Page 27 of Captiva Book Club

Maggie sat quietly, her mind still lingering on the conversation she’d just had in the waiting room. The young woman’s words had resonated with her, giving her hope she hadn’t expected to find today.

The door opened and Dr. Renolt, her oncologist, walked in with a warm but serious expression.

“Maggie, it's good to see you, although I’m sure you’d rather be anywhere but here right now.”

Maggie smiled and nodded. “That’s accurate, but it’s good to see you too.”

“Okay, so let’s take a look at this lump, shall we?”

Maggie lay back as Dr. Renolt carefully examined the area. His touch was gentle but precise, and she focused on the ceiling, trying to keep her thoughts from spiraling.

After a few moments, he stepped back.

“Maggie, the lump you’ve found…it doesn’t feel like a typical cancerous mass to me. It’s more consistent with Lymphedema, which as you may have been told, is common after someone has undergone treatment for breast cancer.”

Maggie exhaled slowly, her heart pounding.

“So…it’s not cancer?”

Dr. Renolt offered a reassuring smile, though his face remained serious.

“It’s probably not cancer. Lymphedema is a condition where lymph fluid builds up in the tissue, causing swelling. It’s something we monitor closely because, while it doesn’t mean you have lymphatic cancer, there is a risk it could develop into something more serious over time.”

Maggie nodded, absorbing the information.

“What happens next?”

“I’ve already scheduled an MRI for you,” Dr. Renolt said. “I want to get a clearer picture of what’s going on before we consider any further steps. I don’t want to rush into a biopsy unless it’s absolutely necessary. Then, if we need a biopsy, we’ll get it done as quickly as possible. Both the MRI and biopsy should give us definitive answers.”

Maggie appreciated his caution, but the uncertainty still gnawed at her. “So, I go down now?”

“Yes,” he confirmed. “Just head to Radiology, they’re expecting you. We’ll have the results soon, and then we can discuss the best course of action.”

Maggie sat up, feeling a mixture of relief and apprehension.

“Thank you, Doctor. I’m sorry for being such a wreck about all this.”

Dr. Renolt reached out and gently touched her arm.

“That’s perfectly understandable, Maggie. But remember, we’re being proactive. You’ve been through this before, and you’re strong. We’ll take it one step at a time.”

Maggie managed a small smile.

One step at a time. So easy to say, so difficult to do.

As she left the examination room, uncertainty still lingered, but there was also a new sense of resolve. She texted Paolo to let him know she was heading for the MRI. She walked down the hallway with a small glimmer of hope that maybe, she could find her way through this with the support of others—and perhaps even offer that same support in return.

CHAPTER 9

Maggie felt as though she was constantly living in a state of anticipation, and knew she needed to focus her energy on the things that brought her joy. She longed to feel something other than fear—she wanted to laugh, sing, feel light on her feet, and soak in the beauty surrounding her. Cancer had no place in her world, and she resolved not to give it one more minute of her life than absolutely necessary.

She sat on the back porch swing and dialed Claire Wright’s number.

“Maggie, how nice to hear from you. Looks like we have another beautiful day on Captiva Island.”

“Hi Claire, yes, you’re right about that. I know you work from home. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

“Not at all. As it happens, I’m not working today. I’m off until after the holidays. I assume you want to talk about the book club?”

---