We arrived in Chicago the next morning, and I had JC take me to the doctor. We waited forever for my doctor, Doctor Altmann. I had JC wait in the waiting room while I waited in the examining room. Dr. Altmann came in soon, and shook my hand.
“How are we Caryn?”
“Not good Doctor.”
“What seems to be the problem?”
“I’ve been having blackouts, dizzy spells, and I get these dots in front of my eyes like I just got my picture taken or something. And the pain…….”
“Hmmm…….that doesn’t sound too good. Let’s get you a CT scan then we’ll see what’s up, okay?”
“Doc?”
“What?”
“You don’t think I’m pregnant, do you?”
“Of course not. Come on.”
After a million and one tests, I was left to wait again. It seemed like an eternity before he came back.
I immediately read his expression. I sighed. “That bad, huh?”
“Caryn, you have a tumor about the size of a golf ball in you head. It is what we call a spider tumor, because it’s branching all over your brain. We can't remove it because of this. The reason you’ve been having blackouts is because it’s slowly pushing on your brain. It won't be long before it totally cuts off the blood supply.”
I took a minute to collect my thoughts. I didn’t think it was going to be this bad, but it was. It was horrible.
“Would you like me to get JC?”
“Uh…….no, that’s okay. I don’t want anyone to know.”
“You should talk to your family.”
“Why?”
“I give you about three, maybe four months. Five at the most.”
“What?”
“Caryn, the tumor is growing at an exponential rate. You don’t have much time.”
“What about chemo?”
“That wouldn’t do much. It would add time, but only days.”
“What can I expect?”
“More severe versions of the symptoms you already have, more frequent blackouts, decreased appetite, decaying vision and hearing, weakness, and fatigue.”
“That’s it?” I said sarcastically. “Is that all?”
“All I can recommend is spend time with family. As much as possible.”
“Thanks doctor.”
I shook his hand, got JC, and we left.
“You okay Caryn?”
“Huh? Oh yea, just a stomach parasite. I’m okay now.”
“Up for pizza?”
“Sure.”