I nodded as I listened. I loved Dr. Fleming because he explained things in a way that was easy for me to understand. It was rare that I needed further explanation when he spoke to me. “Then there is targeted therapy where we use medicines that will attack specific chemicals in cancer cells. That eventually causes cancer cells to die as well.”
He pulled a booklet from his pocket and continued. “I want to use a combination of medicines. We call it PAD. There are three chemo drugs I want to use. They all kill cancer cells but in different ways. I want to make sure we get it all or as much as possible. This pamphlet will explain everything there is to know about the drugs, but this is the one I recommend. As with any medication, there are possible side effects. You are experiencing one of them already without medication.”
“Bone and joint pain.”
“Yes. Another is kidney failure. Any treatment is risky because we don’t know exactly howyourbody will react to it. We have data and research for most individuals, but there is always the possibility that someone could fall outside of that scope.”
I grabbed the pamphlet from him and looked up at Chozen. He gently rubbed my back as I looked it over for a moment, just trying to let it sink in that I would be on medication for this, three pills for chemotherapy. After taking a deep breath, I said, “If you think this is what’s best, then let’s do it. There’s no need for me to take extra time to think about things I have no experience in.”
He nodded and gave me a tight smile. “I’ll also prescribe you pain meds to help you be able to function. I can imagine the pain you’re in. How do you handle pain medication? Does it take a lot to relieve your pain?”
“It depends on how strong the pain is.”
“Okay. I’m going to prescribe morphine tablets. If they aren’t helping, just call the office. We have to be careful, though, because they place so many stipulations on us regarding pain medication, even for cancer patients. It’s ridiculous these days. Even if the morphine doesn’t totally help, we can try a combination of that with Tylenol or something over the counter before prescribing something else.”
“Okay. Thank you, Doctor Fleming.”
“Of course, Miss Michaels. Don’t worry. We’re going to get this under control, and you’ll be back to yourself before you know it.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you still use the same pharmacy?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Okay. I’ll see you again in a couple of months to see how things are going. Don’t hesitate to call if you need to get in sooner.”
“Yes, sir.”
He left the room, and I huffed. Staring up at Chozen, I said, “This medicine may have me completely out of commission, but I don’t want to drop out of school.”
“Don’t worry about a thing. You know I have connections. Let me work some magic on that, baby. Uncle Carrington is coming and so is RJ,” he said with an eye roll.
I giggled as he lifted me from the bed and set me on my scooter. “Sounds like a good time.”
“Mm-hmm. Maybe for you, but not so much for me. He’s like a big brother that stays in my damn business.”
I giggled again as I headed out of the room. “I should be thoroughly entertained.”
“That’s a shame. My woman gon’ laugh at my pain.”
I giggled again as we got to the nurses’ station and got my appointment card. As I was about to reach in my bag to pay my copay, Chozen handed her his credit card.
“I told you I got’chu, baby.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. As we left the office, I said, “I can’t wait to see what that feels like.”
“What what feels like?”
“For you to have me . . . sexually.”
“Mm. Well, you will definitely need to eat and drink plenty of water. I’m going to enjoy you for as long as you can handle it.”
My body shivered at his words. I would be sure to dope myself up tonight so I could endure what he had in store.
My dick had been clowning ever since Azari grabbed my braids and told me she wanted me to make love to her. He didn’t understand what the word wait meant. I nearly fired off in my pants when she gripped my shit. Thankfully, I was able to calm down in the doctor’s office, due to the nature of the visit, but when she brought up our pending activities as we were leaving, he was back, ready for action.
When we got to her place, I warmed her some food. After she ate, I knew she was going to want to take a bath. Once I cleaned the dishes, I went to her on the couch with her pain meds. Her mama usually helped her take a bath since she’d been in pain. This would be my first time seeing her naked, and the anticipation of it all was about to take me the fuck out. I knew I had to take my time though. She needed tenderness. Her body wasn’t at 100 percent. There was no way I would get reckless in her shit and hurt her.
