Chapter 12
Six months later Christina pushed the wheel chair out of the doctor's
office. Lance climbed in the truck and she carefully drove them home. He
had been having radiation treatments for six months, twice a week and
there had been no change. The guys had been there every step of the way
and never left them alone to deal with anything. Carla had started to help
with all the medical problems, as Lance grew weak.
Christina pulled into the drive of their condo and saw JC and
Justin's cars. "Oh man," she said, "I totally forgot Chrissy, Pam, Sarah,
and Shannon are in for Christmas."
"Oh yeah" he said quietly. His voice had grown from full and deep to weak
and quiet. Christina looked at him. He was as white as a sheet and his
once baby soft face was now fragile and cracked. He had shaved his head
about two months before so that he wouldn't have to watch as his hair fell
out. He had lost a lot of weight and his once muscular fit body, now
looked to be no more then skin and bones. Christina felt her heart break
each time she saw him in pain or sick. Every treatment took more energy
away and he grew less lively each time.
They had grown extremely close through the last six months. All
wedding plans had been canceled but Christina still had hope that some day
they would be married and happy again. In September he had sent her home
to Indiana to pack up the last of her belongings. Some had been sent but
she needed to go and get the last of it. While she was gone, JC and Justin
promised to take turns staying at the condo so that he wouldn't be alone.
After two days and one radiation treatment Justin called her saying Lance
was in the hospital and that he had developed another case of the flu. He
had been fine when she left and now two days later he was lying sick in a
hospital bed. Christina quickly finished packing and asked her parents to
mail her the last of her belongings as she boarded the next plane to
Florida. As soon as she got back in town, Christina went to the airport
and didn't leave his bedside until he was released from the hospital two
days later. It was almost as if they lived from the love they shared, and
when they were apart they had nothing to live for. It was almost as if he
had given up when she left. Christina hadn't left Florida again since
then.
Now it was Christmas time and some of the group was back in town.
Trisha, Rusty, Andy, and Kelli were staying with their families for this
Holiday. Andy and Rusty had came down for a weekend to help in all ways
possible, but there wasn't much they could do. The guys helped keep the
condo up and in good condition and Carla and Christina worked to keep it
clean and germ free. It was the only way that they could help Lance fight
getting illnesses.
Chrissy had visited at Thanksgiving and had been completely
surprised when JC asked her to marry him. Of course she said yes and they
started to plan the wedding. They were really happy together and made a
cute couple. They set the date for early summer in a year and half. But
Chrissy had already started to make tons of plans; she wanted this to be
the perfect occasion.
Chris and Carla were talking about marriage but neither ever took
the steps to get them there. Both seemed to want to marry the other but
for some reason neither would ask. Carla had moved to Florida and was
staying in Chris' apartment and they had set up the apartment to be
theirs.
Pam and Justin were happier then ever. She was moving in the
spring and had found an apartment ten minutes from Justin's house.
Joey and Jen never got back together. He felt like she was trying
to make him chose between a friend and her. He thought he loved her but he
also knew Lance would never leave his side or abandon him if he got sick,
so he knew he couldn't. He never went to see her after she left and they
barely talked. But recently he had gotten close to Sarah and they seemed
to become good friends and more.
Shannon had gone back to California in late August because of
school. She had come back for Thanksgiving and now for Christmas. Jonathan
and her were very close and seemed to be trying to work on their
relationship and make it strong. They were happy together and Jonathan
spent ever second with her when she was in town.
The last six months hadn't been easy of anyone. Lance had been in
the hospital twice for the flu and once for an infection. His mom and dad
flew to Florida atleast once a month to visit and be with him. They were
coming in town on Christmas Eve to be with him. He was too weak and tired
to fly so they were coming to him.
Finally snapping out of her thoughts Christina climbed out of the truck
and went to help Lance out. They walked to the condo slowly, being sure to
not trip or fall. The door opened, when they reached the porch and they
were greeted by many hugs. Christina and Lance's eyes widened as the
walked into the room.
