"A New Beginning"

The nurse walked into Ashley's room with a warm smile on her face. "Congratulations, Ashley! I just heard the news about your PET scan. You're in remission!" She beamed, as Ashley and Erica exchanged a joyful glance. Ashley felt a mix of emotions: relief, happiness, and a hint of exhaustion. She had been through so much, and it was finally starting to feel like the end was in sight. The nurse continued, "As a result, we'll be discharging you in the morning. But don't think you're off the hook that easily!" She chuckled. "You'll still need to come in for weekly visits to monitor your progress." Ashley nodded, still grinning from ear to ear. The nurse went on, "We'll also be keeping the feeding tube and port in place for now, until your strength returns. And we'll be putting you on a regimen of vitamins and supplements to help your body recover." Ashley nodded, taking it all in. The nurse also mentioned that she would be seeing physiotherapy and occupational therapy to help her regain her strength and mobility. The nurse asked, "Do you live alone, Ashley?" Ashley hesitated, feeling a pang of guilt. She had always lived alone, but the thought of going back to her empty apartment, without anyone to care for her, didn't feel right. Erica chimed in, "She'll stay with me," she said firmly. "I'll take care of her until she's back on her feet." The nurse nodded, seeming to approve of the arrangement. "That's not ideal, living alone, especially after going through what you've been through. It's great that you have someone to support you." Ashley smiled, feeling grateful for Erica's presence in her life. She knew she couldn't have made it through this without her friend by her side. The nurse finished her instructions and left, leaving Ashley and Erica to process the news. Ashley turned to Erica, her eyes shining with tears. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice full of emotion. Erica smiled, her hand on Ashley's arm. "You're welcome, Ash. We'll get through this together."