Disguised As A Boy To Attend Belmont High School
Chapter 136: Cancer Diaries II

Chapter 136: Cancer Diaries II

Mark swallowed hard, his eyes filled with emotion as he met Aiden’s gaze. Slowly, he stretched out his pinky finger, locking it with Aiden’s in a solemn vow.

"I promise," he whispered, his voice tight with emotion.

The group huddled together around Aiden, still trying to suppress the shock that pulsed through them. Their faces were tense, each of them battling to keep their tears in check.

"He can’t go on with school activities, right?" Olive asked, her voice trembling as she directed her worried gaze toward the doctor.

Dr. Thompson shook his head gently. "He can go, but I really wouldn’t advise it. School can be stressful, and Aiden’s body might not handle that stress well during treatment. Instead, he can be homeschooled."

"I’m sorry," he added, softening his tone. "I haven’t properly introduced myself. I’m Dr. Thompson, and I’ll be overseeing Aiden’s treatment."

"No! I don’t want to miss school," Aiden protested weakly, his voice cracking. "I need to be around my friends. If I’m stuck at home, I’m going to die of boredom."

Dr. Thompson gave Aiden a small, understanding smile. "If that’s how you feel, we can explore a part-time schedule. But I want to be clear: the treatment will have side effects. Nausea, fatigue, hair loss, and a higher risk of infections. You’ll need the support of your friends and family more than ever."

Olive’s eyes welled up, her lips trembling. "We’ll be there for him, Doctor, no matter what."

Mark nodded resolutely, his jaw tight. "We’ll make sure he gets to school and hospital appointments on time."

Lara’s voice wavered as she added, "We’ll help with his homework and anything else he needs."

Dr. Thompson smiled warmly at them. "That’s exactly what Aiden needs, a strong support system." He shifted slightly, pulling a small planner from his coat pocket. "Now, let’s discuss the treatment schedule. Aiden will need to come to the hospital two to four times a week for chemotherapy, followed by radiation therapy for three months. And we’ll have to monitor him closely."

Aiden’s face fell as the weight of the schedule settled over him. "Two to four times a week? That’s so much," he mumbled, his voice low.

"I know it sounds overwhelming," Dr. Thompson said gently, "but it’s necessary to fight the cancer. We’ll adjust the schedule based on how your body responds."

Olive reached for Aiden’s hand, gripping it tightly. "We’ll get through this together, Aiden. You’re not alone."

Mark’s determination was palpable as he added, "We’ll help with schoolwork. You won’t fall behind."

Lara’s eyes glistened with tears. "We’ll be with you for every hospital visit, every treatment."

Aiden glanced at his friends, his heart swelling with gratitude. "Thanks, guys. Just knowing you’re here makes this a little less scary."

Dr. Thompson cleared his throat, breaking the emotional silence. "Now, I want to make sure you understand the medications and potential side effects." He handed Aiden a thick packet of information. "Take your time with this, and don’t hesitate to ask questions."

Aiden nodded, though the stack of papers felt heavy in his hands, like the weight of everything he was facing.

"Doctor?" Olive asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "What’s the prognosis? Will Aiden really be okay after all of this?"

Dr. Thompson’s face grew serious. "Hodgkin lymphoma is treatable, and we’ve had a lot of success with it. With chemotherapy and radiation, there’s a strong chance of remission, but we’ll need to stay vigilant. Even with remission, there’s always a risk of relapse."

Mark’s brow furrowed. "How strong of a chance are we talking?"

Dr. Thompson’s voice was calm, measured. "About 80 to 90 percent of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma achieve remission with treatment."

Lara let out a small breath. "That’s... really good, right?"

Dr. Thompson nodded. "Yes, but it’s important to stay on top of Aiden’s health. Regular checkups and scans will be critical to make sure the cancer doesn’t come back."

Aiden swallowed hard, his mind spinning as the doctor’s words sank in. A fighting chance. He had a fighting chance.

"Alright, I’ll need someone to sign some consent forms before we begin treatment," Dr. Thompson said, his warm smile easing the tension in the room slightly. "We can start as soon as Aiden’s gone through the information. Just believe in the process, and things will be fine. Now, let’s head to my office for more details."

The nurse, who had been standing quietly by Dr. Thompson’s side, stepped forward and helped Aiden to his feet. Olive and Mark quickly moved to support him, while Lara followed behind.

As they entered Dr. Thompson’s office, the room’s warmth immediately enveloped them. Soft lighting from table lamps cast a gentle glow, and mahogany furniture lent a sense of comfort. Inspirational quotes and medical books lined the shelves, and a framed family photo sat proudly on the doctor’s desk.

"Please, have a seat," Dr. Thompson said, gesturing to the chairs in front of his desk. Aiden and Mark sat down while Olive and Lara took seats on a nearby sofa.

The doctor pulled out a calendar. "Aiden, you’ll undergo chemotherapy every two weeks. After three months, we’ll begin radiation therapy."

"We’ll work closely with your school to ensure you don’t fall behind," he continued. "I’ll provide documentation for any accommodations you’ll need."

Mark raised his hand slightly. "Are there any long-term side effects we should be worried about?"

Dr. Thompson paused before answering. "Chemotherapy can sometimes cause infertility, chronic fatigue, and an increased risk of infections. But rest assured, we’ll be monitoring Aiden closely and addressing any issues that arise."

Lara leaned forward. "What about his diet? Does he need to avoid certain foods?"

"Aiden should avoid raw meats, seafood, and unpasteurized dairy products to lower his risk of infections," Dr. Thompson replied. "Everything is outlined in the documents I gave you."

The group nodded solemnly, absorbing the information.

"Our hospital also offers counseling and support groups for both patients and families," Dr. Thompson added. "I’ll make sure you get the contact information for those resources as well."

The doctor handed Aiden a folder with more detailed information. "Take your time reviewing this. If anything is unclear, don’t hesitate to reach out to me."

Aiden nodded again, still feeling a bit overwhelmed but more prepared.

"Let’s also schedule your follow-up appointments," Dr. Thompson said, reaching for his planner. "And I’ll introduce you to our social worker. They’ll assist with any concerns about transportation or finances."

"Thank you, Doctor," Mark said, offering a small but sincere smile.

Dr. Thompson returned the smile. "Cancer is not a death sentence. With treatment, support, and determination, patients can overcome it."

Just then, a male nurse entered the room with a stack of documents, which he handed to Mark who signed them with the doctor’s go ahead nod.

"Come back tomorrow after you’ve reviewed the document I gave you," Dr. Thompson said, rising from his chair. "Take care of yourselves, kids. We’ll see you soon."

The group also stood to their feet and gave slight bows before leaving the doctor office. As they left the office, Aiden felt a small spark of determination ignite inside him.

"I’ll really get through this," he said quietly, glancing at his friends.

Olive smiled at him. "We’ll get through this together."

Together, they made their way out of the hospital.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.