They had been busy with doctor visits and hospital trips and had
not gotten to decorate the condo at all. It would be the first Christmas
that they would be able to be together on Christmas day. And they had been
excited about it but slowly the idea of a perfect Christmas with lots of
decorations faded into the past, as they had grown too busy. When they
left that morning there was no tree, lights, or manager. Now looking
around the room it was filled with all these things and more. Looking
around the room they saw a white manager sitting on their fireplace and
two red and green stocking hanging off of the mantle. There was a tall
green tree, decorated with all white lights, bows of silver, white, green,
red, and gold, bulbs, and a train running around the bottom, standing in
the far corner of the room near the kitchen. The room was covered in
decorations and glowed red and green. They had hung lights around the
windows and put out little Santa's and snowmen, every inch of the room
glowed of the Christmas spirit.
"Oh my gosh," Lance said as he sat down on the couch, "When did you all do
this?"
"We pulled into your drive right after you left this morning and finished
about ten minutes ago. We know how much you two like Christmas but hat you
were too busy to decorate so we did it for you." JC said.
"There is one thing left for you to do," Justin said, "You have to put the
angel in her place. It didn't seem right for any of us to do it. The girls
picked her out but we want to let you two put her up."
"It's the right thing, she is here to watch over you guys, not us,"
Shannon said as she sat down beside Lance. "So how you feeling?"
"Doing okay," Lance answered.
"Any new news?" Chrissy asked, as everyone sat down in the chairs and on
the floor.
"No...well a little they found another spot," Christina answered, trying
to make it seem like not a big problem. She fought the tears as she
thought about what the doctor had said two months ago. She had told
Christina that as long as no more tumors developed that there was a 90%
chance that they caught it soon enough and that he would beat it. But if
he developed anymore then the two they found on the first few visits that
the chances dropped to 50%. She had never told anyone what the doctor had
said but Chrissy. She didn't want anyone else to be worried. Everyone sat
quickly thinking as Christina and Chrissy exchanged worried glances.
"Well, they'll just remove it" Justin said, as if it were no big deal.
"Yeah...I guess they will" Christina said, she hadn't even told Lance what
the doctor told her. She knew he had to keep hope and if he knew this then
he would most likely lose all hope.
"Okay...well the angel needs to be put in her place," Chrissy said trying
to change the subject, to the relief of Christina.
Joey handed Lance the angel box and he carefully pulled her out.
Its body was porcelain and its hair painted a light golden blonde. The
dress was a brilliant red trimmed in god and silver, and flowing out at
the bottom. He hands came together at her waist as if she were praying.
Her eyes were pale blue and her lips and cheeks were red. Looking at her
Christina thought of how beautiful she was and how she would finish the
decorations perfectly. Lance handed the angel to Christina and stood up.
She followed him as they walked to the tree. Stretching together they put
their angel on top of the tree, the group had wanted to make it perfect
for them and for this angel to hopefully protect their condo and them to
let them have a good Christmas.
As they stood looking at the tree in front of them Lance slipped his arm
around her waist and pulled her close, as she laid her head on his chest.
There hadn't been many romantic moments for them in the past few months,
so this time together with him not sick and her not too tired was
peaceful. Christina lifted her head and looked into the eyes of the man
she loved. They kissed innocently and broke apart smiling. They sat back
on the couch with his arm still around her.
"Thank you so much" Christina said to everyone.
"What are friends for?" Carla said.
"It was actually Jonathan's idea," Shannon said.
"It was?" Christina asked.
"Yep, he called me a couple days ago, after having been to visit you and
saw there were no decorations. And we all know how much you two rant and
rave about Christmas, so I was worried and talked to Jonathan about it for
a while and we thought of this then called the rest of the group and they
agreed to help." Shannon said.
