cascaded over my skin, I felt an immediate sense of relief wash over me, just like the fog in the air that slowly dissipated under the warmth of the morning sun. The steam enveloped the bathroom, creating a comforting cocoon around me.
Every droplet seemed to carry away my worries and tiredness, allowing them to fade into the distant recesses of my mind. The heaviness I carried on my shoulders began to lighten, and a momentary escape from the challenges of the day awaited me within this steamy sanctuary.
The water’s warmth penetrated deep into my muscles, easing the tension that had built up from days of stress and uncertainty. My mind started to wander, floating like a solitary leaf adrift on a gentle stream, away from the relentless currents of reality.
But it didn’t last forever. Just as I was losing myself in the calming sanctuary of the shower, reality came knocking once again. Arabella’s voice echoed through the bathroom, reminding me that dinner was ready. Reluctantly, I sighed and turned off the shower, leaving the soothing warmth behind.
I stepped out onto the cool tiled floor, feeling a slight chill in the air as the steam dissipated around me. Grabbing a fluffy towel, I wrapped it around myself, absorbing the remaining droplets that clung to my skin.
After a few moments, I emerged from the bathroom, now dressed in comfortable clothes that allowed me to relax after a long day. Despite the comforting attire, a sense of trepidation tugged at my heart as I made my way towards the dining room.
As I approached the table, the savoury aroma of dinner filled the air, a stark contrast to the tranquillity of the shower. My thoughts returned to the challenges and uncertainties I had momentarily set aside. The world outside was waiting, and there was no escaping it.
With a deep breath, I took my seat at the table, trying my best to focus on the present moment and the company of Arabella. She could sense that something was on my mind, and her caring eyes held a glimmer of concern. However, I decided to keep the weight of my worries to myself for now, not wanting to dampen the atmosphere with my struggles.
The dinner conversation flowed, a delicate dance between surface-level discussions and the thoughts that lingered beneath the surface. After dinner, we decided to take a walk in a garden to get some fresh air and I told the conversation that happened between me and Elloits and how we decided to handle company until I fully recover from the cancer.
Arabella also told me that one of our friends had also recommended a famous dietician who can help us during the treatment to make sure that I get proper nutrition so that I can recover from cancer as soon as possible. We talk for some more time and then head to our room to get some sleep.
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