The Calm Before the Storm

A few days later, Ashley woke up early, feeling a mix of anxiety and fatigue as her chemotherapy session approached. She had been preparing herself for this day, but it still felt like a dreaded specter looming over her. She got dressed and made her way to the kitchen, where Ender was already eating his breakfast, chatting excitedly about his day at preschool. Ashley smiled, trying to match his enthusiasm, as she handed him his lunch and gave him a gentle hug. "Have a great day, sweetie," she said, kissing him goodbye. Ender grinned, his eyes sparkling with excitement, and waved goodbye as Ashley headed out the door. The drive to the hospital was uneventful, but Ashley's mind was racing with thoughts of the impending chemotherapy session. She had been through this process before, but it never got any easier. As she arrived at the hospital, she checked in and made her way to the chemotherapy unit. The nurse greeted her warmly and led her to the chemo room. Ashley's heart sank as she saw the familiar setup: the IV pole, the medications, and the dreaded chair. She felt a wave of anxiety wash over her as she sat down, trying to get comfortable. To distract herself, Ashley pulled out her phone and started scrolling through TikTok. The endless stream of videos was a welcome escape from her worries, and she found herself laughing at a funny dance video. But as the minutes ticked by, she couldn't shake off the feeling of impending doom. The nurse came in to check on her, smiling reassuringly. "Almost time to get started," she said, hooking up the IV line. Ashley took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She knew this was just a necessary part of her treatment, but it was hard to shake off the feeling of vulnerability. As the medication began to flow into her veins, Ashley closed her eyes, trying to focus on the sensation of the liquid moving through her body. She knew it would be a long and uncomfortable process, but she was determined to get through it, for herself and for Ender. The TikTok videos on her phone seemed to fade into the background as she drifted into a state of semi-consciousness, waiting for the treatment to take effect.