"Well, thank you! I had been trying to figure out when I would be able to
decorate or atleast put a little out. I wanted there to be a tree by
Christmas Eve when Lance's parents come in, but I just didn't know when or
how. To be truthful I didn't have the extra energy or time to do it or go
shopping for the stuff." Christina said.
"Well, its taken care of now. We have the greatest group of friends."
Lance said and he hugged Shannon.
"Yeah we do." Christina agreed with a smile on her face.
The next few days few by and it was Christmas Eve. Everyone had
just got in from going to services with Justin's family and had agreed to
meet the next day for lunch. Lance's parents were staying at a hotel near
his condo and had gone there for the night.
JC pulled his Jeep up to Justin's house. "Today was wonderful," he
said to Chrissy.
"Yes it was" Chrissy agreed.
"Let's go inside" he said as they climbed out and went inside and straight
to his room.
Everyone had been together all that day and for the first time in months
Lance had found a little extra energy. It was almost like it always was,
the guys had sung a couple Christmas songs and teased and joked all day.
JC closed the door behind him and turned off the lights except for the
ones on the small tree in the corner. They had put it up earlier in the
day and this would be the first time it was lit at night.
"Wanna open your presents now?" JC asked
"Oh hell yeah!" Chrissy said.
"I figured as much." JC said as they sat down against the bed facing the
tree. They handed each other a box. JC opened his to reveal a pair of Old
Navy Kakhis and a sweater to match. Chrissy opened her box and found her
favorite two videos, "Father of the Bride II" and "Dirty Dancing".
"Oh JC" she said smiling. They opened a few more boxes. JC had bought her
a couple CD's and a watch to help her be on time. Chrissy got him a tennis
bracelet and a new necklace. "I love everything," she said as she laid in
his arms, "but I especially love you"
"One more gift," he said as he handed her a small box.
"What's this?' Chrissy asked.
"Just open it," JC said as Chrissy began to tear the paper off. She placed
the bow on her head just as she always did, and JC laughed at her child
like attitude. Chrissy had away of making everyone smile, but she also had
a very serious part to her. Finally getting all through the paper Chrissy
held up a small key and looked questioningly to JC. "It's the key to OUR
new apartment." JC said before she asked.
"Let's go there." She said after she smothered him in hugs and kisses.
They stood and left for the apartment. They walked into the bare
apartment. It was completely empty except for the bed that JC had bought a
few days before. They had been shopping and Chrissy had picked it out and
JC had it delivered so they would have somewhere to stay if she wanted to.
JC led Chrissy around the apartment showing her the kitchen, computer
room, and finally the bedroom.
Kissing him Chrissy let her hands roam all over his body and
finally let them rest on the buttons of his shirt. She slowly undid then
and pushed the shirt off of his body. They slowly undressed each other
and continued to kiss passionately. They slowly crossed the room and
climbed onto the bed. JC laid his cell phone on the edge of the bed as
they began to tease each other with their kisses. Chrissy pushed him back
on the bed and began to kiss all over his body as he began to grow in
excitement.
Unable to handle anymore JC laid Chrissy back on the bed began to
position himself, as he heard the phone ring. He glanced from Chrissy to
the phone then back and chose to ignore it as he found the rhythm that
would satisfy his and her needs. He had begun to kiss her deeply as the
ringing phone distracted him. "What the hell?" he mumbled into Chrissy's
mouth.
"IGNORE IT JC!" Chrissy demanded.
"I can't" JC said as he broke apart from her lips, "what if it's an
emergency?!" he said as he climbed off of her and began to reach for the
phone.
"ARGH" Chrissy complained as she fell back on the bed.
"HELLO!" JC said into the phone, in an angry and out of breath voice.
"JC help me!" he heard the voice scream into the phone.
"What's wrong, Christina?"
Chrissy sat up when she heard this and leaned in next to the phone
to be able to hear both ends of the conversation.
"Lance is really sick and needs to go to the hospital. But I can't get him
to let me take him or call the ambulance. He spiked a fever about twenty
minutes ago, and I am so scared. He's gotten sick once and he's all pale,
but burning up. But he says he's freezing. He won't listen to meyou know
how stubborn he is. I can't get ahold of his parents, they went to look at
some Christmas lights and must not have turned on their cell phone. JCI'm
scaredwhat do I do? If he will listen to anyone it's you. Please come talk
to him and convince him to go to the doctor. PLEASE JC!" Christina said as
she paced the living room of the condo. She had just left the bedroom and
Lance was lying sweating but cold on the bed. She had tried everything to
get his fever down but it just wouldn't come down. She was so worried
about him and didn't know what to do. He wouldn't listen to her and just
kept saying he didn't want to mess up anyone's Holiday. She opened the
bedroom door and saw him still lying silently on the bed. He was pale but
there was sweat running down his face.
"Okay, I'm on my way" JC said as they redressed and ran out of the
apartment to the Jeep. He quickly drove to Lance's condo, which was less
then ten minutes from the apartment building. He got the spare key out of
the glove box and they quickly walked up to the door. JC opened it and
walked inside. Seeing the dark room he wondered where Christina was until
he heard the sobs coming from the couch. The only light was the light from
the tree, and it reflected off of her wet face. "Where?" JC asked in a
slightly angry, but more worried voice. Christina looked up and pointed to
the bedroom. JC stormed into the room and shut the door behind him.
Chrissy sat on the couch and tried to calm her down. Five minutes later
the bedroom door opened and out walked JC, carrying a weak but angry
Lance. "Lance...please just shut up...we are going." JC said as he started
to walk to the door. "Come on" he added as he walked out the door to the
Jeep.
He sat Lance in the backseat and Christina climbed in next to him
and pulled him into her arms as she wrapped the blanket around him
tighter. He was still could, but sweaty and hot to the touch. JC drove to
the hospital quickly and they admitted Lance immediately. His fever had
reached 103 degrees and he had become delirious on the ride.
As the doctors and nurses fought to bring the fever down JC called
the guys and Lance's parents. Christina couldn't stop pacing the floor, as
JC and Chrissy sat watching the door. Just as everyone arrived the doctor
came out to talk to them.
"Dr. Eickman?" Christina questioned.
"Yeah...it's my night in the ER."" She said.
"Oh and how's Lance?"
"He'll be fine for now. The flu hit him again. I don't know how he keeps
getting it, but he does. The fevers coming down and that's the good news.
But I do have bad news" the doctor paused before she continues "I found
another tumor when I was examining him." Christina's face fell as she
tried to sit in the nearest chair. Almost missing Chris and Joey reacted
quickly and grabbed her arms and guided her to the chair. The doctor
looked at her to make sure she was okay then continued, "You know what I
said about the tumors and this doesn't look good" the doctor started to
say something but was interrupted.
"Wait what did you say?" JC asked.
"You didn't tell them?" the doctor asked Christina, who only closed her
eyes and shook her head no. "I told Christina a few months ago that as
long as no more tumors developed that Lance had a very good chance of
beating this. But now we have found two more. And it doesn't look good. I
want to say he'll beat this but there's been no change for six months and
to be truthful I don't see any changes in the future."
"Are you saying he can't beat this?" Lance's mom said she had sat beside
Christina and put a hand on hers.
"I can't say one way or another. But to be truth for I don't think he is
going to get better. I don't think anything's going to help at this point.
I hate saying this but if he continues to receive treatments he'll only
grow weaker faster."
Everyone looked at her in pure disbelief. Was she telling them to
stop fighting?
"Doctor, you've been straight forward with us what are you trying to say?"
Christina asked between sobs.
"I'm saying that Lance has maybe a 25% chance of beating this. We have
found four tumors and I think if we look more we would find even more. The
treatments aren't doing any good and are actually causing him more
problems. I can't tell you all what to do but my advice would be to stop
treatments pray for a miracle and live your lives with him to the fullest.
Make this the best time of his life."
"How long?" his dad asked as he fought the tears.
"If he continues to receive radiation and continues getting sick like this
then maybe six months. But off of radiation, if he takes care of himself,
gets rest, eats right, and relaxes then he could have a year. The
radiation at this point is only draining him of energy. I hate to tell you
all of this on Christmas Eve, but you have to talk to him and help him
reach a decision."
"Okay thank you. Can we see him?" JC asked as he tried to clear his mind
enough to think.
"Family and friends only, but I guess that would be all of you. He's been
asking for Christina and his parents so let them go first. And only stay
for a little bit he needs his rest."
"Okay" JC said.
"Let me know if you have any questions or anything I can do to make this
easier for all of you." The doctor said as she walked out of the waiting
room, after pointing to the room Lance was in.
Christina stood and began to walk to where the doctor had pointed.
She reached the door and looked to see Lance's parents still sitting where
they had been. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply then pushed open
Lance's door. Looking in she saw him asleep. Walking over to the bed
Christina sat down beside him and took his hand in hers. His eyes
fluttered open and he looked at her.
"You've been crying!' Lance stated.
"Yeah...well you gave me a scare earlier and you know me I cry at
anything." She answered.
"I'm sorry." He apologized.
"No...don't apologize, just get better for me."
"I will" Lance said, as Christina fought to hold back the tears that were
forming in her eyes. She knew he would most likely not get better. "What
did the doctor say?"
"Oh the usual you go the flu, fevers coming down, yadda yadda." Christina
tried to answer.
"That is?" Lance asked as if knowing she wasn't telling him everything.
'Do I wait for his parents or tell him now?' she asked herself.
"What else was said?"
Christina began to retell what the doctor had told them and kept
her eyes glued on his. Tears formed and flowed down from his eyes as she
told him the chances of beating it and what the doctor told her. They sat
silently looking at each other after she finished. It was hard for him to
not scream and run. He was dying and they couldn't do anything. He was 24
years old and dying. This wasn't right. He closed his eyes and opened them
again slowly before he began to talk.
"I...oh gosh...I don't want to diebut if I have to I don't want to be in
pain, I want to make this the best year of my life. I want to have fun and
enjoy my life. If it means being around six months or a year I want the
year. I want to be here as long as possible."
"Lance I love you so much!" Christina said as she kissed his hand.
"We'll make it the best year ever," he said, "atleast I won't be sick all
the time. I know it won't be perfect but we should be able to do more if I
have more energy." They sat looking at each other until his parents came
in the room.
He informed his parents and the doctor of the choice he had made
and they discussed what would happen over the next year. He told the
doctor he would do what ever it took to be on this earth as long as
possible.
"I'll be able to live a better life" he told them all. Christina had not
left his side but once in the six months and he wanted their last year
together to be peacefully and romantic. He wanted to leave her with only
good memories. He didn't want to leave her like she was then. She was so
tired and her face had aged way beyond her 24 years. Her energy level was
almost as low as his was. At night she didn't sleep, because she worried
about him constantly, and during the day she would help him in every way
possible. He worried about her as much as she worried about him.
After all the guys had visited they left. Lance shooed them out
and told them he would see them the next day after he was released. At ten
he sent Christina and his parent's home and told them he loved them. Lying
in his bed that night he looked at his white ceiling and began to pray,
"Dear God,
Why does it feel like you are testing me? I know this is all in
your infinite plan but how am I suppose to know what's right. I wish you
would show me the right path and lead me. Dear God, please let this next
year go as easily as possible. There are many things I want to do, please
give me the strength to accomplish them all. Give those around me the help and strength they need to be happy and live their lives after I am gone. I only pray that I'm making the right choice. But I would rather live longer and have no pain then to die sooner and be ill all the time. I can't imagine being in pain all the time. Please God just help me. I know I should be asking for a miracle but that doesn't seem right. You have a plan for me just let me follow it. In your name I pray. AMEN!"
Chapter 13
